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US 10,167,894 B2Granted
Ball and socket
AssigneeDowco, Inc.
InventorTim James
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joint between two structures to allow the structures to be rotatably, connected at a variety of angles while increasing the pull-out resistance and decreasing rattling. The joint has a first portion connected to a structure and a second portion connected to a structure. The first and second portions are also connected to one another via a ball and socket connection and a pin.
Claims19
A joint for connecting a first structure and a second structure, the joint comprising:
- a ball portion having a ball with a bore formed therein;
- a forked portion having a first end configured to secure the forked portion to the first structure and a first fork parallel to a second fork that extend away from the first end to form a socket, each of the first and second fork having a hole formed therein;
- a pin sized to extend through the bore and each hole when the ball is within the socket to pivotally attach the ball portion and forked portion;
- wherein each of the first fork and the second fork have a first end adjacent the first end of the forked portion and a second end opposite the first end of the forked portion;
- wherein when the ball is inserted between the second end of the first fork and second fork, the second end of the first fork and second fork are configured to deform to permit the ball to be located within the socket;
- wherein when the ball is inserted between the second end of the first fork and second fork, a distance between the first fork and second fork at the first end remains the same.
3 more elements
A joint for connecting a first bow of a collapsible bimini top to a second bow of the collapsible bimini top, the joint comprising:
- a forked body further comprising:
- a first prong with a first hole formed therein;
- a second prong with a second hole formed therein, the first and second prongs forming a socket;
- and
- an end of the forked body adapted to receive the first bow, wherein the end has a third hole adapted to receive a fastener to secure the forked body to the first bow;
- a ball body further comprising:
- a ball portion with a bore formed therein;
- and
- a boss adapted to be received by the second bow;
- and
- a pin received within the first hole, bore and second hole when the ball portion is within the socket;
- wherein the bore is larger than the pin such that the ball portion configured to rotate about an axis different than an axis of the pin;
- wherein the forked body is configured to be rotated with respect to the ball body when the forked body is secured to the first bow and the ball body is secured to the second bow and the ball body is pivotally attached to the forked body by the pin;
- and
- wherein the third hole is perpendicular to the bore.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.