Patent ID: 8282306

Claim:
A joint ( 1 ) between two hinge-linked vehicle parts ( 2 , 3 ) of a hinge-linked vehicle for transporting passengers, said joint comprising: a first joint segment ( 11 ) having two joint segment elements ( 11 a , 11 b ) that form a U-shaped opening ( 13 ) therebetween, said two joint segment elements ( 11 a , 11 b ) being fastened separately on a frame ( 40 ) of one of the hinge-linked vehicle parts ( 3 ) by screws; a second joint segment ( 12 ) located within said U-shaped opening ( 13 ); a tensioning device ( 20 ) inserted through aligned apertures in said first joint segment ( 11 ) and said second joint segment ( 12 ), said tensioning device ( 20 ) comprising an axle bushing ( 21 ), a counter nut ( 22 ), a threaded bolt ( 23 ) and a spring pile ( 27 ), wherein said axle bushing ( 21 ) comprises a circumferential web ( 21 c ) extending inwardly from an inner periphery of said axle bushing ( 21 ); said threaded bolt ( 23 ) being inserted into a first end of said axle bushing ( 21 ) and extending at least partially through said inner periphery of said axle bushing ( 21 ) and threadingly engaging said counter nut ( 22 ) at a second end of said axle bushing ( 21 ) opposite said first end, with said spring pile ( 27 ) located between said circumferential web ( 21 c ) and a head of said threaded bolt ( 23 ); said axle bushing ( 21 ) and said counter nut ( 22 ) each having a collar ( 21 a , 21 b ), said axle bushing collar ( 21 a ) and said counter nut collar ( 21 b ) being non-rotatably fixed to and abutting a respective one of said two joint segment elements ( 11 a , 11 b ) of said first joint segment ( 11 ) such that said tensioning device ( 20 ) attaches said first joint segment ( 11 ) to said second joint segment ( 12 ) and forms an axis of rotation and articulation between said first joint segment ( 11 ) and said second joint segment ( 12 ); and whereby said spring pile ( 27 ) biases said axle bushing ( 21 ) and said counter nut ( 22 ) against said two joint segment elements ( 11 a , 11 b ) of said first joint segment ( 11 ) such that contact is maintained between said first joint segment ( 11 ) and said second joint segment ( 12 ) while allowing said first joint segment ( 11 ) and said second joint segment ( 12 ) to rotate about said axis of rotation.