Importance

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Abstract

A joint structure having first and second members each including parallel surfaces and a common pivot axis extending perpendicular to the surfaces. One of the surfaces includes an array of detents and the other surface includes an array of recesses. The detents and recesses have discrete angular positions in which they are engaged with each other and retain the joint members in discrete angular positions. The structure also includes a pivot pin having a base portion connected with the first joint member and an integral resilient portion extending into an opening with a recess having a cam surface which is formed in the second joint member. The pin has a central axis which defines the pivot axis for the joint members. The integral resilient portion of the pin includes a plurality of resilient fingers and a cam surface. The cam surfaces of the fingers and the recess of the opening cooperate to cause the fingers resiliently to bend toward the pivot axis when the first and second joint members are urged apart. The detents and the recesses of the parallel surfaces disengage and also urge the joint members apart when a predetermined torque is applied to the joint members. When the applied torque is less than a predetermined amount, the resilient fingers exert resilient biasing forces on the cam surface of the opening in the second joint member to urge the detents and recesses of the parallel surfaces into engagement.

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First Claim