Abstract: A mechanism converts rotational displacement to linear displacement with ramped driver discoidal elements and ramped driven discoidal elements on a common central axis. The ramped surfaces of the two elements are complementarily shaped and opposed so that, when in contact and completely interengaged, they form an assembly of minimum length. The driver elements are rotated by an external force. The driven elements are allowed to translate along the common axis while being prevented from rotating about the common axis, whereby a rotational displacement of the driver elements by an externally applied force causes the elements to separate by camming action of the interengaged ramp surfaces to produce a linear displacement of the driven elements. A spring is coupled to the driven elements so as to restore the assembly to its minimum length in the absence of the externally applied force.

Abstract: A rotational to linear displacement conversion mechanism comprises: an assembly including a plurality of driver discoidal elements and a plurality of driven discoidal elements mounted alternately on a common central axis to form an interleaved stack. Each discoidal element has a ramped surface, the ramped surfaces of adjacent elements being complementarily shaped and opposed so that, when in contact and completely interengaged, they form a stack of minimum length. A coupling means is provided for coupling the driver discoidal elements for rotation together about the axis by an externally applied force while permitting them to translate along the axis. The driven elements are mounted in such a way as to permit translation along the common axis while preventing rotation of the driven elements about the common axis.