US Patent 11829055 Clamping mechanism

A clamping mechanism embodying the invention may be disposed between a swivel ball and a housing overlying the ball for selectively locking or unlocking the swivel ball relative to the housing. The clamping mechanism includes first and second gears mounted on a compression screw with rotational forces being selectively applied to the first and second gears via respective first and second gear-pawl assemblies. The rotational forces cause vertical (up/down) motion along the screw which increases or decreases the pressure exerted between the housing and the swivel ball which effectively may be used to lock (clamp) or unlock (unclamp) the swivel ball relative to the housing.