Articulated structure for supporting loads
First Claim
1. A structure for supporting a load for rotating and tilting movements, comprising:
- a first member having a side defining a first articular spherical surface segment having an axis that extends through the center of curvature of said first surface segment;
a second member for joining to the load having oppositely facing sides, one of said oppositely facing sides defining a second articular spherical surface segment in a nested relationship with the first articular spherical surface segment, the other of said oppositely facing sides defining a third articular spherical surface segment, and said second member defining a first aperture of selected length and width extending between said oppositely facing sides about the axis;
a third member having a side defining a fourth articular surface segment in a nested relationship with the third articular spherical surface segment;
a first bearing means disposed between the first and second articular spherical surface segments for supporting relative movement therebetween at a location off the axis;
a second bearing means disposed between the third and fourth articular spherical surface segments for supporting relative movement therebetween at a location off the axis;
a fastening means extending through the first aperture to secure the first and third members together against relative movement while permitting limited relative movement between the second and both first and third members in directions along the length of the first aperture and about the axis;
said first and third articular spherical surface segments being concave, the second and fourth articular spherical surface segments being convex and the curvature of said surface segments having a common center of curvature, said second member having means for supporting a load having a center of mass in a position such that the center of mass will be spaced from said common center of curvature whereby said supported load will apply a first force to said second member at a distance from said common center of curvature and said structure further comprising means for applying a second force to said second member in opposition to said first force.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A base for supporting a load defines a first articular concave spherical surface segment forming a first socket about an axis extending through the center of curvature of the surface segment. The socket is nested with a first mating articular convex spherical surface segment forming a first ball segment joined to a load carrying platform. A first strip of low friction bearing material is seated in a first recess encircling the axis at the perimeter of the first socket to support the first ball segment. The side of the first ball segment facing away from the first socket defines a second articular concave spherical surface segment forming a second socket. A second mating articular convex spherical surface segment forming a second ball segment joined to a retaining member is nested in the second socket. A second strip of low friction bearing material is seated in a second recess encircling the axis at the perimeter of the second ball to support the second ball segment. A circular hub with a key at one side thereof extends along the axis from the center of the second ball segment and through an elongated aperture formed in first ball segment to a mating seat and keyway formed at the center of the first socket. The key and keyway lock and base and retaining member together against relative movement. The elongated aperture permits the load carrying platform to move relative to the hub in the directions along the long dimension of the aperture and about the axis. Stops are located to limit the movement of the load carrying member in the permitted directions.
26 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A structure for supporting a load for rotating and tilting movements, comprising:
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a first member having a side defining a first articular spherical surface segment having an axis that extends through the center of curvature of said first surface segment; a second member for joining to the load having oppositely facing sides, one of said oppositely facing sides defining a second articular spherical surface segment in a nested relationship with the first articular spherical surface segment, the other of said oppositely facing sides defining a third articular spherical surface segment, and said second member defining a first aperture of selected length and width extending between said oppositely facing sides about the axis; a third member having a side defining a fourth articular surface segment in a nested relationship with the third articular spherical surface segment; a first bearing means disposed between the first and second articular spherical surface segments for supporting relative movement therebetween at a location off the axis; a second bearing means disposed between the third and fourth articular spherical surface segments for supporting relative movement therebetween at a location off the axis; a fastening means extending through the first aperture to secure the first and third members together against relative movement while permitting limited relative movement between the second and both first and third members in directions along the length of the first aperture and about the axis; said first and third articular spherical surface segments being concave, the second and fourth articular spherical surface segments being convex and the curvature of said surface segments having a common center of curvature, said second member having means for supporting a load having a center of mass in a position such that the center of mass will be spaced from said common center of curvature whereby said supported load will apply a first force to said second member at a distance from said common center of curvature and said structure further comprising means for applying a second force to said second member in opposition to said first force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A structure for supporting a load for rotating and tilting movements, comprising:
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a first member having a side defining a first articular spherical surface segment about an axis that extends through the center of curvature of said first surface segment; a second member for joining to the load having oppositely facing sides defining a second articular spherical surface segment in a nested relationship with the first articular spherical surface segment, the other of said oppositely facing sides defining a third articular spherical surface segment, and said second member defining a first aperture of selected length and width extending between said oppositely facing sides about the axis; a third member having a side defining a fourth articular surface segment in a nested relationship with the third articular spherical surface segment; a first bearing means disposed between the first and second articular spherical surface segments for supporting relative movement therebetween at a location off the axis; a second bearing means disposed between the third and fourth articular spherical surface segments for supporting relative movement therebetween at a location off the axis; and a fastening means extending through the first aperture to secure the first and third members together against relative movement while permitting limited relative movement between the second and both first and third members in directions along the length of the first aperture and about the axis; said fastening means including means for varying the bearing pressure exerted on said first and second bearing means, said fastening means further including a hub joined to the first and third members to extend along said axis through the first aperture to secure the first and third members against relative rotation, and said fastening means comprising a screw extending through said first member and being threaded into the hub of said third member to secure said first and third members together at said hub, said means for varying the bearing pressure comprising a compressible spring carried on said screw, the degree of compression of which may be adjusted by rotation of said screw and thereby said bearing pressure, said screw having a head located externally of said first member to facilitate access thereto.
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Specification