METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RELEASABLY IMMOBILIZING AN ATTACHMENT TO AN EXTERNAL OBJECT

摘要

A spherical bearing for releasably immobilizing an attachment to a shaft or other external object is provided. The spherical bearing comprises a truncated flexible spherical core with an annular hole through the center of the spherical core for appending the core on the shaft or external object. Segments around the spherical core are created by relief cuts in the spherical core, and deflection flexure points displaced from the annular hole are formed by the relief cuts in the core. A housing provides compression against the core and immobilization of the shaft or other external object.

主权项

1. A method for releasably immobilizing an attachment to a shaft comprising:
providing a truncated flexible spherical core for a spherical bearing; boring an annular hole through the center of the core; creating segments around the spherical core by making relief cuts in the core; arranging the relief cuts to provide deflection flexure points displaced from the annular hole in the core; providing a flexible housing surrounding the spherical core that comprises a clamping mechanism for compressing the housing and the spherical core; attaching an attachment to the housing; placing the shaft through the annular hole; compressing the spherical core with the clamping mechanism and housing to deflect the segments about the deflection flexure points toward the shaft to immobilize the core on the shaft, the housing on the core, and the attachment on the housing; and releasing the clamping mechanism to release the immobilization of the attachment when mobility of the attachment is desired.