(2) Kugelgelenk Swivel Joints w/ (2) Mounting Plates

In the professional AV, broadcast, and photography industries, the term Kugelgelenk (German for "ball joint") or Swivel Joint generally refers to the compact, articulating ball-and-socket adapters used to mount and precisely aim lightweight equipment. While "Kugelgelenk" is a universal mechanical term, it is most frequently encountered in the AV world on spec sheets and catalogs from premier German hardware manufacturers like König & Meyer (K&M) or Schoeps.

These swivel joints are essential problem-solvers in equipment racks, camera cages, and stage plots. They typically feature a locking thumbscrew or lever that, when loosened, allows the internal ball head to rotate a full 360 degrees and tilt up to 90 degrees. Once the desired angle is found, tightening the lock clamps the ball firmly in place. They are heavily utilized for aiming small LCD field monitors on camera rigs, precisely angling specialized microphones (such as stereo pairs or parabolic mics), positioning wireless antenna paddles, or wall-mounting compact installation speakers. To ensure universal compatibility across different AV disciplines, they are usually machined with industry-standard threading, such as 1/4"-20 (for cameras), 3/8"-16 (for European mic stands and tripods), or 5/8"-27 (for US mic stands).