Patent FR768497A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3813953A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3813953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Linear to linear motion apparatus including a bidirectional spring clutch having means to inhibit automatic shifting
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-27
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A linear to linear motion apparatus utilizing an output member slidably mounted on a shaft with an input member of circular cross section journalled therein, an elongated rack running through the output member parallel to the shaft and geared to the input member, and a bidirectional spring clutch controlling the relative motion of the input and output members. The clutch comprises a pair of left-hand wound helical springs, oppositely coiled on respective aligned surfaces of the input and output members, controlled by a shifter sleeve, and a third helical spring coiled on the shifter sleeve and an adjoining surface of the output member for inhibiting the automatic shifting of the sleeve. The rack can be run through the output member unidirectionally in either direction, or locked to the output member for advancing it unidirectionally in either direction, as determined by the state of the clutch.
Inventors
- 👤 E Wojtowicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:34
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H27/00; F16H27/02; B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18088; Y10T74/18568; Y10T74/188; Y10T74/18808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A linear to linear motion apparatus comprising: a housing mounted for free linear movement in either direction; a drive member rotatably journalled in said housing, the axis of rotation being orthogonal to said linear movement; an elongated toothed member slidably mounted in said housing and orthogonally geared to said drive member; and means for controlling the rotation in either direction and nonrotation of said drive member with respect to said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A linear to linear motion apparatus comprising: a housing mounted for free linear movement in either direction; a drive member rotatably journalled in said housing, the axis of rotation being orthogonal to said linear movement; an elongated toothed member slidably mounted in said housing and orthogonally geared to said drive member; and means for controlling the rotation in either direction and nonrotation of said drive member with respect to said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The linear to linear motion apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controlling means is a bidirectional clutch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The linear to linear motion apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bidirectional clutch includes a pair of helical springs coiled on respective adjoining surfaces of said drive member and said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The linear to linear motion apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive member and said housing have a plurality of abutting surfaces of circular cross section and wherein said controlling means includes a pair of helical springs coiled on respective ones of said abutting surfaces in opposed relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The linear to linear motion apparatus of claim 4 wherein said controlling means also includes reciprocable means slidably mounted on said housing and wherein said pair of springs are like wound and oppositely coiled on said respective abutting surfaces with one end of each of said springs being captured in said reciprocable means for engaging one spring and disengaging the other spring by the shifting of said reciprocable means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The linear to linear motion apparatus of claim 5 wherein said reciprocable means is a control sleeve journalled on the surfaces of said housing, said sleeve having short slots therein for receiving said captured ends and wherein the other ends of said springs are imbedded in said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The linear to linear motion apparatus of claim 6 wherein said control sleeve is biased for engagement of one of said springs and disengagement of the other and wherein said controlling means also includes means for shifting said control sleeve against bias.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The linear to linear motion apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control sleeve and said housing also having abutting surfaces of circular cross section and wherein said controlling means also includes a third helical spring coiled on said abutting surfaces of said sleeve and said housing for inhibiting the return of said control sleeve under bias from its shifted position when said third helical spring is engaged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The linear to linear apparatus of claim 8 wherein said controlling means also includes means for normally holding said third spring disengaged and said controlling of means further includes means for releasing said holding means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
The linear to linear apparatus of claim 9 also including means for limiting the excursion of said housing in each direction and wherein said controlling means also includes means interacting with said limiting means at one end of said excursion for automatically first actuating said releasing means and then activating said shifting means and for interacting with said limiting means at the other end of said excursion for first deactivating said shifting means and then reactivating said holding means.
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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) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |