Ball and Socket Joint for Device Enclosure

• US 20140086666A1
• Filed: 09/25/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lilitab, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lilitab, LLC
• Inventors: Grziwok, Bryan Rudolf, Aronson, Adam Scott
• Granted Patent: US 10,378,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/56
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/06 Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts F16D3/16
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2078 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/022 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/024 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/041 for balancing rotational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32032 Plural ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32631 Universal ball and socket

Abstract

One example of a ball and socket joint for a device enclosure includes a ball member configured to facilitate connection to an electronic equipment. The ball member includes a first portion, and a second portion configured to mate with the first portion to form a passage to pass one or more cables for connection to the electronic equipment. The ball and socket joint also comprises a socket comprising a hollow portion configured to receive the ball member.

Claims

1. A ball and socket joint to mount electronic equipment, the ball and socket joint comprising:

a ball member configured to facilitate connection to an electronic equipment, the ball member comprising;

a first portion; and

a second portion configured to mate with the first portion to form a passage to pass one or more cables for connection to the electronic equipment; and

a socket comprising a hollow portion configured to receive the ball member.

2. The ball and socket joint of claim 1, wherein the ball member includes an elongated hollow portion configured to pass through the hollow portion of the socket and to at least partially extend outside the socket to facilitate connection to the electronic equipment.

3. The ball and socket joint of claim 2, wherein the elongated hollow portion extends the passage.

4. The ball and socket joint of claim 1, further comprising movement control members configured to control a movement of the ball member within the socket.

5. The ball and socket joint of claim 4, wherein the movement control members comprise one or more set screws positioned along an axis of pivoting of the electronic equipment, the one or more set screws configured to limit movement of the ball member to pivoting.

6. The ball and socket joint of claim 5, wherein the one or more set screws disable a rotation of the ball member.

7. The ball and socket joint of claim 4, wherein the movement control members comprise one or more set screws to immobilize the ball member.

8. The ball and socket joint of claim 4, wherein the ball member comprises mating geometry to engage with the movement control members.

9. The ball and socket joint of claim 4, wherein the movement control members comprise one or more pins attached to an exterior surface of the ball member (claim 5c), the one or more pins to mate with corresponding one or more shoulders in an inner surface of the socket to control a rotation of the ball member.

10. The ball and socket joint of claim 4, wherein the movement control members comprise one or more set screws to be threaded into the socket along the transverse axis to limit a pivoting of the electronic equipment about the transverse axis.

11. The ball and socket joint of claim 1, further comprising a spring member and a cup to receive the ball member, wherein the spring member and the cup are configured to retain the ball member in the socket with a force that is sufficient to support a cantilevered weight of the electronic equipment connected to the ball member.

12. The ball and socket joint of claim 11, further comprising one or more shims disposed between the spring member and the cup, the one or more shims configured to enable incrementally adjusting a joint stiffness.

13. The ball and socket joint of claim 11, wherein either the cup or an outer surface of the ball member is textured.

14. The ball and socket joint of claim 1 further comprising:

a cover connected to the end of the socket; and

a mounting plate connected to the cover, the mounting plate configured to be connected to the ball member and to the electronic equipment.

15. The ball and socket joint of claim 14, wherein each of the cover and the mounting plate is configured to pass the one or more cables therethrough.

16. The ball and socket joint of claim 1, wherein one or more cables are configured to transmit power or data or both from a source to the electronic equipment.

17. The ball and socket joint of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the ball member is identical to the second portion of the ball member.

18. A system for mounting electronic equipment, the system comprising:

a first joint assembly configured to connect to an electronic equipment, the first joint assembly comprising;

a first ball member comprising a passage to pass one or more cables to the electronic equipment; and

a first socket comprising a hollow portion to receive the first ball member;

a second joint assembly connected in series with the first joint assembly, the second joint assembly comprising;

a second ball member to connect to the first ball member, the second ball member comprising a passage to pass the one or more cables through the second joint assembly; and

a second socket comprising a hollow portion to receive the second ball member.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising

a first cover positioned between the first joint assembly and the second joint assembly;

and

a second cover positioned between the first cover and the second joint assembly.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a third joint assembly connected in parallel with either the first joint assembly or the second joint assembly.