Patent ID: 6347690
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A braked mechanical joint assembly for rotatably connecting a first joined member and a second joined member, the joint assembly comprising:a joint body connected to the first joined member and having first and second opposing faces and a bore connecting the opposing faces and defining a rotation axis; and a rotation assembly substantially nonrotatably engaged with the second joined member and rotatable about the rotation axis, the rotation assembly comprising a shaft positioned coaxially within the bore in the joint body and having a first end and a second end, a first friction member positioned against at least one of the bore and the first face of the joint body, a second friction member positioned against at least one of the bore and the second face of the joint body, a first brake member having means for substantially non-rotatably engaging the second joined member and positioned against the first friction member, a second brake member having means for substantially non-rotatably engaging the second joined member and positioned against the second friction member, and means for compressing the first and second friction members and the joint body between the first and second brake members, thereby frictionally engaging the joint body and the first brake member with the first friction member and the joint body and the second brake member with the second friction member and generating a braking torque opposing rotation about the rotation axis of the first and second brake members and the second joined member engaged therewith relative to the joint body; and a bearing assembly for further compressing the first and second friction members and the joint body between the first and second brake members during movement of the joint assembly substantially away from a resting joint position, thereby increasing the braking torque during movement of the joint assembly away from the resting joint position, wherein the bearing assembly engages at least one of the joint body, the first brake member, and the second brake member, thereby substantially fixing the resting joint position during movement of the joint assembly, and substantially determining the location of the resting joint position.