Angle adjustable joint

• US 5,169,257 A
• Filed: 06/26/1992
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shuen-Yi Liou
• Original Assignee: Shuen-Yi Liou
• Inventors: Liou, Shuen-Yi
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundrat, Andrew V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, HARRY CHONG HYUN
• Application Number:
  US07/903,970
• Time in Patent Office: 165 Days
• Field of Search: 403/91-102, 403/330, 16/333, 16/334, 16/343, 297/356, 297/366, 297/367, 297/379, 248/291, 182/104, 182/27
• US Class Current: 403/95
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/045 urged into an operative or non-operative position at an end of stretch
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/10 Arrangements for locking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32352 Pivoted detent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32368 including radial interengaging tongue and slot or serrations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/608 Pivoted

Abstract

An angle adjustable joint for use in furnitures which is consisted of a locating member, a driven member pivoted to the locating member, two brake members pivotably fastened inside the driven member on the same axis and controlled by two torsional springs to hook in teeth on the locating member, and a return plate pivotably fastened inside the locating member for return control. Rotating the driven member on the locating member causes the brake members to alternatively change their engagement with the teeth on each ratchet plate from one to another permitting the driven member to be positioned at either of a plurality of angles relative to the locating member.

Claims

1. A joint comprising:

a locating member having two parallel ratchet plates on one end with an upper U-channel and a lower U-channel defined therebetween, and a tube on an opposite end, said ratchet plates having a series of teeth along a respective peripheral edge;

a driven member having two parallel bearing plates on one end respectively pivoted to said two parallel ratchet plates by a first pin, and a tube on an opposite end;

two brake members pivotably fastened inside said driven member between said two parallel bearing plates by a second pin, said brake members being each made in the shape of a U-hook having a hooked front end hooked in the teeth on said two parallel ratchet plates;

two torsional springs mounted on said second pin to give a pressure on said brake members respectively, said torsional springs having each one end stopped against the inside surface of the tube of said driven member and an opposite end stopped against a respective brake member;

a return plate revolvably mounted on said first pin and stopped in said lower U-channel at one end thereof to hold said brake members in a notch of said return plate permitting the hooked front end of said brake members to be maintained in mesh with the teeth on said two parallel ratchet plates; and

wherein rotating said driven member on said locating member causes said brake members to alternatively change their engagement with the teeth on each ratchet plate from one to another permitting said driven member to be positioned at either of a plurality of angle relative to said locating member.

2. The joint according to claim 1, wherein said parallel bearing plates have each a circular recess curved inwards around said first pin for guiding a rotary motion of said two parallel bearing plates on said two parallel ratchet plates.