US4846589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning carriage system useful for optical scanners
Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1988-04-28
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Granted: 1989-07-11
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Expires: 2008-04-28
Abstract
Abstract Two carriages are roller mounted to allow relative motion between them while maintaining precise relative positioning. Rollers engage precision ground spaced surfaces of a C-shaped hangar configuration, and wear compensation is provided by a spring bias arrangement maintaining conformity between the rollers and guide grooves in the underside of the rails.
Inventors
- 👤 Tom K. Chikuma
- 👤 Rick O. Jones
- 👤 William H. Nelson
- 👤 Walter F. Price, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; F; F16; F16C; F16C29/00; F16C29/04; F16C29/045; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/522; G03B27/525; G03B27/526; G03B27/527
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for maintaining a carriage in a precise position comprising: a rail having an upwardly facing machined flat upper surface and a downwardly facing lower surface, a first roller means rotatably attached to the carriage for rolling engagement of said flat upper surface, a second roller means rotatably attached to the carriage, and guide means including a mating groove and ridge for engaging the said downwardly facing lower surface of said rail and said second roller means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for maintaining a carriage in a precise position comprising: a rail having an upwardly facing machined flat upper surface and a downwardly facing lower surface, a first roller means rotatably attached to the carriage for rolling engagement of said flat upper surface, a second roller means rotatably attached to the carriage, and guide means including a mating groove and ridge for engaging the said downwardly facing lower surface of said rail and said second roller means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 which further includes means yieldably biasing said second roller in an upwardly direction towards said rail lower surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for maintaining precise positioning between at least two relatively movable carriages comprising: an assembly having two parallel, spaced rails each with a flat machined surface and a web rigidly interconnecting said rails, first and second roller followers each attached to a respective carriage and in rolling engagement along a path with a respective one of said rail surfaces, a third roller follower attached to one of the carriages, and a guide means engaging said third roller follower and one of said rails and including a mating groove and ridge configuration for constraining movement of said third roller in a direction parallel to said path of said first and second roller followers, whereby the carriages are movably maintained in parallelism without loss of alignment from wear of the engaging elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for maintaining precise positioning between at least two relatively movable carriages comprising: an assembly having two parallel, spaced rails each with a flat machined surface and a web rigidly interconnecting said rails, first and second roller followers each attached to a respective carriage and in rolling engagement along a path with a respective one of said rail surfaces, a third roller follower attached to one of the carriages, and a guide means engaging said third roller follower and one of said rails and including a mating groove and ridge configuration for constraining movement of said third roller in a direction parallel to said path of said first and second roller followers, whereby the carriages are movably maintained in parallelism without loss of alignment from wear of the engaging elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 which further includes means yieldably biasing said third roller follower towards said one of said rails.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for maintaining precise positioning between two elongated carriages which are movable parallel to one another in a first direction comprising: an assembly having two parallel, spaced rails each with a flat machined surface and a web rigidly interconnecting said rails, first and second roller followers each attached to a respective carriage and in rolling engagement with a respective one of said rail surfaces, first and second guide rollers each attached to a respective carriage in rolling engagement with the opposite side of the said rail engaged by said first and second roller followers, respectively, and first and second guide means engaging each of said guide rollers with a respective said opposite rail side and including respective mating groove and ridge configurations, whereby the carriages are movably maintained in parallelism along a path parallel to the first direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for maintaining precise positioning between two elongated carriages which are movable parallel to one another in a first direction comprising: an assembly having two parallel, spaced rails each with a flat machined surface and a web rigidly interconnecting said rails, first and second roller followers each attached to a respective carriage and in rolling engagement with a respective one of said rail surfaces, first and second guide rollers each attached to a respective carriage in rolling engagement with the opposite side of the said rail engaged by said first and second roller followers, respectively, and first and second guide means engaging each of said guide rollers with a respective said opposite rail side and including respective mating groove and ridge configurations, whereby the carriages are movably maintained in parallelism along a path parallel to the first direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 which includes means yieldably biasing said first and second guide rollers towards the associated said rail opposite side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 which includes a second assembly having two parallel, spaced rails each with a flat machined surface and a web rigidly interconnecting said second assembly rails, and third and fourth roller followers each attached to a respective carriage in rolling engagement with respective said second assembly surfaces and in spaced relation from a respective one of said first and second roller followers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 which includes a second assembly having two parallel, spaced rails each with a flat machined surface and a web rigidly interconnecting said second assembly rails, and third and fourth roller followers each attached to a respective carriage in rolling engagement with respective said second assembly surfaces and in spaced relation from a respective one of said first and second roller followers.
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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) | 1992-07-10 | 1993-01-09 | 1993-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-10 | 1997-01-09 | 1997-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-10 | 2001-01-09 | 2001-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |