US Patent 7461995 Socket retainer

A socket retainer for retaining a ball of a support post. The socket retainer includes a body with a channel formed therein for receiving the ball. A rotatable pin is disposed in the body substantially perpendicular to the channel. The pin has a cutout formed therein which corresponds to a diameter of the ball. The cutout aligns with the channel to allow entry of the ball into the channel. A spring is disposed at the pin for preventing an unintended rotation of the pin.