CH716869B1 - Ball joint fixing device. - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a ball-and-socket fixing device which can be used for fixing an armrest, a camera tripod, measuring instruments, etc. This device comprises an arm maintaining at one (3, 4) of its ends a ball joint (5) intended to be fixed to an object to be positioned in space and a clamping mechanism cooperating with the arm, and it has this in particular that the arm is composed of a pair of half-arms each comprising a hollow end (3, 4) capable of receiving part of the ball joint (5) and in that it further comprises a ring (7) capable of holding together the hollow ends (3, 4) and the ball joint (5), so that, when the clamping mechanism (9, 12, 15, 16) is actuated, the half-arms approach each other and thus immobilize the ball joint (5) in its position.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a ball joint fixing device. Such a device can be used for various applications, in particular for fixing an armrest, a tripod for a camera, measuring instruments, etc.

State of the art

It is known to use a ball joint to fix the position of an armrest. By way of example, United States patent application No. US 2015/0028645 proposes an adjustable armrest device, comprising a hollow shaft tapped at both ends, two ball joints partially housed in two screwed threaded parts at the ends of the shaft, two bushings located inside the rod between the threaded parts, separated by a helical spring and each pressing on a respective ball joint. One of the ball joints is fixed to a support placed on the ground and the other under a support surface for the arm of a user. The change of position of the armrest and the blocking of its position are carried out by means of two branches integral with the threaded part located at the upper end of the rod.

[0003] Other documents illustrating known devices exist, all however describing solutions which present a complicated construction, expensive or difficult to manufacture, which lack flexibility for a fine adjustment, or which require a significant force and/or tools. particular to enable the device to be actuated and fixed in a given position.

Brief description of the invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide another ball-and-socket fixing device than those known from the state of the art, which in particular facilitates changes of position and fixing in a desired position, while allowing actuation easy, not requiring the application of significant force.

[0005] This object is achieved in particular by a ball joint fixing device comprising a first arm holding at one of its ends a first ball joint intended to be fixed to an object to be positioned in space, and a clamping mechanism cooperating with arm, this device being distinguished in that the first arm is composed of a pair of half-arms each comprising a hollow end capable of receiving part of the first ball joint and in that it further comprises a first ring capable of holding together the hollow ends and the first ball joint so that, when the clamping mechanism is actuated, the half-arms come together and thus immobilize the first ball joint in its position.

[0006] Advantageous characteristics of this device are indicated in the following points 2 to 11: 2.- Device according to point 1, in which the hollow ends of the half-arms comprise external grooves provided to receive the first ring. Thanks to such grooves, the positioning and fixing of the first ring can be done in a simple and effective manner. 3.- Device according to one of points 1 or 2, in which the hollow ends of the half-arms comprise external threads provided to cooperate with an internal thread of the first ring. Thanks to such threads, the fixing of the first ring can be carried out in an even more solid and secure manner.

[0007] These two embodiments therefore make it possible to obtain good fixing of the hollow ends of the half-arms. 4.- Device according to one of the preceding points, in which the clamping mechanism is located at the ends of the half-arms opposite the ends which hold the first ball joint. 5.- Device according to one of the preceding points, in which the clamping mechanism comprises a support to allow that, when the clamping mechanism is actuated, the relative movement between the half-arms and the support is blocked.

[0008] Thanks to such a support, the rapprochement between the two half-arms can be blocked when the two half-arms are sufficiently close together and, at the same time, the relative movement between the half-arms, therefore typically the pivoting around the axis of rotation of the clamping mechanism, can also be blocked. 6.- Device according to the previous point, in which the support is a spacer positioned between the half-arms. 7.- Device according to one of the preceding points, in which the clamping mechanism comprises an elastic means in order to separate the half-arms when the clamping mechanism is released.

[0009] This allows simpler handling of the device, in particular when it is opened. 8.- Device according to one of the preceding points, further comprising a second pair of half-arms each comprising a hollow end capable of receiving part of a second ball joint, and a second ring capable of holding together the hollow ends of the half-arms of this second pair and the second ball joint, so that, when the clamping mechanism is actuated, the half-arms come together and thus immobilize the second ball joint in its position. 9.- Device according to point 8, wherein the hollow ends of the half-arms of the second pair have external grooves provided to receive the second ring. 10.- Device according to one of points 7 or 8, wherein the hollow ends of the half-arms of the second pair have on their outer face a thread provided to cooperate with an internal thread of the second ring. 11.- Device according to one of points 7 to 10, in which the clamping mechanism is located at the ends of the half-arms of the second pair opposite the ends which hold the second ball joint. 12.- Device according to one of points 7 to 11, in which the ends of the half-arms of the second pair opposite those which hold the second ball joint are arranged between the ends of the half-arms of the first pair opposite the ends which hold the first ball joint. 13.- Device according to one of the preceding points, in which the elastic means is a spring placed between the ends of the half-arms of the first pair opposite the ends which hold the first ball joint and, if necessary, between the ends of the half-arms of the second pair opposite the ends that hold the second ball joint.

Brief description of the drawings

[0010] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will now be described in detail in the following description which is given with reference to the appended figures, which represent schematically: Figure 1: a first embodiment of the fastening device with ball joint according to the invention, in front view in section; Figure 2: the device of Figure 1, in top view; Figure 3: part of the device of Figures 1 and 2, in perspective; Figure 4: another part of the device of Figures 1 and 2 from another perspective; Figure 5: a second embodiment of the ball joint fixing device according to the invention, in top view; Figure 6: the device of Figure 5, in front view in section; Figure 7: part of the device of Figures 5 and 6, in front view in section; Figure 8: the part of Figure 7, in top view; Figure 9: the part of Figures 7 and 8, in perspective; Figure 10: variants of two parts of the device according to the first or the second embodiment of the invention, in partial view of the cutting face; and Figure 11: an enlargement of the variants of Figure 10.

Detailed disclosure of the invention

First embodiment of the invention

A first embodiment of the ball joint fixing device according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the device according to the invention firstly comprises two half-arms 1, 2 which hold at their ends 3, 4 a ball joint 5 to which it is intended to fix a object (not shown) that one wishes to position in space.

The shape of each half-arm 1, 2 is detailed in Figures 2 and 3. The end 3 of the half-arm 1 (on the left in the figure) has a hollow 19 which can contain approximately half of the sphere of the ball joint 5. At the very end of the outer face of this end 3 is provided a groove 6 visible in Figure 2 or 3, in which it is planned to insert approximately half of a ring 7, after fitting the ball joint 5.

Preferably, the cross section of the groove 6 is substantially in the shape of a semicircle and the ring 7 has a cross section of which at least part has the shape of a semicircle corresponding to that of the groove 6 This allows the half-arm 1 to be able to pivot easily with respect to the ring 7. However, the sections of the groove 6 and of the ring 7 can also have other shapes allowing good fixing with the flexibility necessary for handling. of the device.

A groove 8 (Figure 3) similar or identical to groove 6 is provided in the other half-arm 2 so that approximately the other half of the ring 7 can be inserted therein. Thus, when the two half-arms 1, 2 are arranged in parallel, the ball joint 5 is imprisoned by the hollow 19 of the half-arm 1 and the hollow 20 of the half-arm 2, the half-arms 1, 2 being held in position using ring 7.

In order to be able to immobilize the ball joint 5, a clamping mechanism is provided comprising several parts shown in Figure 1. At this point, it is important to mention that the embodiment of the clamping mechanism shown in Figure 1 is only a variant embodiment of the invention and that other equivalent embodiments, included within the scope of the present invention, are absolutely possible. An example of such another embodiment is the use of a quick-release axle with a lever at one end, as used eg for fixing bicycle wheels.

In this case, the exemplary clamping mechanism shown in Figure 1 comprises a threaded part which takes the form of a threaded rod 9 and which is screwed into a threaded hole 11 which passes through the half-arm 2, then an untapped hole 10 provided in the half-arm 1 and ends in a nut 16.

The holes 10 and 11 are located at the ends of the half-arms 1, 2 which are opposite to those which hold the ball joint 5.

[0019] The tapping of the hole 11 is the only difference between the half-arm 2 and the half-arm 1. However, it is also possible to provide an embodiment in which the two half-arms 1 and 2 comprise tapped holes or untapped holes, as required.

[0020] Preferably, the half-arms 1 and 2 have a reduced thickness at the level of the holes 10 and 11, on their internal faces, that is to say those which are intended to be one in front of the other, so as to provide an internal space 27 in which an elastic means such as a spring 15 can be inserted, preferably around the rod 9. The presence of the elastic means 15 is only optional, the present invention functioning as well in the absence of such an elastic means.

At the lower end 14 of the rod 9 is a means such as a handle 12 secured to the rod 9 and which allows a user to drive it in rotation.

Between the half-arm 2 and the handle 12 is inserted a support 13 for fixing the device according to the invention.

Thus, when the user turns the handle 12 clockwise, the rod 9 integral with this handle 12 is screwed inside the hole 11 of the half-arm 2 and its upper end fixed to the nut 16 brings the half-arm 1 closer to the half-arm 2, which brings the end 3 of the half-arm 1 closer to the ball joint 5 by opposing the force of the spring 15 and tightens this ball joint 15 to the inside the substantially hemispherical recesses 19, 20, which has the effect of immobilizing it and also freezing the position of the ball joint 5. In addition, the half-arm 2 is pressed against the support 13, which makes it impossible pivoting of the half-arm 2 with respect to the support 13 around the axis of the rod 9. The entire device is therefore immobilized.

It is important to mention that the function of the support 13 is essential for the proper functioning of the device according to the present invention. However, the position of the support 13 can vary and, as shown in Figure 6 in relation to the second embodiment of the invention, it can also be between the half-arms 1, 2 (and the half-arms 21 , 22 mentioned later), as shown with reference numeral 28.

On the other hand, when the user turns the handle 12 counterclockwise, he unscrews the rod 9. If present, the spring 15 then exerts pressure against the half-arm 1 , the latter moves away from the half-arm 2, which unlocks the ball joint 5 at the level of the end 3 and at the same time releases the pressing of the half-arm 2 against the support 13. The ball joint 5 can therefore turn on itself and the half-arm 2 and, therefore, the entire device can pivot on the support 13 around the axis of the rod 9. In other words, the fixing device according to this first embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to fix or release the ball joint 5 and the arm 1, 2 at the same time, using a single tightening operation.

At this point, it is important to mention that the fixing device according to the present invention has the characteristic of making possible a very simple clamping and fixing in position, not requiring the application of a very strong force. Indeed, the clamping mechanism is designed in such a way that a slight rotation of the handle 12 makes it possible to apply a significant force to the half-arms 1, 2 and to fix them in position in a reliable manner. In addition, thanks to the clever choice of the ratio of the lever arms between the elements of the fixing device, a small force at the ends of the half-arms 1, 2 makes it possible to obtain a large force at the ends of the half-arms 1, 2, in contact with the ball joint 5. Thus, a small force applied to the tightening mechanism makes it possible both to tighten the ball joint 5 reliably and efficiently and to immobilize the entire device with respect to the external support 13.

Second embodiment of the invention

[0027] Figures 5 to 8 relate to a second embodiment of the invention, in which there is also provided a second pair of half-arms 21, 22 acting substantially like the two half-arms 1 and 2 for maintain and fix a second ball joint 18 intended to be fixed to an object (not shown) to be positioned in space.

The half-arms 21, 22 have hollow ends 38, 39 that are substantially hemispherical (see Figure 7) similar to the hollow ends 19, 20 and each capable of receiving part of the second ball joint 18.

A second ring 23 similar to the ring 7 is provided to hold together the ball joint 18 and the hollow ends 24, 25 of the half-arms 21, 22. At the ends of the outer faces of the latter are formed grooves 26, 27 similar to the grooves 6.8 and intended to receive the second ring 23 and allow a slight rotation of the half-arms 21, 22 with respect to this ring 23.

As shown in Figure 5, the second pair of half-arms 21, 22 can also pivot around the axis of the clamping mechanism 9 through two holes 29, 30 coaxial with the holes 10, 11 and substantially of the same diameter, visible in particular in Figure 7.

The second pair of half-arms 21, 22 is therefore also capable of cooperating with the clamping mechanism to lock or unlock the second ball joint 18.

In this second embodiment, and as already mentioned above, the support 13 (Figure 1) outside the half-arm 2 is replaced by a spacer 28 positioned between the half-arms 1, 2 and 21 , 22 (FIG. 6) in order to limit the travel of these half-arms when the clamping mechanism is actuated in order to prevent possible damage to the device and in order to guarantee proper immobilization of the arms of the device.

[0033] Visible in Figure 6 is also a multiplier, useful to reduce the torque when rotating the handle 12. This is again an optional element which can be omitted or replaced by another similar element.

[0034] Preferably, the half-arms 21, 22 have certain differences with respect to the half-arms 19, 20. These are optional features which may also be present in the device according to the first embodiment of the invention. Indeed, as can be seen in particular in Figure 7, their ends opposite those which hold the second ball joint 18 have been machined on their outer faces so as to have a reduced thickness which allows them to be inserted into the space 15, that is to say between the half-arms 1, 2, while leaving a gap 28 between these half-arms 21, 22 (see Figure 6).

Preferably, housings 31, 32 are provided on the internal face of the half-arms 21, 22, around the holes 29, 30 in order to be able to receive the axial ends of the spring 15.

It is also advantageous to provide, as can be seen in Figure 7, around the upper end of the hole 29 and around the lower end of the hole 30, respective bores 33, 34 to accommodate washers (Figure 6) facilitating the pivoting or locking of the joint, that is to say of the first pair of arms 1, 2 relative to the second pair of arms 21, 22.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, one can also provide in a similar way (cf. Figure 7) that the internal faces of the arms 1 and 2, around the lower end of the hole 10 and around the upper end of the hole 11 of the respective bores 35, 36 to accommodate washers (Figure 6) also facilitating the pivoting or blocking of the pairs of arms with respect to each other.

Advantageously, the ends of the recesses 19, 20 and/or 24, 25 which face the outside of the half-arms can be chamfered. The chamfers obtained, such as the chamfer 37 visible in Figure 6, make it easier to loosen the ball joints 5 and 18, when it is desired in particular to adjust the positions of the objects integral with these ball joints. They also increase the range of motion of ball joints 5 and 18.

In Figures 10 and 11 is shown an advantageous variant of the device according to the invention, having the only difference that the ends of the ends 3a, 4a of the half-arms comprising the hollows for the ball joints are provided on their external faces with threads replacing the grooves 6, 8 or 26, 27 and that these threads cooperate with the tapping of a 7bis variant of the rings 7 and 23.

As best seen in Figure 11, the identical threads of the ends 3a, 4a of the half-arms are inclined, their common diameter increasing away from the edges. The tapping of the ring 7a is inclined, and its diameter increases to cooperate with the threads of the ends 3a, 4a. This variant, which applies both to the first pair of half-arms 1, 2 and to the second 21, 22, allows easier assembly of the half-arms, the ball joint and the ring 7a. Also, it allows easier adjustment of the ball joint preload.

Here, again, it should be recalled that the fixing device according to the present invention makes it possible to tighten and fix in position very simply, not requiring the application of a very strong force, thanks to the clever choice of the ratio of the lever arms between the elements of the fixing device. Consequently, a small force applied to the clamping mechanism makes it possible both to clamp the ball joint 5 reliably and efficiently and to immobilize the entire device.

Claims (13)

1. Ball joint fixing device comprising a first arm (1, 2) holding at one (3, 4; 3bis, 4bis) of its ends a first ball joint (5) intended to be fixed to an object to be positioned in the space, and a clamping mechanism (9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 28) cooperating with the first arm (1, 2), characterized in that the first arm (1, 2) is composed of a first pair of half-arms (1, 2) each comprising a hollow end (3, 4; 3a, 4a) capable of receiving part of the first ball joint (5) and in that it further comprises a first ring (7; 7a) capable of holding together the hollow ends (3, 4; 3a, 4a) and the first ball joint (5) so as to, when the tightening mechanism ( 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 28) is actuated, the half-arms (1, 2) come together and thus immobilize the first ball joint (5) in its position. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow ends (3, 4) of the half-arms (1, 2) have external grooves (6, 8) provided to receive the first ring (7). 3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the hollow ends (3a, 4a) of the half-arms (1, 2) have external threads provided to cooperate with an internal thread of the first ring (7a). 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping mechanism (9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 28) is located at the ends of the half-arms (1, 2) opposite the hollow ends (3, 4; 3bis, 4bis) which hold the first ball joint (5). 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the clamping mechanism (9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 28) comprises a support (13) to allow that, when the clamping mechanism (9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 28) is actuated, the relative movement between the half-arms (1, 2) and the support (13) is blocked. 6. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the support is a spacer (28) positioned between the half-arms (1, 2). 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the clamping mechanism comprises elastic means (15) in order to separate the half-arms (1, 2) when the clamping mechanism is released. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second pair of half-arms (21, 22) each having a hollow end (38, 39) capable of receiving part of a second ball joint (18), and a second ring (23) capable of holding together the hollow ends (38, 39) of the half-arms (21, 22) of this second pair and the second ball joint (18), so as to, when the tightening mechanism ( 9, 12, 15, 16, 28) is actuated, the half-arms (21, 22) come together and thus immobilize the second ball joint (18) in its position. 9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the hollow ends (38, 39) of the half-arms (21, 22) of the second pair have external grooves (26, 27) provided to receive the second ring (23). 10. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the hollow ends (38, 39) of the half-arms (21, 22) of the second pair have on their outer face a thread provided to cooperate with an internal thread of the second ring 23. 11. Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the clamping mechanism (9, 12, 15, 16, 28) is located at the ends of the half-arms of the second pair opposite the hollow ends (35, 36 ) which hold the second ball joint (18). 12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the ends of the half-arms (21, 22) of the second pair opposite the ends (38, 39) which hold the second ball joint (18) are arranged between the ends of the half-arms (1, 2) of the first pair opposite the ends (3, 4) which hold the first ball joint (5). 13. Device according to one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the elastic means is a spring (15) placed between the ends of the half-arms (1, 2) of the first pair opposite the ends (3, 4) which hold the first ball joint (5) and, where applicable, between the ends of the half-arms (21, 22) of the second pair opposite the ends (38, 39) which hold the second ball joint (18).