Patent ID: 6238124
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: A61F,F16C,F16M,Y10T

Abstract:
An angularly adjustable, releasably lockable joint mechanism for rigidly joining first and second parts at a selected orientation: comprising a first member with a plurality of concavities defined on its surface and being secured to the first part, a second member accommodating the first member, at least one disengageable actuator extending through the second member and having a tip and being operative to advance the tip to lock up with the first member by being located in at least one concavity or to retract the tip to disengage it from the first member, the actuator being connected with the second part, and means for holding the parts, first member, the second member, and actuator together, said means being operative to allow the parts to change relative orientation when the actuator is retracted while the first member and the second member remain engaged with each other, the first member having a plurality of patterns of protuberances covering at least part of its surface, the protuberances of each pattern forming a concavity therebetween, the protuberances, the tip of said actuator and patterns being dimensioned relative to each other so that the tip of said actuator can be located in the concavity of each pattern and contact the protuberances of the pattern adjacent thereto while remaining spaced from the surface of the first member;said actuator having a base end and a spring engaging the base end of said actuator and biasing the tip end of the actuator into engagement with the protuberances of the first member;a locking pin on the second member and spaced from the tip of the disengageable actuator, said locking pin having a tip end and a base end and a spring engaging the base end of the locking pin and biasing the tip end of the locking pin into engagement with protuberances on the first member at a location spaced from the location whereat the tip of the disengageable actuator engages protuberances whereby roll movement between the first and second parts is prevented.