Passive ball capture joint

US6540426B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Richard A. Cloyd · Huntsville, US
• Thomas Clark Bryan · Carlsbad, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 4, 2001
• Grant date: Apr 1, 2003
• Expiry date: Sep 4, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T403/592
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A passive ball capture joint has a sleeve with a plurality of bores distributed about a circumference thereof and formed therethrough at an acute angle relative to the sleeve's longitudinal axis. A spring-loaded retainer is slidingly fitted in each bore and is biased such that, if allowed, will extend at least partially into the sleeve to retain a ball therein. A ring, rotatably mounted about the bores, has an interior wall defining a plurality of shaped races that bear against the spring-loaded retainers. A mechanized rotational force producer is coupled to the ring. The ring can be rotated from a first position (that presses the retainers into the sleeve to lock the ball in place) to a second position (that allows the retainers to spring back out of the sleeve to release the ball).