Rotary Cam Drive Patents (Class 74/122)
  • Patent number: 11229532
    Abstract: Prosthetic hand (1) with a wrist (13) and provided with a hand palm (2) and fingers (4) attached to the hand palm (2), wherein the hand palm (2) and fingers (4) comprise bars (5) and joints (6) connecting the bars (5) forming a construction (7) supported by the wrist (13), wherein said bars (5) occupy a position with reference to each other de-pending on an external load applied to the construction (7), wherein a reaction force for said load applied to the construction (7) is provided by or through the wrist (13), and wherein the construction (7) has an unloaded position wherein the fingers (4) are stretched and a plurality of loaded positions corresponding to loads applied to an inner side of the hand (1) wherein the construction (7) is deflected from the unloaded position wherein the fingers (4) are stretched into a series of loaded positions in which the fingers (4) are flexed into increasingly bonded positions so as to eventually close the hand (1), and that said construction (7) is provided with a lockin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT
    Inventors: Gerhardus Smit, Bartjan Maat
  • Patent number: 10240666
    Abstract: The improved gearbox mechanism of the present invention includes a plurality of cam-actuated simplified gear block assemblies, which transfer power from a power shaft to a secondary or output gear element. Each gear block assembly includes a gear block having a surface that periodically interfaces with a secondary or output gear element. In a preferred embodiment the interface surface comprises a plurality of projections or teeth which correspond to complementary projections or gear teeth on the output gear element. Each gear block assembly further includes a gear block, a torque lever arm, cam followers and/or a socket, which connect or link the gear block to a cam assembly, which in turn is connected to a power source. The cam assembly includes about its circumference a unique pathway or groove for each linkage assembly of a particular gear block assembly so that the movement of the gear block may be controlled in two dimensions in accordance with a certain design parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Motus Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Carlos A. Hoefken
  • Patent number: 8640565
    Abstract: A controller of the present invention is provided for valve to be connected thereto. The controller is used for executing rotation and movement motion so as to operate the stem of the valve and to control connection conditions of the valve. As such, the valve assembled with the controller can be controlled and switched automatically. Cost of management of factories is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: Fan-Yu Liu, Geng-Xue Liu
  • Publication number: 20120125133
    Abstract: A lost motion cam assembly for a vehicle lock. The assembly includes a lever, pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between locked and unlocked positions. A motor drives a gear mounted to a shaft in the housing. A cam is also rotatably mounted to the shaft, and includes a pair of opposing cam arms. When a cam arm engages a first interaction surface on the lever, the lever actuates. A second interaction surface on the lever stops the cam. The cam is operably connected to the gear by a lost motion connection that defines a range of free travel of the cam relative to the gear. Manually pivoting the lever while one of the pair of cam arms is in contact with the first interaction surface on the lever causes the cam to rotate within the range of free travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Kris Tomaszewski
  • Publication number: 20080245032
    Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for controlling the rotational movement of a die wheel in packaging machinery and includes a first component operationally interconnected to both the die wheel and camshaft, and a second component physically connected to both the first component and the framework of the packaging machine wherein the second component is detachably mounted to the framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Edward Wegner
  • Patent number: 7258030
    Abstract: A rotary cam assembly for a bending die includes first and second arms pivotally attached to an actuator. Linear movement of the actuator causes rotation of the rotary cam relative to a bending cam. A rotatable element is supported between the first and second arms and guides along a cam surface of a fail-safe element mounted on an upper die. In the absence of actuator movement, the fail-safe element cause rotation of the rotary cam from a released position to a bending position ensuring proper position of the rotary cam relative to a bending cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Syron Engineering & Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Scott McCallum
  • Patent number: 7121160
    Abstract: A constant power mechanical transmission with seamless, ripple free, infinitely variable torque multiplying outputs comprises an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is coupled to a pair of oscillating levers whereby rotation of the input shaft causes oscillation of the oscillating levers in opposite directions. The oscillating levers are linked to the output shaft with one-way clutches in order to cause rotation of the shaft upon movement of the oscillating levers. The rotational speed of the output shaft can be infinitely varied by changing the throw of the oscillating levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Laird B. Gogins
  • Patent number: 7066042
    Abstract: An advancing/retracting mechanism having a pair of cams is disclosed. The advancing/retracting mechanism includes a first cam, a second cam, and a barrel. The first cam includes an angled surface and a shoe, and the second cam includes an angled surface and a slider. The shoe engages with a helical surface in the barrel, and the slider engages with a straight surface in the barrel. The first cam travels a first distance along the longitudinal axis of the barrel from a first to a second state, and the second cam travels a second distance that is greater then the first distance along the longitudinal axis of the barrel from the first to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Sanford L.P.
    Inventors: Neville E. Andrews, Andrew Bielecki
  • Publication number: 20010020399
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism for transmitting motion with a uniform speed transmission factor between first and second moveable elements comprises a set of cams adapted to rotate with the first moveable element about a revolving axis, and corresponding arrays of spaced-apart rollers connected to the second moveable element for movement therewith. The cams cooperate in relays with the corresponding arrays of spaced-apart rollers to continuously communicate motion between the first and second moveable elements. The cams are in rolling contact with the corresponding arrays of rollers, whereby torque and force transmission can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism allows for the reversal of both the direction of the input speed and the roles of the first and second moveable elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Jorge Angeles, Max Antonio Gonzalez-Palacios
  • Patent number: 6231468
    Abstract: A desmodromic mechanism having transmission elements connected to and supported by an intermediate element and a primary and a secondary cam both in permanent contact with the transmission elements. The transmission elements, the intermediate element, the primary and secondary cams are assembled to one another to compulsorily move in rotation or linearly relative to one another. The various elements are also assembled in such a way as to form sealed variable volume chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Roger Bajulaz
  • Patent number: 5860320
    Abstract: A variable ratio power transmission in the form of a gear box is described, in which the gear ratio of the input and output shafts can be varied continuously between a maximum and a minimum. The power transmission comprises a first bevel wheel (40) rotatably mounted in connection with a U-shaped member (32) on a first axis (34). The U-shaped member (32) is pivotable about the axis (34) and is coupled to the bevel wheel (44) via a sprag clutch (36). Hence, pivoting movement of the U-shaped member (32) in a first direction about the axis (34) results in a torque being applied via the sprag clutch (36) to the bevel wheel (44), whereas pivoting movements of the U-shaped member (32) in the opposite direction has no effect via the sprag clutch (36) on rotation of the bevel wheel (44). A second bevel wheel (50) is also coupled to the U-shaped member (32) via a second sprag clutch (38) which operates in the reverse direction to that of the first sprag clutch (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Steven Mark Crabb
  • Patent number: 5739490
    Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Amonett, Lloyd Curtis Worley
  • Patent number: 5722910
    Abstract: Method and apparatus having a track of segments, ones of the segments having a non-varying profile, for generating a varying motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Synkinetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Folino
  • Patent number: 5711192
    Abstract: An improved indexing device for generating a smooth and controlled rotary motion where double rotary cranks having slide members coupled to corresponding slide guides arranged in orientation parallel to the plane of rotation of the rotary cranks are provided. Each slide guide is attached to a trolley movable in a direction transverse to the axis of the slide guides. A linear gear rack is mounted on each trolley in parallel to its sliding motion and are opposingly configured across a rotary gear member. The gear member drives a positive locking clutch which is entirely self contained within the indexer assembly itself and requires no operator or external control. The clutch function is accomplished automatically when appropriate during the indexer cycle. During stationary periods, the output of the indexer is locked preventing movement of the indexer and providing unique stability to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Michael Vasilantone
  • Patent number: 5600999
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for translating a rotary input to a rotary output, the apparatus having a primary cam for providing a rotary input in a first direction, a secondary cam having a plurality of cycles, each cycle subtending a cycle angle of .theta., an intermediate member, the intermediate member having a plurality of radial slots, the slots separated from each other by a slot angle of .beta., where .beta.<.theta., the slots being for receipt of respective interacting elements, wherein the primary cam has a rise side and a fall side and wherein each secondary cam cycle has a clockwise side and a counterclockwise side, and wherein the slot angle locates the slots such that the rise side of the primary cam interacts with the counterclockwise side of the secondary cam cycles, the primary and secondary cams for mounting on a common axis with the intermediate member and the cams and member interacting to provide a rotary output in a direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Synkinetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Folino
  • Patent number: 5351572
    Abstract: The adjusting drive for axially adjustable steering columns in motor vehicles has a transmission between a drive unit mounted to rotate in a housing (2) secured to the body and a steering column tube (1) mounted to move axially in the housing. Gearing (5) is provided on the steering column tube extending in the axial direction. Gearing (8.1, 9.1) of the transmission engages with the steering column tube gearing. The gearing is provided as cycloidal gearing on two toothed racks (8, 9) whose gearing engages in the gearing on the steering column tube (1) out of phase with one another by half a tooth spacing, and which are movable eccentrically by the drive unit by a cam bearing (16, 17) out of phase by 180.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Jens Vortmeyer
  • Patent number: 5211066
    Abstract: A cam gear controlling mechanism is simple in structure, small in overall size and high in reliability of operation. The controlling mechanism comprises a cam gear having toothed and non-toothed portions and a cam groove, a trigger lever having a projection fitted in the cam groove and movable between arresting and non-arresting positions, a spring biasing the trigger lever to the non-arresting position, and electromagnetic means for releasably holding the trigger lever at the arresting position. When the cam gear is engaged with a driving gear, it is rotated in one direction by the latter, but when the driving gear is opposed to the non-toothed portion, a stopper projection on the cam gear is abutted with the engaging projection to lock the cam gear there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Koga, Jun Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5187994
    Abstract: A rotary motion to longitudinal motion converting mechanism comprising a passive rack with a plurality of teeth, a plurality of active racks respectively having a plurality of teeth having the same pitch as that of the teeth of the passive rack and meshing with the passive rack, and a plurailty of rotatable crankshafts respectively having eccentric circular portions different in phase from one another and respectively having the active racks supported on the eccentric circular portions in such a manner that the passive rack is moved in its longitudinal direction through the active racks by rotary motions of the plurality of rotatable crankshafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Hirai, Hiroyuki Takenaka, Hidekazu Yokoi, Tsuyoshi Nachi, Kiyoshi Ando
  • Patent number: 4895046
    Abstract: An incremental drive for the incremental driving of a rotary shaft or of a line device, having a rotary driver shaft adapted to be driven by a power means. A plurality of cams are mounted on the drive shaft each having an offset camming surface relative to the axis of rotation of the driver shaft. A shoe with a respective engagement face is fitted to a respective cam. A driven element--rotary or linear--is sequentially contacted by the engagement faces. The driver shaft is resiliently biased toward the driven element. Rotation of the driver shaft causes the shoes sequentially to drive the driven element, and the resilient bias maintains driving contact and enables relief of the shoes from the driven element during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: Michael R. Everman
  • Patent number: 4787480
    Abstract: Tensioning device for the energy store of an electrical switch, the energy store including a drive spring and the switch having a turn-on lock provided with a blocking latch of the turn-on lock of the switch, the device including:a rotatable drive shaft having a crank articulated to the drive spring, the drive shaft being rotatable into an end position at which the spring is tensioned and the drive shaft is supported at the blocking latch;a rotatable tensioning shaft and a displacement-producing mechanism carried by the tensioning shaft;a directional coupling device disposed on the drive shaft and coupled to the displacement-producing mechanism for rotating the drive shaft in steps in a selected direction in repsonse to rotation of the tensioning shaft;a spring member disposed for maintaining the coupling operative engagement with the displacement-producing mechanism;a setting member associated with the drive shaft for uncoupling the directional coupling device from the displacement-producing mechanism when t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Sachesenwerk, Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erwin Reichl
  • Patent number: 4653344
    Abstract: This bearing system has been developed primarily for long rotating shafts having a number of support points and supported objects. A beam is preferably extruded with a T-slot in one face. The slot receives the heads of mounting bolts securing a split bearing housing to the beam. A split eccentric assembly is also provided, which is rotatively secured to the shaft by clamps to generate orbital movement of a second beam, which is secured to a split bearing housing surrounding the eccentric assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Belco Industries Incorporation
    Inventor: John W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4476735
    Abstract: A first member defines a plurality of depressions such as V-shaped notches therein and is positioned so that the V-shaped notches are adjacent another plurality of similar notches defined by a second member. The spacing of the recesses in the second member is different than the spacing of recesses in the first member. A movable ball is received in each of the recesses of the first member. A cam is positioned to alternately force one of the balls into engagement between partially aligned recesses on the first and second members forcing relative movement between the members, positioning a load connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Inventor: Gill Cantwell
  • Patent number: 4228690
    Abstract: A pair of ratchets are coupled to a camstack with each rachet being driven by a separate drive pawl. A no back clutch, that is associated with the camstack to prevent its reversal during its advancement, comprises an annular member having a multiplicity of individual pawls engaging a multi-tooth ratchet coupled to the camstack. A spring biased lever and a spring biased actuator coupled to the lever engages one of the drive pawls so that the drive pawl can be disengaged from its ratchet for at least a portion of a program cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Ring
  • Patent number: 4215588
    Abstract: A control device for driver member comprises an intermittently movable driver member, a follower member adapted to follow the driver member for displacement, retention and return displacement, a control member for controlling the starting and stoppage of the movement of the driver member, and a first and a second signal for starting the movement of the driver member. The movement of the driver member may be started by the first signal to displace the follower member to bring about the retaining position, whereafter the movement of the driver member may be automatically stopped by the control member, and the movement of the driver member may be restarted by the second signal and at the position whereat the return displacement of the follower member is completed, the movement of the driver member may be automatically stopped by the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigehiro Komori, Hiroyuki Hattori, Tsuneki Inuzuka, Koichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 4179945
    Abstract: The impulse drive mechanism has a drive pawl which is periodically retracted sufficiently to engage a tooth at maximum tooth spacing to advance the sequence control cam a maximum step. If a lesser step is desired (can be used) the ratchet tooth spacing is decreased and the masking device which incorporates a follower engaging the cam on the inside of the ratchet is moved into position to prevent engagement of the pawl with a tooth at greater spacing. The cam drum can be advanced in small angular increments when only tolling time and the angular increment can be increased to accomodate sequential switching during the advance step if required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: George Obermann
  • Patent number: RE43040
    Abstract: An advancing/retracting mechanism having a pair of cams is disclosed. The advancing/retracting mechanism includes a first cam, a second cam, and a barrel. The first cam includes an angled surface and a shoe, and the second cam includes an angled surface and a slider. The shoe engages with a helical surface in the barrel, and the slider engages with a straight surface in the barrel. The first cam travels a first distance along the longitudinal axis of the barrel from a first to a second state, and the second cam travels a second distance that is greater then the first distance along the longitudinal axis of the barrel from the first to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sanford, L.P.
    Inventors: Neville E. Andrews, Andrew Bielecki