US 12,492,778 B2
Ball and socket joint
Mateusz Mazur, Sopot (PL); and Urszula Berendt, Gdańsk (PL)
Assigned to KIDDE FIRE PROTECTION, LLC, Bradenton, FL (US)
Filed by Carrier Corporation, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (US)
Filed on Dec. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/073,066.
Claims priority of application No. 21212236 (EP), filed on Dec. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0175637 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. F16M 11/14 (2006.01); F16C 11/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16M 11/14 (2013.01) [F16C 11/06 (2013.01); F16M 2200/021 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ball and socket joint comprising:
a socket comprising an opening;
a ball configured to be located in the socket;
an attachment surface for attaching a device to the ball and socket joint;
a pin located on either the socket or the ball, and
a groove located on the other of the socket or ball,
wherein the groove is located in a plane defined by a first axis and a second axis, the second axis perpendicular to the first axis,
wherein the first axis extends through the attachment surface when the ball is located in the socket;
wherein the pin is configured to engage the groove and can translate along the length of the groove when the ball is located in the socket;
wherein the pin and groove are arranged to prevent rotation of the ball about the first axis; and
wherein, when the ball is located in the socket, the pin and groove are arranged to allow rotation about the second axis, and to allow rotation about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis and perpendicular to the second axis,
wherein the ball and socket joint further comprises a tamper circuit, wherein the surfaces of the pin(s) and groove are conductive, and wherein the conductive surface of the pin(s) and groove provide a connection for the tamper circuit when the ball is located within the socket.