Position retaining mechanism

• US 4,620,813 A
• Filed: 10/09/1984
• Issued: 11/04/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Original Assignee: Burroughs Corp (Unisys Corporation)
• Inventors: Lacher, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams, Todd G.
• Application Number:
  US06/658,796
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 403/90, 403/142, 403/84, 403/122, 403/93, 403/147-149, 403/141, 248/181, 248/288.5, 248/288.3
• US Class Current: 403/93
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/106 for ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32262 At selected angle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32311 Ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32336 Engaging notch or recess in outer periphery of component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32631 Universal ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32795 Bifurcated socket

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a mechanism for positioning a pair of members in slip-free, adjustable, angular relationships. In accomplishing the foregoing, an assembly is provided which comprises a sphere and a pair of pivotally mounted jaw-like sections for engaging the latter. The inner surfaces of the sections have substantially the same radius of curvature as the sphere surface. Additionally, the sphere surface and the inner surfaces of the jaw-like sections are configured in respective interlocking patterns. Manipulation of the jaw-like sections allows the members to be placed in the desired angular position with respect to each other--which position is maintained by virtue of the aforementioned interlocking nature of the contiguous surfaces.

Claims

1. A mechanism for setting and retaining the position of at least a pair of members comprising:

a sphere, one of said members being coupled thereto,

a pair of jaw-like sections pivotally mounted with respect to each other, said jaw-like sections being disposed in a common plane and having a generally C-shaped configuration, each of said jaw-like sections having a predetermined width which is narrow relative to the length thereof, the other of said pair of members being coupled to said sections, said last mentioned sections including inner surfaces having substantially the same radius of curvature as the surface of said sphere,

said sphere being contained within said jaw-like sections, such that at any given time a portion of the surface area of said sphere is covered by said sections, said predetermined width of said sections providing that the remaining surface area of said sphere not covered by said sections is substantially greater than the covered area, whereby the excursions of said members relative to each other are maximized and approach a full circle in a plane transverse to said common plane, the surface of said sphere and the inner surface of said jaw-like sections being configured in respective contiguous interlocking patterns,

means for opening said jaw-like sections to permit the rotation of said sphere and the corresponding setting of said pair of members to a desired position with respect to each other, said last mentioned means including a pair of extensions affixed respectively to said jaw-like sections, said extensions being spring loaded to bias said sections to a closed position about said sphere, the exertion of a manual force on said extensions in opposition to the spring bias causing said pair of jaw-like sections to pivot to an open position and to remove the spring pressure exerted by said sections on said sphere, the subsequent termination of said manual force and the closing of said jaw-like sections on said sphere providing for the retention of said desired position as effected by said interlocking patterns.

2. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said interlocking patterns include respective pluralities of regularly spaced indentations and protrusions, said protrusions being homologously disposed with respect to a like number of indentations and being seated in the latter when said jaw-like sections are in said closed position.

3. A mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said indentations are round, cup-like apertures and said protrusions have a substantially hemispherical shape capable of being accommodated by said apertures.

4. A mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said cup-like apertures are regularly spaced over substantially the entire surface of said sphere and said hemispherical protrusions are formed on said inner surfaces of said jaw-like sections.

5. A mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said hemispherical protrusions are regularly spaced over substantially the entire surface of said sphere, and said cup-like apertures are formed within said inner surfaces of said jaw-like sections.