US4277044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical counterbalance
Assignee: Leica Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1979-09-07
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Granted: 1981-07-07
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Expires: 1999-09-07
Abstract
Abstract An instrument supporting arm is consistently uniformly counterbalanced over its entire excursion of adjustment with springs and spring holder guided by cams which alter arm length-to-moment ratio and force angles to compensate for spring extension forces.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Duane Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/20; F16M11/2007; F16M11/2035; F16M11/2064; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A mechanism for counterbalancing a distally loaded object carrying arm which is proximally pivoted upon a support therefor, said mechanism comprising: an extension of said arm having thereon a first cam disposed oppositely of said distal loading of said arm; a first cam follower engaging said first cam; a second cam fixed to said support for said arm; a second cam follower engaging said second cam; means carrying said first and second cam followers; spring means having one end fixed to said support and an opposite end connected to said carrying means; said first cam and first follower being constructed and arranged to effect extension of said spring means when said distal end of said arm is lowered and vice versa; and said second cam and second follower being constructed and arranged to simultaneously move said opposite end of said spring means toward the location of proximal pivoting of said arm when said distal end of said arm is lowered and vice versa; whereby arm length-to-moment ratio and spring force angle are altered to compensate spring extension forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A mechanism for counterbalancing a distally loaded object carrying arm which is proximally pivoted upon a support therefor, said mechanism comprising: an extension of said arm having thereon a first cam disposed oppositely of said distal loading of said arm; a first cam follower engaging said first cam; a second cam fixed to said support for said arm; a second cam follower engaging said second cam; means carrying said first and second cam followers; spring means having one end fixed to said support and an opposite end connected to said carrying means; said first cam and first follower being constructed and arranged to effect extension of said spring means when said distal end of said arm is lowered and vice versa; and said second cam and second follower being constructed and arranged to simultaneously move said opposite end of said spring means toward the location of proximal pivoting of said arm when said distal end of said arm is lowered and vice versa; whereby arm length-to-moment ratio and spring force angle are altered to compensate spring extension forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 including means for adjusting the tension of said spring means independently of said extension thereof by said first cam surface and follower.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said means carrying said first and second cam followers includes a rod and said adjusting means includes a bolt connecting said opposite end of said spring means to said rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said first cam surface is substantially linear and said second cam provides a non-linear path along which said second follower moves to ring said spring means toward said location of said pivoting of said arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
201 words
A mechanism for counterbalancing a distally loaded bifurcated object carrying arm which is proximally pivoted upon a support therefor, said mechanism comprising: an extension of each bifurcation of said arm having thereon a first cam disposed oppositely of said distal loading of said arm; a first cam follower engaging said first cams; a second cam including a pair of cam components, one fixed to said support for said arm adjacent each of said first cam surfaces; a second cam follower engaging each of said pair of fixed cam components; means carrying said first and second cam follower; spring means having one end fixed to said support and an opposite ends connected to said carrying means; said first cams and first followers being constructed and arranged to effect extension of said spring means when said distal end of said arm is lowered and vice versa; and said second cams and second followers being constructed and arranged to simultaneously move said opposite end of said spring means toward the location of proximal pivoting of said arm when said distal end of said arm is lowered and vice versa; whereby arm length-to-moment ratio and spring force angle are altered to compensate spring extension forces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
A mechanism for counterbalancing a distally loaded bifurcated object carrying arm which is proximally pivoted upon a support therefor, said mechanism comprising: an extension of each bifurcation of said arm having thereon a first cam disposed oppositely of said distal loading of said arm; a first cam follower engaging said first cams; a second cam including a pair of cam components, one fixed to said support for said arm adjacent each of said first cam surfaces; a second cam follower engaging each of said pair of fixed cam components; means carrying said first and second cam follower; spring means having one end fixed to said support and an opposite ends connected to said carrying means; said first cams and first followers being constructed and arranged to effect extension of said spring means when said distal end of said arm is lowered and vice versa; and said second cams and second followers being constructed and arranged to simultaneously move said opposite end of said spring means toward the location of proximal pivoting of said arm when said distal end of said arm is lowered and vice versa; whereby arm length-to-moment ratio and spring force angle are altered to compensate spring extension forces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said means carrying said cam followers includes a rod having one of each of said first and second followers rotatably mounted upon each end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said spring means includes a plurality of tension springs connected to said rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said connection of said springs to said rod is accomplished with a threaded bolt in each case.
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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) | 1984-07-06 | 1985-01-05 | 1985-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-06 | 1989-01-05 | 1989-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-06 | 1993-01-05 | 1993-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |