Pivotal mechanism upon which tracking mirrors and the like used in optical systems may be mounted

Claim 1

An improved flexural mechanism for pivoting a first object a few degrees plus or minus about an axis of rotation comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart base sections lying in a first plane; a mounting surface lying in a second plane; and a plurality of flex arm pairs coupling said base sections to said mounting surface, each of said pairs comprising a first flex arm extending from a first of said base sections to said mounting surface, and a second flex arm extending from a second of said base sections to said mounting surface, said axis of rotation passing through a point where said first and second flex arms, or the extensions thereof, appear to cross when said mechanism is viewed from an end thereof; said base sections, mounting surface, and flex arm pairs being characterized as initially forming part of an integral sheet of flexible material, which material has a pattern placed therein that defines the size, shape, and location of said base sections, mounting surface, and flex arm pairs; said base sections being affixed to a suitable base material, and said first object being affixed to said mounting surface; whereby if one of said base material or first object is held stationary, the other of said base material or first object may be selectively pivoted a few degrees plus or minus about said axis of rotation.