STAY-RITE FLEX JOINT

• US 3,691,788 A
• Filed: 09/10/1970
• Issued: 09/19/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ralph Mazziotti
• Original Assignee: Ralph Mazziotti
• Inventors: Mazziotti, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, W. C.
• Application Number:
  US05/071,142
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 64/7,8,9R,21 269/75
• US Class Current: 464/139
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/0014 Screwdriver- or wrench-heads provided with cardan joints or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/0028 Angular adjustment means between tool head and handle
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/025 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/10 Arrangements for locking
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/46 each coupling part embracing grooves or ridges on the intermediate member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32196 Articulate joint is ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32311 Ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32631 Universal ball and socket

Abstract

A novel universal joint which can be positioned at any angle without loss of efficiency by becoming limp at the far end of an extension secured thereto, the device including a spherical ball having a series of annular grooves therearound, the ball being integral with a pronged bushing attachable to one end of a lever, and a pronged claw being fitted around the spherical ball, the claw supporting a spring loaded detent ball urged against an annular groove of the spherical ball.

Claims

1. In a stay-rite flex joint, the combination of a pronged claw member, a pronged bushing member and means for adjustably affixing said members together so that there is no loose play therebetween, said pronged claw comprising an elongated crosssectional square configurated element which at its one end is provided with four prongs formed around a generally spherical central pocket, and an axially extending central opening communicating with said pocket and containing a compression coil spring and a spherical detent ball, said detent ball being retained in a fixed position by means of a set screw, said pronged bushing member comprising a spherical ball rotatably fitted into said spherical pocket, said ball being integral with the outer ends of a plurality of prongs which at their opposite ends are integral with a bushing having a central opening for being secured to one end of an extension lever, and said spherical ball being provided with a series of parallel annular grooves therearound, said annular grooves being selectively aligned with said detent ball for receiving said detent ball when said bushing member is moved annularly in any spherical direction respective to said pronged claw member.