A gooseneck is a semi-rigid, flexible

joining Join may refer to: * Join (law), to include additional counts or additional defendants on an indictment *In mathematics: ** Join (mathematics), a least upper bound of sets orders in lattice theory ** Join (topology), an operation combining two topo ...

element made from a coiled metal hose. Similar to its natural counterpart, it can be bent in almost any direction and remain in that position. Areas of application for goosenecks are movable brackets for lights, magnifying glasses,

microphone A microphone, colloquially called a mic or mike (), is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and publ ...

s and other devices. The hollow shape of the gooseneck allows electrical cables or

fiber-optic An optical fiber, or optical fibre in Commonwealth English, is a flexible, transparent fiber made by drawing glass (silica) or plastic to a diameter slightly thicker than that of a human hair. Optical fibers are used most often as a means t ...

cables to be accommodated inside, for example.

Construction

A gooseneck contains a wire with a round cross-section inside, which is shaped like a spring in the shape of a

helix A helix () is a shape like a corkscrew or spiral staircase. It is a type of smooth space curve with tangent lines at a constant angle to a fixed axis. Helices are important in biology, as the DNA molecule is formed as two intertwined helic ...

. A wire with a triangular cross-section is wound around this, so that the tips of the triangle protrude between the round wires into the inner spiral. If the gooseneck is bent in one direction, the distance between the round wires is slightly larger on the outside and slightly smaller on the inside. Correspondingly, the tips of the triangles slip outside between the round wires or are pushed out inside. The bend in the gooseneck is retained due to the friction between the inner spiral and the outer casing, so that the gooseneck remains in the set position.

Applications

Goosenecks are used as fixtures when quick, freely positionable alignment is required. As components of lamps, their high flexibility is used to adjust the lighting to individual needs. Power for the lamp is supplied through the inside of the gooseneck. The same applies to illuminated magnifiers, where the magnifying glass is held in addition to the lamp. Goosenecks are also used in

s. In

microscope A microscope () is a laboratory instrument used to examine objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Microscopy is the science of investigating small objects and structures using a microscope. Microscopic means being invisi ...

illumination, glass fibres are bundled inside the gooseneck to guide the light from a cold light source directly to the area to be examined. Additional stands or mounts are not required due to the rigid shape of the gooseneck. In automobiles, gooseneck constructions are used to hold

navigation system A navigation system is a computing system that aids in navigation. Navigation systems may be entirely on board the vehicle or vessel that the system is controlling (for example, on the ship's bridge) or located elsewhere, making use of radio or othe ...

s or mobile phones. In the 1970s, car audio equipment manufacturer

Blaupunkt Blaupunkt GmbH () was a German manufacturer of mostly car audio equipment. It was owned by Robert Bosch GmbH from 1933 until 1 March 2009, when it was sold to Aurelius AG of Germany. It filed for bankruptcy in late 2015 with liquidation proceed ...

produced a series of

car radio Vehicle audio is equipment installed in a car or other vehicle to provide in-car entertainment and information for the vehicle occupants. Until the 1950s it consisted of a simple AM radio. Additions since then have included FM radio (1952), 8 ...

s with a control unit on a gooseneck; in the models ''Berlin'', ''Sylt'' and ''BEQ-S (Equalizer)''. In some cases, the flexible arms are also useful when carrying out work in inaccessible places. Magnets or grippers at the end of the gooseneck can be used to "fish out" small parts from inaccessible places, a mirror or lighting allows views into hidden corners. A gooseneck on a stick lighter allows convenient lighting in hard-to-reach positions. When used as a coolant hose on

machine tool A machine tool is a machine for handling or machining metal or other rigid materials, usually by cutting, boring, grinding, shearing, or other forms of deformations. Machine tools employ some sort of tool that does the cutting or shaping. All ...

s, a hose is drawn through the inside of the gooseneck. A jet of liquid can then be metered with pinpoint accuracy. Today, however, liquid or air for cooling and rinsing is usually passed through a chain of plastic fittings (articulated hose) that are fitted together like a ball joint and which, with suitable holding force, maintain their bend in a clamping manner. File:Kaltlichtquelle.jpg, Cold light source with three-armed gooseneck light guide. File:Microphone gooseneck.jpg, Tabletop microphone with gooseneck holder. File:Makino-S33-MachiningCenter-example.jpg, Machine tool with articulated hose for the cooling lubricant

Flex arms

Flex arms are a type of goosenecks that usually use an assembly of

ball-and-socket joint The ball-and-socket joint (or spheroid joint) is a type of synovial joint in which the ball-shaped surface of one rounded bone fits into the cup-like depression of another bone. The distal bone is capable of motion around an indefinite number of ...

s to make a holder of arbitrary lengths.

References

External links

* * {{Wiktionary-inline, Gooseneck Light fixtures