Patent ID: 6711783
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: B60J,B63B,E04H,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
A knuckle having a pair of opposed face hub inserts fixable into a hollow strut with a central longitudinal axis, an outside diameter and strength members adaptable for secure attachment between two fixed points, the knuckle including an articulating joint formed by the inserts which are hinged together by a link pinned to the inserts at a position offset from the longitudinal axis, which knuckle when fixably inserted in proximate ends of the strut, allows the strut single plane movement from a folded back-on-itself position to an extended in-line position, such strut either being locked or unlocked by slidable movement of a bidirectional sleeve which has an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the strut so as to ride along the strut between the attachment points, which locking sleeve by gravity or improper operation may have an end thereof lodge in said knuckle, the improvement comprising;anti-pinch means formed in said knuckle with one or more rounded surface(s) in moveable contact with said bidirectional sleeve for moving said sleeve away from said knuckle.