Positioning apparatus
OwnerGill Cantwellinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A first member defines a plurality of depressions such as V-shaped notches therein and is positioned so that the V-shaped notches are adjacent another plurality of similar notches defined by a second member. The spacing of the recesses in the second member is different than the spacing of recesses in the first member. A movable ball is received in each of the recesses of the first member. A cam is positioned to alternately force one of the balls into engagement between partially aligned recesses on the first and second members forcing relative movement between the members, positioning a load connected thereto.
Claims16
Incremental positioning apparatus comprising:
- a first member having a first plurality of substantially V shaped force receiving surfaces of a first predetermined spacing;
- a second member disposed adjacent said first member and having a second plurality of substantially V shaped force receiving surfaces of a second predetermined spacing, said second predetermined spacing being different from said first predetermined spacing;
- a driving means disposed adjacent said first and second member;
- means for moving said driving means into simultaneous engagement with said first and second V shaped surfaces for aligning at least one of said second V shaped surfaces with one of said first V shaped surfaces to intermittently move a load connected to one of said members to a desired position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.