Ball And Socket Patents (Class 403/90)
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Patent number: 4273461Abstract: This invention relates to a coupling of the ball-and-socket joint type between two objects. Connected to the one object, which may be a driver's seat in a working vehicle is a joint socket and a joint ball with a gap between them. Connected to the other object, which may consist of a base for a driver's seat, for example, is a coupling element in the form of a spherical shell disposed in the gap between the joint socket and the joint ball. The latter are pressed towards one another by means of powerful cup springs so that the spherical shell is locked firmly and the two objects are thus located in relation to one another. The grip of the spring force can be cancelled by means of a tightening element connected to the joint ball, as a result of which the coupling becomes movable again so that new positions can be adopted. The coupling can be used in various connections where it is desired to adjust two objects in relation to one another simply, securely and quickly.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Inventors: Gunnar M. T. Kjellstrand, Olof Olofsson, Anders G. Linder
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Patent number: 4273116Abstract: An external fixation device for reducing fractures and realigning bones comprises sliding universal articulated couplings for enabling easy adjustment and subsequent locking of connections between Steinmann pins and tubular tie-rods. The couplings each include a split, spherical adapter sleeve which is embraced by the matching inner surface of an open ring portion of a coupling locking clamp having clamp lugs tightenable against a block by means of a nut-and-bolt assembly. Further nut-and-bolt assemblies are disposed in elongated slots in the blocks and cooperate with associated clamping members to clamp the Steinmann pins to the blocks after adjustment in two orthogonal directions and optional resilient bending of the pins.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Inventor: Claude Chiquet
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Patent number: 4265561Abstract: A head band has two ball and socket joints spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the human interocular distance, said joints including balls each of which is bored non-circularly to receive a retaining rod arranged to be passed selectively through and axially adjustable in the bore in one of said balls, said retaining rod being provided with a clamping device at its free end for receiving and clamping an endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1979Date of Patent: May 5, 1981Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbHInventor: Helmut Heckele
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Patent number: 4227826Abstract: An improved hub-locking device for conveyor pulleys including a spherically shaped collet having a centrally located bore for receiving a shaft, an axially aligned slot extending through one side thereof permitting compression of the collet on the shaft, and a plurality of radially extending lugs, a hub attached to the end of the pulley and having an axially aligned tapered aperture for partially receiving the collet with the shaft therein and a plurality of radially extending recesses for receiving the collet lugs, a clamping ring having a tapered aperture for partially fitting over the collet, and a plurality of bolts for passing through holes in the clamping ring, for threading into the hub and for drawing the clamping ring toward the hub compressing the collet therebetween with the lugs within the recesses, and causing the collet to compress and engage the shaft, the hub and the clamping ring.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1979Date of Patent: October 14, 1980Assignee: Dynaloc CorporationInventor: Rene A. Conrad
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Patent number: 4222680Abstract: A variable position friction joint, including a housing defining a housing cavity receiving therein a relatively soft lining material defining a lining cavity. A joint member has a rounded end which is received with a snug friction fit within the lining cavity, said joint member and said housing being selectively movable relative to each other. The joint member and said housing may be tipped relative to each other and/or they may be selectively moved rotationally relative to each other relative to the axis of said joint member. The rounded end of the joint member may include a plurality of valleys in the surface thereof to prevent squeaking of the joint when said joint member and said housing are moved relative to each other. The lining material may comprise either a tubular member defining a cylindrical lining cavity or another member which defines a generally spherical lining cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1978Date of Patent: September 16, 1980Inventor: Charles E. Browning
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Patent number: 4157876Abstract: This orthopedic appliance for correcting a wide variety of lower extremity deformities comprises: a bar which is scored so that it can be broken to provide a bar of a desired length; lockable articulated joints at both ends of the bar; releasable clips for rapidly attaching and detaching the articulated joints to and from the bottom of the patient's shoes; index markings allowing the articulated joints to be accurately adjusted and locked in the desired position; nesting extension attachments; and stabilizer rods for maintaining plantar or dorsi flexion and insuring that the device is not defeated by bending the knees.Included in the appliance is a lockable articulated joint utilizing a hollow spherical member clamped between a spherical socket and a spherical locking member.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1978Date of Patent: June 12, 1979Inventor: Mario DiGiulio
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Patent number: 4151853Abstract: A crutch construction of the "Canadian" type that includes an elongated lower support assembly on the uppermost end of which a universally adjustable hand rest is interconnected. An upper forearm support assembly is provided with a forearm cuff member, the vertical axis of which is generally aligned with the vertical axes of the hand rest and the lower support assembly, wherein the forces exerted by the weight of the user on the crutch are transmitted directly through the aligned lower support assembly and hand rest for distribution to the hand of the user as located on the hand rest and through the forearm of the user as positioned in said cuff member.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1977Date of Patent: May 1, 1979Inventor: Amnon Inbar
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Patent number: 4140413Abstract: An improved hub-locking device for conveyor pulleys including a spherically shaped collet having a centrally located bore for receiving a shaft and having an axially aligned slot extending through one side thereof permitting compression of the collet on the shaft, a hub attached to the end of the pulley and having an axially aligned tapered aperture for partially receiving the collet with the shaft therein, a clamping ring having a tapered aperture for partially fitting over the collet and a plurality of bolts for passing through holes in the clamping ring, for threading into the hub and for drawing the clamping ring toward the hub compressing the collet therebetween, causing the collet to compress and engage the shaft, the hub and the clamping ring.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1977Date of Patent: February 20, 1979Assignee: Dynaloc CorporationInventor: Rene A. Conrad
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Patent number: 4139750Abstract: A liquid level indicating device for indicating a predetermined liquid level in a container includes a mounting member mounted on the container, a float movable with the level of liquid in the container and actuating an electrical switch when the float is at the predetermined liquid level in the container, and a coupling pivotally supporting the float on the mounting member and adjustable in orientation to permit the float to pivot in various planes. The coupling can be an angularly movable clutch such as a universal joint or a ball and socket joint or the coupling can be in the form of a resilient hinge.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1977Date of Patent: February 13, 1979Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AGInventor: Karl Rau
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Patent number: 4132236Abstract: In combination a tiltable collapsible umbrella and a table, the umbrella collapsible into a storage member underneath the center of the table.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1977Date of Patent: January 2, 1979Inventors: William Petersen, Mary A. Petersen
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Patent number: 4131256Abstract: An engine mount wherein the engine carries two oppositely-moving jaws adad to clamp against opposite side surfaces of a hold-down element carried by the vehicle. The jaws are actuated for opening or closing movements by means of a single screw extending through both jaws. The screw threads engaged with one jaw are right-handed, and the screw threads engaged with the other jaw are left-handed, for producing the desired jaw motions. The jaws and actuator screw are freely adjustable as a unit whereby the jaws apply equal pressures on the hold-down element.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1977Date of Patent: December 26, 1978Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Erwin F'Geppert
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Patent number: 4043686Abstract: A ball joint for support of and orientation of a device in any direction stabilized against rotation on its own axis including means locking the ball in a selected position.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1976Date of Patent: August 23, 1977Assignee: Snotrix Division of Pittway CorporationInventor: Kenneth R. Hackett
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Patent number: 3986642Abstract: A nozzle assembly for dispensing liquid which is adjustable to direct the streams of liquid at various angles. Multiple aligned clamp blocks are secured to a mounting bracket. Adjacent clamp blocks have mutually facing surfaces with pairs of recesses formed therein to pivotally receive a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles each include a tubular member having a spherical portion received in the recesses. The tubes are connected to sources of liquid. The number of nozzles in the assembly may be increased by linear extension as well as by adding additional rows to increase the depth of the assembly. A threaded member secures the clamp blocks to the bracket with the clamp blocks being pivotable and the nozzles being pivotable until the threaded member is tightened. A fastener secures the bracket to a bulkhead with the bracket being pivotable until the fastener is tightened. The clamp blocks have tapered cross sections to allow pivoting of the nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1974Date of Patent: October 19, 1976Assignee: All State Vending Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Ray E. Selvia, Allan D. Barden
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Patent number: 3962575Abstract: A downwardly extending radial arm having a hook-shaped end portion for engaging milk hoses is secured to a generally horizontal cow stall mounting rail by a self-lubricating ball and socket joint. The ball is secured to the mounting rail by a diametrically extending bolt either received through the mounting rail or through a sleeve around the rail. The socket member is formed of separable halves which upwardly clamp the ball and downwardly clamp an upper end of the support arm by a clamping bolt extending through the socket member halves.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1975Date of Patent: June 8, 1976Inventors: Ben W. Vandenberg, August Vandenberg, Andrew W. Vandenberg
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Patent number: 3958904Abstract: The invention relates to a ball-and-socket joint comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw, one arranged on one side of a median plane of a ball, and the other disposed on the other side of said plane, and a means for clamping these jaws to lock the joint in a required position, characterized in that it comprises: a part-spherical cup disposed between the upper jaw and the ball; a first guide means limiting displacement of this cup relatively to the upper jaw in a first central plane of symmetry of the ball; and a second guide means limiting displacement of this cup relatively ot the ball in a second central plane of symmetry of the ball, and in that this first and second plane of symmetry are at right-angles to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1975Date of Patent: May 25, 1976Assignee: Sarmac S.A.Inventor: Maurice Rusbach
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Patent number: 3957241Abstract: A relievable hanger for towels and the like is disclosed which incorporates a ball having a fixed rod extending therefrom. The ball is movably captured within a socket to form a ball joint. A portion of the ball is bored out to receive therein a spring-loaded element with a rounded, blunted end. Positioning the rod upwardly to serve as a hanger for towels and the like disposes the blunted-end of the spring-loaded element over a detent within the socket. The blunted end is urged by the spring into the detent which relievably locks the rod in its upright position.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1974Date of Patent: May 18, 1976Assignee: Acorn Engineering Company, Inc.Inventors: Earl L. Morris, Larry D. Fields
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Patent number: 3947139Abstract: There is disclosed a light assembly or similar apparatus which is adjustable by means of a ball and socket assembly incorporating an elastomeric "O" ring which abuts against the periphery of the ball when a ball accommodating sectionalized socket assembly is clamped together.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1975Date of Patent: March 30, 1976Assignee: Designs For Vision, Inc.Inventor: Richard E. Feinbloom