Joints and connections – Articulated members – Lockable at fixed position
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-06-12
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Lockable at fixed position
C403S110000, C403S322400, C403S325000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244779
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to angularly adjustable couplings and, more particularly, to pivotal couplings which permit angular adjustment of the two coupled members in a continuous manner and over a relatively wide range.
Many types of angularly adjustable couplings have been developed for a wide variety of applications. Examples of different types of constructions and applications for such couplings are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,887,878; 1,894,489; 3,693,469; 3,693,770; 3,943,794; 4,666,328; 5,279,387; and 5,689,999. Many of these constructions permit angular adjustment only in increments rather than continuously, or only over a short range rather than a wide range. Others do not permit angular adjustment in a quick and facile manner, or do not securely lock the coupling in its adjusted position. Still others involve complicated parts which are expensive to manufacture and to assemble.
OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel angularly adjustable coupling having advantages in the above respects.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an angularly adjustable coupling, comprising a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a pivotal mounting interconnecting the two members together about a pivot axis. The first coupling member includes a locking rib of circular configuration coaxial with the pivot axis. The second coupling member includes a pair of pivotal arms having inner ends disposed within the area inward of the locking rib, outer ends extending outwardly of the area occupied by the locking rib, and locking surfaces between the inner and outer ends engageable with the locking rib for locking the two coupling members against pivotal movement. The pair of pivotal arms are spring-biased to a locking position where their locking surfaces engage the locking rib, thereby locking the two coupling members against pivotal movement. The outer ends of the pivotal arms are moveable by a user to cause the locking surfaces to release from the locking rib, and thereby to permit one coupling member to be pivoted with respect to the other coupling member and to be locked in the pivoted position by releasing the outer ends of the pivotal arms.
According to further features in one of the preferred embodiments of the invention described below for purposes of example, the locking surfaces of the pivotal arms are defined by opposed edges of a passageway formed in each pivotal arm for receiving the circular locking rib. The distance between the opposed edges of each passageway is slightly larger than the width of the locking rib such that when the pivotal arms are moved to an unlocked position, the edges release from the locking rib to permit pivoting of one member with respect to the other, and when the pivotal arms are permitted to return to their normal biased position, the opposed edges engage the locking rib to lock the second member thereto by a wedging action.
As will be described more particularly below, an angularly adjustable coupling constructed in accordance with the foregoing features provides a wide range of continuous adjustment of the coupling members, allows quick change of the angular adjustment whenever desired, securely locks the coupling members in any adjusted position, and enables the adjustable coupling to be constructed with a relatively few simple parts which can be produced in volume and at relatively low cost.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.
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PTO Disclosure Document #40907 dated May 10, 1998 (Applicant believes this document is a PTO disclosure document based on the information appearing on its face).
50 Design News/Dec. 15, 1997; Designer's corner, Useful technology for your idea file.
Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Gifford Krass Groh Sprinkle Anderson & Citkowski PC
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