Back to results
US 10,480,627 B1Granted
Sliding support mechanism with improved reliability and serviceability
OwnerDavid H. Vroominventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Motorized rack-and-pinion sliding support mechanisms are disclosed. One or more shafts are coupled to pinions configured to engage with one or more racks and configured to be driven by one or more motors. The shaft(s) are configured to be manually disengageable from the motor(s), allowing the mechanism to slide freely in the event of a motor failure. The mechanism is further configured to reduce premature component wear leading to poor gear mesh caused to by forces on the mechanism during use.
Claims10
A sliding support mechanism, the mechanism comprising:
- a first rack and a first pinion, the first pinion coupled to the first rack, the first rack having a-translational axis;
- a motor having a rotor;
- a shaft having a first end and a second end, the shaft coupled to both the rotor and to the first pinion at the first end of the shaft;
- a bearing configured to receive the shaft and encircle the shaft at a point between the rotor and the second end of the shaft;
- an upper housing coupled to the first end of the shaft and to the motor;
- and
- a lower pinion assembly coupled to the second end of the shaft, wherein the lower pinon assembly includes an aperture;
- wherein the aperture of the lower pinion assembly is configured to receive the second end of the shaft;
- wherein in a first state a fastener is positioned in the aperture such that the shaft and rotor are engaged;
- and
- wherein in a second state the fastener is withdrawn by at least a fixed distance from the aperture, thereby disengaging the first end of the shaft from the rotor such that the first rack translates freely along the first translational axis when a force is applied to the support mechanism in a direction parallel to the first translational axis;
- the mechanism further comprising a set of threads within the aperture, and the fastener is threaded.
9 more elements
A sliding support mechanism in a recreational vehicle, the mechanism comprising:
- a first rack and a first pinion, the first pinion coupled to the first rack, the first rack having a first translational axis;
- a second rack and a second pinion coupled to the second rack, the second rack having a translational axis parallel to the first translational axis;
- a first motor having a first rotor;
- a first shaft having a first end and a second end, the shaft coupled to both the rotor and to the first pinion at the first end of the shaft;
- a first bearing configured to receive the shaft and encircle the shaft at a point below between the first rotor and the second end of the shaft;
- a second bearing configured to receive the second end of the first shaft and encircle the first shaft at a point between the first rotor and the second end of the shaft;
- a frame coupled to a recess in the recreational vehicle and to the first and second racks, the first and second racks coupled to a first side of the frame;
- a first housing coupled to the first end of the first shaft and to the first motor;
- and
- a second housing coupled to the second end of the first shaft, wherein the second housing includes an aperture;
- wherein the aperture of the second housing is configured to receive the second end of the shaft;
- wherein in a first state a fastener is positioned in the aperture such that the shaft and rotor are engaged;
- and
- wherein in a second state the fastener is withdrawn by at least a fixed distance from the aperture, thereby disengaging the first end of the shaft from the rotor such that the first and second racks translate freely along the translational axes when a force is applied to the support mechanism in a direction parallel to the translational axes;
- the mechanism further comprising a set of threads within each aperture and each of the fasteners is threaded.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.