ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE BRACKET

• US 3,841,769 A
• Filed: 10/24/1972
• Issued: 10/15/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William R. Bowerman
• Original Assignee: William R. Bowerman
• Inventors: Bowerman, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scholtz, William H.
• Application Number:
  US05/299,929
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 248/288,478,482,483 403/90
• US Class Current: 403/90
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/106 for ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32311 Ball and socket

Abstract

A fixed support is formed with a toothed, concave surface releasably engaging a cooperating convex portion of an angularly adjustable member. The convex surface is dimpled and a resilient coupling urges the convex surface to the concave surface for locking engagement. The angular relationship is changed by temporarily separating the toothed surface from the dimpled surface, changing the angle of the member and then releasing the member to return it to a locked position. The bracket assembly is particularly useful for mounting rear-view mirrors and the like.

Claims

1. An angularly adjustable coupling, comprising a. a relatively fixed first member, b. a relatively movable second member, and c. resilient means urging said members into releasable engagement with one another including a relatively movable sleeve telescoped over said first and second members and a coil spring mounted within said sleeve and engaging one of said members and said sleeve, said sleeve engaging the other of said members, d. one of said members being formed with a convex portion and the other being formed with a cooperating seat portion releasably engageable with said convex portion, e. one of said seat portion and said convex portion being formed with at least a plurality of protuberances and the other being formed with spaced indents to releasably receive said protuberances, f. said members being free for temporary separation by pulling said members apart against the force of said resilient means whereby the angular relation of said member may be altered.

2. An angularly adjustable coupling according to claim 1 including a mirror mounted to one of said members.

3. An angularly adjustable coupling according to claim 1 wherein said seat portion is concave.

4. An angularly adjustable coupling according to claim 1 wherein said convex portion is a sphere.

5. An angularly adjustable coupling according to claim 1 wherein said protuberance is a tooth.

6. An angularly adjustable coupling according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve is formed with a restricted opening at one end thereof for projection Of one of said members therethrough.