US4116548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable support
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1977-03-02
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1997-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for supporting an instrument which provides finger-tip adjustment in two or three directions is described. Torsional springs are used to counterbalance the instrument weight. An interconnected linkage arrangement permits vertical motion and horizontal motion in one direction. Horizontal motion in the other direction is obtained by axially sliding the instrument frame along shafts extending between pivot points of the interconnected linkage. An optional feature for ophthalmic instruments includes a mechanism for alternatively shifting the instrument in a horizontal direction between first and second chosen positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Staffan B. Persson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:39
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q11/00; B23Q11/001; B23Q11/0017; B23Q11/0025; A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/0075; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/44; B23Q1/50; B23Q1/54; B23Q1/5468; B23Q1/5481; F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/02; F16F15/04; F16F15/06; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/043; F16M11/045; F16M11/046; F16M11/18; G; G12; G12B; G12B5/00; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for providing adjustment from a normal vertical position and a normal horizontal position of a device which comprises: a support member, a plurality of interconnected first and second link members, each of said first and second links having a pair of parallel pivot axes, one pivot axis of each first link and one pivot axis of the interconnected second link being a common pivot axis interconnecting said first and second links, each of said second links being connected to said support at the other second link pivot axis, a frame member for supporting said device pivotably connected to each of said first links at the other first link pivot axis, a rigid member connecting each said common pivot axis for maintaining parallelinity between said support member and said frame member, torsion means connected to a link for substantially counterbalancing said device at said normal vertical position and positioning means connected to said support for selectively moving said device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for providing adjustment from a normal vertical position and a normal horizontal position of a device which comprises: a support member, a plurality of interconnected first and second link members, each of said first and second links having a pair of parallel pivot axes, one pivot axis of each first link and one pivot axis of the interconnected second link being a common pivot axis interconnecting said first and second links, each of said second links being connected to said support at the other second link pivot axis, a frame member for supporting said device pivotably connected to each of said first links at the other first link pivot axis, a rigid member connecting each said common pivot axis for maintaining parallelinity between said support member and said frame member, torsion means connected to a link for substantially counterbalancing said device at said normal vertical position and positioning means connected to said support for selectively moving said device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there are 4 first links and 4 second links and said first links are upper links and said second links are lower links.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the pivot axes of each of said upper and lower links are spaced the same distance apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said torsion means includes a coil spring urging a second link upwardly and a coil spring urging a first link downwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said torsion means urges interconnected first and second links.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a shaft extends along each common pivot axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a shaft extends along a pivot axis of each interconnected first and second link and one of said members is axially slideable along said shaft to provide an additional direction of horizontal adjustment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the device is an ophthalmic instrument.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the device is an ophthalmic instrument and further includes shift means for moving said instrument alternately between two positions spaced along said shafts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said shift means is carried by said device and is connected to said positioning means to enable adjustment of said device in each of the two positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3075736A
Cited
US3475075A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |