Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A compensator for Bowden cables comprising a housing having a hollow interior; a block mounted in the hollow interior of the housing for movement relative to the housing in an axial direction only and being adapted to retain therein the outer sheath of a cable; shaft means passing through the block in the axial direction and acting on an inner end wall of the housing; a first compression spring mounted on the shaft inside the block; a retaining device located on said shaft in a position that is adjustable with respect to said housing for holding said first compression spring against unwanted axial movement relative to the shaft; and a primary adjusting means mounted on said shaft to provide for adjustment to allow for variations in cable length and size; said first compression spring and said retaining device cooperating, in a condition of low cable tension, to bias the block in an outward direction and, in a condition of high cable tension, to allow the block to compress the spring to compensate for that high cable tension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A compensator for Bowden cables comprising a housing having a hollow interior; a block mounted in the hollow interior of the housing for movement relative to the housing in an axial direction only and being adapted to retain therein the outer sheath of a cable; shaft means passing through the block in the axial direction and acting on an inner end wall of the housing; a first compression spring mounted on the shaft inside the block; a retaining device located on said shaft in a position that is adjustable with respect to said housing for holding said first compression spring against unwanted axial movement relative to the shaft; and a primary adjusting means mounted on said shaft to provide for adjustment to allow for variations in cable length and size; said first compression spring and said retaining device cooperating, in a condition of low cable tension, to bias the block in an outward direction and, in a condition of high cable tension, to allow the block to compress the spring to compensate for that high cable tension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A compensator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary adjusting means comprises a second compression spring mounted on the shaft and acting on the interior wall and the retaining device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A compensator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the retaining device comprises an annular washer mounted on the shaft and arranged to jam thereon when its axis is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the first compression spring having an offset coil adjacent the washer to retain the washer at an angled position except when substantially coil-bound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A compensator as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is provided a sleeve on the shaft to move the washer to the parallel position before the first compression spring becomes coil-bound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A compensator as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is provided a projection on said block to move the washer to the parallel position before the first compression spring becomes coil-bound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A compensator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft is screw threaded along a substantial portion of its length; the retaining device comprises a nut mounted on the shaft for screwing engagement with the shaft and being held against rotation relative to the block; the nut and screw-threaded shaft comprising the primary adjusting means.