structure the joint stiffness relative to the structure is controlled by the interface stiffness of mount plate 20 the actual latch stiffness is controlled by the interface characteristics of the ball seat 28 clamp plate 30 and ball 32 consequently the latch mechanism 14 and flexured ball assembly 12 are generally made of a hard material although fig5 shows the mount plate 20 latch core 26 and ball seat 28 as separate elements those skilled in the art will recognize that it is possible to combine them into a single component to reduce part count and increase stiffness still referring to fig5 there is a spherical bearing assembly 34 shown in an exploded view in fig6 attached to the latch core 26 the spherical bearing assembly 34 is comprised of a spherical bearing 36 bearing cups 38 and bearing housing 40 the geometry of bearing cups 38 is such that when bearing housing 40 is mounted on the base of the latch core 26 see fig5 bearing cups 38 provide a running fit with the spherical bearing 36 ball stem 42 extends through an axial bore 44 in the lower bearing cup 38 and through an opening in the bearing housing 40 the axial bore 44 is sized larger than diameter of ball stem 42 to allow up to 15 u00b0 of tilt on the ball stem 42 a radial bore 46 is provided through ball stem 42 to allow.