Minimum fit worm and gear drive
AssigneeQuick-Set, Incorporated
InventorsPaul C. Mooney, Theodore F. Koch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A structure providing minimum fit mounting and rigid locking of a worm and gear drive includes a gear rotatably supported to a base, a worm drivably engaging the gear and bearings supporting the worm for rotation about its axis. A housing supports the worm bearings and is itself rotatably supported to the base for rotation about a second axis, which axis is parallel to but eccentric from the worm axis. Means are provided for pivoting the bearing housing such that the eccentricity of the pivot axes causes the worm to move toward the gear for close mounting and/or rigid locking therebetween.
Claims15
In a worm and gear drive, including a gear rotatably supported to a base, a worm drivably engaging the gear, and bearings supporting the worm for rotation about its axis, the improvement comprising:
- a housing supporting the worm bearings, the housing being rotatably supported to the base about a second axis, the second axis being parallel to but eccentric from the worm axis;
- and
- means for pivoting the bearing housing between a first position providing a minimum fit between the worm and gear and a second position providing rigid frictional locking between the worm and gear.
A locking worm and gear drive, comprising:
- a base;
- a gear rotatably mounted with respect to the base;
- a pair of bearing housings mounted for rotation about a first axis fixed with respect to the base;
- bearings mounted in the housings and defining a second axis parallel to but eccentric from the first axis;
- a worm supported for rotation within the bearings about the second axis and drivably engaging the gear;
- and
- means for pivotably biasing the bearing housings about the first axis to move the worm toward the gear to provide a minimum fit during driving and a rigid static frictional locking upon cessation of driving.
In a mount for equipment, including a drive housing and a platform supporting the equipment and being pivotally mounted to the drive housing, a drive comprising:
- a gear secured for pivoting with the platform;
- a pair of bearing housings mounted to the drive housing for rotation about a first axis;
- a worm mounted within the bearing housings for rotation about a second axis parallel to but eccentric from the first axis, said worm drivably engaging the gear;
- and
- means for pivotably biasing the bearing housings with respect to the drive housing to bias the worm toward the gear to provide a minimum fit during driving and a rigid static frictional locking upon cessation of driving.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.