Patent ID: 8376865

Claim:
An elongate tubular shaft for the transmission of torque, the shaft having a first end and a second end and comprising: a plurality of segments coupled along a length of the shaft, wherein a living hinge couples a first segment of the plurality to a second, adjacent segment of the plurality, the living hinge configured to flex to allow the first section to pivot into a space between the first and second sections; and an elongate strut extending from the first section and configured to slide within a slot in the second section when the first section pivots, wherein, when the strut is within the slot, a rotation of the shaft causes the strut to transmit torque from the first section to the second section, wherein the living hinge is a first living hinge, and wherein the second segment of the plurality is coupled to a third, adjacent segment of the plurality with a second living hinge, the second living hinge configured to flex to allow the second section to pivot into a space between the second and third sections, the first living hinge being at a position on the tubular shaft 90 degrees from the second living hinge.