Adjustable swivel

Claim 1

A swivel mount comprising a base member adapted to be mounted on a support, a spherical ball provided with means for connecting an item to be selectively adjustably positioned as said ball is positioned, and actuating means for selectively loosening said ball for swivel movement on said base member and locking said ball against movement relative to said base member, said base member being formed as an upright cup-shaped member having an upwardly opening chamber therein, said ball being disposed in the upper portion of said chamber for swivel movement, an annular cap for said chamber to hold said ball in position therein, said cap having a central opening therein exposing an upper portion of said ball and its connecting means, said actuating means comprising a piston disposed within said chamber for movement upwardly into engagement with said ball and downwardly to release said ball, said piston having a horizontal internal passageway extending therethrough, a cam mounted in said chamber and said horizontal passageway for rotational movement, said cam being disposed to drive said piston by contact with a wall of said passageway, spring means for yieldably urging said piston against said ball to lock it in position, handle means for driving said cam to move said piston against said spring means to release said ball, resilient means disposed between said ball and both a horizontal ridge on said base member and an internal surface on said cap to provide frictional resistance to movement of said ball, said resilient means including a spring washer disposed about a minor portion of said ball and acting against said horizontal ridge on said base member to urge said ball upwardly against said annular cap, said resilient means further including two resilient, rubber-like O-rings disposed about said ball, one O-ring engaging said spring washer and said ball, and the other engaging said cap and said ball.