Patent ID: 7568854

Claim:
A pivot joint comprising: a first member comprising a ball and a receptacle, wherein the ball is retained by, and in a fixed location relative to the receptacle, wherein the ball is a complete sphere having a constant diameter; a second elongated member defining through aperture having a peripheral surface, the peripheral surface comprising at least two spaced apart bearing surfaces; a third elongated member defining a second through aperture having a second peripheral surface, the second peripheral surface comprising at least two spaced apart bearing surfaces; and a biasing means acting on the second and third elongated members to urge the second and third elongated members together and into contact with the ball, wherein the biasing means urges the at least two spaced apart bearing surfaces of each of the second and third elongated members into contact with the ball, thereby providing a sliding contact between the second and third elongated members and the first member, wherein areas of the peripheral surfaces between the at least two spaced apart bearing surfaces of each of the second and third elongated members do not contact the ball, and the contact of the at least two spaced apart bearing surfaces of the second and third elongated members with the ball defines a pivot point, the location of the pivot point relative to each of the second and third elongated members being substantially maintained when the at least two spaced apart bearing surfaces of the second and third elongated members are subjected to mechanical wear.