Pneumatic pivoting device

• US 7,017,468 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Prospective Concepts AG
• Original Assignee: Prospective Concepts AG
• Inventors: Steffen, Josef
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazo, Thomas E.
• Application Number:
  US10/487,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20040232754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 91/41, 92/35, 92/37, 92/39, 92/44, 92/48, 92/92, 561/5
• US Class Current: 91/41
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/048 by fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/506 of adjustable type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/5066 by rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/26 Locking mechanisms

Abstract

A pneumatic device for pivoting a pivotal component is articulated to a structural element by means of a joint. Hoses produced from a material of low ductility, to which compressed air can be admitted, are inserted between the pivotal component and the structural element. The hoses contain an airtight bag. When these bags are inflated via valves, compressive forces act both on the structural element and on the pivotal component, causing the latter to swivel out. In order that the hoses cannot migrate, webs run from the joint to the hoses. In order to relieve the hoses in a specific limit position of the pivotal component and to prevent oscillatory movements of the pivotal component, a locking device is provided. The locking device includes a rod, which runs through a brake device fixed to an arm.

Claims

1. A pneumatically actuated pivot device for a component capable of pivoting about a joint and fixed to a structural element, the pneumatically active part comprising:

a set of airtight hoses with valves, the airtight hoses being arranged between parts which belong to the structural element or to a pivotal component;

wherein the hoses when pressurized, introduce torques into plates;

wherein the hoses are connected to at least one web, wherein the at least one web is fixed over its entire length close to the joint causing the hoses to fill only a curved part of a volume of a circular segment with an opening angle α and

with the hinged joint at an apex, such that the volume to be pressurized can be minimized;

wherein the pneumatically actuated pivot device further includes a locking device with which the hoses unpressurized allow a torque acting on the pivotal component to be transmitted directly to the structural element; and

wherein the pneumatically actuated pivot device further includes a valve system, wherein the valve system connects the locking device and the set of hoses in a way such that pressure is admitted to the hoses only when the pivotal component is being moved.

2. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 1, wherein the hoses are airtight coated hoses of textile material.

3. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 1, wherein the hoses are constructed from a textile casing and an airtight bag of elastic plastic material inserted into the casing.

4. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 3, wherein the pivotal component is connected to the structural element by a spring element such that the torque which the spring element exerts on the pivotal component counteracts the torque exerted by the hoses.

5. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 3, wherein at least one further set of hoses is provided and arranged so that the torque which they exert on the pivotal component counteracts the torque which the first set of hoses exerts on the pivotal component.

6. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a valve control, wherein the valve control is equipped with two control keys which control the hoses and pneumatic actuators of the locking device such that by operating

a first control key for swivelling the pivotal component out under load,

compressed air is first admitted to the set of hoses until the locking device is relieved;

wherein the pressure in the set of hoses is then increased further until the first control key is released;

wherein upon releasing the first control key, the locking device is reactivated so that the pivotal component and the structural element are again firmly connected to one another and the set of hoses is evacuated;

wherein a second control key is adapted to run the pivotal component back under load;

wherein compressed air is first admitted to the set of hoses until the locking device is relieved;

wherein the pressure in the set of hoses is then reduced until the second control key is released; and

wherein upon releasing the second control key, the locking device is reactivated so that the pivotal component and the structural element are again firmly connected to one another and the set of hoses is evacuated.

7. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a friction brake connected to the structural element via a rod;

a second brake device connected to the pivotal component; and

the second brake device of the friction brake is capable of acting on a brake disk and can be actuated by pneumatic actuators in such a way that with the hoses unpressurized, torque acting on the pivotal component is transmitted via the brake disk and the second brake device to the structural element.

8. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 6, wherein the locking device 12 further comprises:

a bar 8 articulated on the pivotal component;

wherein the bar 8 runs through a friction brake in the form of a first brake device; and

wherein the first brake device is pivotally supported on an arm fixed to the structural element.

9. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device further comprises:

a ratchet connected to the structural element;

a catch device connected to the pivotal component;

wherein the catch device is adapted to engage in the ratchet and be actuated by pneumatic actuators in a way such that when the hoses are unpressurized, a torque acting on the pivotal component is transmitted via the ratchet and the catch device to the structural element.

10. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 9, wherein

the ratchet is connected to the structural element via a rod;

wherein the rod is moveable in relation to the structural element over a small travel, the movement in relation to the structural element being limited by a disk;

a spring is provided, wherein the spring is adapted to press the ratchet against the structural element; and

a first control valve is provided, wherein the first control valve is actuated by the rod.

11. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 1, wherein the pivotal component is a flap-like element.

12. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 11, wherein the pivotal component is designed as a head part of a bed, wherein the structural element is formed by a middle part of the bed.

13. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 11, wherein the pivotal component is designed as a foot part of a bed, wherein the structural element is formed by a middle part of the bed.

14. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 11, wherein the pivotal component is designed as a footrest of a seat, wherein the structural element is being formed at least indirectly by a surface of the seat.

15. A pneumatically actuated pivot device according to claim 11, wherein the pivotal component is designed as a door.