Patent ID: 8196883

Claim:
A dual-pivoting joint for an adjustable arm, the dual-pivoting joint adjustably connecting an arm first rigid segment to an arm second rigid segment and comprising: a first saddle bracket frictionally engaging and pivotably attaching to the arm first rigid segment, said first saddle bracket having a first pivot axis, about which the arm first rigid segment pivots; a first bracket passage through said first saddle bracket; a second saddle bracket frictionally engaging and pivotably attaching to the arm second rigid segment, said second saddle bracket having a second pivot axis, about which the arm second rigid segment pivots; a second bracket passage through said second saddle bracket; a friction ring interposed between said first saddle bracket and said second saddle bracket; a friction ring passage through said friction ring; a joint passage communicating between said first saddle bracket and said second saddle bracket; a bracket rotation axis about which said first saddle bracket and said second saddle bracket can rotate with respect to each other, said bracket rotation axis being normal to the first pivot axis and to the second pivot axis so as to allow these axes to rotate with respect to each other; and means for rotatably and frictionally engaging said first saddle bracket with said second saddle bracket so as to allow relative rotation therebetween about said bracket rotation axis, wherein said means for rotatably and frictionally engaging said first saddle bracket with said second saddle bracket further comprises: a rigid tube passing through and rotatably engaging said first bracket passage and said second bracket passage, and passing through said friction ring passage, said joint passage being provided through said rigid tube, said rigid tube having, a tube flange for forcibly engaging one of said first saddle bracket and said second saddle bracket, and a clip notch; and a clip for engaging said clip notch and for forcibly engaging the other of said first saddle bracket and said second saddle bracket, said clip notch of said rigid tube being spaced apart from said tube flange such that, when said clip is engaged with said clip notch, a compressive load is applied to said friction ring, said tube flange and said clip thereby providing means for limiting the position of said first saddle bracket with respect to said second saddle bracket so as to apply a compressive force on said friction ring positioned therebetween.