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US 5,476,049 AGranted
Motion control apparatus
OwnerGene R. Allard, David D. Allardinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Motion control apparatus is provided for permitting movement of a slidable member in one direction relative to a fixed support while releasably preventing movement in the opposite direction or for releasably preventing movement of the slidable member in either direction using one or more locking arms pivotally mounted on the slidable member and resiliently urged into the locking position with a release rod slidably mounted on the slidable member to overcome the resilient urging to permit sliding movement of the slidable member. Also, movement preventing apparatus is provided to hold at least one locking arm in a non-locking position.
Claims20
Motion control apparatus comprising:
- at least one relatively fixed support;
- at least one slidable member mounted for sliding movement over said at least one relatively fixed support;
- releasable locking means for preventing said movement of said at least one slidable member in at least one direction;
- control means for releasing said releasable locking means to permit said sliding movement of said at least one slidable member;
- wherein said releasable locking means comprise:
- at least one rod mounted on said at least one relatively fixed support;
- at least one locking arm mounted on said at least one slidable member for movement therewith and having at least one opening formed therein;
- said at least one opening having at least one sidewall;
- pivot means for permitting pivotal movement of said at least one locking arm around a pivotal axis;
- said at least one opening having a transverse cross-sectional configuration larger than the transverse cross-sectional configuration of said at least one rod;
- at least a portion of said at least one rod being located in said at least one opening;
- resilient means for urging at least a portion of said at least one sidewall into contact with said at least a portion of said at least one rod to prevent relative movement between said at least one locking arm and said at least one rod in said at least one direction;
- and
- said control means comprising a hollow tube mounted for sliding movement over said at least one rod to apply a force on said at least one locking arm to move said portion of said at least one sidewall out of contact with said at least a portion of said at least one rod to permit movement of said at least one locking arm over said at least one rod in said at least one direction.
11 more elements
Motion control apparatus comprising:
- at least one support;
- at least one slidable member mounted for sliding movement over said at least one support;
- releasable locking means for preventing said sliding movement of said at least one slidable member;
- control means for releasing said locking means to permit said sliding movement of said at least one slidable member;
- wherein said releasable locking means comprise:
- at least one rod having one end portion mounted on said at least one support at a fixed location;
- said at least one rod having another end portion that is free to move relative to said at least one support;
- at least one locking arm mounted on said at least one slidable member for movement therewith and having at least one opening formed therein;
- said at least one opening having at least one sidewall;
- pivot means for permitting pivotal movement of said locking arm around a pivotal axis;
- said at least one opening having a transverse cross-sectional area greater than the transverse cross-sectional area of said at least one rod;
- at least a portion of said at least one rod being located in said at least one opening;
- resilient means for urging at least a portion of said at least one sidewall into contact with at least a portion of said at least one rod to prevent relative movement between said at least one locking arm and said at least one rod in said at least one direction;
- and
- said control means applying a force on said at least one locking arm to move said at least one sidewall out of contact with said at least a portion of said at least one rod.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.