Double slotted socket spherical joint
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A double slotted spherical joint, comprising:
- a) a spherical body retained in said joint by a first and a second bearing surface;
b) a first shaft affixed to said spherical body;
c) a bearing cup comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface making the first bearing surface with said spherical body;
d) a cup socket comprising a cup socket inner surface and a cup socket elongated aperture, said cup socket inner surface making a third bearing surface with said bottom surface of said bearing cup;
e) a second shaft affixed to said bearing cup and passing through said cup socket elongated aperture; and
, f) a spherical retainer comprising a retaining inner surface and a sphere retainer elongated aperture, said retaining inner surface making the second bearing surface with said spherical body, such that the first shaft passes through the spherical retainer elongated aperture.
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Abstract
A new class of spherical joints is disclosed. These spherical joints are capable of extremely large angular displacements (full cone angles in excess of 270°), while exhibiting no singularities or dead spots in their range of motion. These joints can improve or simplify a wide range of mechanical devices.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A double slotted spherical joint, comprising:
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a) a spherical body retained in said joint by a first and a second bearing surface;
b) a first shaft affixed to said spherical body;
c) a bearing cup comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface making the first bearing surface with said spherical body;
d) a cup socket comprising a cup socket inner surface and a cup socket elongated aperture, said cup socket inner surface making a third bearing surface with said bottom surface of said bearing cup;
e) a second shaft affixed to said bearing cup and passing through said cup socket elongated aperture; and
,f) a spherical retainer comprising a retaining inner surface and a sphere retainer elongated aperture, said retaining inner surface making the second bearing surface with said spherical body, such that the first shaft passes through the spherical retainer elongated aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
a) the spherical retainer further comprises a first split retainer and a second split retainer, each of which has a retaining inner surface making up the second bearing surface, such that the spherical retainer elongated aperture is defined by a space between the first split retainer and the second split retainer when they are functionally affixed to the joint; - and,
b) the cup socket further comprises a first split cup socket and a second split cup socket, each of which has an inner surface making up the third bearing surface, such that the cup socket elongated aperture is defined by a space between the first split cup socket and the second split cup socket when they are functionally affixed to the joint.
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12. The joint of claim 11, wherein each of the first split cup socket and the second cup socket further comprise a partial elongated aperture which extends the spherical retainer elongated aperture.
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13. The joint of claim 11, wherein each of the first split retainer and the second split retainer further comprise a partial elongated aperture which extends the cup socket elongated aperture.
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14. The joint of claim 1, further comprising adjustment means to properly space the first, second, and third bearing surfaces.
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15. The joint of claim 14, wherein said adjustment means comprise springs interposed between the cup socket and the spherical retainer.
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16. The joint of claim 14, wherein said adjustment means comprises replacing the bearing cup with the following assembly:
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a) an upper split bearing cup comprising a top surface, said top surface making the first bearing surface with the spherical body;
b) a lower split bearing cup comprising a bottom surface, said bottom surface making the third bearing surface with the cup socket inner surface; and
,c) a spring juxtaposed between the upper and the lower split bearing cups.
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Specification