Double ball and socket joint
AssigneeA & E Incorporated
InventorBilly Greuel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A double ball and socket joint is formed of a two-piece capsule. Each piece of the capsule carries a ball and extension combination that operates rotationally within a socket. The extensions exit the capsule through void spaces at both distal ends of the capsule. The two pieces of the capsule are preferably in snap-fit engagement. The result is that the double ball and socket joint of the present invention provides infinite combinations of rotation about five axes of rotation: a first and a second axis of rotation about the first ball, a third and a fourth axis of rotation about the second ball, and a fifth axis of rotation is provided when the two pieces of the capsule are rotated relative to one another.
Claims13
A ball joint comprising:
- a capsule;
- a first portion of said capsule and a second portion of said capsule, said capsule portions coupled in snap-fit engagement and divided at a cross-section of said capsule;
- said first portion of said capsule comprising a first hollow interior section and a male protrusion;
- said second portion of said capsule comprising a second hollow interior section;
- a first exit void at a distal portion of said first portion of said capsule;
- a second exit void at a distal portion of said second portion of said capsule;
- a first ball comprising a first ball major portion and a first ball minor portion, said first ball major portion positioned within said first hollow interior section of said first portion of said capsule, said first ball carrying a first extension;
- a second ball comprising a second ball major portion and a second ball minor portion, said second ball major portion positioned within said second hollow interior section of said second portion of said capsule, said second ball carrying a second extension;
- a spring positioned between said first ball major portion and said second ball major portion, said spring urging said first ball major portion and said second ball major portion towards said first and second exit voids, respectively;
- said male protrusion of said first portion of said capsule extending into said second hollow interior section of said second portion of said capsule;
- a first slot about an outer periphery of said male protrusion;
- a second slot about an inner periphery of said second portion of said capsule;
- a ring carried within said first slot and said second slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.