Mechanical member

A mechanical member comprising:

• an inclined ring body having a substantially frustoconical profile and being substantially uniform in thickness in a direction parallel to the axis of the frustocone, said ring body comprising a stack of self-supporting and elastic, inclined ring elements having such a profile and uniformity in thickness, and each formed with a centrally located opening for slidably accepting therethrough a first member which is substantially cylindrical and an outer peripheral edge adapted for engagement with a second member, said ring elements each having a plurality of outer slits extending radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge towards said centrally located opening and a plurality of inner slits extending radially outwardly from the edge defining said centrally located opening;
• means for angularly orienting the elements of each stack with respect to one another, said means for angularly orienting said elements including an elongated formation on one of said members and formations on a corresponding edge of each of said elements engaging said elongated formation;
• and
• means carried by one of said first and second members so as to hold a bearing contact with said ring body and adapted to be displaced on said one member to change a given angle of said frustocone, thereby regulating the state of engagement of said ring body with said first and second members.