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Bi-stable spring loaded pivoting joint

  • US 5,851,081 A
  • Filed: 03/20/1997
  • Issued: 12/22/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A pivot joint assembly comprising:

  • first and second housing elements co-axially rotatable with respect to one another;

    a substantially hairpin-shaped spring retained within said housing elements and having a first closed end and a second substantially opposite open end;

    wherein said closed end of said spring is held substantially irrotatably in said first housing element, and said open end of said spring is engaged to said second housing element;

    wherein said spring is designed to urge selective rotation of said housing elements between two different stable yet opposite rotational extremes.

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