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US 9,139,251 B2Granted
Mechanism for converting reciprocating lever action to unidirectional rotary motion
AssigneeWiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.
InventorJames T. Maerkze
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanism, e.g. for driving a wheelchair, converting oscillating motion of a lever (15) into rotary motion of an output disc (capstans 34) by means of a flexible member (belt 26). In one direction of the lever (15), the belt (26) drives the output disc (capstans 24). In the other direction, the belt (26) slips. This is achieved by a (rotary) drag element (22) providing a (rotary) resistance force (=counter force) upstream the output disc (34) thereby tensioning the belt (26) such that slip is avoided.
Claims17
A mechanism for converting a reciprocating action to unidirectional rotary motion comprising:
- a frame;
- a lever attached to the frame to pivot about a pivot point;
- an output shaft attached to the frame to rotate about a shaft axis;
- a first belt communicating with the lever to move in a first and second direction along a length of the first belt with reciprocating of the lever;
- a first rotatable capstan coupled to the output shaft, wherein the rotatable capstan provides an outer wall contacting a surface of the first belt with movement of the first belt;
- and
- a first drag element providing an outer wall contacting a surface of the first belt with movement of the first belt, the first drag element adapted to apply a drag tension against the first belt so that the first belt engages the outer wall of the rotatable capstan to rotate the same with a first direction of reciprocation of the lever and so that the first belt disengages the outer wall of the rotatable capstan with a second direction reciprocation of the lever to not rotate the same, wherein the first drag element provides an operator switching the drag element between a drag mode applying the drag tension against the first belt and a non-drag mode not applying the drag tension against the first belt.
4 more elements
A manually propelled vehicle including a drive mechanism for converting a reciprocating linear motion to unidirectional rotary motion comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat attached to the frame for receiving an operator;
- and
- at least two wheels attached to the frame to rotate about respective axles, each wheel having a drive mechanism including:
- a lever attached to the frame to pivot about a pivot point;
- an output shaft attached to the frame to rotate about a shaft axis;
- a first belt communicating with the lever to move in a first and second direction along a length of the first belt with reciprocating of the lever;
- a first rotatable capstan coupled to the output shaft, wherein the rotatable capstan provides an outer wall contacting a surface of the first belt with movement of the first belt;
- a first drag element providing an outer wall contacting a surface of the first belt with movement of the first belt, the first drag element adapted to apply a drag tension against the first belt so that the first belt engages the outer wall of the rotatable capstan to rotate the same with a first direction of reciprocation of the lever and so that the first belt disengages the outer wall of the rotatable capstan with a second direction reciprocation of the lever to not rotate the same;
- a second drag element providing an outer wall contacting a surface of the first belt with movement of the first belt, the second drag element being positioned on an opposite side of the first rotatable capstan with respect to the first drag element, the second drag element adapted to apply a drag tension against the first belt so that the first belt engages the outer wall of the rotatable capstan to rotate the same with a second direction of reciprocation of the lever and so that the first belt disengages the outer wall of the capstan with a first direction of reciprocation of the lever to not rotate the same;
- a second belt communicating the lever to move in a first and second direction along the length of the belt with reciprocating of the lever;
- a second rotatable capstan coupled to the output shall, wherein the second rotatable capstan provides an outer wall contacting a surface of the second belt with movement of the second belt;
- and
- a second drag element providing an outer wall contacting a surface of the second belt with movement of the second belt, the second drag element adapted to apply a drag tension against the second belt so that the belt engages the outer wall of the second rotatable capstan to rotate the same with a second direction of reciprocation of the lever and so that the second belt disengages the outer wall of the rotatable capstan with a first direction reciprocation of the lever to not rotate the same.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.