Patent US3733073A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3733073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torsion bar for raising and lowering a target
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-03-20
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1992-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A target raising and lowering mechanism employs a torque tube and torsion bar combination to provide weatherproof housing for its electric motor and reduction gear means while also storing energy in the torsion bar during lowering of a target for later use during raising of the target.
Inventors
- 👤 K Gutler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:25
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A mechanism for moving a target between raised and lowered positions, said mechanism comprising: a frame including a horizontally extending torque tube and a gear housing mounted at one end of said tube; reversible electric motor means and reduction gear means disposed in said tube and having an output shaft extending outwardly from said one end of said tube into said drive gear housing; a pinion disposed in said housing and mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith; driven gear means mounted in said housing for rotation by said pinion; a torsion bar having one end extending through said housing and connected to said gear means for rotation therewith, the opposite end of said torsion bar being fixed against rotation at the end of said tube opposite said one end; and arm means extending radially from said torsion bar for carrying target means to be raised and lowered, said arm means being fixed to said one end of said torsion bar for movement therewith; said motor means being operable through said reduction gear means and said pinion to drive said driven gear means so as to wind said torsion bar while moving said arm means and target from said raised position to said lowered position and so as to permit unwinding of said torsion bar while moving said arm means and target to said raised position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A mechanism for moving a target between raised and lowered positions, said mechanism comprising: a frame including a horizontally extending torque tube and a gear housing mounted at one end of said tube; reversible electric motor means and reduction gear means disposed in said tube and having an output shaft extending outwardly from said one end of said tube into said drive gear housing; a pinion disposed in said housing and mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith; driven gear means mounted in said housing for rotation by said pinion; a torsion bar having one end extending through said housing and connected to said gear means for rotation therewith, the opposite end of said torsion bar being fixed against rotation at the end of said tube opposite said one end; and arm means extending radially from said torsion bar for carrying target means to be raised and lowered, said arm means being fixed to said one end of said torsion bar for movement therewith; said motor means being operable through said reduction gear means and said pinion to drive said driven gear means so as to wind said torsion bar while moving said arm means and target from said raised position to said lowered position and so as to permit unwinding of said torsion bar while moving said arm means and target to said raised position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 1, and wherein: said frame further comprises first plate means forming a flange about said one end of said tube; second plate means closing said opposite end of said tube and forming a flange thereat; support means fixed to said flanges; and said gear housing being fixed to said second plate means in closing relation to said one end of said tube, whereby said tube, plates and housing provide an enclosure for said motor means and reduction gear means which is sealed against intrusion of dirt and moisture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 2, and further comprising: first and second limit switch means mounteD on said housing and having actuator elements directed inwardly of said housing; and said driven gear means comprises a gear sector carrying cam means cooperable with said actuator elements to activate said first and second limit switches at predetermined limits for said raised and lowered positions, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 3, and wherein: said arm means comprises first and second arms which parallel to one another and are interconnected by a transverse member for movement in unison about the longitudinal axis of said torsion bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 4, and wherein: said torsion bar has its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said torque tube; said torsion bar has opposite end portions of non-circular section, one end being received in matching openings in said gear sector and said first arm, the other end portion being received in a matching opening in said flange formed by said second plate means; said torsion bar having a terminal end of circular section extending beyond said flange formed by said second plate means; and said second arm being freely journalled on said terminal end.
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) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |