Ratchet link
US5503497A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/7045
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A ratchet link having a cylindrically-shaped tongue at one end and a C-shaped socket at the other end for use in an articulating coupling system. The socket is defined by a pair of opposing, spaced-apart, resilient arcuate prongs which extend outward from the device away from the tongue end. The inside radius of the socket is substantially the same as the outside radius of the tongue, so that the tongue can be inserted into the socket of another link. The socket includes a narrow centrally positioned slot along its circumference, and the tongue includes a narrow centrally positioned ring extending outward along its circumference which is received by the slot when the tongue is inserted into the socket. A plurality of spaced apart teeth are provided along the inside surface of the socket and extend between the faces of the device in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the plane of the faces. Similar teeth are located along the outside surface of the tongue. When the tongue of one link is placed into the socket of another link, the teeth intermesh wherein the teeth in the tongue fit into the interdental notches between the teeth in the socket, and the teeth in the socket fit…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.