US 12,435,752 B2
Spherical joint, spherical joint assembly, and ultrasonic imaging device
Sheng Xu, Wuxi (CN); Hongyu Zhao, Wuxi (CN); Qiang Yao, Wuxi (CN); Liping Chen, Wuxi (CN); Bing Li, Wuxi (CN); and Bo Dan, Wuxi (CN)
Assigned to GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed by GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed on Aug. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/892,552.
Claims priority of application No. 202111011556.7 (CN), filed on Aug. 31, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0069725 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. F16C 11/06 (2006.01); A61B 8/00 (2006.01); G03B 17/56 (2021.01)
CPC F16C 11/0604 (2013.01) [A61B 8/44 (2013.01); F16C 11/0685 (2013.01); G03B 17/561 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A spherical joint, comprising:
a body portion, the body portion comprising a ball portion and a joint portion, the ball portion and the joint portion having an inner surface that links the two portions together in an axial direction and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, the outer surface of the ball portion comprising a spherical surface, the body portion further comprising a first section and a second section, each of the first section and the second section intersecting with the inner surface and the outer surface such that the two sections together define a gap, and the size of the gap on any radial circumference of the spherical surface being less than half of the length of the radial circumference; and
a blocking portion detachably connected to the body portion and shaped to match the gap, so that the blocking portion blocks the gap to form a hollow spherical joint structure.