Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A coupling device for articulated elements comprising: a body portion having two parallel apertures for accepting elements, with each aperture including a circumferentially extending groove disposed in walls associated therewith, and a pin means for insertion in said groove and through an articualted element disposed in said aperture, said coupling device further including at least two radially opposed axially extending slots in an aperture wall in communication with said circumferentially extending groove for locking the articulated elements against rotational motion, said pin means being selectively positionable within said axially extending slots to effect said locking.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A coupling device for articulated elements comprising: a body portion having two parallel apertures for accepting elements, with each aperture including a circumferentially extending groove disposed in walls associated therewith, and a pin means for insertion in said groove and through an articualted element disposed in said aperture, said coupling device further including at least two radially opposed axially extending slots in an aperture wall in communication with said circumferentially extending groove for locking the articulated elements against rotational motion, said pin means being selectively positionable within said axially extending slots to effect said locking.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coupling device of claim 1 and further including an additional aperture parallel to said two apertures and connected to one end of a longitudinally extending shaft for supporting said coupling device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
The coupling device of claim 1 wherein each articulated element is an elongated member and further including in combination therewith a second coupling device having a body portion with two parallel apertures for accepting said articulated elements at a position spaced from the first mentioned coupling device, said second coupling device including a circumferentially extending groove disposed in walls of each aperture, and a pin means for insertion in each groove and through said articulated elements disposed in said apertures, said second coupling device serving to inhibit relative longitudinal translation of said articulated elements and said first mentioned coupling device serving to provide positions of selected fixed angular orientation of said articulated elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The coupling device of claim 1 wherein said body portion is formed in two separate halves with each of said halves having a semi-cylindrical slot formed therein, with two of said semi-cylindrical slots cooperating to form one of said apertures; and attachment means for holding two of said halves in firm engagement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coupling device of claim 4 wherein each of said halves includes alignment means for maintaining said halves in alignment when connected by said attachment means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The coupling device of claim 5 wherein said alignment means includes raised and recessed surfaces on said halves, the surface of one half cooperating with the surfaces of said other half to maintain said halves in alignment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The coupling device of claim 2, wherein said additional parallel aperture is formed with a circumferentially extending groove and further including a pin means for insertion in said groove and through said shaft when said shaft is disposed in said additional aperture.