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US 10,883,577 B2Granted
Sliding support mechanism with improved reliability and serviceability
AssigneeDavid H. Vroom
InventorDavid H. Vroom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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 rack and pinion are configured to provide vertical and horizontal displacement to reduce premature component wear leading to poor gear mesh caused to by forces on the mechanism during use.
Claims13
A sliding support mechanism comprising:
- a first rack and a first pinion, the first pinion coupled to the first rack,
- wherein the first rack has a first upper sliding surface and a first lower sliding surface, the first lower sliding surface defining a first U-shaped channel having a height of the first U-shaped channel and a width of the first U-shaped channel;
- a first shaft having a first end and a second end, the first shaft coupled to the first pinion, and
- a first upper shaft housing and a first lower shaft housing proximal to the first pinion, with the first upper shaft housing configured to engage the first rack above the first pinion and the first lower shaft housing configured to engage the first rack below the first pinion;
- wherein the first upper shaft housing comprises a first wear surface configured to laterally slide upon the first upper sliding surface;
- and
- wherein the first lower shaft housing comprises a second wear surface, with the second wear surface configured to slide within the U-shaped channel of the first lower sliding surface.
4 more elements
A sliding support mechanism comprising one or more mechanical assemblies among which each mechanical assembly includes:
- a rack having a rack gear and a pinion gear that is mechanically meshing with and coupled to the rack gear,
- wherein the rack has an upper sliding surface and a lower sliding surface, the lower sliding surface defining a U-shaped channel having a height of the U-shaped channel and a width of the U-shaped channel;
- a shaft having a first end and a second end and coupled to the pinion;
- and
- an upper shaft housing and a lower shaft housing proximal to the pinion;
- wherein the upper shaft housing is configured to engage the rack above the pinion and the lower shaft housing is configured to engage the rack below the pinion;
- wherein the upper shaft housing comprises a first wear surface configured to laterally slide on the upper sliding surface;
- and
- wherein the lower shaft housing comprises at least one of a protrusion along the axis and at least two lower rollers, said protrusion containing a second wear surface configured to slide within the U-shaped channel, and said at least two lower rollers configured to run within the U-shaped channel.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.