US3683704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coarse and fine adjustment device of the type using three concentric shafts
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1970-08-21
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A coarse and fine adjustment device employs an assembly of three concentric shafts-a fine adjustment shaft, a drive shaft for moving an object supporting table, and a coarse adjustment shaft. A predetermined number of planetary balls are held by retaining surfaces provided by the respective shafts. The fine adjustment shaft is formed with an annular V-shaped groove. The balls are retained in the groove in engagement with the inclined surfaces thereof by inclined surfaces respectively provided on opposite sides of the balls by the drive and coarse adjustment shafts. The angle of engagement of the retaining surface provided by the drive shaft differs from the angle of engagement of the retaining surface of the coarse adjustment shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Noboru Kuroha
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C29/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18568; Y10T74/188; Y10T74/18808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for coarse and fine adjustment of a movable table comprising a rotatable fine adjustment shaft having an annular Vshaped groove, a plurality of planetary balls disposed in the groove each in engagement with the inclined surfaces of the groove, a rotatable drive shaft concentric with the fine adjustment shaft having means for cooperation with means associated with the table to move the table, the drive shaft having retainer means on one side of the V-shaped groove providing a third inclined surface in engagement with each of the planetary balls, and a rotatable coarse adjustment shaft concentric with the drive shaft having retainer means on the opposite side of the V-shaped groove providing a fourth inclined surface in engagement with each of the planetary balls, the angle of engagement of the fourth surface with the balls being different than the angle of engagement of the third surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A device for coarse and fine adjustment of a movable table comprising a rotatable fine adjustment shaft having an annular Vshaped groove, a plurality of planetary balls disposed in the groove each in engagement with the inclined surfaces of the groove, a rotatable drive shaft concentric with the fine adjustment shaft having means for cooperation with means associated with the table to move the table, the drive shaft having retainer means on one side of the V-shaped groove providing a third inclined surface in engagement with each of the planetary balls, and a rotatable coarse adjustment shaft concentric with the drive shaft having retainer means on the opposite side of the V-shaped groove providing a fourth inclined surface in engagement with each of the planetary balls, the angle of engagement of the fourth surface with the balls being different than the angle of engagement of the third surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device for coarse and fine adjustment of a table according to claim 1 including adjustable friction means cooperable with the coarse adjustment shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device for coarse and fine adjustment of a table according to claim 1 wherein the angle of engagement of the third surface with each of the planetary balls is greater than the angle of engagement of the fourth surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device for coarse and fine adjustment of a table according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the drive shaft retainer means and the coarse adjustment shaft retainer means is displaceable in the direction of the axes of the shafts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device for coarse and fine adjustment of a table according to claim 1 wherein the drive shaft is provided with a knob member at the end thereof opposite the end having the retainer means, the knob member having indicia thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A device for coarse and fine adjustment of a table according to claim 2 wherein the angle of engagement of the third surface with each of the planetary balls is greater than the angle of engagement of the fourth surface; wherein at least one of the drive shaft retainer means and the coarse adjustment shaft retainer means is displaceable in the direction of the axes of the shafts; and wherein the drive shaft is provided with a knob member at the end thereof opposite the end having the retainer means, the knob member having indicia thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2877651A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |