Patent · US Expired

Washer and bracket combination for automatically setting an air gap

US5951191A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 8, 1997
Grant dateSep 14, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 8, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/32532
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A bracket and washer combination providing secure holding and positioning of a magnetic sensor, wherein an optimal air gap is automatically set as the washer is brought into a slot of the bracket due to facial interaction therebetween. In one embodiment, the sidewalls of the slot have teeth of predetermined pitch, while the washer has smooth sidewalls. In a second embodiment, the sidewalls of the washer have teeth of a predetermined pitch angle, while the sidewalls of the slot are smooth. The member having toothed sidewalls is formed of a material harder than the member having smooth sidewalls. The washer and slot are dimensioned so that the sidewalls of the washer tightly abut the sidewalls of the slot, wherein the teeth of the toothed sidewalls inscribe corresponding grooves into the smooth sidewalls as the washer is pressed into the slot along a transverse axis. Consequently, as the corresponding grooves are inscribed, the washer sidewalls are caused to move in relation to the slot sidewalls in a direction parallel to the pitch of the teeth, resulting in a relative movement between the washer and the bracket along a longitudinal axis. However, since the washer is affixed by a bo…

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