LOCKING BALL AND SOCKET JOINT

Abstract

A ball and socket joint (1) having non-smooth interlocking surfaces (15) wherein projections (8) and corresponding voids (7) mate when the socket (9) and ball (2) are clamped together to prevent the ball from slipping out of position while the ball and socket joint is in use and under pressure.

Claims

1. A locking ball and socket joint comprising: a ball having a spherical-shaped body with an outer surface; said ball being inserted into a concave-shaped socket; said socket having an inner surface that engages the outer surface of said spherical-shaped body; and a clamping means located on said concave-shaped socket to tighten the socket around the ball and press the outer surface of the spherical-shaped body against the inner surface of the socket to form interlocking surfaces between the ball and the socket.

2. The locking ball and socket joint of claim 1 wherein: said interlocking surfaces formed between the ball and the socket are formed by an engagement of at least one projection and at least one void located between the ball and the socket.

3. The locking ball and socket joint of claim 2 wherein: said at least one projection is a dimple-shaped projection; and said at least one void is a dimple-shaped void.

4. The locking ball and socket joint of claim 2 wherein: said at least one void is a groove-shaped void.

5. A locking ball and socket joint comprising: a ball having a spherical-shaped body with an outer surface; said ball being inserted into a concave-shaped socket; said socket having an inner surface that engages the outer surface of said spherical-shaped body; a clamping means located on said concave-shaped socket to tighten the socket around the ball and press the outer surface of the spherical-shaped body against the inner surface of the socket to form interlocking surfaces between the ball and the socket; and said interlocking surfaces formed between the ball and the socket are formed by an engagement of at least one projection and at least one void located between the ball and the socket.

6. The locking ball and socket joint of claim 5 wherein: said at least one projection is a dimple-shaped projection; and said at least one void is a dimple-shaped void.

7. The locking ball and socket joint of claim 5 wherein: said at least one void is groove-shaped void.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a ball and socket joint of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the ball and socket joint of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view the ball and socket joint of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a sectional front view along lines A-A of FIG. 3;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a detailed view along lines B-B of FIG. 4;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of a ball and socket joint of the present invention having grooves that interlock with the protrusions in the inner surface of the socket;

[0017] FIG. 7 is an exemplary view of a ball and socket joint of the present invention in use with a microphone stand;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a detailed view along lines C-C of FIG. 7;

[0019] FIG. 9 is an exemplary view of ball and socket joints of the present invention in use with a digital display; and

[0020] FIG. 10 is an exemplary view of ball and socket joints of the present invention in use with an elongated support arm holding a camera in an elevated position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

[0022] 1. ball and socket joint, generally

[0023] 2. ball

[0024] 3. body

[0025] 4. base

[0026] 5. attachment means

[0027] 6. outer surface of ball

[0028] 7. void

[0029] 8. projection

[0030] 9. socket

[0031] 10. inner surface of socket

[0032] 11. clamping means

[0033] 12. nut

[0034] 13. bolt

[0035] 14. ridge

[0036] 15. interlocking surface

[0037] 16. leg

[0038] 17. arm

[0039] 18. digital display

[0040] 19. camera

[0041] 20. microphone stand

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a side and top view, respectively, of a ball 2 of the ball and socket joint 1 of the present invention is illustrated. The ball 2 of the present invention comprises a spherical-shaped body 3 extending from a base 4 and/or attachment means 5 used for securing the body 3 and/or base 4 to a secondary object or surface. The body 3 further comprises an outer surface 6 of the ball 2 having at least one void 7 and/or at least one projection 8 located thereon. As illustrated herein, the outer surface 6 of the body 3 has a plurality of concave dimple-shaped voids 7.

[0043] With reference to FIGS. 3-5, a front view, sectional front view, and a detailed view, respectively of a ball and socket joint 1 of the present invention is illustrated. The ball and socket joint 1 comprises a ball 2 inserted into a concave-shaped socket 9. The outer surface 6 of the body 3 of the ball 2 has a plurality of concave dimple-shaped voids 7. An inner surface 10 of the socket 9 has at least one corresponding dimple-shaped projection 8 located thereon that engages at least one of the plurality of concave dimple-shaped voids 7, as shown in FIG. 5, to form interlocking surfaces 15.

[0044] The socket 9 further comprises a clamping means 11, such as a nut 12 and bolt 13, screws, and so forth, located thereon to tighten and reduce the circumference of the socket 9, thereby forcing the projections 8 and voids 7 to engage to prevent the ball 2 from slipping out of position while the ball 2 of the ball and socket joint 1 is in use and under pressure. With reference to FIG. 6, a side view of a ball and socket joint 1 of the present invention having grooves 14 is illustrated. The outer surface 6 of the body 3 has a plurality of grooves 14 that form voids 7 and projections 8 thereon. The socket 9 has projections 8 that interlock with the grooves 14 on the ball 2 allowing the horizontal angle to be fixed but allow for the 360-degrees rotation about the vertical axis, while the ball 2 and the socket joint 1 is in use and under pressure.

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, exemplary views of a ball and socket joint 1 of the present invention incorporated into a microphone stand 15 is illustrated. The ball 2 is located on top of an elongated vertical leg 16 and engages a socket 9 located on a support arm 17. The interlocking surfaces 15 and clamping means 11 allow the arm 17 to be angled and rotated into multiple positions and then securely locked into position.

[0046] With reference to FIG. 9, an exemplary view of multiple ball and socket joints 1 of the present invention in use with a mounting system for a digital display 18 is illustrated. Ball and socket joints 1 of the present invention are located on opposing ends of a support arm 17 that may be mounted to a surface of a vehicle or boat to support a digital display 18. The arm 17 may be angled and rotated into multiple positions and then securely locked into position.

[0047] Finally, with reference to FIG. 10, an exemplary view of multiple ball and socket joints 1 of the present invention in use with a mounting system for a holding a camera 19 in an elevated position is illustrated. Ball and socket joints 1 of the present invention are located on opposing ends of an elongated or telescoping support arm 17 that may be mounted to a surface. The arm 17 may be angled and rotated into multiple positions and then securely locked into position.

[0048] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.