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US 7,746,467 B2Granted
Frictional pivots for gravitational alignment
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorNigel Emlyn Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A frictional pivot 100 for use in a device measuring gravitational alignment is provided. The frictional pivot 100 comprises a gravity-responsive directional means 200 for indicating a datum direction of alignment with gravity; frictional pivoting means 300, 400 for allowing the gravity-responsive means coarsely to align with gravity; vibration means 303, 403 for vibrating one or more elements of the pivoting means; and portable power means 303a for powering the vibration means 303, 403.
Claims8
A frictional pivot comprising:
- gravity-responsive directional means for indicating a datum direction of alignment with gravity, wherein the gravity-responsive directional means comprises a weighted pendulous arm orthogonally attached to a pivotable shaft;
- frictional pivoting means for allowing the gravity-responsive means coarsely to align with gravity, wherein the frictional pivoting means are two opposing plates of a flexible material which are held apart at a predetermined distance by being rigidly attached to a case, and conical ends of the shaft are located in conical depressions in the two opposing plates;
- vibration means for vibrating one or more elements of the pivoting means;
- and
- portable power means for powering the vibration means.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.