GB688685A - Improvements in or relating to ball joint couplings - Google Patents

Abstract

688,685. Ball-and-socket joints. LAMBERT, G J. W. Feb. 7, 1951 [Nov. 7, 1949; May 25, 1950], Nos. 28429/49 and 13145/50. Class 65 (ii) [Also in Group XXVIII] In a ball-and-socket joint comprising means for clamping the ball in adjusted position, the latter is urged against its housing by a clamping member moved by actuating means, and a component having a bevelled side face matching with and seating against a cone-shaped end of the clamping member is interposed between the latter and the actuating means, the interposed component and the actuating means being free of and capable of floating within the housing. As shown, the joint constitutes a coupling for two pipes 23, each formed with a ball end 22 disposed within a housing 21. The balls are acted upon by clamping members 24, 25 having coneshaped ends 30, 29 respectively, seating against correspondingly shaped ends of a split ring 27 enclosed in a collar 33 freely disposed in the housing. The split ring is adapted to be closed by means of the end of a handle 34 screwed into the collar, for urging the balls apart. The member 24 has a tubular extension 26 slidably disposed in the member 25, a fluid-tight gland 19 being provided therebetween. A compression spring 31 is interposed between the collar and the member 25. In a modification adapted to accommodate an insulated electric cable, the extension 27 is dispensed with and the ring is made in two pieces. In a further modification the collar is dispensed with and the ring is made in two pieces adapted to be drawn together by the end of the handle which passes freely through one piece and screws into the other. It is stated that any number of balls may be fitted in the housing. The first Provisional Specification describes a construction in which the interposed component is omitted, one clamping member being in two pieces adapted to be drawn together by the screwed end of an actuating handle, and the other clamping member having a stem seated within a socket in the first clamping member. The second Provisional Specification describes a construction in which an internally screwthreaded sleeve, rotatable by gearing, engages oppositely screw-threaded extensions of the clamping members for moving the latter apart or towards each other.