US3679236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alt azimuth swivel construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-16
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A swivel joint fitting for lighting fixtures comprises a tubular mounting base telescopingly connected by a swaged rotatable joint to a housing for relative axial rotation therewith through an arc short of 360* as the azimuthal swivel component. A ball, mounted in the housing and having a stem extending through a semicircular slot in a dome-shaped end of the housing, provides movement through an arc of 180* as the altitudinal swivel component, permitting a full right angular bend. A compression spring simultaneously provides frictional drag of predetermined force against the altitudinal and azimuthal movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome Warshawsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:08
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V19/00; F21V19/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/907; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32737; Y10T403/32762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A swivel structure comprising a dome-shaped housing serving as an azimuthal component of the swivel and being formed with a semi-circular slot in the dome, a base in alignment with a bottom end of the housing opposite its dome, said bottom end of the housing being secured to said base for relative axial rotation only with respect thereto, a swivel ball member serving as an altitude component of the swivel and comprising a stem having one end portion adapted for connection to a receptacle and an opposite end portion terminating in a ball member positioned entirely within said dome-shaped housing with the stem extending through said semi-circular slot for pivoting movement therein through an arc of 180*, a washer coaxially mounted within the housing in abutment engagement with said swivel ball member, and a compression spring coaxially mounted within the housing and acting between the washer and said base for simultaneously providing a friction drag of predetermined force on said relatively rotary and pivoting movements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A swivel structure comprising a dome-shaped housing serving as an azimuthal component of the swivel and being formed with a semi-circular slot in the dome, a base in alignment with a bottom end of the housing opposite its dome, said bottom end of the housing being secured to said base for relative axial rotation only with respect thereto, a swivel ball member serving as an altitude component of the swivel and comprising a stem having one end portion adapted for connection to a receptacle and an opposite end portion terminating in a ball member positioned entirely within said dome-shaped housing with the stem extending through said semi-circular slot for pivoting movement therein through an arc of 180*, a washer coaxially mounted within the housing in abutment engagement with said swivel ball member, and a compression spring coaxially mounted within the housing and acting between the washer and said base for simultaneously providing a friction drag of predetermined force on said relatively rotary and pivoting movements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The swivel defined in claim 1 in which second thin flat washer means is interposed between said spring and base to reduce the comparative friction drag on the azimuthal component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The swivel defined in claim 1 in which said securing of the base and housing is a swaged rotary joint serving as the sole means for retaining the parts in assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The swivel defined in claim 3 in which said swaged joint comprises a radial collar formed on said base and having a rounded undercut annular edge, said housing bottom end having a bore snugly engaging the collar and terminating in a free edge turned into the undercut about the rounded edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The swivel defined in claim 4 in which a longitudinal exterior slot is formed in said base extending through said radial collar to a point spaced downwardly from said swaged joint to serve as anchoring means for a spanner wrench.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The swivel defined in claim 3 in which said swivel ball member has an axial bore enlarged at the inner end thereof to provide a pair of spherical segments having rim edges engaging said washer, the latter having an axial sleeve extending between said spherical segments to prevent collapsing of the segments by pressure exerted by said compression spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The swivel defined in claim 6 in which said washer on its spring contacting face has a second axial sleeve symmetrical with respect to said first mentioned sleeve, said base having an axial bore and an interior sleeve surrounding said bore, said second axial sleeve and said interior sleeve extending into the core of said spring as aligning means therefor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The swivel defined in claim 6 in which said swivel ball member stem, said axial bore enlargement of the ball member and said housing semi-circular slot are constructed and arranged to permit full right angular disposition between the axes of said housing and said ball member stem in the altitudinal component of the swivel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
The swivel defined in claim 3 in which said base has a top wall positioned within a counter bore of said housing forming a shoulder, said top wall having an inner shoulder and a stepped outer shoulder, the latter facing and being concentrically aligned with said housing shoulder and spaced therefrom, a pin upstanding from each of said aligned shoulders extending into said space to engage each other as a limit to the rotary motion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The swivel defined in claim 9 in which said swivel ball member stem is formed with opposite flattened faces engaging the walls of said housing semi-circular slot to prevent relative rotation between said ball member and housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The swivel according to claim 1, wherein the swivel ball member and said base are each of larger axial extent than said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |