Spring loaded actuator assembly
First Claim
1. A spring loaded actuator assembly comprising:
- a first member having a set of axially disposed rails;
a second member configured to translate axially relative to the first member;
a third member configured for translational movement within the second member, each of the second and third members including;
a set of teeth configured to engage one another when the third member is moved within the second member, the teeth being defined by a ramped surface; and
grooves configured to engage the rails of the first member and permit translational movement of the second and third members relative to the first member while preventing rotational movement of the second and third members; and
a coil spring disposed between the first and second members wherein translational movement of the second member beyond a predetermined axial position causes the teeth of the second member to extend beyond the rails, causing the second member to rotate and the teeth to be retained by the rails of the first member, thereby maintaining the coil spring in a compressed condition while enabling the third member to be freely movable axially.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spring loaded actuator assembly includes a first member having a set of rails, a second member configured to translate axially relative to the first member and a third member configured for translational movement within the second tubular member. The second and third members each include a set of ramp-like teeth configured to engage one another when the third member is moved within the second member; and grooves configured to engage the rails of the first member and permit translational movement of the second and third members relative to the first member while preventing rotational movement of the second and third members. A coil spring is disposed between the first and second members wherein translational movement of the second member beyond a predetermined axial position causes the ramp-like teeth of the second member to extend beyond the rails, causing the second member to rotate and the ramp-like teeth to be retained by the rails of the first member, thereby maintaining the coil spring in a compressed condition while enabling the third member to be freely movable axially.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A spring loaded actuator assembly comprising:
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a first member having a set of axially disposed rails; a second member configured to translate axially relative to the first member; a third member configured for translational movement within the second member, each of the second and third members including; a set of teeth configured to engage one another when the third member is moved within the second member, the teeth being defined by a ramped surface; and grooves configured to engage the rails of the first member and permit translational movement of the second and third members relative to the first member while preventing rotational movement of the second and third members; and a coil spring disposed between the first and second members wherein translational movement of the second member beyond a predetermined axial position causes the teeth of the second member to extend beyond the rails, causing the second member to rotate and the teeth to be retained by the rails of the first member, thereby maintaining the coil spring in a compressed condition while enabling the third member to be freely movable axially. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A spring-loaded actuator assembly, comprising:
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a rod including a set of axially extending rails; a pair of movable hollow tubular members including a first tubular member and a second tubular member in which the first tubular member is configured to move within the second tubular member; and a coil spring having respective ends attached to the rod and the second tubular member, each of the first and second tubular members including; a set of grooves configured to engage the axially ending rails of the rod to permit translational movement; and teeth that releasably couple the first and second tubular members for axial movement when engaged, the teeth having ramped surfaces; wherein translational movement of the second tubular member beyond a predetermined axial position causes the teeth of the second tubular member to extend beyond the rails, causing the second tubular member to be retained by the rails, thereby maintaining the coil spring in a compressed condition while enabling the first tubular member to be freely movable axially. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A spring loaded actuator assembly comprising:
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a first member having a first keying feature; a second member configured to translate axially relative to the first member; a coil spring biasedly connecting the first member with the second member; and a third member configured for translational movement within the second tubular member, each of the second and third members including; a set of teeth configured to engage one another when the third member is axially moved within the second member, the teeth having ramped surfaces; and a second keying feature configured to engage the first keying feature of the first member and permit translational movement of the second and third members relative to the first member while preventing rotational movement of the second and third member, wherein translational movement of the second member beyond a predetermined axial position causes the teeth of the second member to extend beyond the first keying feature and causes the second member to be axially restrained, thereby maintaining the coil spring in a compressed condition while enabling the third member to freely move telescopically from the assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification