US3722305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable speed pulse drive
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-12
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A drive or transmission mechanism including a rotary cam means having a plurality of lobes and adapted to be rotated about a first axis. Engaged by the cam means are a plurality of cam followers biased toward the first axis and constrained against all movement except reciprocal movement generally radially of the axis. Each of the cam followers engages a separate lever means drivingly connected to separate overrunning clutches such that during rotation of the cam, oscillation of the lever means will cause the overrunning clutches to be given intermittant unidirectional movement. The clutches are drivingly connected to a rotary output member which, for example, can be a ring gear or the like. Means are also shown for allowing the lever to shift relative to the cam followers upon variation in the load on the output member. In the embodiment shown they include a mounting for the overrunning clutches which permits them to shift circumferentially relative to the cam followers to vary the effective length of the lever means. Springs acting against the support for the overrunning clutches permit the necessary shifting as the load on the rotary output member varies.
Inventors
- 👤 R Walters
- 👤 T Zwitter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H29/00; F16H29/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/15; Y10T74/1503; Y10T74/1524; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/1836
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A drive mechanism comprising: a. rotary cam means mounted for rotation about a first axis; b. a plurality of cam followers mounted about said cam means and guided for movement generally radially of said first axis, each of said cam followers being constrained relative to said cam means in a manner such that upon rotation of said cam means said followers undergo linear reciprocation generally radially of said first axis; c. separate lever means engaged by each of said cam followers and mounted so that upon reciprocation of said cam followers said lever means are oscillated; d. overrunning clutch means drivingly connected to each of said lever means; and, e. a rotary output member driven by said overrunning clutch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A drive mechanism comprising: a. rotary cam means mounted for rotation about a first axis; b. a plurality of cam followers mounted about said cam means and guided for movement generally radially of said first axis, each of said cam followers being constrained relative to said cam means in a manner such that upon rotation of said cam means said followers undergo linear reciprocation generally radially of said first axis; c. separate lever means engaged by each of said cam followers and mounted so that upon reciprocation of said cam followers said lever means are oscillated; d. overrunning clutch means drivingly connected to each of said lever means; and, e. a rotary output member driven by said overrunning clutch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam followers are positioned in pairs on diametrically opposite sides of said first axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam means includes a plurality of lobes and wherein said cam followers are located so that during rotation of said cam means at least one of said followers is always moving radially outward of said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said lever means are mounted for adjusting movement so that the effective length of said lever means can be varied.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said overrunning clutch means are mounted for rotation about independent axes parallel to said first axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
A variable speed pulse drive mechanism comprising: a. a rotary cam means mounted for rotation about a first axis; b. a plurality of cam followers adapted to be reciprocated in first and second directions radially of said first axis upon rotation of said cam means; c. a plurality of lever means positioned about said first axis and each drivingly engaged with a separate one of said cam followers so that reciprocation of said cam followers produces oscillation of said lever means; d. separate overrunning clutch means drivingly connected to each of said lever means, said clutch means each including a portion which is given intermittent unidirectional rotary movement upon oscillation of said lever means; and, e. adjustable means supporting said lever means for permitting their effective length to be varied.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
A variable speed pulse drive mechanism comprising: a. a rotary cam means mounted for rotation about a first axis; b. a plurality of cam followers adapted to be reciprocated in first and second directions radially of said first axis upon rotation of said cam means; c. a plurality of lever means positioned about said first axis and each drivingly engaged with a separate one of said cam followers so that reciprocation of said cam followers produces oscillation of said lever means; d. separate overrunning clutch means drivingly connected to each of said lever means, said clutch means each including a portion which is given intermittent unidirectional rotary movement upon oscillation of said lever means; and, e. adjustable means supporting said lever means for permitting their effective length to be varied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said adjustable means carry said overrunning clutch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said overrunning clutch means is drivingly engaged with a rotary output member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said cam followers are positioned in opposed pairs on diametri-cally opposite sides of said cam means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said cam means and said cam followers are arranged so that there is always at least one of said followers moving in said first direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said adjustable means comprises a support frame mounted for limited rotation about said first axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The drive mechanism as defined in claim 11 whereIn said support frame is maintained under a bias tending to rotate it about said first axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
A winch mechanism comprising: a. a winding drum mounted for rotation about a first axis; b. a cam means adapted to be rotated about said first axis; c. a plurality of cam followers positioned for engagement with said cam means and constrained to reciprocate radially of said first axis; d. separate lever means engaged by each of said follower means and mounted for oscillation in response to reciprocation of said follower means; e. separate overrunning clutch means drivingly connected to each of said lever means and each including a driven portion which undergoes unidirectional intermittent rotation in response to oscillation of the lever means; and, f. gear means interconnecting said driven portions and said winding drum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
A winch mechanism comprising: a. a winding drum mounted for rotation about a first axis; b. a cam means adapted to be rotated about said first axis; c. a plurality of cam followers positioned for engagement with said cam means and constrained to reciprocate radially of said first axis; d. separate lever means engaged by each of said follower means and mounted for oscillation in response to reciprocation of said follower means; e. separate overrunning clutch means drivingly connected to each of said lever means and each including a driven portion which undergoes unidirectional intermittent rotation in response to oscillation of the lever means; and, f. gear means interconnecting said driven portions and said winding drum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |