Self-adjusting damper based linear alignment system
AssigneeAmerican Sterilizer Company
InventorsSandeepan DUTTA, Michael RABINOVICH, Kenneth J. KLOBUSNIK
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Abstract
A steam sterilizer having a door movable relative to an opening between a first open position and a second closed position. A plurality of spaced-apart roller assemblies are aligned along edges of the door to align the door relative to the opening as the door moves between the open and closed position. Each of the roller assemblies are comprised of a cylindrical roller having an outer annual recess extending along the periphery thereof. The recess is dimensioned to receive a lateral edge of the door. The roller is mounted on a shaft and is movable against a biasing force axially along the axis of the shaft.
Claims15
A steam sterilizers having,
- a sterilization chamber,
- an opening for accessing said sterilization chamber
- a door assembly movable relative to said opening between an open position and a closed position, and
- a seal surrounding said opening, said seal movable against said door when said door assembly is in the closed position to seal said door relative to said sterilization chamber, the improvement comprising:
- a plurality of spaced-apart roller assemblies aligned along edges of said door to align said door relative to said opening as said door moves between said open and closed position, each of said roller assemblies comprised of:
- a cylindrical roller having an outer surface profile extending along the periphery thereof, said profile dimensioned to engage a surface profile on a lateral edge of said door,
- said roller mounted on a shaft and being movable against a biasing force axially along the axis of said shaft,
- wherein said plurality of roller assemblies align said door and allow said door to move along a path in a plane and further allow limited movement of said door in a direction perpendicular to said plane.
A door alignment assembly for aligning a door that is movable relative to an opening, said door alignment assembly comprised of:
- a plurality of spaced-apart roller assemblies aligned along edges of said door to align said door relative to said opening as said door moves between an open and a closed position, each of said roller assemblies comprised of:
- a cylindrical roller having an outer annular surface profile extending along the periphery thereof, said profile dimensioned to engage a mating surface profile on a lateral edge of said door,
- said roller mounted on a shaft and being movable against a biasing force axially along the axis of said shaft,
- wherein said plurality of roller assemblies align said door and allow said door to move along a path in a plane and further allow limited movement of said door in a direction perpendicular to said plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.