US 12,228,170 B1
Coupling apparatus
Shailendra Joshi, Ho Ho Kus, NJ (US)
Filed by Shailendra Joshi, Ho Ho Kus, NJ (US)
Filed on Apr. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/235,315.
Int. Cl. F16C 11/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 11/0614 (2013.01) [Y10T 403/32196 (2015.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A coupling apparatus that is configured to provide a movable connection between at least two elements of a device wherein the coupling apparatus comprises:
a housing, said housing having a first end and a second end, said first end of said housing and said second end of said housing being longitudinally opposed on said housing, said housing being formed from a single contiguous wall member, said housing having a first side and a second side, said first side of said housing having an outer surface, said second side of said housing having an outer surface, said first side of said housing having an opening substantially equivalent in size to the first side, said second side of said housing having an opening substantially equivalent in size to the second side, said housing having a top wall and a bottom wall, said housing having a void between said top wall and said bottom wall, said top wall having a first aperture formed therein, said first aperture being centrally located on said top wall, said bottom wall having a second aperture, said second aperture being in axial alignment with said first aperture opposedly located across said void;
a spherical member, said spherical member being disposed within the void of the housing, said spherical member being movable amongst a multitude of fixed positions within the void of the housing ensuing an inward force being applied to said first end and said second end of said housing, wherein the spherical member includes portions that protrude into the first aperture and the second aperture during absence of an inward force on said first end and said second end of said housing and wherein said portions extend beyond the outer surfaces of said first side and said second side of said housing; and
wherein said top wall and said bottom wall have a width that is equivalent to or greater than a diameter of the spherical member so as to place said spherical member substantially within the void of said housing.