US3580102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable flexible cable force transmitting assembly
Assignee: Schneider Electric USA Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-30
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-06-30
Abstract
Abstract The flexible cable assembly comprises an outer sheath and inner cable with plungers on its ends, respectively, for transmitting normal operating forces in a direction from an operator at one end of the assembly to a switch at the opposite end. Adjustment means are connected to one plunger and are arranged to be changed in overall length by opposed forces imposed thereon by, and endwise of, the cable in excess of the normal operating forces. The adjustment means is adjusted to the effective length required for proper operation of the switch by the operator by operating the remote operator through one complete operating cycle while the operator, the switch, and the assembly are in final installed position. The effective length remains unchanged thereafter.
Inventors
- 👤 Voyta E Wrabetz
- 👤 Ronald A Banister
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/10; F16C1/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2045; Y10T74/20462
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A flexible cable assembly comprising: an outer sheath; force transmitting means, including an inner cable in the sheath and movable endwise relative to the sheath, for transmitting normal forces by endwise movement of the cable; adjustment means incorporated in the force transmitting means and operable by opposed forces, each in excess of said normal operating forces, applied to the adjustment means endwise of the cable to change the effective length of the force transmitting means to a degree depending upon the endwise movement of the cable in one direction relative to the adjustment means while the cable is transmitting forces in excess of said normal operating forces; and said adjustment means includes constraining means to constrain the force transmitting means, while subjected to said normal operating forces imposed in said one direction endwise of the cable, to the effective length to which it has been changed by said opposed forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A flexible cable assembly comprising: an outer sheath; force transmitting means, including an inner cable in the sheath and movable endwise relative to the sheath, for transmitting normal forces by endwise movement of the cable; adjustment means incorporated in the force transmitting means and operable by opposed forces, each in excess of said normal operating forces, applied to the adjustment means endwise of the cable to change the effective length of the force transmitting means to a degree depending upon the endwise movement of the cable in one direction relative to the adjustment means while the cable is transmitting forces in excess of said normal operating forces; and said adjustment means includes constraining means to constrain the force transmitting means, while subjected to said normal operating forces imposed in said one direction endwise of the cable, to the effective length to which it has been changed by said opposed forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure according to claim 1 wherein the adjustment means is compression resistant and is arranged relative to the force transmitting means to be collapsed by said opposed forces in excess of normal operating forces, and the constraining means is operative to prevent collapse of the adjustment means by said normal operating forces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
The structure according to claim 1 wherein the adjustment means comprises two members movable in opposite directions relatively toward and away from each other and abutment means, including two elements movable relative to each other and drivingly connecting the members for transmitting movement from one member to the other in at least one of said directions; said constraining means secure the two elements together for yieldably resisted movement of the elements relative to each other in said one of said directions under said excess forces to an adjusted position, and for movement of the elements as a unit in said adjusted position in said one of said directions under normal operating forces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
The structure according to claim 3 wherein one of said elements is a pin and is movable endwise in at least one direction with one of the members at least when the pin is in one predetermined endwise position relative thereto, and is movable endwise relative to the other member in said one direction, and the other of said elements bears against, and drivingly interconnects, the pin and the other one of the members for movement of the other one of the members thereby in said one direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
The structure according to claim 1 wherein the force transmitting means includes a plunger connected at one end to one end of the inner cable; said plunger has a bore open at its other end; a rigid pin is slidably mounted in said bore and is of sufficient length to bottom relative to the plunger while a substantial portion of the pin extends endwise of the pin out of the bore beyond said other end of the plunger; a sleeve is mounted on the pin and is slidably axially of, and relative to, said pin; the adjustment means includes an abutment washer mounted on said pin for sliding axially thereof; and said constraining means are carried by the washer and frictionally engage the pin with sufficient force to retain the washer in fixed position axially of the pin against said normal operating forces while the pin remains so bottomed, and to permit movement of the washer along the pin to a different position endwise of the pin by forces applied thereagainst in excess of said normal operating forces while the pin remains bottomed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
The structure according to claim 1 including plungers on the opposite ends of the cable, respectively; the adjustment means are connected to one of said plungers and are positioned to be interposed between the said one of the plungers and a member to be driven thereby, for transmitting forces to the member; and said adjustment means are of predetermined length and sufficiently rigid to retain said predetermined length under normal operating forces transmitted between the plunger and said member, and are collapsible to a lesser length by forces imposed thereon endwise of said one of the plungers in excess of said normal operating forces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
The structure according to claim 1 including a sleeve body rigid with the sheath, a plunger connected to the cable and mounted in the sleeve body for reciprocation; a hollow screw body adapted for threaded engagement with a device to be drivingly associated to the plunger; a screw plug threadably connected to the screw body and operative to move the sleeve body endwise into the threaded body as the screw plug is screwed into the hollow screw body; and detachable means interposed between the screw body and screw plug for limiting the movement of the screw plug into the screw body to a preselected starting position while the detachable means remains in operative position, whereby the adjustment means is positioned to assure the capability of a predetermined minimum adjustment after the assembly is installed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |