JOINT MEANS FOR USE IN WORK SUPPORTING ARM

• US 3,638,973 A
• Filed: 06/04/1969
• Issued: 02/01/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles Ellis Poletti
• Original Assignee: Charles Ellis Poletti
• Inventors: Poletti, Charles Ellis
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Application Number:
  US04/830,422
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 285/184,181,306,261,272,97,98,166,18,322,164,317,308,168,107,169BP,281,330 248/376,276 128/20 269/22,75 287/14
• US Class Current: 285/184
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/103 frictionally clamped
• 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 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2078 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/02 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86292 System with plural openings, one a gas vent or access opening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/22 with fluid pressure responsive component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32311 Ball and socket

Abstract

A joint means for coupling two elements forming part of a worksupporting arm wherein the joint means is operable between a relaxed condition in which relative movement is permitted between the elements of the work-supporting arm and a rigidified condition in which the elements of the work-supporting arm are secured against relative movement. Pressurized fluid is utilized to effect rigidification with a continuous pressurized fluid system being operable to rigidify a plurality of joint means in a single work-supporting arm. Such a work-supporting arm is shown to be particularly useful in a surgical retractor wherein the arm includes retractor-retaining means, operable by the same pressurized fluid system to permit removal of the surgical retractor from the work-supporting arm.

Claims

1. A joint means for coupling two elements forming part of a work-supporting arm, said joint means being operable between a relaxed condition in which relative movement is permitted between the elements of the work-supporting arm and a rigidified condition in which the elements of the work-supporting arm are secured against relative movement, said joint means including first and second coupling means normally loosely engaged to secure the same against accidental separation while permitting relative movement therebetween providing the relaxed condition of said joint means, means defining a chamber adjacent portions of one of said first and second coupling means, and means for selectively introducing a fluid under pressure into said chamber to thereby move said portions of said one coupling means into locking engagement with juxtaposed portions of the other of said first and second coupling means to preclude relative movement between said first and second coupling means until the pressure of said fluid is dissipated, thereby providing the rigidified condition of said joint means, the elements of the worksupporting arm being respectively carried by portions of said joint means which are movable relative to each other in said relaxed condition of said joint means and secured against relative movement in said rigidified condition of said joint means, said portions of said one coupling means including detent means, said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means including recess means, spring means normally urging said detent means out of engagement with said recess means in said relaxed condition of said joint means, said detent means being moved against the influence of said spring means into engagement with said recess means on introduction of said fluid under pressure into said chamber thereby lockingly engaging said first and second coupling means in said rigidified condition of said joint means.

2. A joint means for coupling two elements forming part of a work-supporting arm, said joint means being operable between a relaxed condition in which relative movement is permitted between the elements of the work-supporting arm and a rigidified condition in which the elements of the work-supporting arm are secured against relative movement, said joint means including first and second coupling means normally loosely engaged to secure the same against accidental separation while permitting relative movement therebetween thereby providing the relaxed condition of said jOint means, means defining a chamber adjacent portions of one of said first and second coupling means, and means for selectively introducing a fluid under pressure into said chamber to thereby move said portions of said one coupling means into locking engagement with juxtaposed portions of the other of said first and second coupling means to preclude relative movement between said first and second coupling means until the pressure of said fluid is dissipated, thereby providing the rigidified condition of said joint means, the elements of the work-supporting arm being respectively carried by portions of said joint means which are movable relative to each other in said relaxed condition of said joint means and secured against relative movement in said rigidified condition of said joint means, said portions of said one coupling means including a plurality of spaced spring finger means attached to each other at only one end of the same, and resilient means spanning the spaces between said spring finger means, said resilient means normally assuming a contracted relationship in which said spring finger means only loosely engage said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means in said relaxed condition of said joint means, said resilient means assuming an expanded relationship on introduction of said fluid under pressure into said chamber to effect movement of said spring finger means into locking engagement with said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means in said rigidified condition of said joint means, said resilient means being strips of resilient material connected to said spring finger means and spanning the spaces between said spring finger means.

3. A joint means according to claim 2 wherein said portions of said one coupling means and said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means are generally cylindrical having a common longitudinal axis, one end of each element of the work-supporting arm being carried by its respective coupling means in alignment with said axis whereby said coupling means and the elements of the work-supported arm carried thereby may be rotatably moved with respect to each other about said axis in said relaxed condition of said joint means.

4. A joint means according to claim 3 wherein said cylindrical portions of said one coupling means are relatively shorter than said cylindrical portions of said other coupling means, the diameter of said cylindrical portions of said one coupling means being substantially shorter than the length of the same, whereby said coupling means and the elements of the work-supporting arm carried thereby may additionally be longitudinally moved with respect to each other along said axis in said relaxed condition of said joint means.

5. A joint means according to claim 3 wherein the portions of each element of the work-supporting arm beyond the said one end thereof are bent at an angle of about 90* to said axis.

6. A joint means according to claim 5 wherein the said portions of the elements of the work-supporting arm extend in parallel, offset relationship to each other to permit continuous bypassing of the elements of the work-supporting arm on relative rotation of said coupling means in said relaxed condition of said joint means.

7. A joint means according to claim 2 wherein said portions of said one coupling means and said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means are generally spherical having a common center of rotation, whereby said coupling means and the elements of the work-supporting arm carried thereby may be universally moved with respect to each other about said center of rotation in said relaxed condition of said joint means.

8. A joint means according to claim 7 wherein said other coupling means comprises a sleeve defining spaced, generally spherical overlying portions at opposite ends thereof, said one coupling means comprising two inner coupling members, each of said inner coupling members including generally spherical portions normally loosely engaged by one of said generally spherical overlying portions of said one coupling means in said relaxed condition of said joint means, the elements of the work-supporting arm being respectively carried by each of said inner coupling members, thereby providing increased universal movement between said coupling means and the elements of the work-supporting arm carried thereby in the relaxed condition of said joint means.

9. A joint means for coupling two elements forming part of a work-supporting arm, said joint means being operable between a relaxed condition in which relative movement is permitted between the elements of the work-supporting arm and a rigidified condition in which the elements of the work-supporting arm are secured against relative movement, said joint means including first and second coupling means normally loosely engaged to secure the same against accidental separation while permitting relative movement therebetween thereby providing the relaxed condition of said joint means, means defining a chamber adjacent portions of one of said first and second coupling means, and means for selectively introducing a fluid under pressure into said chamber to thereby move said portions of said one coupling means into locking engagement with juxtaposed portions of the other of said first and second coupling means to preclude relative movement between said first and second coupling means until the pressure of said fluid is dissipated, thereby providing the rigidified condition of said joint means, the elements of the work-supporting arm being respectively carried by portions of said joint means which are movable relative to each other in said relaxed condition of said joint means and secured against relative movement in said rigidified condition of said joint means, said portions of said one coupling means including a plurality of communicating hollow finger means having resilient portions normally assuming a contracted relationship in which said resilient portions only loosely engage said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means in said relaxed condition of said joint means, said chamber being defined by said communicating hollow finger means, said resilient portions of said finger means assuming an expanded relationship on introduction of said fluid pressure into said chamber to effect movement of said resilient portions of said finger means into locking engagement with said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means in said rigidified condition of said joint means.

10. A joint means for coupling two elements forming part of a work-supporting arm, said joint means being operable between a relaxed condition in which relative movement is permitted between the elements of the working-supporting arm and a rigidified condition in which the elements of the work-supporting arm are secured against relative movement, said joint means including first and second coupling means normally loosely engaged to secure the same against accidental separation while permitting relative movement therebetween thereby providing the relaxed condition of said joint means, means defining a chamber adjacent portions of one of said first and second coupling means, and means for selectively introducing a fluid under pressure into said chamber to thereby move said portions of said one coupling means into locking engagement with juxtaposed portions of the other of said first and second coupling means to preclude relative movement between said first and second coupling means until the pressure of said fluid is dissipated, thereby providing the rigidified condition of said joint means, the elements of the work-supporting arm being respectively carried by portions of said joint means which are movable relative to each other in said relaxed condition of said joint means and secured against relative movement in said rigidified condition of said joint means, said portions of said one coupling means including a generally circular, generally planar disc member, said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means including a generally circular, generally planar wall member, spacing means normally positioning said disc member in loose engagement with said wall member in said relaxed condition of said joint means, said fluid under pressure bearing against said disc member and pressing the same into locking engagement with said wall member in said rigidified condition of said joint means.

11. A joint means according to claim 10 wherein said portions of said first and second coupling means include ridge means and cooperating groove means, respectively, to increase frictional engagement between said coupling means in said rigidified condition of said joint means.

12. A joint means according to claim 10 wherein the element of the work-supporting arm associated with said one coupling means comprises a hollow tube defining an internal passageway, said disc member including portions defining a generally central aperture, and the element of the work-supporting arm associated with said one coupling means being carried by said disc member with its internal passageway communicating with said chamber through said aperture.

13. A joint means according to claim 12 wherein said one coupling means includes a pair of disc members surrounding the element of the work-supporting arm associated therewith in axially spaced relationship to define an annular guide groove therebetween, said wall member of said other coupling means extending within said guide groove, and said fluid under pressure bearing against one of said disc members and pressing the same into locking engagement with said wall member in said rigidified condition of said joint means.

14. A joint means according to claim 12 wherein said one coupling means further includes a plurality of spring finger means secured in spaced relationship to the periphery of said disc member and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to said disc member, a resilient means spanning the spaces between said spring finger means, said other coupling means further including a portion defining a generally cylindrical outer element extending in a direction generally perpendicular to said wall member and overlying said spring finger means, said resilient means normally assuming a contracted relationship in which said spring finger means only loosely engage said outer element when said disc member only loosely engages said wall member in said relaxed condition of said joint means, and said resilient means assuming an expanded relationship on introduction of said fluid under pressure into said chamber to effect movement of said spring finger means into locking engagement with said outer element when said disc member is pressed into locking engagement with said wall member in said rigidified condition of said joint means.

15. A joint means for coupling two elements forming part of a work-supporting arm, said joint means being operable between a relaxed condition in which relative movement is permitted between the elements of the work-supporting arm and a rigidified condition in which the elements of the work-supporting arm are secured against relative movement, said joint means including first and second coupling means normally loosely engaged to secure the same against accidental separation while permitting relative movement therebetween thereby providing the relaxed condition of said joint means, means defining a chamber adjacent portions of one of said first and second coupling means, and means for selectively introducing a fluid under pressure into said chamber to thereby move said portions of said one coupling means into locking engagement with juxtaposed portions of the other of said first and second coupling means to preclude relative movement between said first and second coupling means until the pressure of said fluid is dissipated, thereby providing the rigidified condition of said joint means, the elements of the work-supporting arm being respectively carried by portions of said joint means which are movable relatiVe to each other in said relaxed condition of said joint means and secured against relative movement in said rigidified condition of said joint means, said portions of said one coupling means including a pair of generally circular, generally planar disc members, said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means including a pair of generally circular, generally planar wall members, a generally cylindrical peripheral wall portion connecting said wall members, one of the elements of the work-supporting arm being carried by said peripheral wall portion, each of said wall members normally loosely engaging one of said disc members in said relaxed condition of said joint means, said chamber being defined between said disc members, a resilient connection between the other of the elements of the work-supporting arm and both of said disc members, and portions of said peripheral wall defining an elongated slot through which the element carried by said disc members extends, said slot forming a guide for movement of the element carried by said disc members relative to the element carried by said peripheral wall portion in said relaxed condition of said joint means, said fluid under pressure bearing against said disc members and pressing the same into locking engagement with said wall members in said rigidified condition of said joint means.

16. A joint means for coupling two elements forming part of a work-supporting arm, said joint means being operable between a relaxed condition in which relative movement is permitted between the elements of the work-supporting arm and a rigidified condition in which the elements of the work-supporting arm are secured against relative movement, said joint means including first and second coupling means normally loosely engaged to secure the same against accidental separation while permitting relative movement therebetween thereby providing the relaxed condition of said joint means, means defining a chamber adjacent portions of one of said first and second coupling means, and means for selectively introducing a fluid under pressure into said chamber to thereby move said portions of said one coupling means into locking engagement with juxtaposed portions of the other of said first and second coupling means to preclude relative movement between said first and second coupling means until the pressure of said fluid is dissipated, thereby providing the rigidified condition of said joint means, the elements of the work-supporting arm being respectively carried by portions of said joint means which are movable relative to each other in said relaxed condition of said joint means and secured against relative movement in said rigidified condition of said joint means, said portions of said one coupling means including a plurality of first coupling members spaced from each other, said juxtaposed portions of said other coupling means including a plurality of second coupling members spaced from each other, one of said second coupling members being loosely engaged with each of said first coupling members in said relaxed condition of said joint means, said chamber being defined by a series of communicating cavities formed interiorly of each of said first coupling members with respect to its associated second coupling member.

17. A joint means for coupling two elements forming part of a work-supporting arm, said joint means being operable between a relaxed condition in which relative movement is permitted between the elements of the work-supporting arm and a rigidified condition in which the elements of the work-supporting arm are secured against relative movement, said joint means including first and second coupling means normally loosely engaged to secure the same against accidental separation while permitting relative movement therebetween thereby providing the relaxed condition of said joint means, means defining a chamber adjacent portions of one of said first and second coupling means, and means for selectively introducing a fluid under pressure into saId chamber to thereby move said portions of said one coupling means into locking engagement with juxtaposed portions of the other of said first and second coupling means to preclude relative movement between said first and second coupling means until the pressure of said fluid is dissipated, thereby providing the rigidified condition of said joint means, the elements of the work-supporting arm being respectively carried by portions of said joint means and secured against relative movement in said rigidified condition of said joint means, said one coupling means including a generally cylindrical outer coupling member having a longitudinal axis and a pair of end wall portions, a transversely extending plate within said outer coupling member, one of the elements of the work-supporting arm being carried by one of said end wall portions of said outer coupling member, aligned axial apertures being defined in the other end wall portion and in said plate of said outer coupling member, said other coupling means including an inner coupling member having cup-shaped portions carried between said other end wall portion and said plate of said outer coupling means, a tubular element carried by said cup-shaped portions of said inner coupling member and rotatably secured between said other end wall portion and said plate of said outer coupling member, a resilient annular member carried by said plate of said outer coupling member and normally loosely engaged within said cup-shaped portions and around said tubular element of said inner coupling member, said resilient annular member defining said chamber, and apertures in said plate communicating said chamber with an auxiliary chamber defined between said plate and said one end wall portion of said outer coupling member, said resilient annular member assuming an expanded relationship on introduction of said fluid under pressure into said chamber to lockingly engage said cup-shaped portions and said tubular element of said inner coupling member in said rigidified condition of said joint means.