Jointed support system and method of constructing same

A method of injection molding a part having at least one undercut region, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) closing a mold having a cavity which produces an undercut region in a molded part:
• (b) injecting molten material into said cavity;
• (c) opening said mold;
• (d) partially ejecting said molded part from said cavity;
• (e) delaying further ejection of the partially ejected molded part for release from the cavity;
• and
• (f) completing the ejection of said molded part after it is released from the hold of the cavity.

A method of assembling a structure from several parts, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing two separate types of parts, a first of said types of parts having at least two oppositely disposed balls and the second of said types of parts having at least two oppositely disposed sockets, any one of said balls and any one of said sockets sized and shaped to form a ball and socket joint;
• (b) providing a plate having at least one groove therein, said groove being dimensioned to receive said parts and formed in the configuration of said structure;
• (c) placing said parts in said groove with said first and second types of parts alternating with each other, whereby each ball confronts a socket;
• (d) covering said groove to prevent a displacement of said parts from said groove;
• and
• (e) simultaneously applying pressure on opposite ends of said groove for forcing said balls into said sockets, thereby forming an assembled linkage of said parts joined by ball and socket joints.

A method for assembling an end product from several parts, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing at least two separate types of parts, a first of said parts having at least two oppositely disposed balls and the second of said parts having two oppositely disposed sockets, any one of said balls and any one of said sockets together forming a ball and socket joint;
• (b) providing a plate having at least one groove therein, said groove being dimensioned to receive said parts and being formed in the configuration of a desired end product with said first and second types of parts alternating with each other in said groove, whereby each ball confronts a socket;
• (c) preventing displacement of said parts from said groove;
• and
• (d) applying pressure on at least one end of said groove for forcing said balls into said sockets, thereby forming an assembly of said parts joined by ball and socket joints.

A support system comprising:

• (a) a plurality of rods, each rod having a first end and a second end;
• (b) a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve including first and second sockets, said sockets configured to movably receive and retain one of a first or second end of one of said rods;
• (c) said sleeves and rods forming a linkage of alternating sleeves and rods wherein a first socket of a first sleeve movably retains the first end of a first rod, and the second socket of a second sleeve movably retains the second end of said first rod;
• (d) a cover substantially surrounding said support system;
• and
• (e) at least one coupler for securing the cover to said support system.

A method for assembling a structure from several parts, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing at least two discrete parts, each part having two ends with each end adapted to be joined to at least one cooperating end of the other part to form a joint between the parts;
• (b) providing a means for receiving said parts in the configuration of said structure with the cooperating ends of said parts confronting each other;
• (c) placing said parts in said receiving means in alignment to form said configuration of said structure with the cooperating ends of said parts confronting each other;
• and
• (d) providing a means for forcing the cooperating ends of said parts together to form joints which link the parts, thereby forming an assembly of said parts into said structure.

A ball and socket joint having an electrical switch actuated by relative movement across the joint, said joint comprising

• (a) a sleeve having a first undercut region forming a socket;
• (b) a rod having a first end forming a ball adapted to be received in said socket;
• (c) a first contact element associated with the sleeve, and a second contact element associated with the rod;
• (d) said first and second contact elements being positioned such that angular motion of said rod relative to said sleeve greater than an actuation angle causes said second contact element to physically engage said first contact element thereby closing the switch.