US 11,685,639 B2 · Capstan effect device

Abstract

A device for moving an object is disclosed. The device has a drive cylinder with drive grooves and a set of idler pulleys. The idler pulleys are on a shaft that is parallel to the drive cylinder. Each of the idler pulleys rotate at an angle around the drive shaft that aligns the grooves of the idler pulleys to neighboring drive grooves. This allows the line to pass onto the drive groove, around an idler pulley, and onto a next adjacent drive groove. The line therefore winds back and forth between the drive grooves, the idler pulleys, and back to the next drive groove. One end of the line is placed under tension and the other is attached to an object or to a fixed member. The drive cylinder is driven and the line is moved through the device, or the device is moved along the line, respectively.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device for moving an object comprising:

a drive cylinder with at least three drive grooves rotating in parallel planes that are perpendicular to a long axis of the drive cylinder;
a shaft parallel to the drive cylinder upon which at least two idler pulleys rotate;
wherein the idler pulleys rotate in planes parallel to each other, which planes are at an angle to the parallel planes of the drive grooves, such that, as a line passes around a first drive groove, onto a first idler pulley, and around the first idler pulley, the line, as it comes off the first idler pulley, is aligned with a second drive groove;
and wherein as the line comes around the second drive groove, onto a second idler pulley, and around the second idler pulley, the line, as it comes off the second idler pulley, is aligned with a third drive groove;
wherein the line is attached at a first end to an object and a second end is under tension;
wherein, as the drive cylinder is rotated the object is moved.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Capstan effect device

Life of this patent

Capstan effect device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20