Articulable column
US4949927A · kind A · utility
416Cited by
11References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 1989 |
| Grant date | Aug 21, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32032
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Presented is a method and apparatus for incrementally varying the frictional forces along an articulable column having succesive joints formed of alternate ball and socket members. Friction is varied by varying the contact angle between said ball and socket members along the length of the column and by supplying a compressive force to said joints via a tensioned means throughout the column. The effect of varying the frictional forces along the column is to vary the stiffness of individual column joints creating a structural member which can be tailored to the load requirements of a specific application.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.