Self-tensioning drive belt system
AssigneeHerman Miller, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin Booth Edinger, Jeffrey Dennis Roetman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-tensioning drive belt system includes first and second gears rotatable relative to each other about a common first axis. A drive belt is fixedly secured to the first gear at a first location on the drive belt, and is fixedly secured to the second gear at a second location on the drive belt. A biasing member is disposed between the first and second gears. Various methods of using and assembling the self-tensioning drive system are also provided.
Claims25
A self-tensioning drive belt system comprising:
- first and second gears configured as first and second sprocket segments rotatable relative to each other about a common first axis;
- a drive belt fixedly secured to said first sprocket segment at a first location on said drive belt, and said drive belt fixedly secured to said second sprocket segment at a second location on said drive belt;
- a third gear rotatable about a second axis spaced from said first axis, wherein said third gear engages said drive belt between said first and second locations;
- and
- a biasing member disposed between and engaging said first and second sprocket segments, said biasing member rotationally biasing said first and second sprocket segments away from each other about said axis so as to maintain a predetermined tension in said drive belt.
A self-tensioning drive belt system comprising:
- first and second gears configured as first and second sprocket segments rotatable relative to each other about a common axis;
- a drive belt fixedly secured to said first sprocket segment at a first location on said drive belt, and said drive belt fixedly secured to said second sprocket segment at a second location on said drive belt;
- and
- a biasing member engaging and rotationally biasing said first and second sprocket segments away from each other about said axis so as to maintain a predetermined tension in said drive belt.
A method for self-tensioning a drive belt comprising:
- reciprocally moving a drive belt in opposite first and second rotational directions relative to first and second gears configured as first and second sprocket segments rotatable relative to each other about a common axis, wherein said drive belt is fixed to each of said first and second sprocket segments at first and second locations respectively;
- and
- rotationally biasing said first and second sprocket segments away from each other with a biasing member so as to maintain a predetermined tension in said drive belt.
A worksurface assembly comprising:
- a non-rotatable first gear assembly defining a first axis;
- a drive member engaging and moveable around said first gear assembly;
- a second gear assembly spaced from said first gear assembly and rotatable about a second axis, wherein said drive member engages and is moveable around said second gear assembly;
- and
- a work surface non-rotatably fixed to said second gear assembly and rotatable therewith about said first and second axes between first and second positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.