US3958904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball-and-socket joint
Assignee: Sarmac SA
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Filing: 1975-03-25
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Granted: 1976-05-25
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Expires: 1995-03-25
Abstract
Abstract 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Rusbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:15
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A27/00; F41A27/06; F41A27/08; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/10; F16C11/103; F16C11/106; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/12; F16M11/14; F16M11/20; F16M11/24; F16M11/242; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/02; F16M2200/021; F16M2200/022; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32311
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
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 to 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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
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 to 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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A joint according to claim 1 characterizeed in that when the means for clamping the jaws is relaxed, these jaws form a spherical seat for the ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A joint according to claim 2, characterized in that the ball constitutes the end of a stem extending through the lower jaw, and in that the diameter of the stem is less than that of the ball.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the first guide means comprise at least one channel formed in the exterior surface of the cup and extending along a portion of the great circle thereof, and guide elements firmly connected to the upper jaw and projecting therefrom into said channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A joint according to claim 4, characterized in that the cup has formed therein two channels situated on the same great circle and each co-operating with a guide element secured in the upper jaw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the second guide means comprises a traversing channel formed in the cup and extending along a great circle thereof, perpendicular to the channels of the first guide means, and a guide element immobilized in relation to the ball and traversing this channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A joint according to claim 6, characterized in that this guide element is subjected to a resilient action whereby the cup is urged against the ball, the head of this guide element bearing on a shoulder of the traversing channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A joint according to claim 6, characterized in that this guide element is formed by a peg which traverses the ball and the stem and whose one end is screwed into a clamping element enabling the cup to be locked on to the ball.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the first guide means comprise at least one channel formed along a great circle of the inner surface of the upper jaw, and a guide element firmly secured to the cup and projecting therefrom into each channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the second guide means comprise at least one channel formed in the surface of the ball on a great circle thereof, and guide elements firmly connected to the cup and projecting therefrom into each channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the second guide means comprise at least one channel formed in the inner surface of the cup and on a great circle thereof, guide elements projecting from the ball engaging in said channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower jaw is integral with a case surrounding the ball and enclosing both the cup and the upper jaw.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A joint according to claim 12 characterized in that this case has a screw-on cover.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
A joint according to claim 13 characterized in that a screw is screwed into a tapped thread extending through this cover, that end of the screw located in the case making contact with the upper jaw by way of a friction lining, and tightening of the screw resulting in the joint being locked in position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A joint according to claim 1 characterized in that the upper jaw forms the shaft of the bearing element, and in that a worm wheel, disposed tangentially of this shaft, is cut in the cylindrical wall of this shaft, the wheel being adapted to mesh with a worm gear fitted in the body of the bearing element.
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) | 1979-05-25 | 1979-11-24 | 1980-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-25 | 1983-11-24 | 1984-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-25 | 1987-11-24 | 1988-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |