Patent ID: 6837468

Claim:
A friction control mechanism for an articulating arm, the mechanism comprising: an arm having a top portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the first side portion and the second side portion, each side portion having a hole aligned with a respective hole in the opposite side portion; a pivot connector positioned between the first side portion and the second side portion of the arm, the pivot connector having a center aperture; a pivot pin having a first end and a second end, the pivot pin connecting the pivot connector to the arm by the positioning of the pivot pin through the center aperture of the pivot connector and through the aligned holes on the first and second side portions; a first axial washer applied about the first end of the pivot pin and positioned between the first side portion of the arm and the pivot connector; a second axial washer applied about the second end of the pivot pin and positioned between the second side portion of the arm and the pivot connector; at least one set screw threaded through one of the two side portions of the arm, the set screw contacting the first axial washer and providing control of a friction force between the pivot connector and the first axial washer.