Patent ID: 7762735
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: A47L,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a socket configured to constrain a ball; an axle coupled to the socket; and a yoke rotatably coupled to the axle, the yoke having an axis of rotation that intersects the ball when the ball is positioned in the socket, the yoke rotatable to a closed position in which the yoke captures the ball in the socket, the yoke rotatable to an open position in which the yoke does not capture the ball in the socket, wherein the yoke is biased toward the closed position by a torsion spring at the axis of rotation, wherein the torsion spring comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end engages the axle, wherein the second end engages the yoke, wherein the axle comprises a first slot configured to receive the first end, wherein the yoke comprises a second slot configured to receive the second end, wherein the axle comprises a first mating element, wherein the socket comprises a second mating element, and wherein the first end is engaged with the first slot and the second end is engaged with the second slot and the first mating element is aligned with the second mating element to preload the torsion spring.