Braking mechanism for moving assemblies
OwnerLouis Morrissetteinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A braking mechanism (10) for the moving structure (22) of a moving assembly comprises an elongated member (28) provided with a scroll (34) for mating engagement with coupling means (46) formed on a ring (44) which is freely capable of rotating around the member (28) and therealong during normal operation of the relevant moving structure (22). The ring (44) is included within a guide structure (36) attached to the moving structure (22) and also comprising an engagement element (42) with which the ring (44) engages when the moving structure (22) exceeds a predetermined speed. A bearing (40) is associated with the guide structure (36) and provided on and around the engagement element (42) for the ring (44) in order to facilitate travel along the elongated member (28).
Claims20
A braking mechanism (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810) adapted for connection to a moving structure (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622, 722) of a moving assembly, the braking mechanism comprising an elongated member (28, 128, 228, 328, 428, 528, 628, 728, 828) and a guiding structure (36, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536, 636, 736, 836) characterized by the guiding structure (36, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536, 636, 736, 836) being connectable to the moving structure (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622, 722) and freely movable axially along the elongated member (28, 128, 228, 328, 428, 528, 628, 728, 828) and comprising a ring (44, 144, 244, 344, 444, 544, 644, 744, 844) connected by a coupling means (46, 746, 846) to the elongated member (28, 128, 228, 328, 428, 528, 628, 728, 828), the coupling means (46, 746, 846) in use allowing unimpeded rotation of the ring (44, 144, 244, 344, 444, 544, 644, 744, 844) around and displacement thereof along the elongated member (28, 128, 228, 328, 428, 528, 628, 728, 828) when the moving structure axially moves at or below a predetermined speed, the guiding structure (36, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536, 636, 736, 836) further comprising an engagement element (42, 142, 242, 372, 485, 536, 672, 772, 872) engageable with the ring (44, 144, 244, 344, 444, 544, 644, 744, 844) when the moving structure (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622, 722) moves above the predetermined speed thereby generating a rotation resistance force therebetween, whereby the rotation resistance force slowing down or arresting the displacement of the ring (44, 144, 244, 344, 444, 544, 644, 744, 844) and of the guiding structure (36, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536, 636, 736, 836) on the elongated member (28, 128, 228, 328, 428, 528, 628, 728, 828), and of the moving structure (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622, 722) of the moving assembly.
A braking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the elongated member (28, 128, 228, 328, 628) is a rigid rod provided with a scroll for mating association with the coupling means on the ring.
A braking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the guiding structure (36, 136, 236, 336, 436, 536, 636, 736, 836) includes a bearing arrangement (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) circumscribing the elongated member (28, 128, 228, 328, 428, 528, 628, 728, 828) and in use capable during normal ascent or movement of the structure, of contacting and supporting the ring during its rotation about the elongated member.
A braking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the ring (844) is provided with mounting means (853) for weights for the purpose of adjusting the rate of descent in use of the ring (844) along the elongated member.
A braking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that an externally activated safety mechanism (662, 762) is provided to position the ring (644, 744) in a close proximity with the engagement element (672, 772) to enable instantaneous engagement therebetween, the safety mechanism being optionally actuable dependent upon the degree of braking security required.
A braking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the ring (444, 544, 644, 744) or the engagement element is resiliently supported (484, 588, 661, 761).
A braking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that sensors (98, 498) are provided intermediate the ring (44, 444) and the engagement element (42, 485) to monitor their relative movement thereby in use to initiate prior warning of imminent contact therebetween signaling failure in the moving structure or an emergency situation.
A braking mechanism adapted for connection to a moving structure (122) of a moving assembly, the braking mechanism (110) comprising an elongated member (128) and a guiding structure (136) characterized by the guiding structure (136) being connectable to the moving structure (122) and freely movable axially along the elongated member (128) and comprising a ring (144) connected by a coupling means to the elongated member (128), the coupling means in use allowing unimpeded rotation of the ring (144) around and displacement thereof along the elongated member (128) when the moving structure (122) axially moves at or below a predetermined speed, the guiding structure (136) further comprising an extension (150) and an engagement element (142) mounted thereon, said engagement element (142) engaging the ring (144) upon said extension (150) contacting an obstruction (INT), thereby generating a frictional force between the ring (144) and the engagement element (142), the frictional force slowing down or arresting the displacement of the ring (144) and of the guiding structure (136) on the elongated member (128), and of the moving structure (122) of the moving assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.