Mounting fixture including an articulation joint

A mounting fixture comprising:

• a first tubular member having a first end, a second end and a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough;
• a second tubular member having a first end, a second end and a central longitudinal axis extending therethrough;
• and
• an articulation joint coupled between the first tubular member and the second tubular member to position the longitudinal axis of the first tubular member at a desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the second tubular member;
• the articulation joint including:
• a first articulation member including a first head and a first post, the first post configured to extend into the first tubular member;
• a second articulation member including a second head and a second post, the second post configured to extend into the second tubular member;
• a first clamping member including a first head portion and a first post portion, the first post portion configured to extend into the first tubular member;
• and
• a second clamping member including a second head portion and a second post portion, the second post portion configured to extend into the second tubular member;
• wherein the first post of the first articulation member and the first post portion of the first clamping member are operatively configured to cooperatively exert a radially outward force on an interior surface of the first tubular member;
• wherein the second post of the second articulation member and the second post portion of the second clamping member are operatively configured to cooperatively exert a radially outward force on an interior surface of the second tubular member;
• and
• wherein the first head portion of the first clamping member and the second head portion of the second clamping member are operatively configured to cooperatively exert a compressive force against the first head of the first articulation member and the second head of the second articulation member to clamp the first articulation member from pivotable movement relative to the second articulation member.

An articulation joint for coupling first and second tubular members in a desired angular relationship, the articulation joint comprising:

• a first articulation member including a first head and a first cylindrical post configured to extend into a tubular member, the first cylindrical post including a channel extending into the first cylindrical post from a peripheral surface of the first cylindrical post;
• a second articulation member including a second head and a second cylindrical post configured to extend into a tubular member, the second cylindrical post including a channel extending into the second cylindrical post from a peripheral surface of the second cylindrical post;
• a first clamping member including a first head portion and a first post portion;
• and
• a second clamping member including a second head portion and a second post portion;
• wherein the first head of the first articulation member includes a bearing surface and the second head of the second articulation member includes a bearing surface juxtaposed with the bearing surface of the first head of the first articulation member;
• wherein the first post portion of the first clamping member is operatively positioned in the channel defined in the first cylindrical post and the second post portion of the second clamping member is operatively positioned in the channel defined in the second cylindrical post;
• wherein the first head portion of the first clamping member and the second head portion of the second clamping member are operatively positioned to clamp the first head of the first articulation member and the second head of the second articulation member therebetween.