Selectively lockable ball and socket joint
US12038041B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2316/10
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ball and socket joint assembly is disclosed that includes a body defining a cavity, a collet disposed in the cavity to receive a ball of a connector, and an actuator shaft coupled to the collet for rotating and translating the collet in the cavity. The cavity has a distal opening to accept the ball and an engagement feature extending into the cavity. The collet has an outer diameter larger than the opening in the body when the ball is disposed in the collet, and the collet has a corresponding engagement feature around at least a portion of the outer surface for receiving the engagement feature and converting rotation of the compression member into translation of the compression member along a proximal-distal axis of the body. The collet is compressed against the opening of the cavity when the collet is advanced distally against the opening.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.