Back to results
US 5,136,132 AGranted
Alternate action mechanism
AssigneeHoneywell Inc.
InventorRobert D. Kitchen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An alternate action mechanism in which a rocker makes rolling contact with a surface on a frame, and a plunger is positioned to exert a force toward the surface at a location on the rocker separated from the rolling contact, the force at least initially being along an axis which intersects the surface between limiting positions of the rolling contact. Specially configured leaf springs bias the rocker toward positions corresponding with the limiting positions of the rolling contact.
Claims25
An alternate action mechanism comprising:
- a frame having a first surface thereon;
- a rocker positioned to rock on the first surface and configured for rolling contact with the first surface at a line of contact which moves transverse to itself between first and second positions corresponding to first and second limiting positions of said rocker;
- and
- a plunger operable to exert a force on said rocker toward the first surface, the initial force during a plunger actuation being directed along an axis which intersects the first surface between the first and second positions of the line of contact, whereby successive repetitions of said plunger actuation cause said rocker to move alternately to its first and second limiting positions;
- said plunger having a first segment mounted to move in a linear motion and a second segment mounted between said first segment and said rocker to translate therebetween, whereby said rocker rocks between said first and second positions in response to translational movement of said second segment caused by linear movement of said first segment.
2 more elements
An alternate action mechanism comprising:
- a frame having a first surface thereon;
- a rocker having an arcuate portion in rolling contact with the first surface, the rolling contact occurring between first and second positions associated with first and second limiting positions of said rocker;
- and
- force means for applying a force to said rocker at a location remote from the rolling contact, the force having a component toward the first surface and, at least initially during each application of force, directed along an axis which intersects the first surface between the first and second positions of the rolling contact;
- said force means having a first segment mounted to move in a linear motion and a second segment mounted between said first segment and said rocker to translate therebetween, whereby said rocker rocks between said first and second positions in response to translational movement of said second segment caused by linear movement of said first segment.
2 more elements
An alternate action mechanism comprising:
- a frame having a fixed surface thereon;
- a plunger having a first segment carried in said frame for movement along an axis intersecting and perpendicular to the fixed surface, said plunger having a second segment hingedly connected to the first segment and extending therefrom toward the fixed surface;
- first biasing means biasing the second segment of said plunger to extend along the axis;
- a rocker positioned between the fixed surface and the second segment of said plunger, said rocker being configured with an arcuate surface thereon making rolling contact with the fixed surface, contact occurring between first and second limiting positions on opposite sides of the intersection of the axis and the fixed surface, said rocker further being configured with first and second depressions therein separated from the arcuate surface and adapted to receive an end of the second segment of said plunger, the first and second depressions being substantially aligned with the axis when said rocker is positioned so that contact with the fixed surface occurs at the first and second limiting positions respectively;
- and
- second biasing means biasing said rocker toward first or second position when said rocker is moved so that contact occurs within a predetermined range of the first and second limiting positions;
- said plunger first segment mounted to move in a linear motion and said plunger second segment mounted between said first segment and said rocker to translate therebetween, whereby said rocker rocks between said first and second positions in response to translational movement of said second segment caused by linear movement of said first segment respectively.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.