US 5,701,784 A · Mechanism to convert angular reciprocal movements into intermittent unidirectional rotary movement

Abstract

There is provided in combination a first member and a second member movable in a reciprocal angular movement, and an articulation between the first member and the second member. The articulation comprises a shaft and a mechanism to convert the angular reciprocal movements of both members into an intermittent unidirectional rotary movement of the shaft. The mechanism of the articulation comprises a pair of ball bearings having each an outer race mounted in a fixed relationship with a respective first or second member, and also having each an inner race mounted in a fixed and coaxial relationship with the shaft. The mechanism further has a pair of flanges, being each mounted adjacent and coaxially a respective bearing, and also in a fixed relationship with a respective first or second member. Each flange has one-way clutch acting on the shaft in a first direction, whereby a movement of either the first member or the second member in the first direction causes the flange fixed to that first member or to that second member to clutch onto the shaft and to rotate the shaft in that first direction. Conversely, a movement of either first or second member in a second direction causes the flange fixed to that first member or to that second member to slide on the shaft, preventing thereby a movement of the shaft in the second direction. Thus during movement of the members, the inner races of the bearings of the articulation are rotated intermittently in the first direction.

Claims19

Dependent claims

In combination;

a first member movable in a first reciprocal angular movement having a first direction and a second direction,
a second member movable in a second reciprocal angular movement, said first reciprocal angular movement and said second reciprocal angular movement being parallel and directionally opposite, and
an articulation between said first member and said second member, said articulation comprising a shaft and a mechanism to convert said first and said second angular reciprocal movements of said first member and said second member into an intermittent unidirectional rotary movement of said shaft, said mechanism comprising;
a pair of ball bearings having each an outer race :mounted in a fixed relationship with a respective said first member or said second member, and having each an inner race mounted in a fixed and coaxial relationship with said shaft,
a pair of flanges being each mounted adjacent and coaxial a respective said bearing and also in a fixed relationship with a respective said first member or said second member,
each of said flanges having one-way clutch means acting on said shaft in said first direction,
whereby a movement of either said first member or said second member in said first direction causes said flange fixed to said first member or to said second member moving in said first direction to clutch onto said shaft mad to rotate said shaft in said first direction,
and a movement of either said first member or said second member in a second direction causes said flange fixed to said first member or to said second member moving in said second direction to slide on said shaft, preventing thereby a movement of said shaft in said second direction.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mechanism to convert angular reciprocal movements into intermittent unidirectional rotary movement

Life of this patent

Mechanism to convert angular reciprocal movements into intermittent unidirectional rotary movement

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19