Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
Linear motion transfer apparatus having an elongated tubular structure (1) formed with a longitudinal slit (10); a force accepting element (4,) longitudinally slidably located within the tubular structure (1); a force transfer element (11) coupled to the force accepting element (4), longitudinally movable with the tubular structure, guide track means (15,16) formed on the outside of the elongated tubular structure; an external guide element (17, 170) located outside of the tubular structure guided for reciprocating movement in the guide track means (15, 16, 45) and, at least in part, fitting yokelike about a portion of the circumference of the tubular structure; and comprising, in accordance with the invention bearing means (18) disposed between the guide element (17, 170) and the force transfer element (11) for coupling the force transfer element (11) to the guide element (17, 170) for conjoint longitudinal movement along the elongated tubular structure upon application of force to one of said force transfer element (4) and said guide element, one of which elements extends through the slit (10), said bearing means (18) permitting limited rotary movement between the external guide element (17) guided in said guide track means and the force transfer element ((11)0 within the tubular structure for independent alignment of the guide element (17) on the guide track means, and of the force transfer element (11) in the tubular structure (1).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
Linear motion transfer apparatus having an elongated tubular structure (1) formed with a longitudinal slit (10); a force accepting element (4,) longitudinally slidably located within the tubular structure (1); a force transfer element (11) coupled to the force accepting element (4), longitudinally movable with the tubular structure, guide track means (15,16) formed on the outside of the elongated tubular structure; an external guide element (17, 170) located outside of the tubular structure guided for reciprocating movement in the guide track means (15, 16, 45) and, at least in part, fitting yokelike about a portion of the circumference of the tubular structure; and comprising, in accordance with the invention bearing means (18) disposed between the guide element (17, 170) and the force transfer element (11) for coupling the force transfer element (11) to the guide element (17, 170) for conjoint longitudinal movement along the elongated tubular structure upon application of force to one of said force transfer element (4) and said guide element, one of which elements extends through the slit (10), said bearing means (18) permitting limited rotary movement between the external guide element (17) guided in said guide track means and the force transfer element ((11)0 within the tubular structure for independent alignment of the guide element (17) on the guide track means, and of the force transfer element (11) in the tubular structure (1).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bearing means (18) is located outside the tubular structure (1).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the force transfer element (11) extends through and is guided on the side walls of the longitudinal slit (10).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the force transfer element (11) includes guide structures which are supported in a sliding engagement with the side walls of the longitudinal slit (10).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the force transfer element (11) includes guide structures which are supported in rolling engagement with the side walls of the longitudinal slit (10).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bearing means (18) has at least one bearing axis (19) extending at essentially right angle to the axis (13) of the tubular structure and in the central plane (14) of the longitudinal slit, the force element (11) and the guide element (17, 170) being rotatable relative to one another to a limited extent about the bearing axis (19).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the bearing means (18) has a circular bearing part (22, 220) joined to one of the force transfer element (11) and the guide element (17, 170), and rotatably engaging a corresponding bearing cup (24) of the respective other element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the force transfer element (11) and the guide element (17, 170) are connected to one another at the bearing means (18) such that they are displaceable relative to one another to a limited extent in the direction of the bearing axis (19).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cylindrical bearing part (22, 220) is supported in the bearing cup (24) such as to be displaceable to a limited extent in the direction of the bearing axis (19).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a flexible elongated sealing element (30, 27) sealingly positioned to close the slit in regions between end portions of the elongated tubular structure and the force accepting element (4), while permitting longitudinal movement of the force accepting element within the elongated tubular structure, and sealingly re-engage to close the slit in zones behind the force accepting element as it moves longitudinally.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the flexible elongated sealing element (30) extends above the bearing (18) and is guided through the guide element (17).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a covering (40) for the elongated sealing element (30) is mounted upon the guide element (170).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide element (170) is rigidly connected to a slider (46) longitudinally guided on the outside of the tubular structure (1), the slider being disposed on the underside of the tubular structure (1) remote from the longitudinal slit (10).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a scale (42) is provided and is disposed on the outside of the tubular structure (1) in the vicinity of the longitudinal slit (10), the scale (42) cooperating with the guide element (170) or an element (40) connected therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one longitudinally extending reinforcement element (45) is provided and is disposed on the tubular structure (1) beside the longitudinal slit (10).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the force accepting element is a piston (4) sealed off with respect to the inner wall of the tubular structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the piston (4) has a tube segment (5) connected to the force transfer element (11), into which tube segment one coaxial piston part (6) bearing sealing devices (8) is inserted at each end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the force accepting element is a spindle nut (50), which is seated on a threaded spindle (500), which in turn is rotatably supported in end elements (3) disposed at the ends on the tubular structure (1) and can be coupled with a drive source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an external guide system, oriented parallel to the cylinder axis (13), is provided, associated with the tubular structure (1), the external guide system having a guided element (45a) connected to one of the force transfer element (11) and the guide element (17, 170).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the force transfer element (11) is guided on the sidewall of the longitudinal slit (10) and the bearing means (18) has a bearing axis (19) extending at essentially right angles to the axis (13) of the tubular structure and located in the central plane (14) of the longitudinal slit; and wherein the force transfer element (11) and the guide element (17, 170) are rotatable relative to another to a limited extent about the bearing axis to provide for said independent alignment of the guide element on the guide track means and of the force transfer element (11) in the slit.