Abstract:
The present invention proposes an engagement mechanism employed in a first assembly part and a cooperating second assembly part. The engagement mechanism comprises a pivot member assembled in the first assembly part; and an elastic member having a double-wedged surface at an endmost portion thereof which extends outwardly from the projecting portion of the first assembly part. The elastic member is employed to provide an elastic force of maintaining the projecting portion extending outwardly from the first assembly part to engage with the second assembly part. The present invention, via the design of the double-wedged surface of the projecting portion, facilitates easy engagement or disengagement of the engagement mechanism, and overcomes the problem of having to provide extra disengagement arrangement in the prior art.
Abstract:
A door handle spring assembly for biasing a catch releasably coupling a door handle to a sleeve. The spring assembly includes a first arm engaged with the catch, a second arm extending outwardly from the sleeve, and a loop portion formed between the first and second arms. The first arm and the loop portion are retained within the sleeve. The spring assembly further functions to exert a radial biasing force between the handle and the sleeve to minimize play therebetween.
Abstract:
A pivoting side mount (26) which may used, for example, to attach a pelvic stabilization device (21) to a wheelchair. The pivoting side mount (26) includes first and second pivot brackets (152, 150) that are rotatably connected to one another and a spring (154), such as a rubber spring, for limiting the rotating movement of the two brackets relative to one another. A quick release assembly (28) is also provided. The quick release assembly (28) includes a receiver (30) and a body (40) that fits into the receiver. The body (40) includes one or more latches (42) that are biased outward and that snap into notches (44) in the receiver (30) when the body (40) is placed in the receiver (30). A release plate (46) is provided for releasing the latch or latches (42) from the notches (44).
Abstract:
A reusable self-aligning precision latch, including a latch body for mounting a latch assembly, and an interface cone is described herein. A lead screw, coupled to the latch body on one end, pivots at an interface on the latch body allowing for self-alignment. A drive cam having a plurality of surfaces and positioned on the lead screw engages a plurality of linkage assemblies such that at least two links are driven. A flexure ball assembly clamped by the plurality of linkage assemblies to the latch body with a pivoting clamp plate such that all clamping forces between the pivoting clamp plate and the latch body are equalized. A motor for closing and opening the self-aligning precision latch by turning the lead screw to apply and release, respectively, the clamping forces between the pivoting clamp plate and the latch body.
Abstract:
The assembly of two parts, one of which is fixed and the other of which is removable, includes automatic locking and unlocking elements for securing the removable part to the fixed part. The unlocking elements are mounted on the removable part and are integrated inside it. The removable part has a male end adapted to be received in a complementary female end of the fixed part, snap-fastening against a resilient stop latch inside said female end. The male end is secured to a longitudinal spindle extending inside the removable part and terminated by a handle for manual actuation, thus enabling the male end to be turned in order to unlock the assembly of the two parts. The male end is returned automatically to its locking position by a return spring.
Abstract:
An output side disk 3 includes a penetration hole 30 for penetration of an input shaft therethrough, and a securing groove 40 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the penetration hole 30 for preventing a needle roller bearing 5 from slipping out in the axis O direction of the input shaft. The first connecting portion R3 of the securing groove 40 is formed as a surface the section of which has an arc-like shape of a large radius of curvature, whereas the second connecting portion R4 of the securing groove 40 is formed as a surface the section of which has an arc-like shape of a small radius of curvature.
Abstract:
A breech lock wireline connector for connecting tools to a wireline inserted into a well bore. The connector has a housing with an axially movable plunger within the housing and each being in axial alignment. A spring is used for biasing the plunger axially toward and into engagement with the breech pin. The breech pin is selectively engageable and disengageable into lock and unlock positions, respectively, with the plunger and the housing. The plunger rotates the breech pin axially between the lock and unlock positions. A latch is provided for latching the plunger and breech pin in the lock position.
Abstract:
A shaft coupling device is provided that includes a first portion, a second portion, a plunger, and a spring. The first portion includes a female mating section and a shaft mounting section. The female mating section includes a first cavity surrounded at least in part by a wall. An aperture extends through the wall. The second portion includes a male mating section and a shaft mounting section. The male mounting section is sized so as to be receivable within the cavity of the female mating section. The male mounting section includes a second cavity surrounded at least in part by a wall, and an aperture extending through that wall. The plunger has a body with a width and a length, and the length is greater than the width. A flange is attached to one end of the body. The plunger is disposed within the second cavity of the male mating section and the body of the plunger extends through the aperture within the wall of the male mating section. The spring is disposed within the cavity of the male mating section, and acts between the wall of the male mating section and the plunger. In a coupled state, the male mating section is received within the cavity of the female mating section and the body of the plunger extends through the apertures within the male and female mating sections and is biased in place by the spring.
Abstract:
A system and method which provide a general-purpose snap connector suitable for coupling microcomponents are disclosed. A snap connector is disclosed that is suitable for performing general assembly, including out-of-plane, 3-D assembly of microcomponents, wherein such microcomponents may be securely coupled together. That is, a snap connector is disclosed which enables microcomponents to be coupled in a manner that constrains undesirable movement of the coupled components relative to each other. Preferably, such a snap connector may be pressure fit with a receptacle (or aperture) of a mating component in a manner that constrains translational and rotational degrees of freedom of the mating component relative to the snap connector. A preferred embodiment provides a “preloaded” snap connector that may be utilized to perform general assembly of microcomponents. An alternative embodiments provides a non-preloaded snap connector suitable for performing general assembly of microcomponents. Still a further alternative embodiment provides a “squeeze” snap connector that is suitable for performing general assembly of microcomponents. Such snap connectors may be implemented as an integrated part of a microcomponent, or they may be implemented as separate, stand-alone snap connectors. For example, a dual-ended snap connector is disclosed herein, which may be coupled to a first microcomponent, and then used to couple the first microcomponent to a second microcomponent.
Abstract:
A lock for preventing inadvertent removal of a first frame component from a second frame component of an adjustable storage system. The lock includes a housing having a distal end extending into the first frame component, a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and being movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing, with the distal end thereof extending into the second frame component when the shaft is in the extended position and not extending into the second frame component when the shaft is in the retracted position, a head being slender and elongated, joined to the proximal end of the shaft, and extending radially outwardly therefrom, radially outwardly through the housing, when the shaft is in the extended position and the retracted position, and a spring joined between the head and the housing and biasing the shaft into the extended position.