Mechanisms based on torque equalization principles
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first leg and a second leg disposed in sliding or rolling engagement with one another;
the first leg being fixed to a base;
a balancing mechanism disposed within a cavity defined by the base;
the balancing mechanism being capable of providing a balancing force between the second leg and the first leg.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing an adjustable balancing force are provided. This mechanism can be used as a lifting force, a counter balancing mechanism or as a horizontal or other force mechanism. The force can be designed to be constant or variable over the range of motion by properly calculating the shape of the cam member. A balancing mechanism in accordance with the present invention includes a wheel comprising a pulley member and a cam member. A first cable connects the cam member of the wheel to a energy source for biasing the wheel to rotate in a first direction. A second cable is connected to the pulley member of the wheel for communicating a balancing or load force to the wheel. In some useful embodiments of the present invention, the cam member is shaped and positioned so that a torque applied to the wheel by the first cable is substantially constant while a force applied to the wheel by the first cable varies.
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Citations
60 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first leg and a second leg disposed in sliding or rolling engagement with one another;
the first leg being fixed to a base;
a balancing mechanism disposed within a cavity defined by the base;
the balancing mechanism being capable of providing a balancing force between the second leg and the first leg. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first leg and a second leg disposed in sliding or rolling engagement with one another;
the first leg being fixed to a base;
a wheel pivotally supported by the base;
the wheel comprising a pulley member and a cam member;
a second cable extending between the cam member of the wheel and a energy source so that the wheel is biased to rotate in a first direction;
a first cable extending between the pulley member and the second leg for providing a balancing force between the second leg and the first leg;
- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus, comprising:
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a wheel pivotally supported by a first component;
the wheel comprising a pulley member and a cam member;
a first cable extending between the cam member of the wheel and a pulley that is pivotally supported by an axle;
an energy source applying a force to the axle so that the wheel is biased to rotate in a first direction;
a second cable extending between the pulley member and a second component;
the cam member being shaped so that a torque applied to the wheel by the second cable is substantially constant or varied in a pre-determined manner while a deflection of the energy source varies. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first bracket and a second bracket pivotally engaging one another so as to rotate about a pivot axis relative to one another;
the first bracket supporting a load such that the load creates a load moment about the pivot axis;
a cam coupled to the first bracket; and
a cable cooperating with the cam for providing a balancing moment about the pivot axis. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first bracket and a second bracket pivotally engaging one another so as to rotate about a pivot axis relative to one another;
a mounting plate pivotally coupled to the first mounting bracket by an axle;
a cam coupled to the second bracket;
a pin slidingly supported by the first bracket; and
a cable extending between the pin and the cam. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60)
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Specification