Patent · US Expired

Load compensator for spring counter-weighting mechanism

US5400721A · kind A · utility

78Cited by
10References
24Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 3, 1993
Grant dateMar 28, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 3, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/18848
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved load compensator for a spring counter-weighting mechanism including a snail cam to provide a constant counter-weight force is described. The cam provides a constant torque to a drum on which are wound cables for exerting a constant counter-weighting force. A manually operable device for altering the relative radial positions of the cam and drum varies the amount of the constant counter-weighting force. The cam is rotated with respect to the drum by a spur gear fitting within a ring gear fixed to the drum and rotated by a knob connected to an axle carrying a pinion gear engaging the spur gear. The spiral surface can be effectively reconfigured with respect to a portion of the cable fitting therearound.

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