US3715530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuating device
Assignee: Westran Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-24
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1991-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A device for actuating a pair of spaced limit switches in which an actuating member is reciprocably mounted for movement between the limit switches. The device comprises a rotatably mounted shaft having a wire wound around a selected length of the shaft and defining a helical path. The opposite ends of the wire are fixed to the shafts in such a manner that when a portion of the actuating member is disposed in the helical path, that is, between any two adjacent turns of the wire, the adjacent sides of each of the remaining successive turns of the wire are normally in abutment. As the shaft is rotated in opposite directions, the wire reciprocally drives the actuating member between the limit switches.
Inventors
- 👤 T Dalton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H19/00; H01H19/02; H01H19/10; H01H19/14; H01H19/18; H01H19/186; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/19698; Y10T74/19823; Y10T74/19949; Y10T74/19953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An actuating device comprising: an actuating member mounted for movement toward at least one contact point; a rotatably mounted shaft having at least one continuous helical path circumscribing said shaft along a selected length thereof, a portion of said actuating member extending into said helical path and movable along said selected length in response to the rotational movement of said shaft; said helical path comprising spaces between successive turns of a wire wound around said shaft, the adjacent sides of each turn of said wire normally being abutment and being axially separable to accommodate said actuating member portion as said actuating member moves along said selected length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An actuating device comprising: an actuating member mounted for movement toward at least one contact point; a rotatably mounted shaft having at least one continuous helical path circumscribing said shaft along a selected length thereof, a portion of said actuating member extending into said helical path and movable along said selected length in response to the rotational movement of said shaft; said helical path comprising spaces between successive turns of a wire wound around said shaft, the adjacent sides of each turn of said wire normally being abutment and being axially separable to accommodate said actuating member portion as said actuating member moves along said selected length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
An actuating device comprising: an actuating member mounted for movement toward at least one contact point; a rotatably mounted shaft having at least one continuous helical path circumscribing said shaft along a selected length thereof, a portion of said actuating member extending into said helical path and movable along said selected length in response to the rotational movement of said shaft; said helical path comprising spaces between successive turns of a wire wound around said shaft, the adjacent sides of each turn of said wire normally being abutment and being axially separable to accommodate said actuating member portion as said actuating member moves along said selected length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
An actuating device comprising: an actuating member mounted for movement toward at least one contact point; a rotatably mounted shaft having at least one continuous helical path circumscribing said shaft along a selected length thereof, a portion of said actuating member extending into said helical path and movable along said selected length in response to the rotational movement of said shaft; said helical path comprising spaces between successive turns of a wire wound around said shaft, the adjacent sides of each turn of said wire normally being abutment and being axially separable to accommodate said actuating member portion as said actuating member moves along said selected length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The actuating device defined in claim 1 and in which said wire is rectangular in cross section and has a pair of edges of a smaller dimension than another pair of said edges, said wire being wound about said shaft on one of its shorter edges so that the longer edges define the depth of said helical path, the adjacent longer edges of said wire normally being in abutment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The actuating device as defined in claim 1 including means for releasably attaching said wire to said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The actuating device as defined in claim 3 wherein said releasably attaching means comprises a pair of clamps attaching the opposite ends of said wire to said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The actuating device of claim 1 including at least one switch disposed in the path of said actuating member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
The actuating device as defined in claim 5 including a mounting bracket having a base and at least one flange extending at right angles thereto, said bracket being mounted to said shaft by said flange, said base having a slotted portion generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said shaft, said actuating member being mounted in said slotted portion, said switches being mounted on said base proximate one end of said slotted portion and adapted to be engaged by said actuating member as the same is driven along said slotted portion by said rotating shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The actuating device as defined in claim 6 wherein said wire has a radial width which substantially exceeds its axial thickness, said wire being wound around said shaft on one of its edges such that the radial width of said wire defines the depth of said helical path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US511269A
Cited
US3427546A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |