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Patent US3774873A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774873A
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Equipoised arm assembly
Assignee: Jac Jacobsen AS
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Filing: 1971-11-24
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1991-11-24
Abstract
Abstract An equipoised mechanism for supporting an object has a first set of parallel arms pivotally mounted on a supporting bracket, a first supported bracket pivotally connected to the first set of arms at the ends thereof opposite the supporting bracket, a second set of parallel arms pivotally mounted on the first supported bracket, and a second supported bracket pivotally mounted at the ends of the second set of parallel arms, opposite the first supported bracket, to which a mounting assembly and supported object are attached. The arms and brackets define two parallelograms by which the first and second supported brackets are maintained in a predetermined orientation with respect to the supporting bracket; balance and equalization forces on the mechanism are provided by a pair of springs operably connecting the first set of parallel arms and two sets of parallel springs operably connecting the second set of parallel arms.
Inventors
- 👤 J Krogsrud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:49
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M13/00; F16M13/02; A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/08; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2014; F16M11/2092; F16M11/24; F21; F21V; F21V21/00; F21V21/14; F21V21/26; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/06; F16M2200/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
556 words
In an equipoise mechanism of the character described, the combination of, a first pair of parallel arms of substantially the same length and comprising a first arm and a second arm, an arm-supporting bracket assembly comprising an elongated pivot and an arm-supporting bracket, first pivot means pivoting said first and second arms of said arm-supporting bracket respectively upon a first pair of parallel axes which are spaced from each other at a predetermined distance axially with respect to said elongated pivot, a first supported bracket which is positioned at the ends of said first and second arms opposite said arm-supporting bracket, second pivot means pivoting said first supported bracket respectively upon a second pair of parallel axes which are spaced from each other similarly to said first pair of parallel axes, a second pair of parallel arms of substantially the same length and comprising a third arm and a fourth arm, third pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms on said first supported bracket respectively upon a third pair of parallel axes, a second supported bracket which is positioned at the ends of said third and fourth arms opposite said first supported bracket, fourth pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms on said second supported bracket respectively upon a fourth pair of parallel axes spaced similarly to said third pair of parallel axes, and a mounting assembly attached to said second supported bracket for holding an object, said arms and said brackets defining a linkage assembly forming two variable parallelograms by which said first and second supported brackets and said mounting assembly are maintained in a predetermined relationship with respect to said elongated pivot axis when said arms are moved; a spring connecting rod of shorter length than said second arm located between said first and second arms and pivotally mounted at one end about one axis associated with said second pivot means, an adjustable spring operably connected at one end to said first arm adjacent said arm-supporting bracket and at its other end to said spring connecting rod at the end of said rod opposite said second pivot means, a second spring attached at one end to said first arm at a point between the ends of said first arm and at its other end to a said spring connecting rod at the end of said rod adjacent said second pivot means, a first pair of coil springs positioned in parallel relationship upon the upposite sides of said third and fourth arms with one end of each of the first pair of parallel springs being attached to said first supported bracket along an axis remote from said second and third pairs of parallel axes and with the other end of each said first pair of parallel springs attached to said fourth arm, a second pair of springs positioned respectively upon the opposite sides of said third and fourth arms and substantially parallel to each other with one end of each of the second pair of parallel springs being attached to said second supported bracket along an axis remote from said fourth pair of parallel axes and with the other end of each said second pair of parallel springs attached to said third arm, said springs cooperating to provide balanced and equalized forces at the pivots to counterbalance the weight of a supported object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
556 words
In an equipoise mechanism of the character described, the combination of, a first pair of parallel arms of substantially the same length and comprising a first arm and a second arm, an arm-supporting bracket assembly comprising an elongated pivot and an arm-supporting bracket, first pivot means pivoting said first and second arms of said arm-supporting bracket respectively upon a first pair of parallel axes which are spaced from each other at a predetermined distance axially with respect to said elongated pivot, a first supported bracket which is positioned at the ends of said first and second arms opposite said arm-supporting bracket, second pivot means pivoting said first supported bracket respectively upon a second pair of parallel axes which are spaced from each other similarly to said first pair of parallel axes, a second pair of parallel arms of substantially the same length and comprising a third arm and a fourth arm, third pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms on said first supported bracket respectively upon a third pair of parallel axes, a second supported bracket which is positioned at the ends of said third and fourth arms opposite said first supported bracket, fourth pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms on said second supported bracket respectively upon a fourth pair of parallel axes spaced similarly to said third pair of parallel axes, and a mounting assembly attached to said second supported bracket for holding an object, said arms and said brackets defining a linkage assembly forming two variable parallelograms by which said first and second supported brackets and said mounting assembly are maintained in a predetermined relationship with respect to said elongated pivot axis when said arms are moved; a spring connecting rod of shorter length than said second arm located between said first and second arms and pivotally mounted at one end about one axis associated with said second pivot means, an adjustable spring operably connected at one end to said first arm adjacent said arm-supporting bracket and at its other end to said spring connecting rod at the end of said rod opposite said second pivot means, a second spring attached at one end to said first arm at a point between the ends of said first arm and at its other end to a said spring connecting rod at the end of said rod adjacent said second pivot means, a first pair of coil springs positioned in parallel relationship upon the upposite sides of said third and fourth arms with one end of each of the first pair of parallel springs being attached to said first supported bracket along an axis remote from said second and third pairs of parallel axes and with the other end of each said first pair of parallel springs attached to said fourth arm, a second pair of springs positioned respectively upon the opposite sides of said third and fourth arms and substantially parallel to each other with one end of each of the second pair of parallel springs being attached to said second supported bracket along an axis remote from said fourth pair of parallel axes and with the other end of each said second pair of parallel springs attached to said third arm, said springs cooperating to provide balanced and equalized forces at the pivots to counterbalance the weight of a supported object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein said first arm has a longitudinally extending recess therein and said second arm is narrower than said first arm and fits within said recess to prevent any external gap between said first and second arms at any position of said linkage assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A mechanism as deScribed in claim 2, wherein said first and second arms are generally U-shaped in cross-section and open towards each other, and wherein the open side of said first arm defines said recess receiving said second arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
A mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the axis at which said first pair of springs are connected to said first supported bracket and the axis at which said second pair of coil springs are connected to said second supported bracket are located to provide a point of maximum spring extension during rotation of said third and fourth arms about their respective pivot axes on each side of which the torque applied by the two pairs of springs is in opposite directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the second and third pivot means are positioned to permit folding of the linkage assembly to a position wherein said fourth arm is adjacent to said second arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
465 words
In an equipoised object-supporting mechanism, the combination of, a first pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a first arm and a second arm, an arm-supporting bracket, first pivot means pivoting said first and second arm at one end on said arm supporting bracket respectively upon first and second parallel axes which are spaced a first predetermined distance from each other, a first supported bracket which is positioned at the end of said first and second arms opposite said arm-supporting bracket, second pivot means pivoting said first supporting bracket respectively upon third and fourth parallel axes which are spaced said first predetermined distance from each other, a second pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a third arm and a fourth arm, third pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms at one end on said first supported bracket respectively upon fifth and sixth parallel axes spaced a second predetermined distance from each other, a second supported bracket which is positioned at the end of said third and fourth arms opposite said first supported bracket, fourth pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms on said second supported bracket respectively upon seventh and eighth axes which are spaced said second predetermined distance from each other, a mounting assembly attached to said second supported bracket for holding an object, said arms and said brackets defining a linkage assembly forming two variable parallelograms by which said first and second supported brackets and said mounting assembly are maintained within a predetermined range of relative relationships with respect to said arm-supporting bracket when said object is moved, an elongated connecting member positioned between said first and second arms and extending along said second arm with one end pivoted to said second arm at said fourth axis and with a free end connecting portion positioned substantially intermediate said first and fourth axes, a first counterbalance spring connected at one end to said free-end connecting portion and at its other end at said first axis, a second counterbalance spring connected at one end to said first arm substantially intermediate said first and third axes and connected at its other end to said connecting member at a zone which is spaced radially from said fourth axis toward said second arm, whereby said second spring tends to swing said connecting member about said fourth axis toward the adjacent portion of said second arm, said springs cooperating to urge said arms toward each other and to provide counterbalancing forces, and a plurality of springs each of which is connected at one end to one of said supported brackets and at its other end to one of said third and fourth arms, all of said springs cooperating to provide counterbalancing forces for the support of said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
465 words
In an equipoised object-supporting mechanism, the combination of, a first pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a first arm and a second arm, an arm-supporting bracket, first pivot means pivoting said first and second arm at one end on said arm supporting bracket respectively upon first and second parallel axes which are spaced a first predetermined distance from each other, a first supported bracket which is positioned at the end of said first and second arms opposite said arm-supporting bracket, second pivot means pivoting said first supporting bracket respectively upon third and fourth parallel axes which are spaced said first predetermined distance from each other, a second pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a third arm and a fourth arm, third pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms at one end on said first supported bracket respectively upon fifth and sixth parallel axes spaced a second predetermined distance from each other, a second supported bracket which is positioned at the end of said third and fourth arms opposite said first supported bracket, fourth pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms on said second supported bracket respectively upon seventh and eighth axes which are spaced said second predetermined distance from each other, a mounting assembly attached to said second supported bracket for holding an object, said arms and said brackets defining a linkage assembly forming two variable parallelograms by which said first and second supported brackets and said mounting assembly are maintained within a predetermined range of relative relationships with respect to said arm-supporting bracket when said object is moved, an elongated connecting member positioned between said first and second arms and extending along said second arm with one end pivoted to said second arm at said fourth axis and with a free end connecting portion positioned substantially intermediate said first and fourth axes, a first counterbalance spring connected at one end to said free-end connecting portion and at its other end at said first axis, a second counterbalance spring connected at one end to said first arm substantially intermediate said first and third axes and connected at its other end to said connecting member at a zone which is spaced radially from said fourth axis toward said second arm, whereby said second spring tends to swing said connecting member about said fourth axis toward the adjacent portion of said second arm, said springs cooperating to urge said arms toward each other and to provide counterbalancing forces, and a plurality of springs each of which is connected at one end to one of said supported brackets and at its other end to one of said third and fourth arms, all of said springs cooperating to provide counterbalancing forces for the support of said object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
The mechanism as described in claim 6 wherein said first and second axes are positioned to swing said first and second arms between first rest position wherein they extend substatially vertically upwardly from said axes and are adJacent each other and a second rest position wherein they extend substantially horizontally and are separated from each other the maximum distance, and wherein said springs and said arms cooperate to exert forces which cooperate with the weight of said object to tend to hold said arms in each of said rest positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
257 words
In an equipoised object-supporting mechanism, the combination of, a first pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a first arm and a second arm, an arm-supporting bracket, first pivot means pivoting said first and second arm at one end on said arm supporting bracket respectively upon first and second parallel axes which are spaced a first predetermined distance from each other, a first supported bracket which is positioned at the end of said first and second arms opposite said arm-supporting bracket, second pivot means pivoting said first supporting bracket respectively upon third and fourth parallel axes which are spaced said first predetermined distance from each other, an elongated connecting member positioned between said first and second arms and extending along said second arm with one end pivoted to said second arm at said fourth axis and with a free end connecting portion positioned substantially intermediate said first and fourth axes, a first counterbalance spring connected at one end to said free-end connecting portion and at its other end at said first axis, and second counterbalance spring connected at one end to said first arm substantially intermediate said first and third axes and connected at its other end to said connecting member at a zone which is spaced radially from said fourth axis toward said second arm, whereby said second spring tends to swing said connecting member about said fourth axis toward the adjacent portion of said second arm, said springs cooperating to urge said arms toward each other and to provide counterbalancing forces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
257 words
In an equipoised object-supporting mechanism, the combination of, a first pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a first arm and a second arm, an arm-supporting bracket, first pivot means pivoting said first and second arm at one end on said arm supporting bracket respectively upon first and second parallel axes which are spaced a first predetermined distance from each other, a first supported bracket which is positioned at the end of said first and second arms opposite said arm-supporting bracket, second pivot means pivoting said first supporting bracket respectively upon third and fourth parallel axes which are spaced said first predetermined distance from each other, an elongated connecting member positioned between said first and second arms and extending along said second arm with one end pivoted to said second arm at said fourth axis and with a free end connecting portion positioned substantially intermediate said first and fourth axes, a first counterbalance spring connected at one end to said free-end connecting portion and at its other end at said first axis, and second counterbalance spring connected at one end to said first arm substantially intermediate said first and third axes and connected at its other end to said connecting member at a zone which is spaced radially from said fourth axis toward said second arm, whereby said second spring tends to swing said connecting member about said fourth axis toward the adjacent portion of said second arm, said springs cooperating to urge said arms toward each other and to provide counterbalancing forces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
350 words
In an equipoised object-supporting mechanism, the combination of an arm supporting bracket, a first pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a first and a second arm, first pivot means pivoting said first and second arm at one end on said arm supporting bracket respectively upon first and second parallel axes, a first supported bracket positioned at the ends of said first and second arms opposite said arm supporting bracket, said second pivot means pivoting said first supporting bracket respectively upon third and fourth parallel axes, a second pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a third and a fourth arm, third pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms at one end on said first supported bracket respectively upon fifth and sixth parallel axes, a second supported bracket positioned at the end of said third and fourth arms opposite said first supported bracket, fourth pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms on said second supported bracket respectively upon seventh and eighth axes, said arms and brackets defining a linkage assembly forming two variable parallelograms, a first set of springs operatively connected between said first and second arms in a generally parallel and longitudinal spaced relationship with respect to each other, and at least a second pair of spring operatively connected to said third and fourth arms in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, one of said springs in said second pair being connected at one end to said fourth arm and at its opposite end to said first supported bracket at a point remote from said fifth and sixth axes located to position said one spring from one side to the other of said first axis as said third and fourth arms move through a position wherein said fifth axis, said point remote from said fifth axis, and the point of connection of said one spring to said fourth arm all lie on a common straight line whereby said one spring acts with an ''''overcenter effect'''' to reverse the restoring torque applied to said third and fourTh arms.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
350 words
In an equipoised object-supporting mechanism, the combination of an arm supporting bracket, a first pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a first and a second arm, first pivot means pivoting said first and second arm at one end on said arm supporting bracket respectively upon first and second parallel axes, a first supported bracket positioned at the ends of said first and second arms opposite said arm supporting bracket, said second pivot means pivoting said first supporting bracket respectively upon third and fourth parallel axes, a second pair of adjacent parallel arms of substantially equal length and comprising a third and a fourth arm, third pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms at one end on said first supported bracket respectively upon fifth and sixth parallel axes, a second supported bracket positioned at the end of said third and fourth arms opposite said first supported bracket, fourth pivot means pivoting said third and fourth arms on said second supported bracket respectively upon seventh and eighth axes, said arms and brackets defining a linkage assembly forming two variable parallelograms, a first set of springs operatively connected between said first and second arms in a generally parallel and longitudinal spaced relationship with respect to each other, and at least a second pair of spring operatively connected to said third and fourth arms in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, one of said springs in said second pair being connected at one end to said fourth arm and at its opposite end to said first supported bracket at a point remote from said fifth and sixth axes located to position said one spring from one side to the other of said first axis as said third and fourth arms move through a position wherein said fifth axis, said point remote from said fifth axis, and the point of connection of said one spring to said fourth arm all lie on a common straight line whereby said one spring acts with an ''''overcenter effect'''' to reverse the restoring torque applied to said third and fourTh arms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
A mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein the other of said springs in said second pair is connected at one end to said third arm and at its opposite end to said second supported bracket at a point remote from said seventh and eighth axes located to position said other spring from one side to the other of said eighth axes as said third and fourth arms move through a position wherein said eighth axis, said point remote from said seventh and eighth axes and the point of connection between said other spring and said third arm all lie in a common straight line whereby said other spring also acts with an ''''overcenter effect'''' to reverse the restoring torque applied to said third and fourth arms.
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) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |