US3638933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Precision x-y positioning table
Assignee: YOSEMITE LAB
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Filing: 1970-08-10
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-08-10
Abstract
Abstract An X-Y positioning table assembly having a lead screw for advancing a follower to position at least one table or stage, the axis of the lead screw being slightly misaligned relative to the direction of stage travel, said assembly further comprising means interconnecting the follower with the table or stage as to allow the follower to be rotated, the axial misalignment of the lead screw producing a rotation of the follower to compensate for cumulative lead error in the lead screw. Additionally, a resilient member interconnects the follower with the table or stage, said member being vertically flexible to accommodate a slightly bowed lead screw and prevent a binding of parts in the positioning mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Buraette
- 👤 Harold L Hoffman
- 👤 Richard V Lukes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:33
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/0015; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/26; B23Q1/267; B23Q5/00; B23Q5/22; B23Q5/34; B23Q5/38; B23Q5/40; B23Q5/408; G; G01; G01C; G01C11/00; G01C11/04; F; F16; F16H; F16H25/00; F16H25/18; F16H25/20; F16H25/24; F16H2025/2445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
In a precision positioning table comprising a base and at least one movable stage, a lead screw mounted to said base, a follower threadably engaged with said lead screw, means for guiding said movable stage in a direction of stage travel substantially parallel to but slightly at an angle relative to the axis of said lead screw, means including a first contact mounted to said stage, means including a second complementary contact mounted to said follower, and resilient biasing means for retaining said second contact into engagement with said first contact and maintaining such engagement as said follower is moved axially along said lead screw, the angle between the axis of said lead screw and the direction of stage travel producing a slight rotation of said follower that compensates for the cumulative lead error of said screw.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a precision positioning table comprising a base and at least one movable stage, a lead screw mounted to said base, a follower threadably engaged with said lead screw, means for guiding said movable stage in a direction of stage travel substantially parallel to but slightly at an angle relative to the axis of said lead screw, means including a first contact mounted to said stage, means including a second complementary contact mounted to said follower, and resilient biasing means for retaining said second contact into engagement with said first contact and maintaining such engagement as said follower is moved axially along said lead screw, the angle between the axis of said lead screw and the direction of stage travel producing a slight rotation of said follower that compensates for the cumulative lead error of said screw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The precision positioning table of claim 1, and further comprising means for adjusting the angle between the axis of the lead screw and the direction of stage travel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The precision positioning table of claim 1, said resilIent biasing means imposing a force that is balanced by an equal and opposite force of contact between said first and second contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The precision positioning table of claim 1, said means including a first contact comprising a yoke mounted to said stage, one arm of said yoke supporting a bearing that engages the second contact on said follower in a direction transverse to the axis of said lead screw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The precision positioning table of claim 4, and further comprising resilient means interconnecting said yoke to said stage that provides vertical resiliency of movement therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The precision positioning table of claim 5, said resilient means comprising a leaf spring connected to said yoke in the horizontal plane through the axis of said lead screw, said leaf spring allowing said yoke to be moved vertically up or down relative to the axis of said lead screw but imposing a bias tending to return the yoke to a neutral position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The precision positioning table of claim 1, said means including a first contact comprising a yoke mounted to said stage, said yoke having a pair of arms extending around said follower to points on diametrically opposite sides of said lead screw, bearing means disposed intermediate each arm of said yoke and said follower that provide relatively free movement between the yoke and follower in a direction transverse to the axis of said lead screw.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The precision positioning table of claim 7, said bearing means comprising upper and lower contacts that engage a pair of upper and lower pressure pads, respectively, said pressure pads being mounted to said follower, one of said pressure pads having a machined surface that provides said second complementary contact, and means resiliently biasing said upper and lower contacts into engagement with said pressure pads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The precision positioning table of claim 8, and further comprising stop means for limiting relative translatory separation of said upper and lower contacts from said pressure pads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The precision positioning table of claim 9, said stop means comprising a pair of links, one end of each link being attached to a pressure pad, the other end of each link being connected to one arm of said yoke and with clearance that provides limited separation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a precision positioning table comprising a base and at least one movable stage, a lead screw mounted to said base, a follower threadably engaged with said lead screw, means for guiding said movable stage in a direction of stage travel substantially parallel to the axis of said lead screw, a yoke mounted to said stage, said yoke having a pair of arms extending around said follower to points on diametrically opposite sides of said lead screw, upper and lower contacts formed on said pair or arms, respectively, a pair of upper and lower pressure pads mounted to said follower, means resiliently biasing said upper and lower contacts into engagement with said pressure pads, and stop means for limiting relative separation of said upper and lower contacts from said pressure pads.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a precision positioning table comprising a base and at least one movable stage, a lead screw mounted to said base, a follower threadably engaged with said lead screw, means for guiding said movable stage in a direction of stage travel substantially parallel to the axis of said lead screw, a yoke mounted to said stage, said yoke having a pair of arms extending around said follower to points on diametrically opposite sides of said lead screw, upper and lower contacts formed on said pair or arms, respectively, a pair of upper and lower pressure pads mounted to said follower, means resiliently biasing said upper and lower contacts into engagement with said pressure pads, and stop means for limiting relative separation of said upper and lower contacts from said pressure pads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3046006A
Cited
US3337732A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |