US3771384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical transmission device
Assignee: Southwest Products Co
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Filing: 1972-03-20
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1992-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A linear actuator incorporates a casing on which a crank is mounted. Rotation of the crank produces rotation of a gear which meshes with the inner portion of a rotatably mounted ring. A cable is attached to the outer periphery of the ring and extends through a series of nested balls which engage a grooved portion of an arcuate teflon strip. The other end of the cable is attached to a rod which is slidably mounted in a stationary tube. Rotation of the crank produces a linear movement of the rod.
Inventors
- 👤 K Hackman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/10; F16C1/12; F16C1/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20444; Y10T74/20474; Y10T74/2048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A linear actuator including a casing; a first gear; means rotatably supporting said first gear on said casing; a second gear meshing with said first gear; means rotatably supporting said second gear on said casing; crank means secured to said second gear for rotating the same; flexible cable means having one of its ends secured to said first gear and extending partially around the same; a series of nested and apertured balls through each of which said cable means extends; guide means on said first gear into which the balls of said series closest to said one end partially extends for guiding thereby; a rod; means securing the other end of said cable means to said rod; sleeve means in which said rod slides; means securing said sleeve to said casing; said series of balls extending through said guide means and into said sleeve means; said first gear including an outer ring portion and an inner hub portion joined to said ring portion by spoke means; gear teeth on said inner portion of said ring portion meshing with said second gear; said flexible cable means being secured to said first gear using a threaded element screw-threaded into a nut; said nut having a shank portion extending through said ring portion; said ring portion having a portion of its outer surface recessed to receive said threaded element and said nut.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A linear actuator including a casing; a first gear; means rotatably supporting said first gear on said casing; a second gear meshing with said first gear; means rotatably supporting said second gear on said casing; crank means secured to said second gear for rotating the same; flexible cable means having one of its ends secured to said first gear and extending partially around the same; a series of nested and apertured balls through each of which said cable means extends; guide means on said first gear into which the balls of said series closest to said one end partially extends for guiding thereby; a rod; means securing the other end of said cable means to said rod; sleeve means in which said rod slides; means securing said sleeve to said casing; said series of balls extending through said guide means and into said sleeve means; said first gear including an outer ring portion and an inner hub portion joined to said ring portion by spoke means; gear teeth on said inner portion of said ring portion meshing with said second gear; said flexible cable means being secured to said first gear using a threaded element screw-threaded into a nut; said nut having a shank portion extending through said ring portion; said ring portion having a portion of its outer surface recessed to receive said threaded element and said nut.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A linear actuator as set forth in claim 1 including stop means mounted on said casing and engageable with said spoke means to limit travel of said first gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A linear actuator as set forth in claim 1 in which said guide means is formed in the outer portion of said ring portion; and a flexible strip of anti-friction material, means maintaining said strip stationary on said casing; and said strip being formed with an annular grooved portion into which said series of balls extends for contacting therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A linear actuator as set forth in claim 3 in which said casing includes two halves; an inner annular grooved portion defined by adjacent annular portions of said casing halves; said strip being disposed in said inner annular grooved portion; pin means extending from one of said casing halves into corresponding apertured portions of said strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A linear actuator as set forth in claim 4 in which said means securing said sleeve to said casing includes a bolt extending through said casing halves and through an outer notched portion of said sleeve means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A linear actuator as set forth in claim 5 in which a second bolt extends through said casing halves about which said first gear rotates; said sleeve means being formed near one of its ends with an enlarged sleeve portion; said first bolt and said second bolt and said enlarged sleeve portion serving as means for securing the linear actuator on a stationary support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A linear actuator as set forth in claim 2 in which said stop means includes a pair of posts mounted on and extending from said casing and engageable with a corresponding one of two spokes for joining said ring portion to said hub portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A linear actuator as set forth in claim 1 in which said flexible cable means has said other end thereof secured to a cylindrical element which is slidably mounted in said sleeve means; and cooperating screw-threaded portions between said cylindrical element and said rod for adjusting their relative positions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |