| 摘要 |
An elongate article, such as a pen, with rigid and flexible configurations includes longitudinally-arranged body sections 10 disposed between a pair of end sections. Each pair of adjacent sections 10 is provided with a spigot-like projection 14 on one section which can be inserted into a socket-like receptacle 15 of the other section to rigidly join the sections together. Each pair of adjacent sections are additionally linked together by a flexible connection 19 such that the sections remain flexibly joined together when the rigid connections are released. Each flexible connection includes a plurality of rigid members 20 linked by joints which are articulated for angular movement and telescopic for longitudinal movement between members. The angular movement may be through 360 degrees relative to an axis of alignment between members. The members may each have a shaft 21 rigidly joined to a hollow body 22, and the shaft may be received in an aperture 24 in the hollow body 22 of an adjacent rigid member. Each shaft 21 may have a head 23 which is retained within the adjacent members hollow body 22. |
