Patents by Inventor James D. Ashburn

James D. Ashburn has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5823906
    Abstract: A nutation motion generator which transforms linear motion into nutation motion. The device employs a spherical, four-bar linkage mechanism. Three four-bar linkage mechanisms are sandwiched between a stationary support surface and a drive plate and arranged at 120.degree. intervals about the support surface. Each four-bar linkage mechanism is constructed of four planar sections which are hinged along their edges, the four hinged planar sections being essentially triangular in shape so that they would join at a point in the center of the device if they extended to the apex of their respective triangles. A universal joint is located at the center of the device to provide stability. The four-bar linkage mechanism can be collapsed to a substantially flatten configuration, opened and then collapsed to a substantially flattened configuration at an angle 90.degree. to that of the first flattened configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: James D. Ashburn, Steven W. Peterson, Alvin M. Strauss