BALL JOINT SYSTEM AND SUPPORT DEVICE

A firearm maintenance aid can include a firearm vise and a firearm support device. Firearm vise can include vise jaws, a threaded rod connecting vise jaws together, and jaw pin holes in each jaw, the holes extending from an outer surface of a jaw through to an inner surface of each jaw, wherein the holes in the first jaw align with the holes in the second jaw. Firearm support device can include a clamping portion and a supporting portion. The clamping portion can be clamped between the jaws of the firearm vise, can include two parallel clamping faces, and can define vise pin holes that align with the jaw pin holes. The supporting portion can be located opposite the clamping portion and can include a cylindrical shaft. Vise pins can be received by the jaw pin holes and vise pin holes to fixedly connect the support device to the vise.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to ball joint systems, and more particularly, relates to vises that have ball joint systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During maintenance activities, devices like firearms (or sub-components thereof) are often held or otherwise supported by clamps, jigs, vises, or other mechanical support arrangements. This can free up an armorer's hands for performing maintenance tasks and can enable greater application of torque to components than, for example, handholding. In some cases, however, access to portions of the object being worked upon while using a traditional vise is difficult because the portion of the object being worked upon may not be easily accessible to a user when the object is secured in the vise. Additionally, vises that offer various repositioning options, are inefficient to use. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a vise that can provide secure support for objects being worked upon and can offer the ability for efficient repositioning during maintenance activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to ball joint systems, and more particularly, relates to vises that have ball joint systems. In an illustrative but non-limiting example, the disclosure provides a ball joint system that can include a plurality of vise jaws and a vise base having a housing and a ball joint. The vise base can connect to the vise jaws via the ball joint. The ball joint can include a ball that is located at least partially within the housing, a stem connected on a first end to the ball and on a second end to a portion of the vise jaws, and a ball lock for securing the ball in a predetermined position within the housing. Further, the ball can include one or more passages through which the ball lock can be inserted to lock the ball in a predetermine position, and the one or more passages can be located at least partially along a bottom surface of the ball.

In some cases, the one or more passages can be at least partially open channels along an exterior surface of the ball such that at least a portion of the ball lock, when inserted into one of the one or more passages, is located directly between the passage and an interior of the housing. In some cases, the one or more passages can be two passages that have surfaces that intersect each other. Further, the one or more passages can be perpendicularly arranged.

In some cases, the one or more passages can extend completely through the ball, and the housing can include a plurality of ball lock holes in at least two sides of the housing, enabling the ball lock to enter into one of the plurality of ball lock holes on one side of the housing and exit out the opposite side. Further, the plurality of ball lock holes can comprise at least two ball lock holes with an entrance for each ball lock hole on a first side of the housing and an exit for each ball lock hole on a second side of the housing, and the ball can be positioned between the entrances and exits of the two ball lock holes. Additionally, the plurality of ball lock holes can further comprise at least one storage hole with an entrance on a first side of the housing and an exit on the second side of the housing, and the ball may not be positioned between the entrance and exit of the storage hole.

In some cases, the ball joint system can further include two inserts, wherein each insert can be attached to a corresponding inner face of the vise jaws, can include a cutout along a top edge, and can be reversible. Sometimes, the ball joint system can further include a cam latch wherein the cam latch can be comprised of a lever and a threaded rod, and the housing can include a threaded receiving cavity for receiving the threaded rod. In some cases, the ball joint system can further include a clamp base attached to the vise jaws.

In another illustrative but non-limiting example, the disclosure provides a ball joint system comprising a base having a housing, and a ball joint. The ball joint can include a ball located at least partially within the housing, a stem connected on a first end to the ball, and a ball lock for securing the ball in a predetermined position within the housing. Further, the ball can include one or more passages that can be structured and configured to pair with the ball lock in a predetermined locking position. The one or more passages can be located at least partially along a bottom of the ball and can be at least partially open along an exterior surface of the ball such that at least a portion of the ball lock, when located in one of the one or more passages, can be located between the passage and the interior of the housing. In some cases, the one or more passages can be two passages that have surfaces that intersect each other and are perpendicularly arranged.

In some cases, the one or more passages can extend completely through the ball, and the housing can include a plurality of ball lock holes in at least two sides of the housing, enabling the ball lock to enter into one of the plurality of ball lock holes on one side of the housing and exit out the opposite side. Further, the plurality of ball lock holes can comprise at least two ball lock holes with an entrance for each ball lock hole on a first side of the housing and an exit for each ball lock hole on a second side of the housing, and the ball can be positioned between the entrances and exits of the two ball lock holes. Additionally, the plurality of ball lock holes can further comprise at least one storage hole with an entrance on a first side of the housing and an exit on the second side of the housing, and the ball may not be positioned between the entrance and exit of the storage hole.

In some cases, the ball joint system further includes a plurality of vise jaws that connect to a second end of the ball joint stem. Additionally, the ball joint system may include two inserts, wherein each insert is attached to a corresponding inner face of the vise jaws. In some cases, the ball joint system can further include a cam latch wherein the cam latch is comprised of a lever and a threaded rod, and the housing includes a threaded receiving cavity for receiving the threaded rod.

In another illustrative but non-limiting example, the disclosure provides a method of using a ball joint system comprising aligning a passage in a ball with a ball lock hole, inserting a ball lock into the ball lock hole of a housing, inserting the ball lock into the passage of the ball to lock the ball at a predetermined angle, and clamping an object between vise jaws. The ball can be part of a ball joint, the ball lock hole can be in a side of the housing, and the housing can house the ball. Further, the vise jaws can be attached to a first end of a ball stem of the ball. In some cases, the method can further comprise the steps of twisting a lever of a cam latch in a first direction to move two halves of the housing closer to each other and rotating the lever upward to further secure the ball in place.

The above summary is not intended to describe each and every example or every implementation of the disclosure. The Description that follows more particularly exemplifies various illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to ball joint systems, and more particularly, relates to vises that have ball joint systems. Various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals may be used to represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the systems and methods disclosed herein. Examples of construction, dimensions, and materials may be illustrated for the various elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized. Any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the systems and methods. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover applications or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Various known maintenance support devices demonstrate shortcomings that limit their usefulness. Some of these devices only provide for supporting objects in very specific or limited orientations, and some such devices only include minimal features to accommodate clamping by a vise. The present disclosure provides ball joint systems and support devices that can robustly and flexibly support devices, such as firearms, in various orientations according to a user's preference. The ball joint systems and support devices are a maintenance aid that can be used to help a user securely and efficiently clean, maintain, assemble, and disassemble devices such as firearms. Firearm vise200, as illustrated inFIG. 1, may include a plurality of vise jaws202that each have a plurality of jaw pin holes204. Vise jaws202may be connected to each other by threaded rod206and may be comprised of first jaw202aand second jaw202b. Further, jaw pin holes204in one or both of vise jaws202may extend from outer surface208of the vise jaw through to inner surface210of the vise jaw. In some embodiments, some or all of jaw pin holes204in first jaw202acan align with some or all of the jaw pin holes in second jaw202b. Therefore, when a vise pin is inserted into vise jaws202, it can insert into both first jaw202aand second jaw202bvia the aligned jaw pin holes204.

In some embodiments, vise jaws202may have relatively flat inner faces, and the flat inner faces may be textured to increase friction with a clamped component, such as firearm support device100. However, a textured surface is not necessary for vise jaws202to securely clamp a component, as is described in detail below. Therefore, the inner face of each vise jaw202may, alternatively, be smooth. In some cases, inner faces210of vise jaws202may be parallel to each other and may be mirror images of each other such that when they are moved together so that the inner faces touch, the entire surface of one inner face touches the entire surface of another. However, in other embodiments, the inner faces may have slightly different dimensions and/or sizes such that one is smaller or larger than the other. In addition to inner faces, vise jaws202have top and side edges, which may be flat and angled 90 degrees from inner faces210, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-5 and 10-11, as well as outer faces208, which may be flat or decoratively patterned. Further, the outer face may be parallel to the inner faces or may slope outward from the top to the bottom, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-2 and 10.

As mentioned above, vise jaws202may not need a textured surface to securely clamp a component in place. To accomplish a secure clamp, vise jaws202may have a plurality of jaw pin holes204into which vise pins212can be inserted to lock a clamping component, such as firearm support device100having vise pin holes (not shown), in place. Additionally, jaw pin holes204in vise jaws202may align with each other to enable a vise pin to pass from one vise jaw through to another. More specifically, jaw pin holes204may be located in both vise jaws202a/band aligned with each other such that one vise pin212can be simultaneously connected to a jaw pin hole in each vise jaw. In some embodiments, jaw pin holes204may pass from outer surface208to inner surface210of one or both vise jaws202. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 9-11, first vise jaw202amay have jaw pin holes204that pass from outer surface208to inner surface210and second vise jaw202bmay have jaw pin holes that are only open to its inner surface. Therefore, when firearm support device100is clamped into firearm vise200, vise pins212can be inserted from outer surface208of vise pin holes204of first vise jaw202aand through to inner surface210, through the support device, and into vise pin holes204on the inner surface of second vise jaw202bwhere they can be stopped by the remaining solid material of the second vise jaw. While vise pin holes204are illustrated herein on outer surface210of first vise jaw202a, it is noted that first vise jaw202bcan have vise pin holes204that penetrate from the outer surface through to the inner surface as well.

In some embodiments, jaw pin holes204may horizontally align with each other on each vise jaw202. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 3-4 and 11, two holes from vise jaw202may be aligned along a horizontal line such that they are the same distance from the top and/or bottom of first vise jaw202a. This allows the component to be locked in a parallel configuration to inner faces210of vise jaws202, as illustrated inFIGS. 4-5. Other jaw pin hole configurations may include two holes aligned along a vertical line such that when firearm vise200is upright, the first hole is directly above, or below, the second hole, and the component can be locked perpendicular, or 90 degrees, to inner faces210. These are not the only alignments or configurations that may be possible. Further alignments or configurations can include any angle such as, but not limited to, jaw pin holes that allow for the component to be locked at a 30-degree angle, a 45-degree angle, and a 60-degree angle to the inner face. There may be several jaw pin holes in each vise jaw such that any or all of the above-mentioned hole configurations are accessible to a user. For example, in one embodiment, each vise jaw may have four vise pin holes, wherein two of the vise pin holes vertically align on one half of the vise jaw, two of the vise pin holes vertically align on another half of the vise jaw, the top two vise pin holes are horizontally aligned with each other, the bottom two vise pin holes are horizontally aligned with each other, and the bottom vise pin holes and their opposite side, top vise pin hole are in 45-degree alignment.

Vise pins212may be structured and configured to be received by any of the plurality of the vise pin holes of clamping portion106of firearm support device100as well as by any of the plurality of jaw pin holes204of vise jaws202, such that the vise pins are elongate and cylindrical in form and the vise pin holes are similarly shaped and dimensioned to enable a friction fit. More specifically, the external circumference of vise pins212may be substantially equivalent, albeit slightly smaller, to the internal circumference of the vise pin holes and jaw pin holes204. Vise pins212may be inserted from the outer surface of vise jaw202, thereby allowing user to clamp component between the vise jaws prior to inserting the vise pins. Further, as discussed more below, if the clamped component, such as firearm support device100, has pin holes, the clamped component may first be secured between vise jaws202and then vise pin212can be inserted into one vice jaw, through the clamped component, and into second jaw. If two or more vise pins212are used, this can lock the clamped component securely in place for the user to work with. So positioned, the vise pins212can serve to define and to assist in maintaining a working angle for the clamped component (for example, firearm support device100). In some embodiments, the vise pins may be simple cylindrically shaped pins. Alternatively, vise pins212may have a head or grip on one end of a cylindrical shaped pin portion, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 9-10, to offer users a more ergonomic grip when placing the vise pin through vise jaws202and the clamped component. The head or grip may be textured or smooth and may have any ergonomic shape such as an elongated mushroom head, ball, or any other grab point.

To clamp vise jaws202on a clamping component, such as firearm support device100, second jaw202bmay be moveable relative to first jaw202a, such that the second jaw can move toward and away from the first jaw along threaded rod206. More specifically, vise jaws202may further include bases220,222, and the bases may house threaded rod206, allowing for inner faces210of the vise jaws to be free from interference of the threaded rod when clamping onto a component. For example, first jaw202amay be connected to, or molded from the same part as, clamp base220, and second jaw202bmay be connected to, or molded from the same part as, jaw base222. Therefore, jaw base222may connect to clamp base220via threaded rod206, enabling second jaw202bto move relative to first jaw202a. To enable rotation of threaded rod206and movement of one vise jaw toward another, the threaded rod may have a screw head attached on one end. For example, screw head214may be attached to threaded rod206on an outer portion of jaw base222of second jaw202b, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 and 10-11. Further, screw head214may have an aperture through which handle216is inserted. In some cases, screw head214and handle216may be one singular molded part and in other cases, they may be separate parts. Handle216can be elongated and rigid, such that it will not bend or flex when human pressure is applied to the handle. Additionally, handle216may be straight, as illustrated, or have curvature, which can provide an ergonomic grip to user. When handle216is turned, it can cause rotation of screw head214, which can cause rotation of threaded rod206. Rotation of threaded rod206can then cause second jaw202bto move toward or away from first jaw202a. For example, clockwise rotation of threaded rod206may cause second jaw202bto move toward first jaw202a, while counterclockwise rotation of the threaded rod may cause second jaw to move away from first jaw.

In addition to threaded rod206, jaw base222may also be connected to clamp base220via one or more guide bars218. Guide bars218may be smooth so as not to provide friction when second jaw202bmoves toward first jaw202a. Further, guide bars218may be cylindrical, as illustrated inFIGS. 3-4, or may have another shape such as rectangular or pyramidal, and they may offer additional support for when heavy components are clamped between vise jaws202. This additional support may keep vise jaws202from becoming misaligned if they are twisted due to torque applied during use of firearm vise200, and the support may also prevent threaded rod206from bending due to having to withstand too much torque. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 2, firearm vise200may include two guide bars218that are parallel to, and on opposite sides of, threaded rod206.

In some embodiments, vise jaws202may each have a ledged, upper recess on inner faces210such that each vise jaw is compatible with insert224. Insert224may be approximately rectangular with flat inner and outer faces, which may be parallel to each other, may have top long edge226and bottom long edge228, and the upper recess in vise jaws202may be approximately the same size and shape as the insert such that when the insert is attached to the vise jaw, the side and upper edges of both the vise jaw and the insert align and the inner faces are on the same plane. In some cases, the inner face of insert224may be textured (for example, knurled) and the outer face of the insert may be smooth, although this is not required and either or both faces may be textured or smooth. If the outer face of insert224is smooth, the surface of the ledged, upper recess may also be smooth to prevent gaps between the insert and the upper recess when they are connected together. Since insert224may be removable, an attachment mechanism can be used to keep the insert connected to vise jaw202. More specifically, vise jaw202and insert224may be attached or connected using connections such as, but not limited to, screws232, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, snap fit connections, or dove tail connections.

Insert224may have cutout or recess230along top long edge226or bottom long edge228that is roughly rectangular. In some embodiments, the cutout/recess is through the entire insert, thereby causing the insert to have a u-shape. In other embodiments, cutout/recess230is only a portion of a long edge such that the back of insert224remains a complete rectangle, as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 3, 9, and 11. Further, insert224may be reversible and, if so, cutout/recess230along top long edge226may appear to be along a top portion when insert is in one configuration and it may appear to be along a bottom portion when insert is rotated 180 degrees into a reversed configuration.

In some embodiments, if jaw pin holes204are located in the region of vise jaws202where insert224attaches, then in order to retain the securing function of vise pins212when the insert is attached to the vise jaw, the insert can have insert pin holes that align with jaw pin holes204. More specifically, the insert pin holes may be positioned such that they align with jaw pin holes204regardless of whether insert224is upright or upside down. For example, the insert pin holes may be located in the center of the insert. In other embodiments, the insert may have a first set of holes that align with jaw pin holes204in a first configuration and a second set of holes of that align with the jaw pin holes when the insert is in the reversed configuration. However, to simplify the design of firearm vise200, jaw pin holes204may be located beneath the connection region of insert224with vise jaws202, as illustrated inFIG. 3.

In addition to connecting to first vise jaw202a, clamp base220may also include, and be controlled by, leveling knob234, which may also indirectly control jaw base222via its attachment to the clamp base vis-a-vis threaded rod206. Leveling knob234may include a pin/rod (not shown), a spring (not shown), and knob236connected to an outer end of the pin/rod. The pin/rod may be locked within clamp base220when leveling knob234is in its home position. Then, when knob236is pulled out, the spring can be compressed, the pin/rod can be pulled out and removed from its home position, and leveling knob234may be able to rotate left or right. This left or right rotation can rotate vise jaws202a few degrees in one direction or another, which may help to level the vise jaws and the clamped component, such as firearm support device100, for maintenance or other work. In some cases, when leveling knob234is rotated, the pin/rod is structured and configured such that it is prevented from locking back into its home position. However, leveling knob234may still provide enough friction and/or pressure to keep vise jaws202level until the user resets the leveling knob back into its home position.

In some embodiments, firearm vise200may include vise base238, which can connect to vise jaws202via clamp base220, as illustrated inFIGS. 3-5 and 10-11. Vise base238may be used to mount firearm vise200to a flat surface such as a workbench or table and may include housing240, table mount242, and a table clamp (not shown). Connection of vise base238to vise jaws202(via clamp base220, for example) may be via ball joint244, which can include ball246, stem248, ball lock250, and/or cam latch252, as illustrated inFIG. 3. Alternatively, connection of vise base238to clamp base220can also take place by a fixed connection component such as, but not limited to, a rod, neck, or post. Connection by ball joint244may allow for fewer jaw pin holes204since vise jaws202can move the clamped component, such as firearm support device100, into many positions, angles, and configurations due to the flexibility of the ball joint, whereas connection by a fixed connection component may be more compatible with embodiments of the vise jaws that include additional jaw pin holes since the additional jaw pin holes will enable the clamped component to be moved into more than one secured position.

Housing240of vise base238may be comprised of one or more parts. In embodiments having ball joint244as a connection mechanism between vise base238and clamp base220, housing240can have at least two parts, such as top portion254and bottom portion256, to aid in assembly and, as mentioned in more detail below, locking of the ball joint via a clamping mechanism. In embodiments having a fixed connection component, the housing may be limited to one piece. Housing240may be either connected to table mount242or may be a continuous piece with the table mount such that they are not removable from each other. In some cases, housing240may have a top portion separate from a bottom portion and the bottom portion may be one continuous piece with table mount242. Other configurations are possible.

As mentioned above, table mount242and the table clamp (not shown) can secure firearm vise200to a flat, working surface such as a workbench or table. Therefore, table mount242may have a flat bottom face to increase the amount of surface area in contact with the working surface and to allow for a secure mount to the working surface. The top of table mount242may also be flat or may have additional features. For example, the top of table mount242may include storage trays, cavities, or pockets258for holding tools or firearm parts. In some embodiments, the top of table mount may include recessed portion260that is structured and configured to receive a portion of table clamp. Further, housing240may connect to table mount242along a central portion such that the table mount may have recessed portion260on either side of the central portion, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 9. This allows for two table clamps to secure table mount242to the working surface. More specifically, the table clamp may be a c-clamp and a top arm of the table clamp may nest into recessed portion260on table mount242. This recessed portion may be smooth, or it may have a texture so as to increase friction and prevent unwanted sliding between table mount242and a table clamp. Another method for connecting table mount242to a work surface is via screws, as illustrated inFIG. 3. More specifically, recessed portion(s)260may include holes or openings into which screws262can be inserted. Further, table mount242may have connection point264specifically structured and configured for screw262, as further illustrated inFIG. 3, wherein the connection point is a recessed portion that is smaller than recessed portion260and shaped more similarly to a screw head.

As mentioned above, housing240, in addition to connecting to table mount242, can connect to a connection component, such as ball joint244, to connect vise base238to clamp base220. As illustrated inFIGS. 3, 6 and 11, ball joint244may include ball246, stem248, and ball lock250, wherein the stem can be connected on a first end to the ball and on a second end to a portion of vise jaws202(for example, clamp base220), and the ball lock can secure the ball in one or more predetermined positions. Ball246may be located at least partially within housing240or, alternatively, may be completely surrounded by the housing.

In some embodiments, ball246may be comprised of one or more passages266through which ball lock250can be inserted in order to lock the ball in a predetermined position, although in some cases, vise pin212and ball lock250may be interchangeable so the vise pin may be used instead of the ball lock. More specifically, ball246can include two passages266that may be located at least partially along a bottom surface of the ball (i.e., opposite the side of the ball that connects to stem248), may be perpendicular to each other, and may have surfaces that intersect or cross through each other, as illustrated inFIG. 7. Passages266may not be entirely internal to ball246and at least a portion of the length of each passage may be partially open to the inner surface of housing240(for example, a portion of the passage may be a channel that is at least partially open along an exterior surface of the ball) such that at least a portion of ball lock250(for example, a lengthwise side of the ball lock), when inserted into a passage, is not completely surrounded by the ball and may be exposed to the interior of the housing. More specifically, the part of ball lock250that is in the option portion of passage266can be located directly between the surface of the passage and the interior of housing240. In some embodiments, passage266may be completely open such that the portion of ball lock250within housing240, when inserted into the passage, is located directly between the surface of passage266and the interior of the housing. Further, passages266may extend completely through ball246, as illustrated inFIG. 7, or, alternatively, may extend partway into the ball but end prior to reaching the opposite side of the ball.

Since ball246can be located within housing240, the housing may, further, include a plurality of ball lock holes268in, for example, at least one side of the housing into which ball lock250can be inserted to gain access to passages266. Ball lock250can be elongate and cylindrical in form and ball lock holes268can be similarly shaped and dimensioned (i.e., also elongate and cylindrical in form) such that the ball lock can securely fit in a ball lock hole. One embodiment may include at least two ball lock holes268in at least one side of housing240. For example, there may be three ball lock holes268in two sides of housing240(for example, two opposing sides), as illustrated in the figures. These ball lock holes268can enable ball lock250to enter into one of the ball lock holes on one side of housing240and, in some embodiments, exit out the opposite side of the housing, as illustrated inFIG. 6. More specifically, each ball lock hole may have an entrance on a first side of housing240and an exit on a second, opposite side of the housing.

Further, in some embodiments, at least two ball lock holes268are configured such that ball246is positioned between the entrances and exits of the at least two ball lock holes and ball lock250, when inserted into the at least two ball lock holes268also inserts into one of passages266. Additionally, a third ball lock hole (for example, the hole closest to cam latch252inFIG. 3) can be positioned such that ball246is not positioned between the entrance and exit of the third ball lock hole. This third ball lock hole246may be used as a storage hole when ball lock250is not in use. Therefore, the storage hole is positioned apart from ball246, as illustrated inFIG. 8, such that insertion of ball lock250into the storage hole results in no physical contact with the ball, and the ball lock does not insert into any of passages266.

Further, as mentioned above, ball246can include one or more passages266that are structured and configured to pair with ball lock250in one or more predetermined locking positions. For example, one embodiment of the device can include two perpendicular passages in ball246, as illustrated inFIG. 7, that, in combination with ball lock holes268, enable ball lock250to secure ball joint244in one of eight positions: vertical and facing forward, left, right, or back when the ball lock is inserted through, for example, a middle ball lock hole (i.e., a ball lock hole approximately centered in the housing), and horizontal and facing forward, left, right, or back when the ball lock is inserted through a back ball lock hole (i.e., a ball lock hole nearest to vise base238). The top of housing240may include recessed passages270near its front and back to accommodate stem248of ball joint244when the ball joint is in a horizontally forward or angled backward position, respectively.

In addition to ball lock250, which can be used to lock ball246securely in place when high amounts of torque may be applied to vise jaws202, ball joint244may include cam latch252for securing the ball within housing240in additional positions that are not compatible with ball lock holes268and the ball lock. Cam latch252may help connect top and bottom of housing254,256and can be used to lock ball246in any position by compressing the top and bottom of the housing onto the ball. More specifically, cam latch252can include lever272and threaded rod274, and top and bottom of housing254,256can have a threaded receiving cavity for receiving the threaded rod. To secure ball246in housing244, lever272can be twisted (for example, counterclockwise), thereby turning threaded rod274within the threaded receiving cavity and pulling top and bottom of housing254,256toward each other and tightening housing240around the ball. Lever272of cam latch252can then be rotated upward 90 degrees to lock in place, which prevents countertwisting of threaded rod274and adds additional compression to ball246. To loosen ball246, lever272can be straightened, rotated in the opposite direction (for example, clockwise), thereby turning threaded rod274within the threaded receiving cavity in the opposite direction and allowing top and bottom of housing254,256to separate from each other and from the ball.

Persons of ordinary skill in arts relevant to this disclosure and subject matter hereof will recognize that embodiments may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described by example or otherwise contemplated herein. Embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of ways in which various features may be combined and/or arranged. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. Furthermore, it is intended also to include features of a claim in any other independent claim even if this claim is not directly made dependent to the independent claim.