Roller mechanism
OwnerWilliam Leslie Kopkoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A roller mechanism that uses a differential spool arrangement to convert a small linear motion into a large rolling motion. The simplest embodiment comprises two spools that are rigidly connected together and are preferably of slightly different diameters. The flexible members such as string, tape, sheet, are rolled around the spools in opposite directions and extend from the spools in opposite directions. When tension is applied to the flexible members, a torque is created which acts to turn the spools so as to roll up the flexible member that is wrapped around the spool with the smaller diameter. The result is that a small movement of the flexible members results in large movement of the spools. Various embodiments of this mechanism are ideal for use in dampers, sunshades, toys, and exercise equipment.
Claims19
A mechanism comprising:
- a first spool;
- a first flexible member that is attached at one end to said first spool and is partially wrapped around said first spool in a first angular direction and extends from said first spool in a first linear direction;
- a second spool that has a different diameter than said first spool and is rigidly connected to said first spool and shares an axis of rotation with said first spool;
- and a second flexible member that is attached at one end to said second spool and is partially wrapped around said second spool in a second angular direction that is opposite said first angular direction and extends from said second spool in a linear direction that is approximately opposite said first linear direction so that tension applied to the first and second flexible members urges the spools to rotate so as to wind the spool with the smaller diameter, unwind the spool with the larger diameter, and create a linear movement of the axis of the spools that is larger than the linear movement of the flexible members.
A mechanism for covering and uncovering a surface with a flexible sheet using tension applied to flexible members as inputs comprising:
- a rolling surface that contains channels that allow flow of fluid;
- a first spool is in contact with said rolling surface;
- a first flexible member that comprises a flexible sheet that is attached at one end to said first spool and is partially wrapped around said first spool in a first angular direction and extends in a first linear direction that is along said rolling surface and is magnetically attracted to said rolling surface;
- a second spool that is smaller in diameter that said first spool and is rigidly connected to said first spool and shares an axis of rotation with said first spool;
- a second flexible member that is attached at one end to said second spool and is partially wrapped around said second spool in a second angular direction that is opposite said first angular direction and extends from said second spool in a second linear direction that is approximately opposite the first linear direction;
- a third spool that has the same diameter as the second spool and is rigidly connected to said first spool;
- a third flexible member that is attached at one end to said second spool and is partially wrapped around said second spool in said second angular direction and extends from said third spool in a linear direction that is approximately opposite said first linear direction;
- a fourth spool that has the same diameter that is larger than the diameter of said first spool and is rigidly connected to said second spool;
- a fourth flexible member that is attached at one end to said fourth spool and is partially wrapped around said fourth spool in said second angular direction and extends from said fourth spool is a linear direction that is approximately opposite said first linear direction;
- a fifth spool of equal diameter to said fourth that is rigidly connect to said third spool, and shares a common axis with the first, second, third, and fourth spools;
- and
- a fifth flexible member that is attached to at one end to said fifth spool and is partially wrapped around said fifth spool in said second angular direction and extends from said fifth spool in a linear direction that is approximately opposite said first linear direction whereby tension on the second and third flexible members urges said first spool to unwind and thereby covers said rolling surface with said flexible sheet and tension on the fourth and fifth flexible member urges said first spool to wind and thereby removes said flexible sheet from said rolling surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.