Patent ID: 7517169
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: F16M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A rotatable link assembly comprising; a pipe having a rim including a pair of diametrically opposed slotted openings therein, the slotted openings defining a pair of opposed deformable rim portions, a pair of rim mounting fittings, each fitting having a longitudinal bore passing therethrough, each of the rim mounting fittings being fixed to a corresponding deformable rim portion within a respective one of said slotted openings, a rotatable link having a longitudinal bore, disposed between the first and second rim mounting fittings, the slotted openings, the fitting longitudinal bores and rotatable link bore being in coaxial alignment, the rotatable link being rotatable relative to the rim mounting fittings fixed to the deformable rim portions, a threaded attachment means extending through said slotted openings and said coaxial fitting and rotatable link longitudinal bores for assembling the rim mounting fittings and the rotatable link into a unit, mounted to the deformable rim portions which are deformed thereby, the deformed rim portions providing a mechanical tension which is transferred as compressive forces in the longitudinal direction of the attachment means to the rim mounting fittings which frictionally engage the rotatable link disposed therebetween, the rotatable link having an axis of rotation along the longitudinal axis of the threaded attachment means, such that tightening or loosening the threaded attachment means varies the deformation of the rim portions and adjusts the compressive and frictional forces exerted on the rotatable link to adjust the ease of rotating the rotatable link.