Patent ID: 6328269
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: F16C,F16M

Abstract:
An adjustable orientation device, comprising:a first part including a rigid part-spherical bearing surface;a second part including a first sleeve made of a hard, non visco-elastic material, the first sleeve defining an inner surface that is part-spherical and is configured to receive the part-spherical bearing surface, having substantially the same radius of curvature as the part-spherical bearing surface, the first sleeve defining a gap; andadjustment means for adjusting the size of the gap, such that when the gap is relatively wide the first sleeve can be moved freely over the bearing surface, wherein, as the adjustment means is tightened, resistance to movement of the first sleeve over the bearing surface is increased, allowing smoothly-controlled movement between the first and second part at different levels of friction, thereby providing a clamping action in ranges from light locking to rigid locking when frictional engagement between the first sleeve and the bearing surface retains the sleeve and the bearing surface in a fixed orientation;wherein the clamping action is obtained hydraulic means including a cylindrical bore having a groove or channel extending around the inner circumference of the bore and containing a hydraulic medium, and a second sleeve covering the channel or groove, such that the application of pressure to the hydraulic medium causes the second sleeve to bow inwardly to clamp a cylindrical object in the bore; andwherein the bearing surface and the inner surface of the first sleeve are resistant to galling.