Patent ID: 7121755

Claim:
A device forming a ball-and-socket joint connection of two parts, comprising: a first member and a second member, which are connected with one another in the form of a ball-and-socket joint; the first member having a central axis, a first joint segment with an upper end, and a lower segment; the second member having a central axis, a second joint segment with a lower end, and an upper segment with an upper end; the first joint segment being configured as a joint head having a depression at the upper end whereas the second joint segment is configured as a cavity, which accommodates the joint head, the cavity being concentric with the central axis of the second member and having an opening for the passage of the lower segment of the first member therethrough; wherein the cavity further includes a constriction formed by a tapered surface formed in the lower end of the second member; the constriction having a support for the joint head, which is directed towards the interior of the cavity; wherein at least one of the joint segments in the contact region of the joint segments is configured spherically with a joint center (Z); wherein the joint connection between the two joint segments is fixable by clamping means, the clamping means including a front end sized and configured to contact the depression formed in the first joint segment and including a rear end, the clamping means connectable with the second joint segment; wherein at least one of the depression and the front end of the clamping means includes a partially spherical surface, which has a center (C) characterized in that the joint center (Z) and the center (C) of the clamping means are identical when the device is locked together. wherein the second member is a connecting part for connecting a longitudinal member with the first member, the connecting part including a channel sized and configured to accommodate the longitudinal member, the channel further including a channel axis which is disposed transversely to the central axis of the second member; wherein the channel axis is displaced laterally with respect to the central axis of the second member such that the clamping means does not protrude into the channel; wherein the clamping means is operative to lock the first and second members to one another independent of locking the longitudinal member; and wherein the device further comprises a covering cap having a tab parallel to the central axis of the second member, the covering cap being sized and configured to slidably engage the connecting part; wherein the covering cap is fixed with respect to the connecting part by mounting means.