Infinitely adjustable linear actuator
US5582461A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19735
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A infinitely adjustable linear actuator adjusts the position of two relatively movable components of a vehicle seat. The linear actuator includes a rotatable element fixedly mounted about a threaded shaft. First and second moving members are mounted within a housing and are disposed on opposite sides of an annular collar formed on the rotatable element. The moving members are movable between a first position in which the moving members disengage the rotatable element from bearing surfaces at opposite ends of the housing to form a high rotational resistance connection which prevents rotation of the rotatable element and the interconnected threaded shaft, and a second position in which the moving members are spaced from the rotatable element to enable the rotatable element to move axially into low resistance engagement with bearings in the housing which enables free rotation of the rotatable element and the threaded shaft. Pairs of angularly extending ramp surfaces formed on each moving member slide within angled guide slots formed in the housing to guide the moving members between first and second positions with respect to the annular collar.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.