Methods and apparatus for generating force and torque
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a cam 4200 having at least a first guiding surface 4202;
a cam following assembly 4220 including a first following surface 4228 for engaging the first guiding surface 4202 of the cam 4200 at least at a first contact point 4224, and a means for urging the first following surface 4228 against the first guiding surface 4202 of the cam 4200;
the first following surface 4228 defining a contact angle 4238 with the first guiding surface 4202 of the cam 4200; and
the first guiding surface 4102 of the cam 4100 being shaped such that the contact angle 4138 of the first follower 4122 changes substantially continually as the cam following assembly 4120 moves along a longitudinal axis 4148 of the cam 4100.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing support and position control of a monitor. In one embodiment, a method of supporting a monitor includes converting an ascending energy storage member force curve into a substantially constant supporting force against the monitor. In one aspect, a method, of supporting a monitor includes providing an energy storage member and a cam which are cooperatively positioned so as to move relative to each other along the path of motion. As the energy storage member moves along the path relative to the cam, the cam displaces the energy storage member and thereby changes a force applied by the energy storage member on the cam, and wherein the cam converts the force applied by the energy storage member into a supporting force on the monitor.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a cam 4200 having at least a first guiding surface 4202;
a cam following assembly 4220 including a first following surface 4228 for engaging the first guiding surface 4202 of the cam 4200 at least at a first contact point 4224, and a means for urging the first following surface 4228 against the first guiding surface 4202 of the cam 4200;
the first following surface 4228 defining a contact angle 4238 with the first guiding surface 4202 of the cam 4200; and
the first guiding surface 4102 of the cam 4100 being shaped such that the contact angle 4138 of the first follower 4122 changes substantially continually as the cam following assembly 4120 moves along a longitudinal axis 4148 of the cam 4100. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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a cam 4100 having a first guiding surface 4102 and a second guiding surface 4104;
a cam following assembly 4120 including a first follower 4122 having a first following surface 4128 for engaging the first guiding surface 4102 of the cam 4100 at least at a first contact point 4124, a second follower 4126 having a second following surface 4130 engaging the second guiding surface 4104 of the cam 4100, and a spring 4132 having a first end 4134 coupled to the first follower 4122 and a second end 4136 coupled to the second follower 4126;
the first follower 4122 having a contact angle 4138 defined by a first imaginary line 4140 extending through the first contact point 4124 and a central axis 4144 of the first follower 4122, and an imaginary reference line 4142 extending between the central axis 4144 of the first follower 4122 and a central axis 4146 of the second follower 4126; and
the first guiding surface 4102 of the cam 4100 being shaped such that the contact angle 4138 of the first follower 4122 changes substantially continually as the cam following assembly 4120 moves along a longitudinal axis 4148 of the cam 4100.
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21. An apparatus, comprising:
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a cam 4300 having a first guiding surface 4302, a second guiding surface 4304, and a longitudinal axis 4348;
a cam following assembly 4320 including a first roller 4322 having a first following surface 4328 engaging the first guiding surface 4302 of the cam 4300 at least at a first contact point 4324, a second roller 4326 having a second following surface 4330 engaging the second guiding surface 4304 of the cam 4300, and a spring 4332 having a first end 4334 coupled to the first roller 4322 and a second end 4336 coupled to the second roller 4326;
the first roller 4322 having a contact angle 4338 defined by a first imaginary line 4340 extending through the first contact point 4324 and a central axis 4344 of the first roller 4322, and a imaginary reference line 4342 extending between the central axis 4344 of the first roller 4322 and a central axis 4346 of the second roller 4326;
the cam following assembly 4320 being moveable along the longitudinal axis 4348 between a first position 4368 and a second position 4370;
the spring 4332 having a first deflection when the cam following assembly 4320 is in the first position 4368 and a second deflection when the cam following assembly 4320 is in the second position 4370;
the first roller 4322 having a first contact angle 4338 when the cam following assembly 4320 is in the first position 4368 and a second contact angle 4358 when the cam following assembly 4320 is in the second position 4370; and
the first contact angle 4338 being different from the second contact angle 4358. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification