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US3742220A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Driving means for automatic curved line following device
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1972-04-20
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1992-04-20
Abstract
Abstract An optical detection system generates signals in response to line deviation of a steering wheel to selectively control clutches which transmit bidirectional motion to the steering wheel of the line following device.
Inventors
- 👤 T Okuma
- 👤 H Nagai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:49
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q35/00; B23Q35/04; B23Q35/08; B23Q35/12; B23Q35/127; B23Q35/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A drive means for a marked line following device which automatically follows a line marked on a steel plate and processes therealong comprising: a motor for driving the line following device, a drive wheel driven by the said motor, a steering wheel driven by the said motor, and means disposed between said motor and said steering wheel for transmitting the rotation of the motor to the steering wheel and changing the direction of rotation according to detection signals obtained through a detection means which detects the presence of the marked line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A drive means for a marked line following device which automatically follows a line marked on a steel plate and processes therealong comprising: a motor for driving the line following device, a drive wheel driven by the said motor, a steering wheel driven by the said motor, and means disposed between said motor and said steering wheel for transmitting the rotation of the motor to the steering wheel and changing the direction of rotation according to detection signals obtained through a detection means which detects the presence of the marked line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A drive means for a marked line following device as defined in claim 1 wherein: said rotation transmitting means comprises a gear mechanism including a pair of clutches which are selectively operated to transmit the rotation of the motor to the steering wheel in the opposite directions according to said detection signals from the detection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A drive means for a marked line following device as defined in claim 2, wherein said detection means is an optical detection system operatively coupled to said clutches and which generates electric signals to switch said clutches selectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A drive means for a marked line following device as defined in claim 1 wherein said detection means is connected with said steering wheel through a linkage mechanism, whereby the motion of the detection means to follow the line causes the steering wheel to turn to follow the line.
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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |