US3874491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Omnidirectional roller assembly
Assignee: Gouvernement de la Republique Francaise
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Filing: 1972-01-18
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1992-01-18
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is a table having a plane work surface over which the flat surface of objects may be readily moved in any direction. The upper surface of the table has U channel members between which there are located rotatable bodies which bear thereon rotary rollers individually rotatable about axes normal to the axes of rotation of the bodies. The rollers have load engaging surfaces conforming to part of the surface of a sphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Jacques Faure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:19
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G13/00; B65G13/08; B65G13/10; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
An omnidirectional roller assembly which enables relative movement of a plane surface in contact therewith in any optional direction in or parallel to the palne of contact of said surface and assembly, said roller assembly comprising: a support member; a main body member; a shaft and bearing means mounting said main body member on said support member for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said main body member; and a plurality of substantially identical rotary members rotatably mounted on said main body member, each rotary member having a bearing surface for contacting said plane surface, said bearing surface being a portion of an imaginary sphere centered on the intersection of the axes of rotation of the rotary member and said main body member, said portion of said sphere being defined between two spaced apart planes substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rotary member and cutting said sphere; wherein said rotary members are arranged in at least two adjacent groups on said main body member, each group comprising the same number of rotary members, and wherein within each group the axes of rotation of said rotary members are all coincident at the axis of rotation of said main body member, the axes of rotation of the rotary members in any given group being spaced from each other at substantially equal angular intervals about the axis of rotation of said main body member; the spherical radius of the bearing surfaces of each rotaRy means of each group being such that, in an imaginary circular cylindrical surface having a radius equal to the spherical radius of said bearing surfaces and having its axis coincident with the rotational axis of said main body member, substantially any straight line in the cylindrical surface lying parallel to the axis of the cylindrical surface is tangential to at least one of said bearing surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
An omnidirectional roller assembly which enables relative movement of a plane surface in contact therewith in any optional direction in or parallel to the palne of contact of said surface and assembly, said roller assembly comprising: a support member; a main body member; a shaft and bearing means mounting said main body member on said support member for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said main body member; and a plurality of substantially identical rotary members rotatably mounted on said main body member, each rotary member having a bearing surface for contacting said plane surface, said bearing surface being a portion of an imaginary sphere centered on the intersection of the axes of rotation of the rotary member and said main body member, said portion of said sphere being defined between two spaced apart planes substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rotary member and cutting said sphere; wherein said rotary members are arranged in at least two adjacent groups on said main body member, each group comprising the same number of rotary members, and wherein within each group the axes of rotation of said rotary members are all coincident at the axis of rotation of said main body member, the axes of rotation of the rotary members in any given group being spaced from each other at substantially equal angular intervals about the axis of rotation of said main body member; the spherical radius of the bearing surfaces of each rotaRy means of each group being such that, in an imaginary circular cylindrical surface having a radius equal to the spherical radius of said bearing surfaces and having its axis coincident with the rotational axis of said main body member, substantially any straight line in the cylindrical surface lying parallel to the axis of the cylindrical surface is tangential to at least one of said bearing surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The omnidirectional roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of rotary members are substantially uniformly spaced apart on said main body member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The omnidirectional roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of rotary members are arranged in at least two adjacent groups, each group comprising three of said rotary members, the axes of rotation of said three members in each group being spaced apart approximately 120* from each other and offset approximately 60* from the corresponding axes of rotation of the members of the adjacent group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The omnidirectional roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of rotary members are arranged in at least three adjacent groups, each group comprising two of said rotary members, the axes of rotation of said two members in each group being spaced apart approximately 180* from each other and offset approximately 60* from the corresponding axes of rotation of the members of the next adjacent group.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein said main body member has a hexagonal cross-section, said plurality of rotary members being mounted on corresponding planar surfaces of said hexagonally shaped main body member.
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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |