Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In an actuator which includes a stationary gear having an axis, an output member arranged in a coaxial relation with said axis and a free floating ring gear having a center which is spaced a predetermined distance from said axis, said ring gear being arranged in an engaged driving relation with said output member, said stationary and ring gears having a plurality of coacting teeth and tooth cavities corresponding in number and arranged in substantially circular formation about said axis and said center respectively, at least some of said teeth being positioned in said cavities whereby said center is movable in an orbital path about said axis and said ring gear is restrained against rotation, the improvement wherein each of said teeth is shaped so that it has an end, a base line and a pair of side surfaces extending from said base line to said end, each of said side surfaces having an arcuate surface portion the axis of revolution of which is located between said base line and said end and is spaced from said base line a distance substantially equal to said predetermined distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In an actuator which includes a stationary gear having an axis, an output member arranged in a coaxial relation with said axis and a free floating ring gear having a center which is spaced a predetermined distance from said axis, said ring gear being arranged in an engaged driving relation with said output member, said stationary and ring gears having a plurality of coacting teeth and tooth cavities corresponding in number and arranged in substantially circular formation about said axis and said center respectively, at least some of said teeth being positioned in said cavities whereby said center is movable in an orbital path about said axis and said ring gear is restrained against rotation, the improvement wherein each of said teeth is shaped so that it has an end, a base line and a pair of side surfaces extending from said base line to said end, each of said side surfaces having an arcuate surface portion the axis of revolution of which is located between said base line and said end and is spaced from said base line a distance substantially equal to said predetermined distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an actuator having the structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said arcuate portion constitutes the major portion of each of said side surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
In an actuator having the structure set forth in claim 2 Wherein each of said cavities has sidewalls shaped so that when one of said teeth is positioned symmetrically therein said sidewall is spaced from said tooth at said base line a distance equal to said predetermined distance, said cavity sidewall being curved so that the spacing between said cavity sidewall and the adjacent tooth sidewall progressively decreases in a direction toward said tooth end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an actuator having the structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said cavity sidewall is substantially arcuate having an axis of revolution disposed substantially on said base line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
In an actuator having the structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said tooth cavities are formed in said stationary gear and are arranged in a substantially circular formation about said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
In an actuator having the structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said teeth are formed in said stationary gear and are arranged in a substantially circular formation about said axis.