3 joints in a row is possible (here's a diagram, but with ball joints).
https://www.hyspan.com/BarcoBall.html

However, you have to have a system that's protected from the effects of gravity causing the segments between joints from slumping over.

In the diagram on the site, you should assume that the pipe is in the horizontal, and that the hole thing is universally supported, and that the make-up the ball joints perform is exclusively in the horizontal plane.