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US 6,779,635 B1Granted
Mechanism for providing motion and force while maintaining parallelism between a base structure and a movable structure
OwnerKevin J. Anibasinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanism is disclosed that provides motion and force while maintaining parallelism between a base structure and a movable structure. This is accomplished by opposed pairs of pivoting arm assemblies, which are synchronized by a timing device that links opposed pairs of pivoting arm assemblies to ensure that the arm assemblies move the same distance. The mechanism operates in any spatial orientation. Applications of the mechanism include lift tables, adjustable work stations, vertically adjustable conveyors, and others.
Claims28
A mechanism for maintaining parallel orientation between a base structure and a moveable structure including;
- (a) a pair of opposed arm assemblies, each assembly adapted for rotatable attachment at one end to the base structure and adapted for rotatable attachment at an opposite end to the moveable structure;
- (b) each arm assembly including at least one pair of arm members, each at least one pair of arm members pivotally mounted at one arm member end to a center shaft member, one arm member of each at least one pair rigidly secured to a first support shaft member at an end opposite the center shaft member and another arm member of each at least one pair rigidly secured to a second support shaft member at an end opposite the center shaft member;
- (c) the first support shaft member adapted for rotatable attachment to the moveable structure and the second support shaft member adapted for rotatable attachment to the base structure;
- (d) actuating means for effecting movement between the center shaft members of the pair of opposed arm assemblies;
- and
- (e) a first mechanical timing mechanism operatively connecting the first support shaft members, the first timing mechanism effecting equal and opposite rotation between the first support shaft members of the opposed arm assemblies and a second mechanical timing mechanism operatively connecting the second support shaft members, the second timing mechanism effecting equal and opposite rotation between the second support shaft members of the opposed arm assemblies, thereby maintaining parallel orientation between the base structure and the moveable structure.
3 more elements
A mechanism for maintaining parallel orientation between a base structure and a moveable structure including;
- (a) a pair of opposed arm assemblies, each assembly adapted for rotatable attachment at one end to the base structure and adapted for rotatable attachment at an opposite end to the moveable structure;
- (b) each arm assembly including two pairs of arm members, each pair of arm members pivotally mounted at one arm member end to a center shaft member, one arm member of each pair rigidly secured to a first support shaft member at an end opposite the center shaft member and another arm member of each pair rigidly secured to a second support shaft member at an end opposite the center shaft member;
- (c) the first support shaft member adapted for rotatable attachment to the moveable structure and the second support shaft member adapted for rotatable attachment to the base structure;
- (d) actuating means for effecting movement between the center shaft members of the pair of opposed arm assemblies;
- and
- (e) a first mechanical timing mechanism operatively connecting the first support shaft members, the first timing mechanism effecting equal and opposite rotation between the first support shaft members of the opposed arm assemblies and a second mechanical timing mechanism operatively connecting the second support shaft members, the second timing mechanism effecting equal and opposite rotation between the second support shaft members of the opposed arm assemblies, thereby maintaining parallel orientation between the base structure and the moveable structure.
3 more elements
A lifting system for level movement including;
- (a) a base structure and a moveable structure, the structures positioned in register with each other;
- (b) a pair of opposed arm assemblies, positioned between the base structure and the moveable structure, each assembly rotatably secured at one end to the base structure and rotatably secured at an opposite end to the moveable structure;
- (c) each arm assembly including at least one pair of arm members, each at least one pair of arm members pivotally mounted at one arm member end to a center shaft member, one arm member of each at least one pair rigidly secured to a first support shaft member at an end opposite the center shaft member and another arm member of each at least one pair rigidly secured to a second support shaft member at an end opposite the center shaft member;
- (d) the first support shaft member rotatably secured to the moveable structure and the second support shaft member rotatably secured to the support structure;
- (e) actuating means for effecting movement between the center shaft members of the pair of opposed arm assemblies;
- and
- (f) a first mechanical timing mechanism operatively connecting the first support shaft members, the first timing mechanism effecting equal and opposite rotation between the first support shaft members of the opposed arm assemblies and a second mechanical timing mechanism operatively connecting the second support shaft members, the second timing mechanism effecting equal and opposite rotation between the second support shaft members of the opposed arm assemblies, thereby providing parallel movement between the base structure and the moveable structure.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.