Patent Publication Number: US-2018029195-A1

Title: Ball joint and apparatus for holding an object

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of ball joints, including ball joints used in apparatuses for holding an object in place. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Ball joints are used in a wide variety of applications. A typical ball joint comprises a ball member that is received by a socket member. One disadvantage of conventional ball joints is the difficulty of providing a secure ball joint which can be easily separated, when desired. 
     An apparatus can be used to hold objects in place, for numerous purposes. One example is a printed circuit board (PCB), which must be held in place during assembly, soldering, or testing. Numerous other applications are possible. 
     In many cases, the apparatus holding the object is used to free up the hands of a user for other tasks. An apparatus that is adjustable to a wide range of positions is therefore desirable. 
     In some situations, it can be difficult to mount the object in the holding apparatus. For example, when mounting PCBs for testing purposes, it is often necessary to align the PCB with numerous test pins, which contact various portions of the PCB. Improper alignment can result in inconsistent test results and so repeated clamping and unclamping of the PCB can be problematic. 
     In addition, direct handling of the object can sometimes be undesirable. For example, PCBs are often sensitive to static electric discharges and so direct handling of the PCB should be avoided where possible. Numerous other applications exist in which repeated mounting and unmounting of the object is not desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes several aspects. 
     Forming one aspect is an apparatus for holding an object. The apparatus has a gripping structure for holding the object and a ball and socket joint connected to the gripping structure. The ball and socket joint includes a ball structure having a pair of opposing planar faces in substantially parallel relation to one another, and a split socket structure having a cavity. The split socket structure further defines an elongate slot that permits passage of the ball structure into or out of the cavity when the opposing planar faces of the ball structure are aligned with the slot. The ball and socket joint is connected to the gripping structure at the ball structure or the split socket structure. 
     Another broad aspect of the invention is directed to a ball and socket joint for connecting a first and second member. The ball and socket joint includes a ball structure having a pair of opposing planar faces in substantially parallel relation to one another, and a split socket structure having a cavity. The split socket structure further defines an elongate slot that permits passage of the ball structure into or out of the cavity when the opposing planar faces of the ball structure are aligned with the slot. 
     Another broad aspect of the invention is directed to an improved ball structure for use in a ball and socket joint. The joint is of a type having a split socket structure defining a cavity. The split socket structure further defines an elongate slot of adjustable width. The slot is adjustable between a retention width less than the diameter of the ball structure and a release width greater than or equal to the diameter of the ball structure. The improvement in the ball structure is a pair of parallel, planar faces on the ball structure, configured to allow the ball structure to pass through the slot when the split socket structure defines the slot in the retention width. 
     Another broad aspect of the invention is directed to a method of assembling a ball and socket joint. The method includes aligning a ball structure having a pair of opposing planar faces in substantially parallel relation to one another with an elongate slot disposed in a split socket structure of the joint, inserting the ball structure through the elongate slot into a cavity in the split socket structure configured to retain the ball structure, and rotating the ball structure in the cavity to secure the ball structure in the cavity of the split socket structure. In some cases, the method may further include adjusting the width of the elongate slot to a retention width less than the diameter of the ball structure. 
     In another aspect, the split socket structure may define the slot as having a length greater than or equal to the diameter of the ball structure and a width that is adjustable between a retention width less than the diameter of the ball structure and a release width greater than or equal to the diameter of the ball structure. In some cases, the slot may be a channel bisecting the cavity of the split socket structure. 
     In a further aspect, the split socket structure may include a clamp that defines the slot. The clamp is moveable between: a first configuration that arrests rotation of the ball structure within the split socket structure; a second configuration that defines the slot at the retention width and permits passage of the ball structure into or out of the cavity when the opposing planar faces of the ball structure are aligned with the slot; and a third configuration that defines the slot at the release width. 
     In another aspect, the ball structure may include an arm projecting from the ball structure. In some cases, the arm may be substantially parallel to the opposing planar faces of the ball structure. Where present, the arm may also be connected to the gripping structure. 
     In another aspect, a wall of the cavity in the split socket structure may have a planar face which abuts the planar face of the cavity when the clamp is in the first configuration. In some cases, the ball structure may include an additional planar face which abuts the planar face of the cavity when the clamp is in the first configuration. The additional planar face may be normal to the opposing planar faces of the ball structure. 
     In another aspect, the apparatus may further include a base connected to the ball and socket joint, opposite the gripping portion. The base may include anchors for securing the base to a work surface. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent upon a review of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in a first position. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , in rear perspective. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a second position. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4  in a third position. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4 , in which the clamp is being removed from the base. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIGS. 7-8  are front perspective views of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 , which further illustrate the removal of the gripping structure from the apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus  100  according to one aspect of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the apparatus  100  comprises a base  110 , a split socket structure  120 , a ball structure  130 , and a gripping structure  140 . Whereas the drawings depict one particular embodiment, a number of variations are possible. 
     The gripping structure  140  holds an object of interest, which will depend on the specific application. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the object (not shown) is a printed circuit board (PCB), which is held in position by the apparatus  100  during soldering, assembly, testing, or other activities. A wide variety of other objects are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, including wood for woodworking, metal for metalworking, cell phones, or various other objects in need of holding. 
     Various configurations of the gripping structure  140  are contemplated within the scope of the invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the gripping structure  140  comprises an extruded aluminum bar  142  with adjustable arms  144  at each end. The bar  142  includes a channel  146  through which the arms  144  can slide. A set of thumbscrews  147  allow the arms  144  to be locked at a desired position on the bar  142 . Additional fine adjustments are also made possible in this embodiment by an adjustment knob  148 , which moves an adjustment pad  149  toward the opposing arm  144 . 
     Numerous other configurations are possible for the gripping structure  140 . For example, the bar  142  could be a rod which passes through the arms  144 , which bar  142  may or may not be threaded. Likewise, the spacing of the arms  144  may or may not be adjustable. A wide variety of suitable clamping configurations would be apparent to the person of skill having regard to the present specification, and all such configurations are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. 
     The ball structure  130  and split socket structure  120  cooperate to provide a ball and socket joint, which is attached to the gripping structure  140 . In the embodiment show in  FIGS. 1-2 , the ball structure  130  is connected to the gripping structure  140 . This configuration may also be reversed, with the split socket structure  120  being connected to the gripping structure  140 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the apparatus  100  also includes a base  110 , to which the opposite end of the ball and socket joint is also connected. In some configurations of the invention, the base  110  may be omitted and/or the split socket structure  120  may itself serve as the base  110 . 
     The ball structure  130  is substantially spherical, but includes two opposing planar faces  132   a,    132   b  in substantially parallel relation to one another. An example of such a ball structure  130  can be seen in  FIGS. 3-6 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , the ball structure  130  rotates within the split socket structure  120 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , the planar faces  132   a,    132   b  allow the ball structure  130  to be removed when properly aligned with the split socket structure  120 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the ball structure  130  includes an arm  134  which mediates the connection to the gripping structure  140 . In other configurations of the invention, the arm  134  may mediate the connection to the base  110 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the arm  134  is substantially parallel with the opposing planar faces  132   a,    132   b,  which facilitates insertion and removal of the ball structure  130  from the split socket structure  120 . The arm  134  may also be positioned at an angle relative to the planar faces  132   a,    132   b , such as 30, 45, 60, or 90 degrees. In such angled configurations, it may be preferable to include a cooperating notch (not shown) in the split socket structure  120  to receive the arm  134 . 
     The split socket structure  120  includes a cavity  122 , which receives the ball structure  130  when the joint is assembled. In at least one orientation, the cavity  122  retains the ball structure  130  in the joint (e.g.  FIGS. 1-3 ). In at least one other orientation, the ball structure  130  may be removed from the cavity  122  (e.g.  FIGS. 4-8 ), to disassemble the joint. 
       FIG. 2  provides an example of a cavity  122  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the cavity  122  is defined by two opposing halves  124   a,    124   b  of the split socket structure  120 , which cooperate to define the cavity  122 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the use of opposing halves  124   a ,  124   b  allows the volume of the cavity  122  to be adjusted, using an adjustment knob  125  that turns a bolt  127  which joins the two halves  124   a,    124   b.  This in turn allows the position of the ball structure  130  to be locked in place by tightening the knob  125 , which creates a frictional fit between the ball structure  130  and the cavity  122  of the socket  120 . The resulting configuration thus provides a clamp that selectively prevents rotation of the ball structure  130  within the socket structure  120 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 6 , the cavity  122  also includes an optional planar surface  128  with which one or more faces of the ball structure  130  can cooperate to permit the apparatus  100  to be fixed in a predefined position. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the ball structure  130  includes an additional face  136  which abuts the surface  128  of the split socket structure  120  to provide a fixed vertical position for the apparatus  100 . Similarly, the surface  128  of the split socket structure  120 , when present, may also be configured to cooperate with the planar faces  132   a,    132   b  of the ball structure  130 , to provide fixed positions. For example, in  FIGS. 1-2 , planar face  132   b  abuts the surface  128  of the split socket structure to allow for a fixed horizontal position for the gripping structure  140 . 
     The split socket structure  120  further includes a slot  126 , through which the ball structure  130  passes when entering or exiting the cavity  122 . The slot  126  is dimensioned so as to permit entry or exit of the ball structure  130  when the opposing planar faces  132   a,    132   b  are aligned with the slot  126  (e.g.  FIGS. 4-8 ) and deny such entry or exit when the opposing planar faces  132   a,    132   b  are not so aligned (e.g.  FIGS. 1-3 ). 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the slot  126  has a length greater than or equal to the diameter of the ball structure  130  and a width that is adjustable between a first width less than the diameter of the ball structure  130  and a second width greater than or equal to the diameter of the ball structure  130 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , the slot  126  extends through the entire split socket structure  120 , so as to form a channel which bisects the cavity  122 . Alternatively, the length of the slot  126  may be less than the diameter of the cavity  122 , so as to provide a split socket structure  120  having side walls rather than a channel. 
     In some configurations, the dimensions of the slot  126  are adjustable. For example, in  FIG. 6 , the slot  126  is formed by opposing halves  124   a,    124   b  of the split socket structure  120 . Thus, adjustment of the spacing of the halves  124   a,    124   b  using the adjustment knob  125  also adjusts the dimensions of the slot  126 . This may permit the size of the slot  126  to be reduced so as to deny exit of the ball structure  130  from the cavity  122 , when it is not desirable for the ball joint to be disassembled. Likewise, in some cases the slot  126  may be adjusted to a larger dimension to make it easier to align the opposing faces  132   a ,  132   b  of the ball structure  130  with the slot  126  when inserting or removing the ball structure  130  from the split socket structure  120 . 
     Various configurations of the base  110  are contemplated, including those in which the base  110  is omitted or in which the split socket structure  120  acts as a base  110 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the base  110  connects the split socket structure  120  to a work surface (not shown) using a plurality of anchors  112  through which fasteners, such as screws or bolts are inserted. The base  110  may also include an elongate stem  114 , so as to raise the object up from the work surface to a desired height. In the apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 2 , the stem  114  is relatively short and integrated with the base  110 . The stem  114  may be an elongate rod with adjustment means for varying the height of the split socket structure  120  on the stem  114 . Various other configurations would be apparent to the person of skill having regard to the present specification. 
     An apparatus  100  according to the present invention allows a user to selectively assemble and disassemble the ball joint, depending on operational needs. In use, the apparatus  100  allows the user to:
         secure an object in the gripping structure  140 ;   hold the object in one or more working positions in which the ball structure  130  is retained in the split socket structure  120 ;   selectively disassemble the ball joint when desired by:
           moving the apparatus  100  to a disassembly position in which the opposing planar surfaces  132   a,    132   b  of the ball structure  130  are aligned with the slot  126  in the split socket structure  120 , and   
           withdrawing the ball structure  130  from the cavity  122  of the split socket structure  120 ; and   selectively assembly the ball joint by:
           aligning the opposing planar surfaces  132   a,    132   b  of the ball structure  130  with the slot  126  in the split socket structure  120 ,   inserting the ball structure  130  into the cavity  122  of the split socket structure, and   moving the apparatus  100  into the one or more working positions.   
               

     An example of such selective disassembly can be seen in  FIGS. 4-8 . Assembly proceeds in much the same fashion, but in reverse order. 
     More generally, a ball joint according to the present invention allows the user to connect two objects by:
         aligning a ball structure having opposing planar faces in substantially parallel relation to one another with an elongate slot disposed in a split socket structure of the joint;   inserting the ball structure through the slot into a cavity in the split socket structure configured to retain the ball structure; and   rotating the ball structure in the cavity to secure the ball structure in the cavity of the split socket structure.       

     In some configurations, this allows an object to be removed from a work surface, such as a work bench, without releasing the gripping structure  140  from the object. This may be helpful in situations where the act of mounting the object in the gripping portion is difficult or time-consuming. In configurations that include a base  110 , this may also permit objects to be swapped out, by replacing a gripping structure  140  holding one object with a gripping structure  140  holding another object. 
     Likewise, assembling or disassembling the ball joint may be preferable to mounting or unmounting the object in applications where the alignment of the object in the gripping structure  140  is of particular importance. For example, when testing PCBs, the alignment of test pins in a testing rig with the contacts on the board must be precise in order to obtain consistent results. This is particularly important when the test rig is mounted on, or integrated with, the gripping structure  140  itself. Many other applications exist in which the alignment of the object in the gripping structure  140  is of particular relevance, such that it is desirable to minimize the need for clamping and unclamping of objects. 
     Various additional features described above provide additional functionality. For example, the use of one or more surfaces  128  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  allows the apparatus  100  to be configured for use in one or more pre-determined positions. Likewise, means to adjust the size of the cavity  122  can be used in some cases to create or release a frictional fit between the ball structure  130  and split socket structure  120 . Similarly, means to adjust the size of the slot  126  can be used in some cases to permit or deny the disassembly or assembly of the ball joint. 
     Various materials and means of manufacture may be used to form an apparatus  100  according to the present invention. For example, the components of the apparatus  100  may be formed from molded plastics, to minimize costs. In other applications, the components may be formed by cast or milled metals, for increased durability. The choice of material and manufacturing method depends on the application in question, but would be readily apparent to the person of skill having regard to the present specification and so need not be discussed in detail here. 
     Persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate several advantages:
         For a ball and socket joint, the larger the diameter the ball, the greater the contact surface area between the ball and the socket, and therefore the heavier an object that can be held, as it is the contact surface area that creates the friction, and the holding power of the ball and socket joint is proportional to the surface area contact between the ball and socket. In the typical split socket design, as the socket is split, the ball is not in contact with the socket at the top or bottom of the socket. The socket only engages two opposing sides of the ball. With the ‘flat ball’, while the height of the ball (distance between the two parallel faces) is reduced, the curved portion of the flat ball that is in contact with the socket is not diminished and therefore the contact surface area is the same as a normal round ball and the holding power is not reduced.   when one needs steady hands to work, a good way to do so is to rest the hands on the bench. The flat ball allows a user to quickly remove the work from the socket and place it on the work surface, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Given the ball is flat and shorter than a normal ball, this gets the work closer to the work surface and therefore it makes it easier to steady the hands and what is held in the hands   the flat ball is faster to remove than a conventional round ball, since it is not necessary to fully open the socket       

     The embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the intended scope of the present application. 
     Further, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternate embodiments comprised of a subcombination of features which may not be explicitly described above. 
     In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternate embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and subcombinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology. 
     Accordingly, the invention should be understood to be limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.