US Patent 7232274 Safety means for a vertical connection of two members

A locking device is provided in order to prevent a ceiling-mounted stand comprising one or two arms and one stand head and being part of a ceiling-mounted medical supply unit from falling down should a pivot connection of two arms tear apart. The locking device comprises at least two shell segments (1) that reach around the pivot connection and are provided with a first and a second segment end (3, 4) and with an upper and a lower edge (5, 6) adjacent to each of which an engaging section (7, 8) facing the pivot connection is provided, as well as an upper and a lower washer (9, 29) that is assembled of at least first and second washer segments (11, 12) that are, in the installed state, connected to the pivot connection above and below said pivot connection, whereby the washer segments each comprise engaging sections (13, 14) that are associated with the engaging sections (7, 8) of the shell segments.