PASSIVE BALL CAPTURE JOINT

摘要

A passive ball capture joint has a sleeve defining a first open end and a second open end with a plurality of bores being distributed about a circumference thereof and formed therethrough at an acute angle relative to the sleeve's longitudinal axis. The acute angle is such that it diverges outward from the sleeve's longitudinal axis in a direction defined by the sleeve's first open end to its second open end. A spring-loaded retainer is slidingly fitted in each bore and is biased such that, if allowed, will extend at least partially into the sleeve. A cupped receiver slides in the sleeve's second open end. A ring is rotatably mounted about the sleeve and intersects the bores. The ring has an interior wall defining a plurality of shaped races that bear against the spring-loaded retainers. At a first rotational position of the ring, each race permits its respective spring-loaded retainer to achieve a first position defined by at least partial extension into the sleeve. At a second rotational position of the ring, each race permits its respective spring-loaded retainer to achieve a second position defined by the spring-loaded retainer being positioned further radially outward from the sleeve's longitudinal axis as compared to the first position. A mechanized axial force producer is coupled to the receiver to apply an axial force thereto so that the receiver is biased towards the sleeve's first open end. A mechanized rotational force producer is coupled to the ring to apply a rotational force thereto so that the ring can be rotated from its first rotational position to its second rotational position.