An articulating joint assembly, comprising:
- a first rod, comprising:
- a first elongated element;
- and
- a second elongated element;
- a second rod, comprising:
- a first elongated element;
- and
- a second elongated element;
- a first articulating joint system configured to couple the first elongated element and the second elongated element of the first rod, wherein the first articulating joint system comprises:
- a receptacle coupled to an end of the first elongated element of the first rod, wherein the receptacle comprises:
- a first member with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is positioned generally parallel to and spaced apart from the second end and the first member is curved between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end and the second end are each a generally planar surface along a first direction between a first side and a second side of the first member, and wherein the generally planar surfaces are angled relative to a central axis of the first member as the generally planar surfaces extend between the first side and the second side;
- a second member with a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end is positioned generally parallel to and spaced apart from the fourth end and the second member is curved between the third end and the fourth end, wherein the third end and the fourth end are each a generally planar surface along a second direction between a first side and a second side of the second member, and wherein the generally planar surfaces are angled relative to a central axis of the second member as the generally planar surfaces extend between the first side and the second side of the second member;
- wherein the first end couples to the third end and the second end couples to the fourth end to form a cavity;
- wherein the generally planar surface of the first end of the first member is joined to the generally planar surface of the third end of the second member and the generally planar surface of the second end of the first member is joined to the generally planar surface of the fourth end of the second member to form the cavity;
- and
- a pivoting member configured to be received within the cavity of the receptacle, wherein the pivoting member comprises:
- a ball end;
- a bearing member coupled to the ball end, wherein the bearing member comprises:
- a center opening and wherein the center opening is a slot;
- and
- a pivot assembly coupled to the bearing member;
- and
- wherein the second elongated element of the first rod is coupled to the pivoting member;
- wherein the cavity is configured to allow for movement of the pivoting member with respect to the receptacle;
- and
- a second articulating joint system configured to couple the first elongated element and the second elongated element of the second rod.