Patent ID: 7765707

Claim:
A connection device for use in an articulated apparatus comprising two or more tandemly arranged interconnected movable segments, for limiting rotation between two adjoining segments connected by a joint having a single axis of rotation, comprising: a spring assembly comprising one or more helical torsion springs ( 16 ), which assembly has a first end ( 20 ) and a second end ( 21 ), configured for placement co-axially along the joint axis of rotation, a stop pin ( 18 ) adapted for attachment to one adjoining segment ( 10 ), another stop pin ( 19 ) adapted for attachment to the other adjoining segment ( 26 ), each pin moveable around the axis of rotation in fixed relation to the attached segment, wherein the first end ( 20 ) of the spring assembly is configured for disengageable connection with the stop pin ( 18 ) of one segment ( 10 ), and the second end is configured for disengageable connection with the stop pin ( 19 ) of the other segment ( 26 ), such that the degree of rotation by the one segment ( 10 ) about the joint axis relative to the other segment ( 19 ) is limited as spring assembly engages both pins ( 18 , 19 ), and by the torque induced in the spring assembly.