Self biased joint and method
AssigneeKoncept Technologies Inc.
InventorPeter Ng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joint device connects a first and second members and allows pivotal motion of one or both members. The joint device includes a housing having a slide surface and a guide surface. First and second rotating members are supported for rotation by the housing to pivot one or both members. A slide member carrying a spring is supported for movement on the slide surface with rotation of the rotating members. The spring is coupled to the first rotating member, and has an arm arranged for movement along the guide surface as the slide member moves along the slide surface. The spring member imparts a bias torque on the first rotating member, where the bias torque magnitude changes as the slide member moves along the slide surface.
Claims16
A joint device comprising:
- a housing having a slide surface and a guide surface;
- a first rotating member supported for rotation by the housing;
- a slide member supported for movement on and relative to the slide surface;
- and
- a spring member supported on the slide member, the spring member having a spring arm operatively coupled to the first rotating member, and a second spring arm arranged for movement along the guide surface as the slide member moves along the slide surface;
- a gear member arranged in a fixed relation to the first rotating member, for rotating with the first rotating member, the gear member having a plurality of gear teeth;
- wherein the slide member has a plurality of teeth arranged to engage gear teeth of the gear member, such that rotation of the gear member with rotation of the first rotating member causes the gear member to move the slide member in a linear direction along the slide surface;
- wherein rotation of the first rotating member with respect to the housing causes the spring member to impart a bias torque on the first rotating member, the bias torque having a magnitude that changes as the slide member moves linearly along the slide surface.
A joint system comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- a joint device connecting the first member and second member for pivotal motion of at least one of the first member and the second member, the joint device comprising:
- a housing having a slide surface and a guide surface;
- a first rotating member supported for rotation by the housing;
- a slide member supported for movement on and relative to the slide surface;
- and
- a spring member supported on the slide member, the spring member having a spring arm operatively coupled to the first rotating member, and a second spring arm arranged for movement along the guide surface as the slide member moves along the slide surface;
- a gear member arranged in a fixed relation to the first rotating member, for rotating with the first rotating member, the gear member having a plurality of gear teeth;
- wherein the slide member has a plurality of teeth arranged to engage gear teeth of the gear member, such that rotation of the gear member with rotation of the first rotating member causes the gear member to move the slide member in a linear direction along the slide surface;
- wherein rotation of the first rotating member with respect to the housing causes the spring member to impart a bias torque on the first rotating member, the bias torque having a magnitude that changes as the slide member moves linearly along the slide surface.
A method of making a joint device, the method comprising:
- providing a housing having a slide surface and a guide surface;
- supporting a first rotating member by the housing;
- supporting a slide member for movement on and relative to the slide surface;
- arranging a spring member on the slide member;
- operatively coupling an arm of the spring member to the first rotating member;
- arranging a second arm of the spring member on the guide surface for movement along the guide surface as the slide member moves along the slide surface;
- arranging a gear member in a fixed relation to the first rotating member, for rotating with the first rotating member, the gear member having a plurality of gear teeth;
- providing the slide member with a plurality of teeth arranged to engage gear teeth of the gear member, such that rotation of the gear member with rotation of the first rotating member causes the gear member to move the slide member in a linear direction along the slide surface;
- and
- rotating the first rotation member with respect to the housing such that the spring member imparts a bias torque on the first rotating member, the bias torque having a magnitude that changes as the slide member moves linearly along the slide surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.