US4812072A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torsion structural pivot
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1988-03-11
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Granted: 1989-03-14
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Expires: 2008-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A structural pivot 10 includes a first end cap 18 and a second end cap 20 which are connected together by an elastic member 22 in the form of a cruciform. The structural pivot 10 does not exhibit a geometric center shift when one of the end caps is angularly deflected.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Brooks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:56
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/005; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/54; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A structural pivot that substantially eliminates the geometric center shift of its rotating members, said pivot comprising: a first end cap having an outer face extending transversely to the major axis of the cap; an elastic element having at least three equally spaced blades meeting at a central axis and radially extending therefrom, the lateral ends of each blade including a transversely extending flange, said flanges being spaced from inner walls of the end caps; and mounting means for connecting opposite longitudinal edges of the blades to the end caps so that the central axis is collinear with the major axis of the end caps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A structural pivot that substantially eliminates the geometric center shift of its rotating members, said pivot comprising: a first end cap having an outer face extending transversely to the major axis of the cap; an elastic element having at least three equally spaced blades meeting at a central axis and radially extending therefrom, the lateral ends of each blade including a transversely extending flange, said flanges being spaced from inner walls of the end caps; and mounting means for connecting opposite longitudinal edges of the blades to the end caps so that the central axis is collinear with the major axis of the end caps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The pivot of claim 1 wherein said end caps are cylindrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pivot of claim 1 wherein said elastic member is formed of an integral piece of metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pivot of claim 1 wherein said elastic member is configured as a cruciform with four blades meeting at a central axis and radially extending therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The pivot of claim 4 wherei said mounting means includes slots formed in each end cap for receiving the longitudinal edges of the cruciform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pivot of claim 5 wherein said edges of the cruciform are electron beam welded in the slots.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
An optical system comprising: a rotating mirror; a torsion pivot including a first cylindrical end cap having an outer face extending transversely to the major axis of the cap; a second end cap having an outer face extending transversely to the major axis of the cap, an elastic element configured as a cruciform with four blades meeting at a central axis and radially extending therefrom, lateral edges of the blades including flanges longitudinally extending thereon; mounting means for connecting opposite longitudinal edges of the cruciform to the end caps so that the central axis of the cruciform is collinear with the major axes of the end caps; means for connecting one of the end caps to the mirror; and means for connecting the other end cap to a fixed support; and whereby said first end cap rotates with the mirror without creating a geometric center shift therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
An optical system comprising: a rotating mirror; a torsion pivot including a first cylindrical end cap having an outer face extending transversely to the major axis of the cap; a second end cap having an outer face extending transversely to the major axis of the cap, an elastic element configured as a cruciform with four blades meeting at a central axis and radially extending therefrom, lateral edges of the blades including flanges longitudinally extending thereon; mounting means for connecting opposite longitudinal edges of the cruciform to the end caps so that the central axis of the cruciform is collinear with the major axes of the end caps; means for connecting one of the end caps to the mirror; and means for connecting the other end cap to a fixed support; and whereby said first end cap rotates with the mirror without creating a geometric center shift therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said mounting means comprises X-shaped slots in each end cap for receiving opposite longitudinal edges of the cruciform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said flanges are spaced from inner walls of the end caps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-13 | 1992-09-12 | 1993-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-13 | 1996-09-12 | 1997-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-13 | 2000-09-12 | 2001-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |