Patent US5814061A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4790294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ball-and-socket bead endoscope steering section
Assignee: Waygate Technologies USA LP
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Filing: 1987-07-28
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Granted: 1988-12-13
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Expires: 2007-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A steering section for an endoscope or borescope employs a plurality of steering cables that pass through peripheral bores of axially aligned flat washers. Pairs of beads are strung on the cables between the washers to define hinge points for the bending of the steering section. Each pair of beads include a spherical-nose ball bead and a countersunk socket bead. A through-passage in the ball bead has a relatively narrow nose portion with a small clearance with respect to the steering cable, and a tapered or countersunk portion that expands basewards and prevents the spacer bead from binding the cable. The axial bores in the washers are tapered out fore and aft from a relatively narrow waist portion so that the cable touches the washer only at a single point. Limiter beads of about half the thickness of the spacing between washers limit the bending of the steering section.
Inventors
- 👤 Jimmie B. Allred, III
- 👤 Richard Bingham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0055; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of the viewing head and including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned generally flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough pairs of which are generally diametrically disposed, a plurality of steering cables passing through respective axially aligned peripheral bores of said washers, and pairs of spacer beads disposed at the locations of at least certain ones of said steering cables and serving to define bending locations for said steering section such that displacement of one opposed pair of the steering cables results in bending of the steering section; the improvement wherein said pairs of spacer beads include a ball bead and a socket bead, respectively having a convex surface and a concave surface in sliding contact relative to one another, and each having a relatively flat surface disposed against an associated one of said washers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of the viewing head and including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned generally flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough pairs of which are generally diametrically disposed, a plurality of steering cables passing through respective axially aligned peripheral bores of said washers, and pairs of spacer beads disposed at the locations of at least certain ones of said steering cables and serving to define bending locations for said steering section such that displacement of one opposed pair of the steering cables results in bending of the steering section; the improvement wherein said pairs of spacer beads include a ball bead and a socket bead, respectively having a convex surface and a concave surface in sliding contact relative to one another, and each having a relatively flat surface disposed against an associated one of said washers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 1 wherein said socket bead has an axial through passage that is on the order of three times the cable diameter, so that said socket bead remains out of contact with the associated steering cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 1 in which said ball bead has a tapered axial through passage that is flared in the direction towards the associated washer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 1 wherein each said pair of beads touches the associated control cable at a single point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 1 wherein for each said control cable said pairs of spacer beads are disposed in alternate spaces between said washers, and together define a predetermined spacing between said successive washers; and further comprising limiter beads slidably disposed on said control cables in at least certain ones of the remaining spaces to limit the bending of the steering section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 5 wherein said limiter beads have an axial thickness substantially one-half the predetermined spacing between successive washers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 6 wherein said limiter beads have an axial through-passage that is flared out from a medial portion thereof towards both of the associated washers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 1 wherein said peripheral bores of the washers are flared out both axially fore and aft from a medial waist portion, so that the associated cable passing therethrough contacts the washer only at said waist portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 8 wherein said waist portion has a diameter on the order of one and one-half times the diameter of the steering cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of the viewing head and including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned generally flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough pairs of which are generally diametrically disposed, a plurality of steering cables passing through respective axially aligned peripheral bores of said washers, and pairs of spacer beads disposed at the locations of at least certain ones of said steering cables and serving to define bending locations for said steering section such that displacement of one opposed pair of the steering cables results in bending of the steering section; and wherein for each said control cable said pairs of beads are disposed in alternate spaces between successive washers and together define a predetermined spacing between said successive washers; the improvement wherein limiter beads are slidably disposed on said control cables in at least certain ones of the remaining spaces to limit the bending of the steering section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of the viewing head and including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned generally flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough pairs of which are generally diametrically disposed, a plurality of steering cables passing through respective axially aligned peripheral bores of said washers, and pairs of spacer beads disposed at the locations of at least certain ones of said steering cables and serving to define bending locations for said steering section such that displacement of one opposed pair of the steering cables results in bending of the steering section; and wherein for each said control cable said pairs of beads are disposed in alternate spaces between successive washers and together define a predetermined spacing between said successive washers; the improvement wherein limiter beads are slidably disposed on said control cables in at least certain ones of the remaining spaces to limit the bending of the steering section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 10, wherein said limiter beads have an axial thickness substantially one-half the predetermined spacing between successive washers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 10, wherein said limiter beads have an axial through passage that is flared out from a medial portion thereof towards both of the associated washers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 10 wherein said peripheral bores of the washers are flared out both axially fore and aft from a medial waist portion that has a diameter on the order of about one and one-half times the steering cable diameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 12 in which the flared axial through passages of the limiter beads have an included angle of substantially ninety degrees.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of the viewing head and including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned generally flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough pairs of which are generally diametrically disposed, a plurality of steering cables passing through respective axially aligned peripheral bores of said washers, and pairs of spacer beads disposed at the locations of at least certain ones of said steering cables and serving to define bending locations for said steering section such that displacement of one opposed pair of the steering cables results in bending of the steering section; the improvement wherein the peripheral bores of the washers are flared out both axially fore and aft from a medial waist portion, so that the associated cable passing therethrough contacts the washer only at said waist portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a steerable endoscope or borescope of the type having a viewing head, a cable-bendable steering section proximally of the viewing head and including a flexible sheath, a plurality of axially aligned generally flat washers each having a central passage and a plurality of peripheral bores therethrough pairs of which are generally diametrically disposed, a plurality of steering cables passing through respective axially aligned peripheral bores of said washers, and pairs of spacer beads disposed at the locations of at least certain ones of said steering cables and serving to define bending locations for said steering section such that displacement of one opposed pair of the steering cables results in bending of the steering section; the improvement wherein the peripheral bores of the washers are flared out both axially fore and aft from a medial waist portion, so that the associated cable passing therethrough contacts the washer only at said waist portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 15 wherein said medial waist portion is generally cylindrical and said bore has fore and aft frustoconic portions extending from the waist portion to outer surfaces of the washer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 15 wherein said bore is smoothly curved such that the control cable makes rolling contact therewith as said steering section is bent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The steerable endoscope of claim 17 wherein said bore is substantially toroidal.
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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) | 1991-12-13 | 1992-06-13 | 1992-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-13 | 1996-06-13 | 1996-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-13 | 2000-06-13 | 2000-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |