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US 8,615,970 B2Granted
Panel assemblies having controllable surface properties
OwnerCharles Hoberman, Matthew Davis +2inventors
InventorsCharles Hoberman, Matthew Davis, Zygmunt Joseph Drozdowski, David Wight
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An assembly comprised of at least one fixed panel and at least two moveable panels is provided. The moveable panels are capable of being controllably shifted relative both to each other and to the fixed panel such that first and second aligned and non-aligned positions can be achieved. The assembly is further comprised of two or more drive links which are, in turn, comprised of a center pivot which engages with the fixed panel and two or more outer pivots which engage with the movable panels.
Claims17
A panel assembly comprising:
- two fixed panels each having two spaced apart pivot holes, each fixed panel positioned on an opposite end of the panel assembly;
- a first overlying moveable panel having two spaced apart pivot holes;
- a second overlying moveable panel having two spaced apart pivot holes;
- two drive links with each drive link having one center pivot pin and two outer pivot pins;
- wherein the center pivot pin of each said drive link pivotally engages respectively the two pivot holes of each said fixed panel;
- wherein one of the outer pivot pins of each said drive link pivotally engages respectively the two pivot holes of one of said moveable panels;
- wherein the other of the outer pivot pins of each said drive link pivotally engages respectively the two pivot holes of the other of said moveable panels;
- and
- wherein rotation of the two drive links causes the two moveable panels to move relative to each other and to said fixed panels between a first aligned position and a second non-aligned position;
- and
- wherein the two drive links and respective pivot pins are arranged and constructed to define an effective radius of rotation for each of said moveable panels during rotation, said effective radii being approximately equal causing all said movable panels to move concentrically around said central pins at said radii of rotation.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.