The new ball joint
Meet the reinvention of the ball joint:
The problem with a ball joint is that they require constant pressure. Which means a lot of added weight and complexity for robotics and prosthetics, and a lot of annoying not-staying-in-place anymore for the average ball joint in your patio umbrella, tripod, etc. The answer is this little guy, invented recently by a chemist having umbrella difficulties. When the pins are down, the ball with nubs rotates freely, but when the device is locked, the pins move in against the nubs and hold there without any need for further, or constant, pressure.
It is, to me, as eloquent a solution as velcro, and will have an important effect, with the biggest improventmets for prosthetics and robotics, but wide implications.
One of those inventions which proves that basic mechanical improvements and new perspectives are still to be had.
The problem with a ball joint is that they require constant pressure. Which means a lot of added weight and complexity for robotics and prosthetics, and a lot of annoying not-staying-in-place anymore for the average ball joint in your patio umbrella, tripod, etc. The answer is this little guy, invented recently by a chemist having umbrella difficulties. When the pins are down, the ball with nubs rotates freely, but when the device is locked, the pins move in against the nubs and hold there without any need for further, or constant, pressure.
It is, to me, as eloquent a solution as velcro, and will have an important effect, with the biggest improventmets for prosthetics and robotics, but wide implications.
One of those inventions which proves that basic mechanical improvements and new perspectives are still to be had.
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