Lever system utilizing rack and pinion gear
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorsGeorge D. Megason, Brett Dwayne Roscoe, Christian H. Post
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lever system deploys a pinion gear that engages a pinion gear receiving portion. A handle is attached to the pinion gear to rotate the pinion gear between a retain position and a release position. The pinion gear receiving portion is attached to a first object and the pinion gear is pivotably mounted to a second object that may be moved with respect to the first object. The design of the pinion gear receiving portion and the pinion gear ensure linear travel of the second object as the pinion gear is rotated between the retain position and the release position. Additionally, the pinion gear and the receiving portion include contours that prevent relative linear motion in all directions.
Claims29
A lever system for moving a first object with respect to a second object, comprising:
- a pinion gear pivotably mounted to the first object for pivotable motion about a pivot axis;
- a handle connected to the pinion gear for movement between a release position and a retain position;
- and
- a pinion gear reception portion on the second object, the pinion gear reception portion having a rack gear and a guide surface generally opposite the rack gear, wherein the guide surface is located to maintain the pinion gear in engagement with the rack gear as the handle is moved from the release position to the retain position.
A lever system for moving a first object with respect to a second object, comprising:
- a gear member mounted to the first object;
- and
- a gear member reception portion mounted to the second object wherein as the gear member and gear member reception portion are engaged and rotated with respect to each other, the gear member may by moved to a retained position at which position the gear member restricts linear movement in all directions.
A lever system, comprising:
- a first object;
- a second object movable with respect to the first object;
- a pinion gear pivotably mounted to the first object for pivotable motion about a pivot axis;
- a handle connected to the pinion gear for movement between a release position and a retain position;
- and
- a pinion gear reception portion on the second object, the pinion gear reception portion having a linear rack gear sized to receive the pinion gear and a guide surface generally opposite the linear rack gear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.