A joint system enables pivotable coupling between a first frame member and a second frame member. The joint system includes a mounting ball assembly affixable to the first frame member, and a connector engageable with the mounting ball assembly at one end and affixable to the second frame at an opposite end. The connector is constructed such that it is movable on the mounting ball assembly in a folding plane and through a clearance amount in a clearance plane substantially perpendicular to the folding plane. A continuous passage is defined through the mounting ball assembly and the connector.
1. A joint system movably coupling a first frame member to a second frame member, the joint system comprising:
a mounting ball assembly including a mounting ball base immovably affixable to the first frame member and a mounting ball immovably secured relative to the mounting ball base and separated from the mounting ball base by a mounting ball shaft;
a connector secured to the mounting ball assembly at one end and affixable to the second frame member at an opposite end, the connector being pivotable on the mounting ball to effect the movable coupling between the first frame member and the second frame member, and the connector maintaining contact with the mounting ball assembly during pivoting regardless of a position of the connector relative to the mounting ball assembly, wherein the connector is constructed such that it is movable on and relative to the mounting ball assembly by a first maximum amount in a folding plane and through a clearance plane by a second maximum amount in a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the folding plane, and wherein the first maximum amount is larger than the second maximum amount; and
a continuous passage defined through the mounting ball assembly and the connector, the continuous passage being continuous regardless of a position of the connector relative to the mounting ball assembly.
2. A joint system according to claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a swivel connector affixable at one end to the second frame member and a separate swivel connector cap affixable to the swivel connector, the swivel connector cap and an opposite end of the swivel connector defining a ball receiving chamber sized to receive the mounting ball of the mounting ball assembly.
3. A joint system according to claim 2 , wherein the swivel connector cap is securable to the swivel connector via at least one fastener.
4. A joint system according to claim 2 , wherein the swivel connector cap and the opposite end of the swivel connector define the ball receiving chamber via facing complementary part-spherical shaped extensions, respectively, and wherein when assembled, ends of the extensions are spaced an amount to effect the wide folding path.
5. A joint system according to claim 4 , wherein the second amount is +/−10°.
6. A joint system according to claim 1 , wherein the connector defines a ball receiving chamber via separate facing complementary part-spherical shaped extensions, and wherein when assembled, ends of the extensions are spaced an amount to effect the wide folding path.
7. A joint system according to claim 6 , wherein the second amount is +/−10°.
8. A joint system according to claim 1 , wherein the connector is constructed such that the first amount is at least 120°.
9. A joint system according to claim 1 , wherein the continuous passage extends through the mounting ball shaft along a first axis and through a side of the mounting ball along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
10. A joint system movably coupling a first frame member to a second frame member, the joint system comprising:
a mounting ball assembly affixable to the first frame member;
a connector engageable with the mounting ball assembly at one end and affixable to the second frame member at an opposite end, wherein the connector is constructed such that it is movable on the mounting ball assembly by a first maximum amount in a folding plane and through a clearance plane by a second maximum amount in a transverse plane wherein the first maximum amount is larger than the second maximum amount substantially perpendicular to the folding plane; and
a continuous passage defined through the mounting ball assembly and the connector,
wherein the mounting ball assembly comprises:
a mounting stub having a fixing end coupleable with the first frame member and a coupling end;
a mounting ball member including a mounting ball, a mounting ball shaft, and a mounting ball base; and
a mounting collar sized to fit over the mounting ball base and including structure that engages the coupling end of the mounting stub.
11. A joint system according to claim 10 , wherein the connector defines a ball receiving chamber via facing complementary part-spherical shaped extensions, and wherein when assembled, ends of the extensions are spaced wider than the mounting ball shaft to effect the wide folding path.
12. A joint system according to claim 10 , wherein the mounting stub coupling end is threaded, and wherein the mounting collar comprises corresponding internal threads coupleable with the coupling end of the mounting stub.
13. A joint system for pivotally connecting a first frame member to a second frame member, the joint system comprising:
a mounting ball assembly including a mounting ball base immovably affixable to the first frame member and a mounting ball immovably secured relative to the mounting ball base and separated from the mounting ball base by a mounting ball shaft; and
a connector secured to the mounting ball assembly at one end and affixable to the second frame member at an opposite end, the connector being pivotable on the mounting ball to effect the movable coupling between the first frame member and the second frame member, and the connector maintaining contact with the mounting ball assembly during pivoting regardless of a position of the connector relative to the mounting ball assembly, wherein the connector comprises a swivel connector affixable at one end to the second frame member and a separate swivel connector cap affixable to the swivel connector, the swivel connector cap and an opposite end of the swivel connector defining a ball receiving chamber via facing complementary part-spherical shaped extensions, respectively, sized to receive the mounting ball of the mounting ball assembly for pivotable movement by a first maximum amount in a folding plane, and through a clearance plane by a second maximum amount in a transverse plane substantially perpendicular to the folding plane, and wherein the first maximum amount is larger than the second maximum amount.
14. A joint system according to claim 13 , wherein the second amount is +/−10°.
15. A joint system according to claim 13 , further comprising a continuous passage defined through the mounting ball assembly and the connector.