Device for remote activation of control box buttons

• US 6,706,984 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Turner S. Chase
• Original Assignee: Turner S. Chase
• Inventors: Turner, S. Chase
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/299,544
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 200/17.R, 200/537, 200/538, 200/543, 200/330, 200/331
• US Class Current: 200/331
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 1/12 Arrangements for transmitting movement to or from the flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0018 for allowing different operating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/36 using belt, chain, or cord

Abstract

A manually operable device for depressing push button control buttons associated with a distantly located control box having opposed surfaces employs a motion transmitting flexible control cable assembly having a sheath element elongated between a user operated extremity and responsive distal extremity, and a core element slideably disposed within the sheath element. The distal extremity of the sheath element is secured by a receiving head adapted to be adjustably positioned upon an elongated straight bar. Two facing clamping components adjustably engage the bar on opposite sides of the receiving head and are adapted to forcefully interact with the opposed surfaces of the control box.

Claims

1. A remote control device for depressing actuating buttons associated with a control box having opposed surfaces, said control device comprising:

a) an elongated motion transmitting flexible control cable assembly comprised of a sheath element elongated between a user operated extremity and responsive distal extremity, and a core element disposed within said sheath element for reciprocal sliding movement therein, and having portions that extend beyond the user and distal extremities of said sheath element,

b) a clamping mechanism comprised of an elongated straight rigid bar having two facing clamping components spaced apart by an adjustable distance,

c) a receiving head slidably positioned on said bar between said clamping components, said receiving head securing in an axially slidable manner the portion of said core element that extends beyond the distal extremity of said sheath element, and

d) a contacting tip associated with said core element extending from said receiving head, and pressable against a selected one of the actuating buttons of said control box.

2. The control device of claim 1 wherein said control cable assembly has a length of between 20 and 30 feet.

3. The control device of claim 2 wherein the user extremity of said core element is provided with means for manipulating said core element.

4. The control device of claim 3 wherein said receiving head has an internal channel that secures the distal extremity of said sheath.

5. The control device of claim 4 wherein each of the clamping components is provided with a rubberized gripping layer adapted to securely engage the opposed surfaces of said control box.

6. The control device of claim 5 wherein at least one of said clamping components is interactive with said bar in a manner to permit controlled and forceful engagement with said control box.

7. The control device of claim 6 wherein said bar has a forward edge having a series of teeth which interact with said clamping component.

8. The control device of claim 7 wherein said clamping component has a handle mechanism including a squeeze-activated trigger lever having a ratchet mechanism that engages said teeth.