Force-limiting rotary lock
US6722485B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/18704
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A force-limiting rotary lock (20) for a shaft (21) mounted on a housing (22) for rotational and axial movement relative thereto, broadly includes a lug member (28) provided on the shaft, and a pawl (51) mounted on the housing. The pawl is movable relative to the housing between first and second positions. The pawl is operatively arranged to engage the lug when the pawl is in its first position (shown in FIG. 3) to prevent further rotation of the shaft in one angular direction, and to be disengaged from the lug when the pawl is in its second position (shown in FIG. 2) to permit rotation of the shaft in either angular direction. A cam (25) is mounted on the shaft, and a follower (49) is mounted on the housing for selectively moving the pawl between the first and second positions when the shaft is axially displaced from its predetermined position. When the shaft is axially displaced from its predetermined position and the pawl engages the lug, the shaft will be prevented from rotating further in the one angular direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.