US3766801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuator assembly
Assignee: Teleflex Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-27
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A rotary actuator assembly of the type for longitudinally moving a flexible motion transmitting core element to transmit motion in a curved path. The assembly includes a housing comprising a base and a cover which are snapped together and wherein the base and cover are made of plastic. An annular axle portion is integral with the base and extends toward the cover and rotatably supports a circular drive means which includes an internal gear and a peripheral groove for receiving a core element. A shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and supports a pinion which engages the internal gear. A barrel housing extends from the base portion and surrounds the shaft and a bezel is attached to the end of the barrel housing. A friction or drag device threadedly engages the bezel and forces a collar against the shaft to control rotation of the shaft. The barrel housing is attached to the base by bolts, one of which extends centrally through the housing. A retainer is disposed in the housing and includes a groove for surrounding the core element so as to retain the core element in the groove in the circular drive member.
Inventors
- 👤 H Wiegand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:48
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H57/00; F16H57/02; F16H57/031; B; B63; B63H; B63H20/00; B63H20/02; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/10; F16C1/12; F16H57/03; F02; F02B; F02B61/00; F02B61/04; F02B61/045; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/19698; Y10T74/19828; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20213; Y10T74/20232; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An actuator assembly of the type for longitudinally moving a flexible motion transmitting core element to transmit motion in a curved path, said assembly comprising: housing means; a circular drive means rotatably supported in said housing means and adapted to receive a motion transmitting core element; and input means for rotating said drive means; said housing means including a cover and a base, said cover and said base having coacting means for snapping said cover and base into mechanical interlocking engagement with one another, an axle extending from one of said base and said cover and a support extending from the other of said base and said cover for coacting with said axle for supporting same, said circular drive means being rotatably sUpported on said axle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An actuator assembly of the type for longitudinally moving a flexible motion transmitting core element to transmit motion in a curved path, said assembly comprising: housing means; a circular drive means rotatably supported in said housing means and adapted to receive a motion transmitting core element; and input means for rotating said drive means; said housing means including a cover and a base, said cover and said base having coacting means for snapping said cover and base into mechanical interlocking engagement with one another, an axle extending from one of said base and said cover and a support extending from the other of said base and said cover for coacting with said axle for supporting same, said circular drive means being rotatably sUpported on said axle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover and base are generally circular, said base has a bottom and a cylindrical wall with a shoulder extending about at least a portion of the circumference of the outer surface of said cylindrical wall, said shoulder being the coacting means on said base, said cover has a bottom and a cylindrical side wall, said coacting means on said cover including a tongue snapped over said shoulder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
As assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tongue extends about at least a portion of the circumference of said cylindrical wall of said cover and includes a radially inwardly extending tapered locking rib snapped over and engaging said shoulder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said bottom of said base includes a flanged opening, said input means includes a shaft extending through and rotatably supported in said opening, said circular drive means including an internal gear, said input means further including a pinion gear secured to said shaft and in meshing engagement with said internal gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4 including a barrel housing surrounding said shaft and extending from said base to a distal end, said barrel housing rotatably supporting said shaft at said distal end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said barrel housing includes a flange engaging said bottom of said base, a bolt extending through said flange and through said bottom of said base and centrally through said axle and through said bottom of said cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said housing means is made of plastic, a reinforcing plate disposed about said opening and said shaft within said base, studs extending from said plate and through said bottom of said base and through said flange of said barrel housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said circular drive means includes; a sleeve portion in bearing engagement with said axle, support means extending radially from said sleeve, a grooved portion having a peripheral groove therein supported by said support means, said internal gear being supported by said support means axially of said grooved portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 including a retainer member disposed within said housing means and having a groove therein disposed oppositely from said groove in said grooved portion, said retainer member being disposed circumferentially about at least a portion of said circular drive member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9 including a pair of connectors extending tangentially from said housing means and terminating in threaded portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said connector portions are generally parallel to one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said connectors has a passage therealong through which the motion transmitting core element may travel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said connectors are divided along a plane separating said cover and base whereby each connector is defined in part by said cover and in remainder by said base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said barrel housing includes a flange at said distal end, a bezel disposed over said flange and adapted for connection to a bulkhead, fasteners interconnecting said bezel and said flange of said distal end of said barrel housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said flange at said distal end of said barrel housing is disposed in a pocket in said bezel and the two coact to prevent relative rotation therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 including a bezel attached to said distal end of said barrel housing, a collar supported by said bezel and engaging said shaft, tightening means for urging said collar against said shaft to control the freedom of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said collar surrounds said shaft and includes diAmetrically opposite flats disposed in recesses in said bezel whereby said collar is prevented from rotating.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said tightening means comprises a rod threadedly engaging said bezel in a bore which terminates in one of said recesses, said rod having a handle for facilitating manual rotation thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said circular drive means includes a grooved portion having a peripheral groove extending thereabout and including a retainer member disposed within said housing means and having a groove therein disposed oppositely from said groove in said grooved portion whereby said grooves surround the motion transmitting core element and said retainer member retains the core element in said groove in said grooved portion of said circular drive means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a shaft extending into said housing means for rotating said circular drive means, a barrel housing surrounding said shaft and extending from said base to a distal end, said barrel housing rotatably supporting said shaft at said distal end and including a flange at said distal end, a bezel disposed over said flange and adapted for connection to a bulkhead.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said flange at said distal end of said barrel housing is disposed in a pocket in said bezel and the two coact to prevent relative rotation therebetween.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing means is generally circular and includes a pair of connectors extending tangentially from said housing means and terminating in threaded portions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said connectors are divided along a plane separating said cover and base whereby each connector is defined in part by said cover and in remainder by said base.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein each of said connectors has a passage therealong through which the motion transmitting core element may travel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
120 words
An actuator assembly of the type for longitudinally moving a flexible motion transmitting core element to transmit motion in a curved path, said assembly comprising; a generally circular housing, a circular drive means rotatably supported in said housing means and adapted to receive a motion transmitting core element, input means for rotating said drive means, said housing means including a cover and a base and at least one connector extending tangentially therefrom and terminating in a threaded portion, said connector having a passage therealong through which the core element may travel, said connector being divided along a plane separating said cover and said base whereby each connector is defined in part by said cover and in remainder by said base.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
120 words
An actuator assembly of the type for longitudinally moving a flexible motion transmitting core element to transmit motion in a curved path, said assembly comprising; a generally circular housing, a circular drive means rotatably supported in said housing means and adapted to receive a motion transmitting core element, input means for rotating said drive means, said housing means including a cover and a base and at least one connector extending tangentially therefrom and terminating in a threaded portion, said connector having a passage therealong through which the core element may travel, said connector being divided along a plane separating said cover and said base whereby each connector is defined in part by said cover and in remainder by said base.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said connector is circular in cross-section and is divided diametrically.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |