Patent ID: 7241069

Claim:
A universal joint arrangement ( 12 , 22 , 32 ) disposed between an apparatus support plate ( 1 ) and a pivot lever ( 44 ) supported on an apparatus support console ( 4 ), comprising: a receiver element ( 22 ) mounted to one end of the pivot lever ( 44 ), a ball joint element ( 12 ) projecting from the support plate ( 1 ), a clamping body ( 32 ) for engaging the ball joint element ( 12 ) and the receiver element ( 22 ) and a clamping mechanism ( 3 ) comprising a shaft ( 33 ) and operating members ( 36 , 35 , and 34 ) of which one is mounted to the clamping body ( 32 ) and the other provides an engagement force for engaging the ball joint element ( 12 ) between the receiver element ( 22 ) and the clamping body ( 32 ), said pivot lever ( 44 ) including two arms ( 2 ) connected with one end to the receiver element ( 22 ) in spaced relationship and being joined at the opposite ends providing a rigid vibration-free support lever structure for the support plate ( 1 ), said shaft ( 33 ) extending through the clamping body ( 32 ) and the receiver element ( 22 ) with the shaft ( 33 ) and one of the operating members ( 34 ) being engaged with the clamping body ( 32 ) and a second one of the operating members ( 35 ) and being supported by a third one of the operating members ( 36 ) which is disposed adjacent the receiver element ( 22 ) between the spaced arms ( 2 ) of the pivot lever ( 44 ) and being accessible between the spaced arms ( 2 ) for adjusting the clamping force engaging the ball joint ( 12 ) between the receiver element ( 22 ) and the clamping body ( 32 ).