Patent US3796292A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3796292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering system
Assignee: Nemo Corp
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Filing: 1972-04-13
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-04-13
Abstract
Abstract Steering system includes a single push-pull element which is moved linearly in either direction by rotation of a drive element to provide either a pushing or pulling force at the output. Releasable brake elements restrain the drive element against rotation in either direction when external forces are applied to the output thereby preventing undesirable movements at the output. However, the operator is free to rotate the drive element by turning an input shaft which releases the brake elements during rotation thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 R Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:02
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H25/00; B63H25/06; B63H25/08; B63H25/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20213; Y10T74/20232; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A steering system comprising a sprocket drive element, means for rotating said sprocket drive element, a chain engaging said sprocket drive element whereby rotation of said sprocket drive element causes linear movement of said chain, and a housing containing a guideway for said chain which confines the movement of said chain in all directions other than push or pull so that both a pushing force and a pulling force may be applied by said chain, said sprocket drive element being contained within a relatively small diameter cylindrical housing portion adapted to extend through an opening in a mounting support, and a nut threaded onto said cylindrical housing portion extending through such opening for clamping said cylindrical housing portion to such mounting support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A steering system comprising a sprocket drive element, means for rotating said sprocket drive element, a chain engaging said sprocket drive element whereby rotation of said sprocket drive element causes linear movement of said chain, and a housing containing a guideway for said chain which confines the movement of said chain in all directions other than push or pull so that both a pushing force and a pulling force may be applied by said chain, said sprocket drive element being contained within a relatively small diameter cylindrical housing portion adapted to extend through an opening in a mounting support, and a nut threaded onto said cylindrical housing portion extending through such opening for clamping said cylindrical housing portion to such mounting support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The steering system of claim 1 wherein said housing consists of two parts each containing a groove which cooperate to define said guideway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The steering system of claim 1 wherein a portion of said housing also contains said sprocket drive element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The steering system of claim 1 wherein said guide-way is of a generally U-shape and is open at one end for connection of a sheathed cable to one end of said chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The steering system of claim 1 further comprising releasable brake means for restraining said sprocket drive element against rotation when an external force is applied to said chain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The steering system of claim 5 wherein said means for rotating said sprocket drive element comprises an input shaft conneCted to said sprocket drive element, and means for releasing said releasable brake means during rotation of said input shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A steering system comprising a sprocket drive element, means for rotating said sprocket drive element, a chain engaging said sprocket drive element whereby rotation of said sprocket drive element causes linear movement of said chain, and a housing containing a guideway for said chain which confines the movement of said chain in all directions other than push or pull so that both a pushing force and a pulling force may be applied by said chain, and a cable adaptor received in said one end of said guideway for connecting the sheath of said cable to said housing, said cable connector also acting as a stop preventing removal of said chain from said one end of said guideway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
A steering system comprising a sprocket drive element, means for rotating said sprocket drive element, a chain engaging said sprocket drive element whereby rotation of said sprocket drive element causes linear movement of said chain, and a housing containing a guideway for said chain which confines the movement of said chain in all directions other than push or pull so that both a pushing force and a pulling force may be applied by said chain, and a cable adaptor received in said one end of said guideway for connecting the sheath of said cable to said housing, said cable connector also acting as a stop preventing removal of said chain from said one end of said guideway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The steering system of claim 7 wherein the other end of said guideway is also open and contains a cap which acts as a stop preventing removal of said chain from said other end of said guideway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
276 words
A steering system comprising a sprocket drive element, means for rotating said sprocket drive element, a chain engaging said sprocket drive element whereby rotation of said sprocket drive element causes linear movement of said chain, and a housing containing a guideway for said chain which confines the movement of said chain in all directions other than push or pull so that both a pushing force and a pulling force may be applied by said chain, and a releasable brake means for restraining said sprocket drive element against rotation when an external force is applied to said chain, said means for rotating said sprocket drive element comprising an input shaft connected to said sprocket drive element, and means for releasing said releasable brake means during rotation of said input shaft, said releasable brake means comprising a pair of coil springs, said coil springs being reversed and frictionally engaging the wall of a housing surrounding said sprocket drive element, one end of said coil springs being connected to said sprocket drive element, and means for engaging the other end of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction and for engaging the other end of the other of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in the opposite direction for winding said coil springs, the winding of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction causing said one coil spring to move out of frictional engagement with the wall of said housing to release said sprocket drive element for rotation in the same direction tending to wind the other coil spring and vice versa.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
276 words
A steering system comprising a sprocket drive element, means for rotating said sprocket drive element, a chain engaging said sprocket drive element whereby rotation of said sprocket drive element causes linear movement of said chain, and a housing containing a guideway for said chain which confines the movement of said chain in all directions other than push or pull so that both a pushing force and a pulling force may be applied by said chain, and a releasable brake means for restraining said sprocket drive element against rotation when an external force is applied to said chain, said means for rotating said sprocket drive element comprising an input shaft connected to said sprocket drive element, and means for releasing said releasable brake means during rotation of said input shaft, said releasable brake means comprising a pair of coil springs, said coil springs being reversed and frictionally engaging the wall of a housing surrounding said sprocket drive element, one end of said coil springs being connected to said sprocket drive element, and means for engaging the other end of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction and for engaging the other end of the other of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in the opposite direction for winding said coil springs, the winding of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction causing said one coil spring to move out of frictional engagement with the wall of said housing to release said sprocket drive element for rotation in the same direction tending to wind the other coil spring and vice versa.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 9 wherein there is a lost-motion connection between said input shaft and drive element permitting sufficient rotation of said input shaft to release one or the other of said coil springs from frictional engagement with the wall of said housing prior to drivingly engaging said drive element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said lost-motion connection comprises a slot in one end of said drive element which receives a flange on said input shaft, said slot being sufficiently wider than said flange to permit the desired relative movement between said input shaft and drive element during initial rotation of said input shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the width of said slot is sufficient to permit approximately 2 to 4* of rotation of said input shaft prior to drivingly engaging said drive element.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
392 words
A system comprising a housing containing a drive element, means for rotating said drive element within said housing, an output member, means for converting rotational movement of said drive element to linear movement of said output member, and a releasable brake means for restraining said drive element against rotation when an external force is applied to said output member, said means for rotating said drive element comprising an input shaft connected to said drive element, and means for releasing said releasable brake means during rotation of said input shaft, said releasable brake means comprising a pair of coil springs, said coil springs being reversed and frictionally engaging the wall of a housing surrounding said drive element, one end of said coil springs being connected to said drive element, and means for engaging the other end of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction and for engaging the other end of the other of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in the opposite direction for winding said coil springs, the winding of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction causing said one coil spring to move out of frictional engagement with the wall of said housing to release said drive element for rotation in the same direction tending to wind the other coil spring and vice versa, and a lost-motion connection between said input shaft and drive element permitting sufficient rotation of said input shaft to release one or the other of said coil springs from frictional engagement with the wall of said housing prior to drivingly engaging said drive element, said lost-motion connection comprising a slot in one end of said drive element which receives a flange on said input shaft, said slot being sufficiently wider than said flange to permit the desired relative movement between said input shaft and drive element during initial rotation of said input shaft, said drive element having a pair of oppositely extending hub portions surrounded by said coil springs and a longitudinal bore therethrough, a transfer shaft freely rotatable in said longitudinal bore, means for rotating said transfer shaft with said input shaft, and means driven by said transfer shaft for winding the coil spring remote from said input shaft during rotation of said input shaft in one direction.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
392 words
A system comprising a housing containing a drive element, means for rotating said drive element within said housing, an output member, means for converting rotational movement of said drive element to linear movement of said output member, and a releasable brake means for restraining said drive element against rotation when an external force is applied to said output member, said means for rotating said drive element comprising an input shaft connected to said drive element, and means for releasing said releasable brake means during rotation of said input shaft, said releasable brake means comprising a pair of coil springs, said coil springs being reversed and frictionally engaging the wall of a housing surrounding said drive element, one end of said coil springs being connected to said drive element, and means for engaging the other end of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction and for engaging the other end of the other of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in the opposite direction for winding said coil springs, the winding of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction causing said one coil spring to move out of frictional engagement with the wall of said housing to release said drive element for rotation in the same direction tending to wind the other coil spring and vice versa, and a lost-motion connection between said input shaft and drive element permitting sufficient rotation of said input shaft to release one or the other of said coil springs from frictional engagement with the wall of said housing prior to drivingly engaging said drive element, said lost-motion connection comprising a slot in one end of said drive element which receives a flange on said input shaft, said slot being sufficiently wider than said flange to permit the desired relative movement between said input shaft and drive element during initial rotation of said input shaft, said drive element having a pair of oppositely extending hub portions surrounded by said coil springs and a longitudinal bore therethrough, a transfer shaft freely rotatable in said longitudinal bore, means for rotating said transfer shaft with said input shaft, and means driven by said transfer shaft for winding the coil spring remote from said input shaft during rotation of said input shaft in one direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said means for rotating said transfer shaft comprises a slot in one end of said transfer shaft which closely receives said flange on said input shaft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said means for winding the coil spring remote from said input shaft comprises a drive dog having a flange thereon closely received in a slot in the other end of said transfer shaft, and a drive dowel extending through said drive dog for engaging one end of said last-mentioned coil spring during rotation of said input shaft in one direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising a transfer shaft adaptor pinned to said drive dog by said drive dowel.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
346 words
A system comprising a housing containing a drive element, means for rotating said drive element within said housing, an output member, means for converting rotational movement of said drive element to linear movement of said output member, and a releasable brake means for restraining said drive element against rotation whan an external force is applied to said output member, said means for rotating said drive element comprising an input shaft connected to said drive element, and means for releasing said releasable brake means during rotation of said input shaft, said releasable brake means comprising a pair of coil springs, said coil springs being reversed and frictionally engaging the wall of a housing surrounding said drive element, one end of said coil springs being connected to said drive element, and means for engaging the other end of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction and for engaging the other end of the other of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in the opposite direction for winding said coil springs, the winding of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction causing said one coil spring to move out of frictional engagement with the wall of said housing to release said drive element for rotation in the same direction tending to wind the other coil spring and vice versa, and a lost-motion connection between said input shaft and drive elEment permitting sufficient rotation of said input shaft to release one or the other of said coil springs from frictional engagement with the wall of said housing prior to drivingly engaging said drive element, said lost-motion connection comprising a slot in one end of said drive element which receives a flange on said input shaft, said slot being sufficiently wider than said flange to permit the desired relative movement between said input shaft and drive element during initial rotation of said input shaft, and a drive dog pinned to the inner end of said input shaft, said drive dog having said flange thereon.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
346 words
A system comprising a housing containing a drive element, means for rotating said drive element within said housing, an output member, means for converting rotational movement of said drive element to linear movement of said output member, and a releasable brake means for restraining said drive element against rotation whan an external force is applied to said output member, said means for rotating said drive element comprising an input shaft connected to said drive element, and means for releasing said releasable brake means during rotation of said input shaft, said releasable brake means comprising a pair of coil springs, said coil springs being reversed and frictionally engaging the wall of a housing surrounding said drive element, one end of said coil springs being connected to said drive element, and means for engaging the other end of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction and for engaging the other end of the other of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in the opposite direction for winding said coil springs, the winding of one of said coil springs during rotation of said input shaft in one direction causing said one coil spring to move out of frictional engagement with the wall of said housing to release said drive element for rotation in the same direction tending to wind the other coil spring and vice versa, and a lost-motion connection between said input shaft and drive elEment permitting sufficient rotation of said input shaft to release one or the other of said coil springs from frictional engagement with the wall of said housing prior to drivingly engaging said drive element, said lost-motion connection comprising a slot in one end of said drive element which receives a flange on said input shaft, said slot being sufficiently wider than said flange to permit the desired relative movement between said input shaft and drive element during initial rotation of said input shaft, and a drive dog pinned to the inner end of said input shaft, said drive dog having said flange thereon.
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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) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |