275 results about "Rotational coupling" patented technology

Surgical assemblies and related methods are disclosed that provide for the transmission of high levels of actuation torque to a rotary mechanism of an end effector supported by an independently rotatable main shaft without causing undesirable rotation of the main shaft. An input drive shaft is coupled with both the rotary mechanism and the main shaft via a transmission and a rotational coupling so that the main shaft is passively subjected to a counteracting torque opposite in direction to the actuation torque transmitted to the rotary mechanism so as to inhibit rotational driving of the main shaft by the transmitted actuation torque.

Rotational couplers for use with surgical devices that are actuated by semi-flexible actuators such as wires and the like. The couplers enable the actuators to apply various actuation motions to actuation features on the surgical device as well as other actuators to apply axial and rotational motions to the surgical device to manipulate the device into various orientations relative to an elongate shaft to which the device is movably attached.

An image forming apparatus whereby it is possible to prevent unevenness in developing density caused by misalignment between the central axes of a driven side rotational coupling section for rotating a developer carrier and a drive side rotational coupling section for transmitting rotational drive force to the driven side rotational coupling section. The driven side rotational coupling section is fixed and the position thereof can be corrected slightly, by engaging the driven side rotational coupling section with a drive side rotational coupling section. A transmission gear is provided which meshes with the driven side rotational coupling section and transmits rotational drive force used to move the surface of the developer carrier. By means of an axle provided on at least one end of the transmission gear engaging with a positioning member on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the developer carrier is positioned in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

A modular hydraulic spinal intervertebral prosthetic device offering individualized optimization of an implantable disc prosthesis by having selectable crown plates modules with differing lordosis angles and differing cross-sectional profiles, and selectable bellows cartridges having differing load-bearing capabilities. The device offers substantially full physiological degrees of motion, and by the incorporation of both a dashpot mechanism and a biasing element within reversibly displaceable and tiltable bellows provides hydraulic load bearing capability. The bellows assembly is advantageously pre-loaded to sub-atmospheric pressure. The dashpot further increases resistance to lateral sheer loading beyond the bellows convolutions acting alone. Rotational coupling of the upper crown plate and center bearings plate permits normal twisting movements, and spinal flexural freedom is provided by the bellows interposed between the center bearings plate and the lower end plate. The bellows also provides a hermetic seal which prevents any wear debris from migrating to the surrounding body tissue.

An image forming apparatus whereby it is possible to prevent unevenness in developing density caused by misalignment between the central axes of a driven side rotational coupling section for rotating a developer carrier and a drive side rotational coupling section for transmitting rotational drive force to the driven side rotational coupling section. The driven side rotational coupling section is fixed and the position thereof can be corrected slightly, by engaging the driven side rotational coupling section with a drive side rotational coupling section. A transmission gear is provided which meshes with the driven side rotational coupling section and transmits rotational drive force used to move the surface of the developer carrier. By means of an axle provided on at least one end of the transmission gear engaging with a positioning member on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the developer carrier is positioned in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

A pneumatic rotary coupling (25) for an air pressure installation for one or more wheels of a vehicle, in which the wheel's axle (11) is used as the section of the pipe of the static installation, in accordance to the system of the coupling used. The coupling's stem (49) has one end formed in the shape of a nozzle which extends in the plane of the wheel, disposed as an axial extension of the wheel's axle end. The stem is located rotatable and slidable inside block (35) which is fixed to the wheel's hub cover. A cover (37) fixed to the block presents a cavity (45) with an edge that defines a seat for a plastic bushing (47) that supports the coupling's stem. The external surface of this bushing is conformed by grooves (53) that communicate the cavity towards the orifices linking with the tires. One method allows for the detection of bearing faults using the same coupling when the axial sliding of the stem is sufficient to vent the pressurized air.

Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for guiding medical instruments, including a handle with a handle shaft, an alignment stand configured to interface with a receptacle of a cervical plate, an instrument guide tube coupled to the alignment stand and having a lumen therethrough, such that when the alignment stand is in communication with the receptacle, the instrument guide tube is positioned over a bone screw receiving hole in the cervical plate and an axial centerline of the instrument guide tube passes through the bone screw receiving hole. Instrument guide tube may swivel about the alignment stand via a rotational coupling, or may be one of two fixed instrument guide tubes. Alignment stand may include an angle-limiting post to interface with the receptacle to permit ranges of tilting, or a stem and optional bone pin for holding the alignment stand at a substantially constant angle in the receptacle.

An injection device for injection of set doses of medicine from a cartridge has a nut (13) that is screwed up along a threaded piston rod (4) during a dose setting operation. The nut is screwed along the piston rod by rotating a dose setting member (17. A rotational coupling mechanism includes an axially displaceable coupling member (25) which is rotated as a function of axial displacement. During dose setting, the nut is allowed to rotate relative to the coupling member. During injection, the coupling member is rotationally locked to the nut. This provides a dose setting and injection mechanism wherein the nut member is both rotated during dose setting and during injection.

Rotational couplers for use with surgical devices that are actuated by semi-flexible actuators such as wires and the like. The couplers enable the actuators to apply various actuation motions to actuation features on the surgical device as well as other actuators to apply axial and rotational motions to the surgical device to manipulate the device into various orientations relative to an elongate shaft to which the device is movably attached.

A system for the selectable adjustment of an angle of elevation of groups of PV panels or panel arrays, relative to a roof to which the panels are attached, includes a platform, upon or thru the roof. The platform including horizontally secured rails. Also included are a parallel series of lower couplings, each member of the series provided upon the rails, and having a transverse distance between them sufficient to accommodate a PV panel array. Each of the couplings are provided with integral extensions or tabs, each having an aperture within a portion not in engagement with the platform. The system also includes linear support members secured to undersides of the panel arrays to be selectably elevated, each of the support members substantially co-planar with the rails of the parallel series of lower couplings. Struts of fixed lengths are selectably provided between alternates of the lower couplings within each of the series of couplings, in which alternate couplings, not associated with the struts, are rotationally or pivotally secured by extension tabs of each coupling and selectably secured to couplings upon the linear support members of the panel arrays. Also provided are equal length strut pairs of selectable lengths, each strut having an aperture at each end, detachably securable between corresponding lower and upper couplings of each of the series pairs of couplings between the rotational couplings. Selection of a pair of corresponding equal length struts, related to coupling pairs upon the parallel series of couplings and rails, effects an angle of elevation of a PV panel array as a function of the length of the co-equal lengths of the struts within the parallel series of couplings and rails.

A control mechanism (800) for setting a transmission ratio between a traction means (812), in particular chain, and a wheel set that is rotatable about a wheel axle and includes two or more wheel blades (810, 820, 830), in particular sprocket blades, adjusts the wheel rim sectors relative to a fixed plane of the traction means in a direction transverse to the plane of alignment. At least one of the wheel blades is composed of a plurality of independently adjustable wheel rim sectors (802, 803). By means of a control component (807) mounted decoupled from a rotary movement of the wheel set, a plurality of co-rotating thrust elements (804, 805) are each displaced via rotation-free couplings between a first and a second position at least in the axial direction, wherein each of the wheel rim sectors is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a respectively associated thrust element. The first position of a thrust element corresponds to the position of the associated wheel rim sector outside the plane of alignment, whereas a thrust element located in the second position exerts on the respective wheel rim sector, at least as long the latter is outside the plane of the traction means, a force for displacing the respective wheel rim sector into the plane of alignment, thus shifting the same into the plane.

Orthopaedic device (10, 110, 210, 310) for correcting deformities of a long bone (11), comprising a bar (12), extended along an axis (Y-Y) and intended to be placed alongside the bone (11), at least a first clamp (14, 214, 314) for a first group of osseous screws (16) and a second clamp (18, 19, 118) for a second group of osseous screws (20, 22), removably mounted on said bar (12), wherein the first of said clamps (14, 214, 314) is placed onboard a support base (21, 221, 321) in turn mounted on said bar (12), and angularly movable in relation to the support base around a given rotation axis (X-X, X′-X′, Z-Z) by means of a rotary coupling, characterised in that said rotary coupling comprises a male element (35; 235, 236, 237, 238, 239; 333, 334) associated with the first clamp (14, 214, 314) and having a surface at least partially cylindrical, and a corresponding female element (36; 130; 250, 254, 255; 336, 337) associated with the support base (21, 221, 321) and having a surface at least partially cylindrical constituting a seat for the loose coupling of the male element (35; 235, 236, 237, 238, 239; 333, 334).

A mobile scanner gun system is designed for a retail store with integrated mobile tablet device carried by employees. The mobile tablet device is connected to the pistol gun base housing through a base mount universal receiver with rotational coupling, and communicates to a USB barcode scanner / reader and MSR through a specialized universal serial bus wiring harness. The Main PCB has an EEPROM controlling operations of a scanner and an MSR. The mobile tablet device has mobile applications which allow wireless communication in the form of Wi-Fi or wireless cellular with a POS store systems server and corporate ERP system, and also commands the EEPROM. Merchandise to be purchased is scanned and received by the mobile tablet device and then sent wirelessly to the POS store systems server and corporate ERP system to obtain product data concerning description, price, inventory, electronic and physical coupon, promotions, customer loyalty data and rewards.

A display support apparatus includes a stabilizing member defining a cable passageway, a rotational coupling member coupled to the stabilizing member, and a plurality of supporting arms coupled to the stabilizing member, at least one supporting arm defining a cable-routing channel, whereby the stabilizing member rigidly maintains the plurality of supporting arms in a substantially parallel orientation relative to each other. The display support apparatus may be rotatably coupled to a chassis base and a display may be rotatably coupled to the support arms to provide rigid support for the display on the chassis.

A sensor mounting mechanism that includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a structure and a base neck having a first end and a second end where the first end is adapted to be coupled to a sensor with a ball-socket coupling and the second end is coupled to the base member with a rotating coupling. The mounting mechanism provides fine and course adjustment means for adjusting the scanning area of the sensor such as an PIR occupancy sensor without the use of a tool. The sensor includes a detachable lens holder for easy replacement of the lens.

A pneumatic rotary coupling (25) for an air pressure installation for one or more wheels of a vehicle. The coupling's tube (49) has one end formed in the shape of a nozzle which extends in the plane of the wheel, disposed as an axial extension of the wheel's axle end. The tube is located rotary and slidable inside block (35) that is fixed to the wheel's hub cover. A cover (37) fixed to the block presents a chamber (45) with an edge that defines a seat for a plastic bushing (47) that supports the coupling's tube. The external surface of this bushing is conformed by grooves (53) that communicate the chamber towards the orifices linking with the tires. The coupling includes a valve (75) that is pushed open by the tube in the event of outward wheel offset, thereby depressurizing the chamber. The tube further includes grooves (87) for bypassing a seal (57) in the event of inward wheel offset, thereby depressurizing the chamber through a vent opening (65). In either case, the chamber depressurization signals the fault to the driver. The vent opening is in a circumferential recess (71) for housing an o-ring (73) that prevents dust, dirt and other undesirable particles from entering the coupling and the wheel bearings.

Rotational couplers for use with surgical devices that are actuated by semi-flexible actuators such as wires and the like. The couplers enable the actuators to apply various actuation motions to actuation features on the surgical device as well as other actuators to apply axial and rotational motions to the surgical device to manipulate the device into various orientations relative to an elongate shaft to which the device is movably attached.

A mechanism of low cost and easy mounting, provides resistance to rotation of a coupling nut (14) of an electrical connector about the barrel (12) of the connector, and provides a higher resistance to rotation in one direction (U) than the opposite direction (M). A toothed ring (44) with a circle of teeth, is fixed to the barrel. The mechanism includes a washer (42) with projections (70, 72) that engage the teeth of the ring to ride over them during nut rotation, and thereby provide resistance to nut rotation. The washer is bent to form a spring to bias its projections against the teeth of the toothed ring. The washer also has ears (75, 76) that fit into slots in the nut to prevent washer rotation relative to the nut. The teeth of the toothed ring have first sides that are steeper than its second sides to provide higher resistance to rotation in one direction.

A connector that has a coupling nut (14) that is rotatable about a barrel (12), with an annular space (42) between them, and with a resistance ring (40) lying in the annular space. The resistance ring allows the nut to rotate with moderate friction in a mating direction M, and provides higher resistance to nut rotation in an unmating direction U. The resistance ring is formed from a metal band with primarily straight band sections (60, 62, 64, 66) that alternately extend at inward and outward inclines from the circumference direction C. As a result, the resistance ring zig-zags by alternately engaging the nut surface (52) that faces the annular space, then the barrel surface (50) that faces the annular space, etc. Some of the radially outer ends of the straight sections are bent into small half circles (67) that fit into corresponding slots (68) in the nut to fix the resistance ring relative to the nut. The radially inner ends of the straight sections form bumps (70) that ride over saw teeth (74, 76) formed on the barrel surface.

Dual-mode container assemblies (30, 110) are provided which include an open-top container (32, 112) with a closure assembly (34, 114) having a skirt (36, 116) and a reversible lid (38, 118) presenting first and second opposed faces (82, 84, 160, 162) hingedly coupled to the skirt (36, 116). In the child-resistant configuration of the assemblies (30, 110), the lid (38, 118) is latched to the skirt (36, 116) by a latching arrangement (60, 100, 136, 177). In order to convert the container assemblies (30, 110) to an adult configuration, the lid (38, 118) is opened and rotated 180° while the lid (38, 118) remains connected to the skirt (36, 116). This reverses the lid face adjacent the open top of the container (32, 112). Closure of the reversed lid (38, 118) occurs without any latching function between the skirt (36, 116) and the lid (38, 118), so that the lid (38, 118) can be readily opened. The connection between the lid (38, 118) and skirt (36, 116) can be effected by hinged connection of rear segment (64) and rotational coupling of a forward reversible body (75), or by a ball joint connection between a ball (170) and ball mount (150). In either case, the lid (38, 118) is moveable about respective transverse axes to permit changeover between the child-resistant and adult configurations of the container assemblies (30, 110).

A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and / or brake is provided having improved magnetic efficiency and structural integrity. A field shell and a rotor of the device each define radially spaced, axially extending inner and outer poles. The inner pole of the rotor is disposed radially outwardly of the inner pole of the field shell resulting in improved magnetic efficiency.

A hydrodynamic torque converter having a converter housing defining interior space for receiving a converter work fluid, a turbine wheel arranged in interior space of the converter housing and rotatable with respect to the converter housing, a lockup clutch having a coupling element axially displaceably arranged on the turbine wheel for selectively coupling the turbine wheel with the converter housing. The converter housing and the coupling element define a pressure fluid space capable of being filled with a pressure fluid. The interior space is separated from the pressure fluid space for preventing fluid communication between the interior space and the pressure fluid space. The hydrodynamic torque converter also has a first channel connected to the interior space for guiding converter work fluid into the interior space, a second channel connected to the interior space for guiding converter work fluid out of the interior space and a third fluid channel connected to the pressure fluid space for selectively directing pressure fluid into and out of the pressure fluid space. The coupling element is displaced for at least partially canceling a rotational coupling of the converter housing and the turbine wheel when pressure fluid is directed into the pressure fluid space.

Initiation of coupling between an input disk and a clutch disk at a maximum rotational coupling force without making relative rotation between the input disk and the clutch disk is enabled only when the output shaft is placed in a single engageable point within a normal reciprocal angular range of the output shaft. When a load applied to the output shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the input disk and the clutch disk are decoupled from one another, so that the relative rotation is made between the input disk and the clutch disk.

An injection device for injection of set doses of medicine from a cartridge has a nut that is screwed up along a threaded piston rod during a dose setting operation. The nut is screwed along the piston rod by rotating a dose setting member. A rotational coupling mechanism includes an axially displaceable coupling member which is rotated as a function of axial displacement. During dose setting, the nut is allowed to rotate relative to the coupling member. During injection, the coupling member is rotationally locked to the nut. This provides a dose setting and injection mechanism wherein the nut member is both rotated during dose setting and during injection.

An automatic clutch consisting of a centrifugally actuated pressure plate apparatus axially moveable relative to a clutch inner hub and rotationally coupled to a clutch outer basket. As the engine spins the clutch outer basket, the rotational coupling between the clutch outer basket and the centrifugal pressure plate causes the centrifugal pressure plate to move axially relative to the clutch inner hub and apply a force to driven clutch plates and driving clutch plates. The force exerted by the centrifugal pressure plate upon driven clutch plates and driving clutch plates causes the plates to couple, forcing engagement between the engine and transmission. Optionally, a variable spring tension may be applied through the clutch release mechanism to adjust the engine speed at which the clutch begins to engage.

A torque converter having a converter housing which is coupled to a driving unit, a turbine wheel which is arranged in the converter housing and is rotatable with respect to the converter housing about an axis of rotation and has a turbine wheel shell and a turbine wheel hub which is connected with the turbine wheel shell and which can be coupled with or is coupled with a converter driven shaft. A lockup clutch provides selectable rotational coupling of the converter housing with the turbine wheel, and a torsional vibration damper arrangement is provided in the power transmission path between the converter housing and the turbine wheel hub and / or between the turbine wheel shell and the turbine wheel hub. A friction device is connected parallel to the torsional vibration damper arrangement in the power transmission path for generating a frictional force which may be changed in a selected manner.

A window covering with improved controls enhances several aspects of window covering operation. A control mechanism provides a clutch module for selective locking and unlocking of a drive shaft used to retract and extend the shade element between storage and extended positions. The clutch module includes a reciprocator element that engages a key extending from an outer surrounding housing. A locking member between the reciprocator element and a coupling element carried by the drive shaft selectively locks and unlocks rotational coupling between the reciprocator element and the coupling element, thus selectively locking and unlocking the drive shaft. In a cushioning mechanism, a unidirectional dampening or frictional deceleration is provided for the drive shaft. The cushioning mechanism includes an impeller or rotor immersed in a cushion medium that impedes rotation of the rotor, and hence the drive shaft to which the rotor is coupled. A combination of the clutch module and cushioning mechanism is also disclosed as are window coverings containing one or more of the control mechanisms.

A sensor mounting mechanism that includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a structure and a base neck having a first end and a second end where the first end is adapted to be coupled to a sensor with a ball-socket coupling and the second end is coupled to the base member with a rotating coupling. The mounting mechanism provides fine and coarse adjustment means for adjusting the scanning area of the sensor such as an PIR occupancy sensor without the use of a tool. The sensor includes a detachable lens holder for easy replacement of the lens.