US 12,140,178 B1
Pivotal connection with the ability to achieve full rotational positioning
Frank Santangelo, III, Orange, CA (US)
Filed by Frank Santangelo, III, Orange, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/570,322.
Int. Cl. A45B 17/00 (2006.01); F16C 11/10 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 11/106 (2013.01) [A45B 17/00 (2013.01); Y10T 403/32311 (2015.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a joint comprising:
a base portion defining a socket;
an upper portion comprising a spherical element that is at least partially located inside the socket; wherein the spherical element defines a locking portion; and
an actuation portion at least partially located inside the base portion; wherein the actuation portion comprises a button, a button spring, a pin, a pin spring; the button defines a pin receiving space; the pin comprises a pin projection; the pin extends through the pin receiving space; the button is configured to move between a locked position, in which the pin is prevented from moving in an actuation direction, and an actuation position, in which the pin is capable of at least some movement in the actuation direction; the button spring biases the button to the locked position; and the pin spring biases the pin toward the spherical element, and into abutment with the locking portion;
wherein in the actuation position, the upper portion is able to move within the socket while the pin projection abuts the spherical element, and the pin is able to move in the actuation direction; and in the locked position, the button prevents the pin from moving in the actuation direction and the pin projection is located inside the locking portion.