Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a steering system for mobile medical equipment includes left and right steerable wheel assemblies respectively with left and right steerable wheels. A left parallelogram linkage couples to the left steerable wheel assembly to transfer a left wheel angle to the left steerable wheel assembly. A right parallelogram linkage couples to the right steerable wheel assembly to transfer a right wheel angle to the right steerable wheel assembly. A steering function generator couples to the left parallelogram linkage and the right parallelogram linkage. The steering function generator generates the left wheel angle of the left steerable wheel and the right wheel angle of the right steerable wheel. A steering tiller couples to the steering function generator and receives an input steering angle from an operator to generate the left and right wheel angles to control the direction of the mobile medical equipment around flooring.

Abstract: Methods for steering mobile medical equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes supporting medical equipment with a base above a floor over which a left steerable wheel, a right steerable wheel, and a pair of front wheels roll; receiving an input steering angle other than zero; linearly sweeping a long link in response to the input steering angle, pivoting a pair of short links in response to the linearly sweeping of the long link; pivoting a pair of cam plates in response to the pivoting of the pair of short links; transferring the pivoting of one of the pair of cam plates to a left wheel assembly to position the left steerable wheel at a left wheel angle; and transferring the pivoting of another one of the pair of cam plates to a right wheel assembly to position the right steerable wheel at a right wheel angle.

Abstract: Methods for steering mobile medical equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes supporting medical equipment with a base above a floor over which a left steerable wheel, a right steerable wheel, and a pair of front wheels roll; receiving an input steering angle other than zero; linearly sweeping a long link in response to the input steering angle, pivoting a pair of short links in response to the linearly sweeping of the long link; pivoting a pair of cam plates in response to the pivoting of the pair of short links; transferring the pivoting of one of the pair of cam plates to a left wheel assembly to position the left steerable wheel at a left wheel angle; and transferring the pivoting of another one of the pair of cam plates to a right wheel assembly to position the right steerable wheel at a right wheel angle.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a steering system for mobile medical equipment includes left and right steerable wheel assemblies respectively with left and right steerable wheels. A left parallelogram linkage couples to the left steerable wheel assembly to transfer a left wheel angle to the left steerable wheel assembly. A right parallelogram linkage couples to the right steerable wheel assembly to transfer a right wheel angle to the right steerable wheel assembly. A steering function generator couples to the left parallelogram linkage and the right parallelogram linkage. The steering function generator generates the left wheel angle of the left steerable wheel and the right wheel angle of the right steerable wheel. A steering tiller couples to the steering function generator and receives an input steering angle from an operator to generate the left and right wheel angles to control the direction of the mobile medical equipment around flooring.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a steering system for mobile medical equipment is disclosed including left and right steerable wheel assemblies including left and right steerable wheels, left and right parallelogram linkages coupled to the left and right steerable wheel assemblies, a steering function generator coupled to the left and right parallelogram linkages, and a steering tiller coupled to the steering function generator. The left and right parallelogram linkages transfer differing left and right wheel angles to the left and right steerable wheel assemblies respectively. The steering function generator generates the left wheel angle (LWA) of the left steerable wheel and the right wheel angle (RWA) of the right steerable wheel. The steering tiller receives an input steering angle to generate the left wheel angle and the right wheel angle to control the direction of the mobile medical equipment around flooring.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a steering system for mobile medical equipment is disclosed including left and right steerable wheel assemblies including left and right steerable wheels, left and right parallelogram linkages coupled to the left and right steerable wheel assemblies, a steering function generator coupled to the left and right parallelogram linkages, and a steering tiller coupled to the steering function generator. The left and right parallelogram linkages transfer differing left and right wheel angles to the left and right steerable wheel assemblies respectively. The steering function generator generates the left wheel angle (LWA) of the left steerable wheel and the right wheel angle (RWA) of the right steerable wheel. The steering tiller receives an input steering angle to generate the left wheel angle and the right wheel angle to control the direction of the mobile medical equipment around flooring.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for use in a disc drive rotary actuator and like magnetic device includes a selectively energizable electromagnet mounted to the actuator and spaced from the magnets, and a ferrous arm pivotally attached between the magnets and the electromagnet whereby the latch arm can assume two stable positions of low magnetic reluctance for stray flux from the magnets. In one position the latch arm pivots towards the magnets and engages the rotary actuator. In the other position, the latch arm pivots towards the electromagnet and disengages the rotary actuator. Positioning of the latch arm is dependent on momentary energization and polarity of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A movable actuator supporting a stacked assembly of read/write heads for unitary movement adjacent respective disk surfaces of a disk drive mechanism, the movable actuator incorporating a series of secondary actuators, one for each head, each secondary actuator including a bimorph member with piezoelectric properties, and capable of extremely precise movements for secondary positioning.

Abstract: In an information storage system having a plurality of data storage medias which may be read and/or written onto by multiple read/write heads carried by a plurality of aligned head arms, a damping device is provided for reducing vibrations within the head arms. The damping device is formed of a compressible viscoelastic material having a relatively high loss factor.

Abstract: In the carriage assembly of a disk drive, thermally compensating elements are positioned between the support structure for the carriage and a fixed guide plate which is associated with an outrigger bearing of the carriage. Compensation is achieved for expansion of the carriage base and displacement of the fixed guide plate and the outrigger bearing which results from thermal change, thereby precluding roll of the carriage.

Abstract: A crash stop assembly for use in a rotary actuator includes a folded leaf spring having two opposing spring arms joined by a base portion. The base portion is mounted to the rotary actuator with the spring arms maintained in compression. Projecting ears on the pivot block assembly of the rotary actuator engage the folded leaf spring to limit travel of the pivot block assembly.