Patent ID: 7854563
Filing Date: 2010-12-21
Classification: B63B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A joint system movably coupling a first frame member to a second frame member, the joint system comprising: a mounting ball assembly including a mounting ball base immovably affixable to the first frame member and a mounting ball immovably secured relative to the mounting ball base and separated from the mounting ball base by a mounting ball shaft; a connector secured to the mounting ball assembly at one end and affixable to the second frame member at an opposite end, the connector being pivotable on the mounting ball to effect the movable coupling between the first frame member and the second frame member, and the connector maintaining contact with the mounting ball assembly during pivoting regardless of a position of the connector relative to the mounting ball assembly, wherein the connector is constructed such that it is movable on and relative to the mounting ball assembly by a first maximum amount in a folding plane and through a clearance plane by a second maximum amount in a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the folding plane, and wherein the first maximum amount is larger than the second maximum amount; and a continuous passage defined through the mounting ball assembly and the connector, the continuous passage being continuous regardless of a position of the connector relative to the mounting ball assembly.