Patent · US Expired

Multi-functional apparatus employing a flexible drive element for selectively actuating multiple output systems

US5920159A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
80References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 9, 1997
Grant dateJul 6, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 9, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE05B83/16
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment of a multi-functional apparatus employing a flexible drive element for selectively actuating multiple output includes an electromagnetic device and a flexible drive element with a plurality of members thereon. In another aspect of the present invention, a flexible closed loop drive element in response to selective energization of an electric motor, and at least one rotatable member is coupled to one accessory such as a window wiper. The member attached to the drive element are arranged in a loop motion or discontinuous manner and selectively engage the rotatable member and thus actuate the attached accessory.

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