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US4787263A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Automatic self-adjusting cable system

Assignee: FKI Industries Inc
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Filing: 1987-03-23
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2007-03-23
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Abstract

Abstract An automatic self-adjusting cable system comprising first, second and third cables, each including a conduit and a strand extending through the conduit. A self adjusting mechanism is provided and includes a housing, an inner member movable axially relative to the housing and a clutch between the housing and the member comprising a plurality of collet members which are movable radially and longitudinally and surround the member to cause teeth on the collets to disengage and engage teeth on the axially movable member. A spring extends between the collet housing and the conduit of the first cable. The strand of the first cable is connected to the movable member of the collet assembly. The strand of the first cable extends through the inner member of the collet clutch and is attached to the strand of the third cable. The strand of the second cable is connected to the collet housing. When a load is applied to the strand of the first cable, the strand tends to move toward the collet housing. The resisting force created by the second and third cables causes the collets to be forced into locking position to sustain the load. If there is slack in the system, the spring exerts force between the collet housing and the first conduit until a balance of force occurs, the collets moving out of engagement with the movable member until the slack is removed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Miroslav Jaksic

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 02:49
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T11/00; B60T11/04; B60T11/06; F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/10; F16C1/22; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/01; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20408; Y10T74/2045

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 224 words
An automatic self-adjusting cable system comprising first, second and third cables, each including a conduit and a strand extending through the conduit, wherein the first strand is the actuator strand and the second strand and third strand are connected to devices to be actuated, a housing, a member movable axially relative to the housing, and a clutch between the housing and the member comprising a plurality of collet members which are movable radially and longitudinally and surround the member, a spring extending between the collet housing and the first conduit, said housing being attached to the strand of the second cable, said inner member being attached to the third strand, such that when a load is applied to the strand of the first cable, the strand tends to move toward the collet housing, the resisting force created by the second and third cables causing the collets to be forced into locking position to sustain the load, and when there is slack in the system, the spring exerts force on the housing moving the collets out of engagement with the member until the slack is removed and a balance of force occurs and the collets re-engage the inner member, said compression spring surrounding a portion of said first conduit and said first strand, a pair of flexible strands connecting said housing and the second strand.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 224 words
An automatic self-adjusting cable system comprising first, second and third cables, each including a conduit and a strand extending through the conduit, wherein the first strand is the actuator strand and the second strand and third strand are connected to devices to be actuated, a housing, a member movable axially relative to the housing, and a clutch between the housing and the member comprising a plurality of collet members which are movable radially and longitudinally and surround the member, a spring extending between the collet housing and the first conduit, said housing being attached to the strand of the second cable, said inner member being attached to the third strand, such that when a load is applied to the strand of the first cable, the strand tends to move toward the collet housing, the resisting force created by the second and third cables causing the collets to be forced into locking position to sustain the load, and when there is slack in the system, the spring exerts force on the housing moving the collets out of engagement with the member until the slack is removed and a balance of force occurs and the collets re-engage the inner member, said compression spring surrounding a portion of said first conduit and said first strand, a pair of flexible strands connecting said housing and the second strand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 204 words
An automatic self-adjusting cable system comprising first, second and third cables, each including a conduit and a strand extending through the conduit, wherein the first strand is the actuator strand and the second strand and third strand are connected to be actuated, a housing, a member movable axially relative to the housing, and a clutch between the housing and the member comprising a plurality of collet members which are movable radially and longitudinally and surround the member, a spring extending between the collet housing and the first conduit, said housing being attached to the strand of the second cable, said inner member being attached to the third strand, such that when a load is applied to the strand of the first cable, the strand tends to move toward the collet housing, the resisting force created by the second and third cables causing the collets to be forced into locking position to sustain the load, and when there is slack in the system, the spring exerts force on the housing moving the collets out of engagement with the member until the slack is removed and a balance of force occurs and the collets re-engage the inner member, means connecting said housing and said second strand.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 204 words
An automatic self-adjusting cable system comprising first, second and third cables, each including a conduit and a strand extending through the conduit, wherein the first strand is the actuator strand and the second strand and third strand are connected to be actuated, a housing, a member movable axially relative to the housing, and a clutch between the housing and the member comprising a plurality of collet members which are movable radially and longitudinally and surround the member, a spring extending between the collet housing and the first conduit, said housing being attached to the strand of the second cable, said inner member being attached to the third strand, such that when a load is applied to the strand of the first cable, the strand tends to move toward the collet housing, the resisting force created by the second and third cables causing the collets to be forced into locking position to sustain the load, and when there is slack in the system, the spring exerts force on the housing moving the collets out of engagement with the member until the slack is removed and a balance of force occurs and the collets re-engage the inner member, means connecting said housing and said second strand.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB1264777A Cited
US4344518A Cited
US4548093A Cited
US4690262A Cited
US4669330A Cited
US4631975A Cited
US4603752A Cited
US4598809A Cited
GB2176861A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-11-29 1992-05-30 1992-11-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-11-29 1996-05-30 1996-11-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-11-29 2000-05-30 2000-11-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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