Abstract:
A swiveling fitting for multi-directional movement includes a housing having a bore therethrough to accommodate a button shaft. A ball housing receives at least a portion of the button shaft. The ball housing has at least one ball recess to accommodate at least one ball. A locking sphere receives at least a portion of the ball housing. The locking sphere has at least one groove to accommodate the at least one ball, and a baseplate for moveably securing the locking sphere. The baseplate is releasably securable to a substrate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/473,295, filed on May 23, 2003, entitled SWIVELLING FITTINGS. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to the field of boating, and particularly to a frame mounting system having a base plate and detachably mating fittings capable of attachment to a framework of tubing on a boat. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various types of structures that are generally referred to as towers are in use on recreational and pleasure boats. The towers are typically fabricated from metal tubing or pipe. The towers form a structure over part of the deck surface of the boat. The tower is typically fastened to some part of the deck of the boat and extends upward from the deck surface. The towers are also known to those of ordinary skill in the art variously as arches, half towers, tuna towers, towers, hardtops, and hardtop support systems. The towers can be used to provide sunshade, shelter from the elements, mounting points for a variety of equipment for various purposes, and additional control stations. 
   The present invention is directed to a device for permitting multi-directional movement of the tubing framework and for easily mounting, removing and replacing tubing on boats. In the prior methods and devices for attaching these structures to boat decks, the most common method is to utilize mating male and female fittings. Generally, in the prior methods, the female fitting is attached in some manner to the upper surface of the boat deck. The towers all have several legs that form the mounting points on the deck. In order to be able to place and withdraw the male component from the female component of the fitting, it is necessary for the female component of the fittings to all have the same directional orientation. One problem with creating the proper orientation is that the deck mounting surfaces on many boats is generally not flat but varies over its surface at some angle to the horizontal. Due to this variation in the deck surface, it is difficult to install the plurality of fittings with a uniform vertical orientation for the female fitting. Consequently, mounting and removing the towers can be difficult. 
   The prior art presents a variety of approaches that have been engaged to mount, remove and replace tubing on boats. Notwithstanding these efforts to provide suitable mounts and fittings, the existing prior art devices are limited in numerous respects. Accordingly, what is lacking that the prior art has not provided is a simple fitting that provides for multi-directional movement of the tubing framework. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned needs for fitting by providing a swiveling fitting that provides for multi-directional movement of the tubing framework, including rotational movement. 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a swiveling fitting for multi-directional movement including a housing having a bore there through to accommodate a button shaft, a ball housing for receiving at least a portion of the button shaft, the ball housing having at least one ball recess to accommodate at least one ball, a locking sphere for receiving at least a portion of the ball housing, the locking sphere having at least one groove to accommodate the at least one ball, and a base plate for moveably securing the locking sphere, wherein the base plate is releasably securable to a substrate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded side view illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3   a  is a side view illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2  in the fully disengaged position. 
       FIG. 3   b  is a side view illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2  with the button shaft depressed. 
       FIG. 3   c  is a side view illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2  with the ball housing received by the locking sphere. 
       FIG. 3   d  is a side view illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2  in the fully engaged and secured position. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2  showing multi-directional movement. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view illustration of a sphere thrust of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view illustration of alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7   a  is a side view illustration of alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 7   b  is a side view illustration of alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 7   c  is a side view illustration of alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric view illustration of alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view illustration of the present invention of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a rear view illustration of the present invention of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is an isometric view illustration of the present invention of  FIG. 10 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as swiveling  10 . Swiveling fitting  10  includes a housing  12 , a button shaft  14 , a ball housing  26 , a base plate  32 , and a locking sphere  34 . 
   Housing  12  includes a cavity  11  for receiving tubing and a bore  13  for accommodating button shaft  14 . Bore  13  is constructed so as to form a support for shaft spring  22  to rest upon. In operation, shaft spring  22  is positioned within bore  13  and button shaft  14  is passed through shaft spring  22  and bore  13 . 
   Once partially through shaft spring  22  and bore  13 , at least a portion of button shaft  14  is received by ball housing  26 . Ball housing  26  incorporates at least one ball recess  28  to accommodate at least one ball  30 . Ball  30  is capable of at least partially passing into at least one ball recess  28 , contacting button shaft  14  at, depending upon the position of button shaft  14 , shaft recess  18  or shaft ridge  20  (discussed below). 
   To prevent the unintended removal of button shaft  14  from bore  13  as a result of spring  22  returning to an uncompressed state, a shaft clip  24  is operatively engaged to button shaft  14  at shaft clip recess  16 . Bore  13  is further constructed so as to form a stop for shaft clip  24  to rest upon, thus preventing unintended removal of button shaft  14 . 
   At least a portion of ball housing  26  is received by locking sphere  34 . Locking sphere  34  incorporates a groove  36  that is capable of accommodating at least one ball  30 . Locking sphere is at least partially covered by a base plate  32 , which incorporates an opening  33  so as to permit some exposure of locking sphere  34 . Locking sphere  34  is supported within base plate  32  by a sphere thrust  38 . Sphere thrust  38  provides an elevated surface that permits locking sphere  34  to protrude out of opening  33  of base plate  32 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , and  3   d , the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in operation.  FIG. 3   a  shows swiveling fitting  10  in a disengaged, resting state. As is demonstrated in  FIG. 3   a , shaft spring  22  is in an uncompressed state, resulting in button shaft  14  residing in a position of bore  13  that is a result of shaft clip  24  contacting against housing shoulder  13   a  of housing  12 . This position finds ball  30  passing partially into ball housing recess  28  of ball housing  26  and abutting shaft ridge  20  of button shaft  14 . Ball housing  26  is further shown in operative engagement with housing  12 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3   b , once button shaft  14  is depressed, shaft spring  22  is compressed, resulting in button shaft  14  passing further into ball housing  26 . Shaft spring  22  is compressed against housing shoulder  13   b  of housing  12 , which prevents shaft spring  22  from traveling further along bore  13 . The depression of button shaft  14  results in ball  30  passing further into ball housing recess  28  of ball housing  26  and thereby abutting shaft recess  18  of button shaft  14 . So as to prevent excessive depression of button shaft  14 , shaft clip  24  will contact ball housing shoulder  27  of ball housing  26  in a manner that prevents button shaft  14  from further travel through bore  13  along the direction of depression. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3   c , due to ball  30  passing further into ball housing recess  28  of ball housing  26  and thereby abutting shaft recess  18  of button shaft  14 , locking sphere  34  can be engaged. Locking sphere  34  is engaged by ball housing  26 , and, as is illustrated in  FIG. 3   d , is secured by ball  30  entering groove  36  when button shaft  14  is released and shaft spring  22  is decompressed, causing ball  30  to move out of shaft recess  18  and onto shaft ridge  20 . The abutting relationship between shaft ridge  20  and ball  30  results in ball  30  entering into groove  36 , securing housing  12  to locking sphere  34  and thereby permitting multi-directional movement of swiveling fitting  10 . 
   An example of such multi-directional movement is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As is shown in  FIG. 4 , housing  12  is capable of adjustment into a vast array of positions with respect to an axis, such as a longitudinal axis, of base plate  32 . Preferably, housing  12  of swiveling fitting  10  is capable of 360° rotation about a longitudinal axis of bore  13 . Additionally, locking sphere  34  is capable of adjustment, preferably between 1° and 180°, with respect to the longitudinal axis of base plate  32 , more preferably between 30° and 150°, and most preferably between 70° and 110°. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , sphere thrust  38  is illustrated. Preferably, sphere thrust  38  includes a central bore  40  to accommodate at least a portion of locking sphere  34 . Additionally, it is preferred that sphere thrust  38  is formed from a flexible material having a coefficient of friction substantially equal to rubber or the like. The combination of flexibility and high coefficient of friction results in a sphere thrust that supports locking sphere  34  and resists unintended motion of locking sphere  34 . Furthermore, sphere thrust  38  can be provided with a drainage port  42  to prevent a build-up of excessive moisture, permitting such moisture to be released into the outside atmosphere. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternative base plate  32   a  is shown. Alternative base plate  32   a  encloses sphere thrust  38  and supports locking sphere  34 . Locking sphere  34  is retained in its relationship with alternative base plate  32   a  by sphere retainer  44 , which can be threaded to be received by a corresponding thread in alternative base plate  32   a . Additionally, alternative base plate  32   a  can incorporate moisture drainage channels  46   a  and  46   b  to prevent a build-up of excessive moisture, permitting such moisture to be released into the outside atmosphere. 
     FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b , and  7   c  illustrate alternative base plate arrangements, thereby permitting attachment to various surfaces. For example,  FIG. 7   a  shows a base plate  32   b  that is capable of mounting onto a vertical surface, such as a sidewall of a structure.  FIG. 7   b  illustrates a base plate  32   c  that is capable of mounting onto a horizontal surface, such as a top of a structure. Additionally,  FIG. 7   c  demonstrates a base plate  32   d  that is capable of mounting onto a curved surface, such as a windshield support  50  of a boat. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as incorporating safety clip  15 . When in the secured position (shown in  FIG. 11 ) safety clip  15  prevents unintended depression of button shaft  14 , as defined below, thereby preventing a releasing of its engagement from a locking sphere, such as locking sphere  34 . This prevents the tubing (not shown) engaged to housing  12  from undesired motion. 
   As is further shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , alternative button shaft  14   a  incorporates a groove  50  for receiving safety clip  15 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , safety clip  15  slidably engages groove  50 , thereby preventing button shaft  14   a  from being depressed. Moving safety clip  15  from its sliding engagement with groove  50  permits button shaft  14   a  to be depressed. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 8 , housing  12  accommodates safety clip  15  in slide  52 . Housing further incorporates threaded side bores  54  to receive grub screws  56 . Grub screws  56  can be used to tighten a friction fit between housing  12  and tubing of a frame. As detailed above, a spring  22  receives button shaft  14   a . In this embodiment, button shaft  14   a  engages a lever housing  26   a  accommodating lever locks  58 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , when button shaft  14   a  is in the resting state, shaft ridge  20   a  abuts lever locks  58 . As a result of the abutting relationship with shaft ridge  20   a , lever locks  58  protrude out of lever housing  26   a  sufficiently to engage a locking sphere, such as locking sphere  34  of  FIG. 1 . 
   Once button shaft  14   a  is depressed, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , shaft ridge  20   a  depresses as well, thereby causing lever locks  58  to abut shaft recess  18   a . Thus, lever locks  58  travel further internal of lever housing  26   a , thereby permitting disengagement from a locking sphere as detailed above. 
   Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above and in the following Figures, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications to the exemplary embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.