Adjustable connector
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorSimon Garry Moore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable connector includes at least two parts, each having a main body with an angled bore having a longitudinal axis. An external surface of the main body of a first part is configured to bear against an internal surface of the bore of a second part when the first part is at least partially inserted into the bore of the second part to form a connection. The first part is prevented from rotating within the bore of the second part via a mechanical engagement of a rotational limiting feature such as a spline, key detail, or mating ridges and grooves.
Claims9
An adjustable connector for connecting and orienting a first component with a second component, the adjustable connector comprising:
- a first part having a generally cylindrical body that includes:
- an external surface disposed about a first longitudinal axis, the external surface operative to be secured within a bore provided within the first component;
- an internal surface disposed about a second longitudinal axis and defining a first bore, the internal surface including a first rotation limiting feature;
- a second part at least partially nested within the first bore, the second part having a generally cylindrical body that includes:
- an external surface disposed about a third longitudinal axis, the external surface defining a second rotation limiting feature;
- an internal cylindrical surface disposed about a fourth longitudinal axis and defining a bore operative to receive a portion of the second component;
- wherein the external surface of the second part is complimentary to the internal surface of the first part such that:
- the second part is inhibited from rotating within the first bore due to a mechanical engagement between the first rotation limiting feature and the second rotation limiting feature;
- the second part may be withdrawn from the first bore via a translation along the second longitudinal axis;
- and
- the second part may be oriented within the first bore in any of a plurality of different orientations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.