US3831456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Linear actuator with lock
Assignee: KMS Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-04-13
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A linear actuator with a reciprocable ram having a transversely movable wedge slidably received thereon for locking the ram in a range of extended positions. Both the ram and wedge are driven through a floating element received in the wedge for rotation on an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of both the ram and wedge to eliminate backlash of the ram when locked in the extended position.
Inventors
- 👤 W Jahnke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H25/00; F16H25/18; F16H25/183; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q3/00; B23Q3/02; B23Q3/06; B23Q3/066; B23Q3/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18992
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A linear actuator comprising a housing, a driven member carried by said housing for generally axial reciprocation to extended and retracted positions with respect to said housing, a drive member carried by said housing for reciprocal movement with respect to said housing to first and second spaced apart positions on an axis generally parallel with the axis of reciprocation of said driven member, a locking element carried by one of said members for movement to extended and retracted positions on an axis generally transverse to the axis of said driven member, an abutment fixedly carried by said housing, said locking element in its extended position bearing on said abutment to prevent said driven member from moving toward its retracted position and in its retracted position disengaging said abutment and releasing said driven member for movement toward its retracted position, a floating element carried by said locking element for rotation in relation thereto on an axis generally perpendicular to the axes of reciprocation of both said one member and said locking element, a first cam and a cam follower each carried by one of said floating element and the other of said members for operably interconnecting said floating element with the othEr of said members for moving both said driven member to its said extended position and shifting said locking element to its said extended position to lock said driven member in its extended position in response to said driving member moving to its said second position and also sequentially moving said locking element to its retracted position to unlock said driven member and said driven member to its retracted position in response to movement of said driving member from its said second to its said first position, whereby backlash between said driven member and said housing is eliminated when said driven member is locked in its extended position by said locking element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
A linear actuator comprising a housing, a driven member carried by said housing for generally axial reciprocation to extended and retracted positions with respect to said housing, a drive member carried by said housing for reciprocal movement with respect to said housing to first and second spaced apart positions on an axis generally parallel with the axis of reciprocation of said driven member, a locking element carried by one of said members for movement to extended and retracted positions on an axis generally transverse to the axis of said driven member, an abutment fixedly carried by said housing, said locking element in its extended position bearing on said abutment to prevent said driven member from moving toward its retracted position and in its retracted position disengaging said abutment and releasing said driven member for movement toward its retracted position, a floating element carried by said locking element for rotation in relation thereto on an axis generally perpendicular to the axes of reciprocation of both said one member and said locking element, a first cam and a cam follower each carried by one of said floating element and the other of said members for operably interconnecting said floating element with the othEr of said members for moving both said driven member to its said extended position and shifting said locking element to its said extended position to lock said driven member in its extended position in response to said driving member moving to its said second position and also sequentially moving said locking element to its retracted position to unlock said driven member and said driven member to its retracted position in response to movement of said driving member from its said second to its said first position, whereby backlash between said driven member and said housing is eliminated when said driven member is locked in its extended position by said locking element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said locking element has a second cam surface inclined with respect to the axis of said driven member which engages a mating surface on said abutment carried by said housing when said locking element is in its extended position to prevent said driven member from moving toward its retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The actuator of claim 2 wherein said second cam surface is inclined at an acute angle of not more than 15* with respect to the axis of reciprocation of said locking element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The actuator of claim 2 wherein said second cam surface is inclined at an acute angle in the range of about 7* to 15* with respect to the axis of reciprocation of said locking element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The actuator of claim 2 wherein said second cam surface and said mating surface of said abutment have a sufficient width in the generally axial direction of reciprocation of said locking element for locking engagement over a range of extended positions of said driven member, whereby said driven member can be locked in a range of extended positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The actuator of claim 3 wherein said second cam surface and said mating surface of said abutment have a sufficient width in the generally axial direction of reciprocation of said locking element for locking engagement over a range of extended positions of said driven member, whereby said driven member can be locked in a range of extended positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The actuator of claim 5 wherein said width of said surfaces of said locking element and said abutment is sufficient to provide a range of locking positions of said driven member of at least 0.12 of an inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The actuator of claim 5 wherein said width of said surfaces of said locking element and said abutment is sufficient to provide a range of locking positions for said driven member between about 0.12 to 0.4 of an inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said first cam has a cam surface extending obliquely to the axis of reciprocation of said other member and adapted to engage said cam follower.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said first cam comprises a groove in said other member extending obliquely to the axis of reciprocation thereof and said cam follower is fixed on said floating element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The actuator of claim 9 wherein said cam surface of said first cam is inclined at an acute angle of at least about 30* with respect to the axis of reciprocation of said other member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The actuator of claim 10 wherein said groove is inclined at an acute angle in the range of 30* to 60* with respect to the axis of reciprocation of said other member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The actuator of claim 10 wherein there is a clearance between said cam follower and said groove permitting relative movement therebetween whereby lost motion between said other member and said locking element provides a hammer-like action facilitating release and retraction of said locking element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said locking element is carried by said driven member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The actuator of claim 2 wherein said locking element is carried by said driven member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The actuator of claim 5 wherein said locking element is carried by said driven member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The actuator of claim 9 wherein saiD locking element is carried by said driven member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
105 words
The actuator of claim 2 wherein said first cam comprises a groove in said drive member extending obliquely to the axis of reciprocation of said driven member and adapted to receive said cam follower therein, said locking element is carried by said driven member, said floating element has a body with a cylindrical surface received in a pocket in said locking element for rotation of said body on an axis generally perpendicular to the axes of reciprocation of both said driven member and said locking element, and said body has said cam follower fixedly received thereon and extending into said groove in said drive member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |