Adjustable arm

Joints and connections – Articulated members – Plural distinct articulation axes

Patent

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Details

403 90, 248160, F16C 1106

Patent

active

045318557

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an adjustable arm and in particular to an arm consisting of a plurality of arm sections disposed in end to end relation with adjacent arm sections interconnected for angular movement therebetween about at least one axis.
Adjustable arms of the type to which this invention relates are well-known. In many situations, it is necessary to lock the arm sections against angular movement to restrain the arm from movement out of a position into which it has been adjusted. To accomplish this, conventional adjustable arms are commonly provided with a locking mechanism at each joint between adjacent arm sections. However, such an arrangement has a disadvantage in that it is necessary to operate the locking mechanisms individually to lock the arm in the desired position and to release the arm to allow for further adjustment of the arm sections. This may be a time consuming and tedious operation, especially if adjustments to the arms position are required to be carried out regularly.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantage by providing an adjustable arm in which the arm sections are able to be locked against angular movement in one operation.
Broadly the invention resides in an adjustable arm having a joint at each end capable of movement about at least one axis, a push rod extending axially along the arm with each end in contact with one of the components of the adjacent joint and means for applying a compressive force to the rod, thereby simultaneously locking both joints against relative movement.
More particularly the invention resides in an adjustable arm comprising an intermediate arm section and a pair of end arm sections disposed one at each end of the intermediate section, a joint connecting each end section to the respective end of the intermediate section for angular movement therebetween about at least one axis, each joint having a first part attached to the intermediate section and a second part attached to the respective end section, a push rod extending axially along the intermediate section with the respective ends of the push rod located against said second parts of the joints, and means for effecting relative movement between the intermediate section and the push rod between a first position in which the ends of the push rod are in sliding engagement with the respective second parts of the joints and a second position in which the ends of the rods are in frictional engagement with respect to said second parts.
According to a preferred feature of the invention each joint is either a ball and socket type joint or a knuckle joint.
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of two specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of an adjustable arm according to the first embodiment; and
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of an adjustable arm according to the second embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the adjustable arm according to the first embodiment comprises an intermediate arm section 11 and a two end sections 13 and 15, one at each end of the intermediate section. A joint 17 couples one end of the end section 13 to the adjacent end of the intermediate section 11. Similarly, a joint 19 couples one end of the end section 15 to the adjacent end of the intermediate section.
The end section 15 is in the form of a base which is adapted for mounting on a suitable structure such as a workbench, or a stand which may be either portable or fixed in position. The free end of the end section 13 is adapted to support an object such as a clamp (not shown) which may require positional adjustment after attachment to the end section 13.
The joint 17 is in the form of a knuckle joint comprising a fork 21 integral with the intermediate section 11 and an eye 23 mounted on the end section 13. The fork 21 and eye 23 are united by a pivot pin 25. The joint permits relative angular movement between the end section 13 and the intermediate section

REFERENCES:
patent: 1645023 (1927-10-01), Richards
patent: 3240516 (1966-03-01), Barish et al.
patent: 3278207 (1966-10-01), Barish et al.
patent: 3586281 (1971-06-01), Schumer

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