Self-tensioning drive belt system
AssigneeHerman Miller, Inc.
InventorsBENJAMIN BOOTH EDINGER, JEFFREY DENNIS ROETMAN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-tensioning drive belt system includes first and second gears rotatable relative to each other about a common first axis. A drive belt is fixedly secured to the first gear at a first location on the drive belt, and is fixedly secured to the second gear at a second location on the drive belt. A biasing member is disposed between the first and second gears. Various methods of using and assembling the self-tensioning drive system are also provided.
Claims24
A self-tensioning drive belt system comprising:
- first and second gears rotatable relative to each other about a common first axis;
- a drive belt fixedly secured to said first gear at a first location on said drive belt, and said drive belt fixedly secured to said second gear at a second location on said drive belt;
- a third gear rotatable about a second axis spaced from said first axis, wherein said third gears engages said drive belt between said first and second locations;
- and
- a biasing member disposed between said first and second gears.
A self-tensioning drive belt system comprising:
- first and second gears rotatable relative to each other about a common axis;
- a drive belt fixedly secured to said first gear at a first location on said drive belt, and said drive belt fixedly secured to said second gear at a second location on said drive belt;
- and
- a biasing member rotationally biasing said first and second gears away from each other about said axis so as to maintain a predetermined tension in said drive belt.
A method for self-tensioning a drive belt comprising:
- reciprocally moving a drive belt in opposite first and second rotational directions relative to first and second gears rotatable relative to each other about a common axis, wherein said drive belt is fixed to each of said first and second gears at first and second locations respectively;
- and
- rotationally biasing said first and second gears away from each other with a biasing member so as to maintain a predetermined tension in said drive belt.
A worksurface assembly comprising:
- a non-rotatable first gear assembly defining a first axis;
- a drive member disposed and moveable around said first gear;
- a second gear assembly spaced from said first gear assembly and rotatable about a second axis, wherein said drive member engages and is moveable around said second gear assembly;
- and
- a work surface non-rotatably fixed to said second gear assembly and rotatable therewith about said first and second axes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.