Safety problem solution with movement control system
US5946859A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/219
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A motion control system controls the linear motion of a safety gate or other object, to prevent its skewing or binding, by two inter-connecting (meshed) gears, which also connect with (are respectively meshed with) two spaced apart, parallel, linear gear racks. The two gears extend between and interconnect the two gear racks, so that all four components are geared together, and have the same gear pitch. This forces the two spaced apart gear racks to track and move in lock-step with one another in a direction of motion aligned with and parallel to the gear racks, thus insuring linear movement of the member being moved (the safety gate here) irrespective of where on the member the moving member is pushed, pulled or otherwise acted on, i.e., even off-center, and without requiring critical edge guide channels, tracks, or the like. In this example a simple solenoid moves the safety gate with consistently low force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.