Power Driven Patents (Class 108/20)
  • Patent number: 4523070
    Abstract: A mechanically-driven, low-profile, portable turntable for use in cooking ovens, especially microwave ovens, for rotating food stuffs while cooking. All moving parts, except the power spring used to drive the turntable are formed from low loss plastic and the spring is contained in a microwave reflective case to preclude overheating thereof. The low profile is achieved by providing a unique drive mechanism for the turntable in which the power spring driven gear is made to partially surround and envelop the spring case. Further, the gear train cooperating with the main power spring driven gear and with a speed-controlling governor is effectively "wrapped" about the spring case in a concentric fashion with the individual gears in the gear train being vertically overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Northland Aluminum Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorgen A. Jorgensen, Donald W. Nygren
  • Patent number: 4520744
    Abstract: A sewing machine with an articulated table is provided to facilitate the proper positioning and removal of workpieces. The drive shaft disposed under the table also is articulated to rotate with a portion of the table. An alignment piston is provided to securely align the drive shaft prior to any articulation thereof. An articulation piston is provided to positively move the table through its range of articulation. A locking piston also is provided to lock the table into its nonarticulated condition. The various piston members are preferably controlled by a common unit to ensure coordinated action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventor: Mario Portilla
  • Patent number: 4504715
    Abstract: A portable turntable apparatus for use in microwave ovens which is used as a supporting base for a container of food which is cooked within the oven and adapted to gradually rotate the same, the apparatus including a motor including metallic materials which motor is mounted in and enclosed by a metal housing and an outer enclosure comprising a cover and base of non-metallic material to prohibit electrical arcing between the motor and the oven walls. The housing is provided with smooth outer surfaces and a minimal sized aperture opening to allow a driving connection between the motor and the enclosure cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Northland Aluminum Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorgen A. Jorgensen, Donald W. Nygren
  • Patent number: 4495871
    Abstract: In a sliding table 40 slidingly mounted on a guide block 6 with an air bearing therebetween, a moving bracket 38, which is driven by a rotation of a driving screw rod 35 in an axial direction of the latter, is coupled with an elastic coupling means. The elastic coupling means is formed by abutting the moving bracket 38 to the faces of the holding blocks 41 and 42 of the sliding table 40, with a rubber sheet 43 and 44 or the like springy means inbetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Nagata, Syuji Ueda, Yoshiyuki Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 4471701
    Abstract: A connecting mechanism of an XY table is provided with a first table movable in one direction, a second table movable relative to the first table in a direction perpendicular thereto and having a guide rail parallel to the direction of movement of the first table, an auxiliary slide movable parallel to the direction of movement of the second table, a first support shaft fixed to the auxiliary slide, a second support shaft rotatably supported by the auxiliary slide and having an eccentric portion, a first antifriction bearing supported by the first support shaft, a second antifriction bearing supported by the eccentric portion of the second support shaft, and biasing means for biasing the second support shaft in a rotational direction. The guide rail is sandwiched between the first antifriction bearing and the second antifriction bearing biased in the direction of movement of the second table by the biasing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko K.K.
    Inventor: Kenkichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4462579
    Abstract: A tilting table for machining works is of the worm and worm wheel type incorporating a hydraulic servomechanism. A displacement of a stylus operating lever effected by the drive worm shaft moves the servocontrol valve out of its neutral position, thereby causing a tilting motion of the table in a desired direction via a hydraulic power unit of the mechanism. Due to a linkage connection between the table and the lever, the movement of the table always follows the lever so as to compensate the initial displacement, resulting in light and accurate positioning of the inclined table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Tsudakoma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eishin Satake
  • Patent number: 4456805
    Abstract: A portable turntable apparatus for use in microwave ovens which is used as a supporting base for a container of food which is cooked within the oven and adapted to gradually rotate the same, the apparatus including a motor including metallic materials which motor is mounted in and enclosed by a metal housing and an outer enclosure comprising a cover and base of non-metallic material to prohibit electrical arcing between the motor and the oven walls. The housing is provided with smooth outer surfaces and a minimal sized aperture opening to allow a driving connection between the motor and the enclosure cover. The motor is a spring motor having an improved centrifugal governor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Northland Aluminum Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorgen A. Jorgensen, Donald W. Nygren
  • Patent number: 4453064
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a turntable in a combination microwave and electric oven wherein a sheath heater is disposed between the turntable and a bottom wall of the oven cavity. The turntable is made of an enameled metal plate to ensure stable, or, uniform cooking in both of the microwave cooking mode and electric cooking mode. In a preferred form, openings are formed in the enameled metal turntable to stir the microwave energy during the microwave cooking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Munemitsu Toyoda, Koichiro Adachi
  • Patent number: 4440096
    Abstract: An adjustable, split top table for accommodating word processing equipment and the like comprises a base support, a main frame connected to the base support and two independently movable table tops (front and rear) adjustably secured to the main frame. A first lead screw is mounted between the main frame and the front table top so as to slope forward at an acute angle to the vertical. A second lead screw is mounted between the main frame and a front section of the rear table top and parallel to the first lead screw. A third lead screw is pivotally mounted between the main frame and a middle section of the rear table top. Drive means are coupled to the lead screws to independently raise and lower the first table top, raise and lower the rear table top and tilt the rear table top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Haskell of Pittsburgh, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Rice, Peter T. Young
  • Patent number: 4434343
    Abstract: A two level turntable adapted for use in a microwave oven. The top level platform which may include a roasting rack is removably supported above the bottom level by a plurality of columns. The bottom level platform has a shaft that extends downwardly through an aperture in a microwave shielding enclosure to a motor. The motor components consisting of a coil spring and a braking mechanism are mounted in substantially the same horizontal plane to provide a relatively low vertical profile. Although the low profile is important when the bottom level platform is used by itself, it is even more important when the top level platform is mounted on top. The shielding enclosure which includes a pan shaped bottom has a downwardly bent lip from the lid to provide a low microwave field region adjacent to the connection of the pan and lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Bowen, Thomas J. Martel
  • Patent number: 4423686
    Abstract: A table apparatus provided with a stacked array of upper and lower slides which are driven independently of each other, in which at least one slide surface of the lower slide is a slide guide shaft which is reciprocatively rotatable and which has a non-circular cross-section, and in which there are provided a rotation transmission mechanism disposed on the table of the lower slide and engaging with the slide guide shaft, said transmission mechanism being slidable axially of the slide guide shaft and rotatable along with said slide guide shaft, and an upper slide drive mechanism for sliding the upper slide in response to the rotation of said rotation transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Katumi Ueno, Genichi Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 4372222
    Abstract: A precision drive assembly for the table (b 10) of a machine tool incorporates a screw (12) and floating ball nut (14). The nut is supported by a pair of rods (18,20) which, in turn, are connected to a bracket (26) mounted on the table. The nut is prevented from rotating about its axis by a torque arm (38) extending from the side of the nut and anchored to a bracket (52) attached to the table. Because of this arrangement the nut may move sideways or vertically without substantially altering its linear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Colt Industries Operating Corp.
    Inventor: Larry E. Tice
  • Patent number: 4372223
    Abstract: A moving table assembly has a base, a table supported by the base for movement in one direction, a feed screw having its axis parallel to the direction of movement of the table, a nut threadably engaged with the feed screw, and a connecting mechanism for connecting the table and the nut, the connecting mechanism comprising a first connecting portion for transmitting the axial displacement of the nut to the table and a second connecting portion for preventing the nut from rotating relative to the axis of the feed screw, the first connecting portion being provided with a guide member having a pair of guide surfaces provided on one of the table and the nut in orthogonal relationship with the axis of the feed screw, two support shafts corresponding to the guide surfaces respectively and secured to the other of the table and the nut, and two arms rockably provided on the support shafts respectively and having at the opposite ends thereof rotatable rollers engaging the guide surfaces, the rollers being pressed agai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuo Iwatani
  • Patent number: 4365561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer terminal station constituted by an input device and by an output device, both devices being separate one from the other.According to the invention, the station comprises a support for the device 2 constituted by a column mounted for sliding along its axis in a stand, and for rotation about its axis with respect to said stand, the top part of the said column being provided with a console mounted to pivot about an inclinable axis for the output device whereas between the column and the stand are provided means for their axial immobilization in relative rotation and whereas between the column and the console are provided means for adjusting the inclination of the console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Compagnie du Roneo
    Inventors: Pierre Tellier, Jean-Pierre Demaille, Jean Doillon
  • Patent number: 4337670
    Abstract: A support structure (10), preferably a rotatable bed, pivotable between a generally horizontal use position and a generally vertical storage position is disclosed. A counterbalancing mechanism (20) which reduces the amount of force needed to rotate the support structure (10) is operatively connected to the support structure (10). A drive arm (70) driven by a motor mechanism (64) in a linear direction is also operatively connected to the support structure (10). The drive arm (70) is connected to the support structure (10) through a linkage apparatus. The linkage apparatus has linkage plates (82) pivotably connected to drive arm (70) and connecting plates (92) extending from the support structure (10). A T-shaped rod mechanism (102) is engaged by latch (116), rotatably connected to the linkage plates (82), and extends through a hole in frame member (14) of support structure (10) where a coil spring (124) is received about the rod mechanism (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Sico Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4330696
    Abstract: Turntable for rotating food being cooked in a microwave oven, including a rotatable platform upon which the food is mounted and a drive motor positioned to the side of the platform. The turntable is made of a material having a low loss tangent at microwave frequencies, and the drive motor is surrounded by a shielding enclosure which reflects microwaves. In one of the disclosed embodiments, the turntable can also be used in conventional ovens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Pomeroy, Albert E. Colato, Allen M. Danley, John E. Gerling
  • Patent number: 4258630
    Abstract: A portable turntable apparatus for use in microwave ovens which is used as a supporting base for a container of food which is cooked within the oven and adapted to gradually rotate the same, the apparatus including a motor including metallic materials which motor is mounted in and enclosed by a metal housing and an outer enclosure comprising a cover and base of non-metallic material to prohibit electrical arcing between the motor and the oven walls. The housing is provided with smooth outer surfaces and a minimal sized aperture opening to allow a driving connection between the motor and the enclosure cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Northland Aluminum Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorgen A. Jorgensen, Donald W. Nygren
  • Patent number: 4254319
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a totally non-metallic and portable turntable and driving mechanism thereof, insertable into microwave oven space the same as any other item would be placed into the oven space, having a plastic coil spring as the driving mechanism thereof, and having an optionally utilizable detachably mountable stationary stiring arm which stirs food cooking within a vessel being revolved on the revolting turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Inventors: Bruce Beh, Patricia M. Beh
  • Patent number: 4242968
    Abstract: The specification describes a stepping advancing device more particularly r tables for receiving components during a stage of manufacture. The device comprises a crank drive adapted to reciprocate through 180.degree. and attached to the table. A pitman of the crank drive is pivotally connected at its free end remote from the crank shaft with an anchoring or fixing element guided for movement in the direction of movement of the table. This element is clamped to and freed from its guide at the respective end of movement of the crank drive. Furthermore there is a second fixing element, directly fixed to the table and which at the end of travel of the crank drive is detached from and clamped to a further guide, running in the direction of travel of the table, so as to perform an opposite movement to the first-mentioned fixing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Dorst-Keramikmaschinen-Bau Otto Dorst und Dipl.-Ing. Walter Schlegel
    Inventors: Hubert Schaidl, Josef Leingartner
  • Patent number: 4239009
    Abstract: A turntable is provided for a microwave oven for rotating foodstuffs placed thereon and effecting uniform heating of the foodstuffs. The turntable includes a base, a rotatable table for receiving foodstuffs, and drive means mounted on the base for rotatably driving the table. The base, table, and drive means are incorporated in a portable, freestanding structure which is adapted for placement and removal from a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Emmett M. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 4237796
    Abstract: This invention is a revolving examination table apparatus to be used by, for example, optometrists during eye examination to place a desired instrument between the patient and the doctor. More particularly, the table apparatus includes (1) a main, circular support base assembly; (2) a revolving table top assembly rotatably mounted on the support base assembly; and (3) an electrical control and drive assembly operable to control rotation of the revolving table top assembly. A central portion of the support base assembly and the revolving table top assembly is cut out to receive a chair and person (optometrist) therein while the patient sits opposite therefrom with the table apparatus therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Ro-Ta Development Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gordon, Hollis D. Baker
  • Patent number: 4226191
    Abstract: A remotely controlled tri-level roller platform assembly including a base portion, an intermediate portion and a top support portion. The intermediate portion is reciprocally operable in a first linear plane, atop and independently of the base member, by means of a first reversible electric motor, with the top support portion disposed thereatop for movement therewith. The top support portion is reciprocally operable in a second linear plane, independent of the intermediate portion, at right angles to the first plane, by means of a second reversible electric motor. Remote control electric switches are provided for the first and second motors whereby the motors may be selectively operated for universal planar positioning of any desired point within a predetermined area of the top surface of the top support portion relative to the lens of a single camera in a visual aid system, including a TV monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: University of Miami
    Inventor: Guillermo A. Espana
  • Patent number: 4216727
    Abstract: A turntable is provided for a microwave oven for rotating foodstuffs placed thereon and effecting uniform heating of the foodstuffs. The turntable includes a base, a rotatable table for receiving foodstuffs, and drive means mounted on the base for rotatably driving the table. The base, table, and drive means are incorporated in a portable, freestanding structure which is adapted for placement and removal from a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Emmett M. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 4213401
    Abstract: A support arrangement for a workpiece table of a gear testing machine which is mounted at a machine frame by means of an antifriction bearing arrangement to be rotatable about a vertical axis. Between the machine frame and the workpiece table there are arranged, coaxial with the antifrication bearing arrangemement, two support rings which can be rotated relative to one another between a rest position and a support position and vice versa. These support rings engage with one another by means of a number of pairs of complementary inclined surfaces which ascend opposite to the direction of rotation from the support position to the rest position and can be moved, by relative rotation, out of the rest position where they enable the workpiece table to rest upon the antifriction bearing arrangement, into the support position where they relieve the antifriction bearing arrangement from the load of the workpiece table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: Maag Zahnrader & Maschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oskar Maag
  • Patent number: 4140128
    Abstract: A sun tanning table adapted to support the body of the user for sun tanning purposes, including a base adapted to be supported on the ground, and a substantially flat table top mounted on the base for supporting the body of the user in a reclining position for sun tanning purposes. A device is provided for mounting rotatably the table top on the base to enable the table top to rotate continuously through 360 degrees relative to the base. A motor rotates the table top about its vertical axis relative to the base to enable the user to attain a uniform sun tan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Inventor: Joe Van Der Schaaf
  • Patent number: 4114541
    Abstract: A rotating cafeteria type food service counter that includes a generally circular counter top supported on top an immobile framework by idler rollers mounted to the framework. The drive shaft includes upper and lower sections, the upper section being fixed to the underside of the counter top in axial fashion, and the lower section being carried in bearings mounted on the counter's framework. A drive motor assembly is connected with the drive shaft's lower section. A universal joint connects the drive shaft's upper and lower sections. The use of the universal joint permits the counter top to tilt or flex slightly relative to its rotational axis if required to maintain supportive contact with the idler rollers for minimizing vibration of the counter top during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: B/W Metals Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Elmer R. Weddendorf
  • Patent number: 4073240
    Abstract: A portable animal hospital table comprising a plastic bed surface disposed on an upper frame, a radiation shielding layer positioned below said plastic bed surface and carried by said upper frame, a base frame supported on rolling means, pivotally mounted linkage means operatively connecting said upper frame and said base frame, a pressure cylinder and piston mounted on said base frame and pivotally connected to said linkage means, and means for actuating said pressure cylinder and piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Inventor: Howard G. Fly
  • Patent number: 4070973
    Abstract: A mechanized display for articles, such as cigarette packages, includes rotating platforms upon which the packages rest. The rotating platforms are supported in openings through a plastic housing by drive shaft means, which is driven with a battery powered electric motor. The battery powered electric motor is retained in the bottom of the plastic housing, so that the housing can either sit stably on a flat surface or be suspended from its top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Inventor: Jerome Morgan
  • Patent number: 4036151
    Abstract: In a type of the microwave cooking apparatus provided with a turntable rotating foodstuffs within the oven cavity to effect uniform heating, the turntable is provided to freely couple with or separate from a power transmission system including a power source. In particular, the turntable is utilized as a foodstuff shelf within the oven cavity when the it is associated with the power transmission system and also is utilized as a cooking tray when it is removed from the power transmission system and desposed directly on a dining table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Shin
  • Patent number: 3944204
    Abstract: A radiological table includes a platform for supporting a patient. The table is equipped with a single supporting mechanism for effecting the desired different translational movements in the transverse direction and the vertical direction, and its rotation and about axes parallel to its longitudinal axis. The platform is suspended at each of its ends by a mechanism which includes two concentric cranks, each journalled at one of their respective extremities to a pivot integral with a carriage or slide block gliding in a slide fixed transversely at the end of the platform. The transverse position of each of the carriages in the slide is independently controlled by a pinion secured to a hollow shaft rotatably mounted on said pivot and engaging a chain whose two ends are fixedly secured to the opposite extremities of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Assignee: C.G.R. Generay S.p.A.
    Inventor: Jean Cesar