Patent · US Expired

Spring counterbalanced boom suspension system

US5253832A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
19References
16Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 26, 1991
Grant dateOct 19, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 26, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16M2200/044
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The spring counterbalanced boom suspension system is designed for suspending a viewer for use in a visual virtual environment system. The spring counterbalanced boom suspension has an improved range of motion which allows for fully counterbalanced movement of the viewing device to a vertical positions, and to horizontal positions on either side of the vertical. The viewer is suspended by a counterbalanced boom arm which is in turn supported by a cantilever arm pivotably and rotatably connected to a support structure. A tension spring is connected between the support structure and an attachment point on the cantilever arm by a cable for counterbalancing the weight of the viewing means and the boom arm. The spring tension and preload are adjusted to the geometry and counterbalancing weight of the suspension system, and the cantilever arm is capable of a fully counterbalanced range of motion. A pair of pulleys are preferably mounted to the upper end of the support structure to provide a channel through which the cable passes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.