Patent classifications
F16C11/0609
Ball joint with a retainer/safety nut that prevents accidental separation of the ball stud and the socket
A device for avoiding the accidental separation of ball and socket in a ball joint assembly and preventing steering and mechanical loss of control on motor vehicles. The device includes a ball joint assembly having a screw-in type socket; provided with a first a second openings and a polymer bearing fitted inside the socket; a ball disposed in the socket such that the polymer bearing absorbs impact exerted on the ball, the ball having a first and second studs coupled thereto, the first stud protruding from the first opening, and the second stud protruding from the second opening the first and second studs includes a safety hole and cotter pin. The device further includes a bell-shaped retainer coupled to the second stud and having a wide portion larger than the second opening precluding thereby displacement of the ball out of the socket.
Adapter with centering mechanism for articulation joint
A joint assembly of an adapter defines a first longitudinal axis and includes first and second hinges, first and second rings, a joint cover, and a biasing mechanism. The joint cover has first and second cover portions. The first ring is pivotally coupled to the first hinge and the first cover portion is pivotally coupled to the first hinge to define a first joint center. The second ring is pivotally coupled to the second cover portion and the second hinge is pivotally coupled to the second ring to define a second joint center that is spaced from the first joint center. The first and second joint centers define a cover axis of the joint cover. The biasing mechanism is engaged with the first ring and the joint cover to bias the joint cover towards an aligned configuration in which the cover axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis.
Head assembly for supporting and adjusting the position of an optical or electronic device
Head assembly for keeping and positioning an optical or electronic device, that has a housing (1) in which a shell (3) is arranged by spherical connection that allows guided movement in any direction, wherein the shell (3) has a cylindrical symmetric cavity, and the housing and the shell can be fixed to each other in any adjusted position, and a body (4) holding the device is arranged in the cavity of the shell (3) so that the body (4) can be turned around two mutually normal axes with respect to the cavity and the position thereof can be fixed and released by a single adjustment means, wherein the connection between the shell (3) and the body (4) is independent from the connection between the shell (3) and the housing (1).
JOINT FOR CONNECTING AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES
A joint for connecting a first aircraft structure to a second aircraft structure such that relative rotation and relative translational movement of the first and second aircraft structures along a first axis is permitted, whilst relative translational movement of the first and second aircraft structures along axes orthogonal to the first axis is substantially prevented. The joint includes a bracket having an opening aligned with the first axis; a pin aligned with the first axis and extending through the opening; and a bearing mounted in the opening. The bearing has an inner bearing surface defining a bore through which the pin extends, which is configured for translational sliding contact with the pin, and a part-spherical outer bearing surface configured for rotational sliding contact with the opening.
Compression loaded ball socket assembly
The ball socket assembly includes a housing that is made as a monolithic piece and has an inner bore. The ball socket assembly also includes a ball stud that has a semi-spherically curved portion, a cylindrical portion, and a shank portion. The ball socket assembly further includes a backing bearing and an exit bearing. A third bearing is received on the cylindrical portion of the ball stud. The third bearing has a curved outer surface which cooperates with the curved inner surface of at least one of the exit and backing bearings for allowing the ball stud and the bearing to articulate and rotate relative to the housing. The third bearing is also in slidable contact with the cylindrical portion of the ball stud for allowing the ball stud to more freely rotate relative to the housing about the central axis.
Swivel camera mount
A camera mount is configured to attach a camera to a mount base which, in turn, may be secured to sport equipment, musical instruments, vehicles, and the like. The camera mount includes a ball component that couples to a camera or camera housing and that allows a user to rotate a camera within a horizontal plane, and to pivot a camera in one or more vertical planes. The ball component is securely coupled within a sleeve component with a bucket or other coupling mechanism that allows the sleeve component (and thereby the ball component and coupled camera or camera housing) to couple to the mount base.
REDUCED-FRICTION ROLLER AND RELATED ASSEMBLY FOR A MOVEABLE CONTROL SURFACE OF AN AIRCRAFT
A roller for a control surface of an aircraft includes a roller shaft, a primary roller coupled to the shaft, and a roller assembly coupled to the shaft. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis, a mounting end that couples with a roller fitting of the control surface, and a roller end. The primary roller can rotate about the longitudinal axis, and can engage and roll along a first surface of a track. The roller assembly includes a secondary roller having a longitudinal roller axis and configured to engage and roll along a second surface of the track. The roller assembly also includes a housing that retains the secondary roller while allowing the secondary roller to rotate about the longitudinal roller axis. The housing is movably coupled to the roller end of the roller shaft with three degrees of rotational freedom relative to the roller end of the roller shaft.
Methods of setting a cannula lock
A method of setting a cannula lock. An orientation of a bore of a brake is set by rotating a base and a head of the brake about at least one axis. An actuator is actuated to cause relative movement between the head and the base to engage internal surfaces of the shell to fix the orientation of the bore. A device may be directed through the bore and into tissue along a trajectory established by the orientation of the bore. The actuator may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to move the head and the base away from one another. Anchors coupled to the shell may be embedded into the section of tissue. The actuator may be an extraction tool for extracting a drive ring from the base of the shell to permit unembedding of the anchors from the tissue. The head and the base may be semi-spherical.
BALL JOINT WITH ELECTRONIC BRAKING
In one embodiment, a ball joint comprises a base that includes a first surface that defines a hemispherical chamber and an electromagnet located internal to the base. The ball joint further comprises an armature plate fastened to the first surface of the housing and defining an aperture that extends through the armature plate towards the hemispherical chamber. The ball joint further comprises a shaft that extends through the aperture of the armature plate and has a rounded end that engages the hemispherical chamber of the housing. Powering the electromagnet draws the armature plate towards the first surface to provide compressive force to the shaft and prevents movement of the shaft.
Ball joint and method for manufacturing ball joint
This ball join includes a ball stud with a spherical ball section and a shaft-shaped shaft section and a holder that rotatably bolds the ball section, and has a machining surface subjected to cutting in a welded portion obtained by welding the ball section and the shaft section, and the machining surface has a curve-shaped first corner section. In addition, a method for manufacturing this ball joint includes a welding step of welding the ball section and the shaft section and a cutting step of forming the machining surface by subjecting the welded portion obtained by welding the ball section and the shaft section to cutting, and the cutting step executes processing including forming the curve-shaped first corner section on the machining surface. Consequently, a ball joint with a large oscillation angle can be obtained.