Locking and positioning device
AssigneeLord Corporation
InventorRichard P. Thorn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking and positioning device (20) for allowing unlocking and adjustment and then relocking of multiple degrees of freedom with a singular actuation mechanism (26). The device (20) includes a first locking mechanism (22) and a second separate, independent, and spaced apart locking mechanism (24) both of which are actuated by a singular actuation device (26). The first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism may be locked simultaneously or independently with the same actuation device (26).
Claims19
A locking and positioning device, comprising:
- a) a first locking mechanism having two positions a locked position and an unlocked position, for allowing adjustment and locking of a first member relative to a second member along a first axis;
- b) a second locking mechanism having a locked and an unlocked position, said second locking mechanism being separate, independent, and spaced apart from said first locking mechanism for allowing adjustment and locking of said first member relative to said second member along a second axis which is substantially perpendicular to said first axis;
- c) a singular actuation device operable by a user to selectively lock and unlock both said first locking mechanism and said second locking mechanism either simultaneously or independently by movement of said singular actuation device.
A locking and positioning device operable by a user for accomplishing positioning and locking of a first member relative to a second member, comprising:
- a) a first locking mechanism having a locked and an unlocked position for allowing adjustment and locking of at least one of six degrees of freedom of said first member relative to said second member;
- b) a second locking mechanism having a locked and an unlocked position said second locking mechanism being separate, independent and spaced apart from said first locking mechanism for allowing adjustment and locking of at least one other of said six degrees of freedom of said first member relative to said second member;
- c) an actuation device able at the selection of said user to perform each of
- i) adjusting said first locking mechanism while leaving said second locking mechanism in said locked position,
- ii) adjusting said second locking mechanism while leaving said first locking mechanism in said locked position, and
- iii) adjusting both first and second locking mechanisms simultaneously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.