Flexible, articulable column
US5348259A · kind A · utility
1,983Cited by
20References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32032
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A flexible, articulable column having a central cable tensioning member with a series of ball and socket members strung on the cable forming articulable joints. Each socket member has at least one conical opening with internal teeth engagable with a ball which is made of an elastomeric polymer. When the cable is tensioned, the sockets move toward each other and the balls are indented by the teeth of the socket. The column thus becomes rigid. Releasing the tension returns the column to the flexible state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.