Patent ID: 8231144

Claim:
A joint assembly for coupling a first conduit to a second conduit, comprising: a first collar configured to be mounted on the first conduit; a second collar configured to be mounted on the second conduit, the second collar having a central longitudinal axis that is generally aligned with a z-axis, wherein the second collar defines an inner cavity that enables movement along the central longitudinal axis between the first collar and the second collar; an inner bushing coupled to the first collar and having a generally convex surface; and an outer bushing coupled to the second collar and having a generally concave surface, the generally convex surface and the generally concave surface mating with one another and configured for relative movement such that the first collar gimbals in an xy-plane, wherein the outer bushing is configured to slide within the inner cavity relative to the second collar, further comprising a first O-ring between the inner bushing and the first collar.