EP0167345A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clamping arrangements
Assignee: Micra Ltd
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Filing: 1985-06-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A snake assembly includes a plurality of elements (6) threaded on to a tensioning cable (12). The elements (6) can be inclined relative to one another to allow the snake to adopt any desired curvature. When a tensioning device (20) is operated, the elements (6) are urged together so that they lock the snake in the curvature pattern adopted. The contacting surfaces of the elements (6) are coated with smooth globules of tungsten or tungsten carbide. This provides the surface with an undulating random wave like topography. The effect is to provide a strong clamping action for a relatively low tensioning force in any relative position.
Inventors
- 👤 William John Hoskin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4459; G02B6/4461; A; A61; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/10; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2021; F16M11/24; F16M11/40; F16M13/00; F16M13/02; F16M13/022; F21; F21V; F21V21/00; F21V21/14; F21V21/32; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A clamping arrangement comprising two relatively slidable elements arranged to be urged together to lock the two elements against relative sliding movement, the contacting surfaces of each element having a topography consisting of randomly positioned smooth surfaced waves, the majority of waves falling into one of two different size ranges, the ratio of the two size ranges being greater than 70:1, whereby to allow relative sliding of the elements when the pressure urging the members together is relaxed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A clamping arrangement comprising two relatively slidable elements arranged to be urged together to lock the two elements against relative sliding movement, the contacting surfaces of each element having a topography consisting of randomly positioned smooth surfaced waves, the majority of waves falling into one of two different size ranges, the ratio of the two size ranges being greater than 70:1, whereby to allow relative sliding of the elements when the pressure urging the members together is relaxed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein the topography of each said surface is generated by causing globules of molten material to impinge upon and adhere to said elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein said globules are produced by spark erosion treatment of said elements with a tungsten carbide electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the average pitch of the waves in the larger of said size ranges lies in the range of from 50 to 150 µm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the average pitch of the waves in the smaller of said size ranges lies in the range of from 0.3 to 0.7 pm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the average crest to trough dimension of the waves exceeds 0.005 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A clamping arrangement according to any preceding Claim, comprising a plurality of said elements threaded on a filament to define a flexible snake, the drawing of said filament urging said elements together to hold the snake in the attitude adopted by the elements at the time of said drawing action.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A clamping arrangement comprising two contacting members movable relative to one another, the contacting surface of each member having a randomly undulating but substantially smooth surface profile.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A clamping arrangement comprising two contacting members movable relative to one another, the contacting surface of each member having a randomly undulating but substantially smooth surface profile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement according to Claim 8, wherein each said contacting surface comprises a random distribution of substantially smooth flat undulations of different sizes adhering to its contacting member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An arrangement according to Claim 9, wherein each undulation and the local area of contact with a said member are each rendered molten to effect adhesion between the undulation and the member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement according to Claim 9-or to Claim 10, wherein the dimension of each undulation in a direction normal to the contacting surface is in excess of 0.005 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the average surface area of each undulation is arranged to be less than 0.30 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement according to any one of Claims 8 to 12, wherein each undulation is of a material selected from the group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, allumina and zirconia.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
A snake clamping assembly comprising a plurality of elements threaded onto a tensionable filament each element having a spherical head at one axial end and a corresponding part-spherical recess at its opposite axial end, the head of each element being arranged to engage the recess of its adjacent element, the contacting surfaces of said elements having a randomly undulating but substantially smooth profile, and tensioning means for tensioning the threaded elements together along the filament, whereby to lock the elements in the relative attitudes in which they lie at that time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
A snake clamping assembly comprising a plurality of elements threaded onto a tensionable filament each element having a spherical head at one axial end and a corresponding part-spherical recess at its opposite axial end, the head of each element being arranged to engage the recess of its adjacent element, the contacting surfaces of said elements having a randomly undulating but substantially smooth profile, and tensioning means for tensioning the threaded elements together along the filament, whereby to lock the elements in the relative attitudes in which they lie at that time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly according to Claim 14, wherein the contacting surfaces of said elements are formed by globules of tungsten or tungsten carbide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A multi-arm support in which adjacent arms are secured together by a clamping arrangement, each clamping arrangement comprising at least two members urged into contact with one another and wherein the contacting surfaces of each said member comprises a randomly undulating but substantially smooth surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A multi-arm support in which adjacent arms are secured together by a clamping arrangement, each clamping arrangement comprising at least two members urged into contact with one another and wherein the contacting surfaces of each said member comprises a randomly undulating but substantially smooth surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multi-arm support according to Claim 16, wherein the clamping arrangement has a third member arranged to lie between said two first mentioned members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multi-arm support according to Claim 16 or to Claim 17, wherein said contacting surfaces of said elements are formed by globules of tungsten or tungsten carbide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
An arrangement or assembly according to Claim 8, Claim 14 or to Claim 16 wherein the effective part of the surface has smooth waves or undulations having a pitch in the range of 0.3 to 0.7 µm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1156772A
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DE1750252A1
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GB1436703A
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DE2514496B2
Cited
GB1462735A
Cited
CH640313A5
Cited
EP0094520A1
Cited
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