US3608844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Minimech self-deploying boom mechanism
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1969-12-31
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Extendable, self-deploying boom apparatus wherein the boom is of any present type fabricated from thin metal strip having a tendency to unwrap when wound upon a cylindrical storage spool. The end portion of the boom is restrained between the storage spool and a cooperating roller serving first to restrain the boom in place upon the storage spool. Resilient springs compress together the cylindrical surfaces of the spool and roller along a mutual line of pressure, thus producing, in a portion of the boom between rollers, a force acting parallel to the boom major axis. Such force is derived from the storage energy of the boom and will permit self-deployment of the boom when the spool and roller are unrestrained for counterrotating motion. The springs maintain a mutual line of pressure between the rollers as additional portions of the boom progressively unwind. Additional equipment may be utilized, for example, a deployment prevention control, a retracting mechanism, a deployment rate control and an increment deployment control.
Inventors
- 👤 William T Tumulty Jr
- 👤 Wayne P Sours
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H19/00; F16H19/02; F16H19/06; F16H19/064; B; B21; B21C; B21C47/00; B21C47/16; B21C47/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S242/00; Y10S242/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A self-deploying boom mechanism, comprising: a. storage means including a cylindrical spool; b. a self-deploying boom initially wrapped on said storage means; c. pressure applying means cooperating with said storage means initially to compress a portion of said boom therebetween and to maintain said boom in tightly wrapped relationship on said storage means, including a cylindrical roller, said spool and said roller being so constructed and arranged to counterrotate during deployment of said boom and maintain the remaining undeployed portion of said boom in tightly wrapped relationship on said storage means during deployment of said boom; d. means for continuously urging said roller and said spool in compression along a common line of pressure with a portion of said boom therebetween; and, e. actuable means initially preventing rotation of said spool and being actuable subsequently to release said spool for rotation permitting self-deployment of said boom to an extended position from said spool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A self-deploying boom mechanism, comprising: a. storage means including a cylindrical spool; b. a self-deploying boom initially wrapped on said storage means; c. pressure applying means cooperating with said storage means initially to compress a portion of said boom therebetween and to maintain said boom in tightly wrapped relationship on said storage means, including a cylindrical roller, said spool and said roller being so constructed and arranged to counterrotate during deployment of said boom and maintain the remaining undeployed portion of said boom in tightly wrapped relationship on said storage means during deployment of said boom; d. means for continuously urging said roller and said spool in compression along a common line of pressure with a portion of said boom therebetween; and, e. actuable means initially preventing rotation of said spool and being actuable subsequently to release said spool for rotation permitting self-deployment of said boom to an extended position from said spool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The structure as recited in claim 1 and further including: a bracket, said spool being mounted for rotation in said bracket, said roller being mounted for rotation in said bracket and further mounted for sliding motion in said bracket, and said resilient means continuously slidably urging said roller in cooperation with said spool to maintain a line of pressure therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
A self-deploying boom mechanism, comprising: a. storage means including a cylindrical spool; b. a self-deploying boom initially wrapped on said storage-means and adapted for self-deployment to an extended position; c. pressure applying means cooperating with said storage means initially to compress a portion of said boom therebetween and to maintain said boom in tightly wrapped relationship on said storage means, including a cylindrical roller, said spool and said roller being so constructed and arranged to counterrotate during deployment of said boom and maintain the remaining undeployed portion of said boom in tightly wrapped relationship on said storage means during deployment of said boom; d. a pair of arms, said roller being mounted for rotation between said arms, said spool being mounted for rotation and sliding motion between said arms; and, e. means for continuously slidably urging said spool in cooperation with said roller to maintain a common Line of pressure therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
151 words
A self-deploying boom mechanism, comprising: a. storage means including a cylindrical spool; b. a self-deploying boom initially wrapped on said storage-means and adapted for self-deployment to an extended position; c. pressure applying means cooperating with said storage means initially to compress a portion of said boom therebetween and to maintain said boom in tightly wrapped relationship on said storage means, including a cylindrical roller, said spool and said roller being so constructed and arranged to counterrotate during deployment of said boom and maintain the remaining undeployed portion of said boom in tightly wrapped relationship on said storage means during deployment of said boom; d. a pair of arms, said roller being mounted for rotation between said arms, said spool being mounted for rotation and sliding motion between said arms; and, e. means for continuously slidably urging said spool in cooperation with said roller to maintain a common Line of pressure therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3243132A
Cited
US3474976A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |