Device for imparting linear and rotational motion

Claim 2

Apparatus for imparting linear and subsequent rotational movement to a member comprising a movable element; means to bias said member against movement relatively to said element; a stop to limit the displacement of said member; means to move said element in one direction so that said member moves linearly until it engages said stop and said element moves against said bias and relatively to said member, and in the opposite direction so that said member moves in the direction of said bias, a cam connected with one of said member and said element and a follower connected with the other said member and said element, said cam and said follower being adapted to rotate said member in one direction of rotation when said element moves relatively to said member against said bias and in the opposite direction of rotation when said element moves in the direction of said bias and relatively to said member.

Claim 3

The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said member is biased against movement relatively to said element by a spring connected with said member and said element.

Claim 4

The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said member is a rod and said element is a sleeve slidably mounted on said rod.

Claim 5

The apparatus defined in claim 2 further comprising a second spring, said second spring being connected between said member and said element on the side of said element opposite to that of said first defined spring, a second stop positioned so that when said element is moved in said opposite direction said member will move until it is limited in movement by said second stop and said element will move against the bias of said second spring with said cam and said follower operating to rotate said member in a first direction of rotation as said element moves relatively to said member and in a second direction of rotation when said element subsequently moves in the direction of the bias of said second spring and relatively to said member.

Claim 6

The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said member is a rod and said element is a sleeve slidably mounted on said rod.

Claim 7

The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said sleeve is mounted so as to be restrained from movement in any direction other than a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said rod.

Claim 8

The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said follower is connected to said rod and said cam is formed in said sleeve.

Claim 9

The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said sleeve is connected to a piston and said piston is slidably mounted in a power cylinder.

Claim 10

A double-acting vacuum cylinder for imparting linear and subsequent rotational movement to a rod, comprising, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder but secured against rotational movement, two channels on either side of said piston for drawing vacuum alternately to provide a reciprocating motion to said piston, said piston having an integral sleeve slidably mounted on said rod, two springs, one on each side of said sleeve and each being connnected with said rod, a stop for limiting the movement of said rod in one direction, a second stop for limiting the displacement of said rod in the opposite direction, a cam on one of said sleeve and said rod, a follower on the other of said sleeve and said rod, whereby when said piston moves said sleeve in said one direction, said sleeve moves one of said springs which in turn moves said rod until said rod is prevented from moving by said stop and then said piston moves said sleeve relatively to said rod against the bias of said one spring so that said cam and said follower operate to rotate said rod in a first direction of rotation and whereby when said sleeve is moved in the opposite direction until said rod is prevented from further movement by said second stop, further movement of said sleeve against the bias of said second spring will cause said rod to rotate in a second direction of rotation.

Claim 11

A double-acting vacuum cylinder for imparting linear and subsequent rotational movement to a rod, comprising, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder but secured against rotational movement, two channels on either side of said piston for drawing vacuum alternately to provide a reciprocating motion to said piston, said piston having an integral sleeve slidably mounted on said rod, two springs, one on each side of said sleeve and each being connnected with said rod, a stop for limiting the movement of said rod in one direction, a second stop for limiting the displacement of said rod in the opposite direction, a cam on one of said sleeve and said rod, a follower on the other of said sleeve and said rod, whereby when said piston moves said sleeve in said one direction, said sleeve moves one of said springs which in turn moves said rod until said rod is prevented from moving by said stop and then said piston moves said sleeve relatively to said rod against the bias of said one spring so that said cam and said follower operate to rotate said rod in a first direction of rotation and whereby when said sleeve is moved in the opposite direction until said rod is prevented from further movement by said second stop, further movement of said sleeve against the bias of said second spring will cause said rod to rotate in a second direction of rotation.

Claim 12

The cylinder defined in claim 9 wherein each of said channels has an adjusting screw projecting into it for adjusting the flow of air into and out of said cylinder and thus the speed of said reciprocating piston.

Claim 13

The apparatus defined in claim 12, further comprising two slots, one at each end of said sleeve, and two pins fixed to and projecting outwardly from such rod, and wherein said sleeve is positioned between said pins and said springs are coil springs encircling said rod and positioned so that each of said pins is between said sleeve and one of said springs to prevent said springs from working against each other, whereby, when said sleeve moves in either of said directions until said rod engages one of said stops, said sleeve will move against the bias of one of said springs with one of said pins passing within said slot.