US3841171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Support for flexible control device
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1973-08-28
•
Granted: 1974-10-15
•
Expires: 1993-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A flexible push-pull control device having portions of the ball separators removed to receive structural support members for supporting the load carrying element. The structural support members are secured to the end anchor pieces and extend down along the sides of the load carrying member at the end regions of the flexible control device.
Inventors
- 👤 D Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/10; F16C1/20; F16C1/26; F16C1/28; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/2042; Y10T74/20426; Y10T74/20444
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
In a flexible push-pull device, adapted to transmit a control from a driver at one end to a driven member at the other end, having a flexible housing; a load carrying member within the housing; said load carrying member including means forming a central race, a pair of outer race strips positioned adjacent said load carrying member; anchor members at the ends of the control device for securing said outer race strips within the housing; said anchor members having a channel therebetween for the passage of the load carrying member; a plurality of roller balls positioned on opposite sides of the load carrying member, between the load carrying member and the outer race strips; a ball separator positioned between the load carrying member and each of the outer race strips; wherein movement of the load carrying member within said housing leaves a portion at the ends of the control device unsupported by the balls and outer race strips; a support for the unsupported end portion of the load carrying member: comprising a pair of structural support members attached to each of said anchor members and extending a predetermined distance along the sides of said load carrying member adjacent the ends of the control device; each of said structural support members having a projection thereon positioned adjacent the load carrying member between the load carrying member and the outer race strip; said ball separators having cut away portions adapted to receive said support member projections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
In a flexible push-pull device, adapted to transmit a control from a driver at one end to a driven member at the other end, having a flexible housing; a load carrying member within the housing; said load carrying member including means forming a central race, a pair of outer race strips positioned adjacent said load carrying member; anchor members at the ends of the control device for securing said outer race strips within the housing; said anchor members having a channel therebetween for the passage of the load carrying member; a plurality of roller balls positioned on opposite sides of the load carrying member, between the load carrying member and the outer race strips; a ball separator positioned between the load carrying member and each of the outer race strips; wherein movement of the load carrying member within said housing leaves a portion at the ends of the control device unsupported by the balls and outer race strips; a support for the unsupported end portion of the load carrying member: comprising a pair of structural support members attached to each of said anchor members and extending a predetermined distance along the sides of said load carrying member adjacent the ends of the control device; each of said structural support members having a projection thereon positioned adjacent the load carrying member between the load carrying member and the outer race strip; said ball separators having cut away portions adapted to receive said support member projections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the projections on the structural support members extend part way between the load carrying member and the outer race strips; said ball separators having portions extending between the projections on the structural support members and the outer race strips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the projections on the structural support members extend substantially from the load carrying member to the outer race strips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said structural support members are separate elements keyed to the anchor members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3128637A
Cited
US3509782A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |