Patent ID: 6419279
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: F16B,F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
A swivel joint, comprising:a socket flange having a substantially spherical inside surface; a ball member having a substantially spherical outside surface that engages the substantially spherical inside surface of said socket flange; a retainer flange that engages said ball member opposite said socket flange; a set of threaded studs and associated nuts to couple said socket flange to said retaining flange, thereby securing said ball member therebetween; a plurality of threaded retaining rings through which said threaded studs threadedly insert to help hold together said socket flange, ball member and retainer flange; and each of said plurality of threaded retaining rings having an inner threaded portion that engages the threads of the inserted threaded stud, the inner threaded portion strips away at a predetermined load that is lower than the load on said threaded studs when said associated nuts are tightened to lock the swivel joint.