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US Patent 6820846 - Multiple ball joint gimbal
US Patent Issued on November 23, 2004
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
April 7, 2023Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
April 7, 2023Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractA multiple ball joint gimbal mount apparatus which includes a mount platform structure, and a plurality of linear motor actuators arranged in a housing assembly. Each actuator includes an actuator shaft and an actuator connector at a distal end of the shaft. The platform structure includes a plurality of platform connectors each for coupling to a corresponding actuator connector to form a pivoting connection between the actuator shaft and the platform structure. A controller selectively actuates the plurality of linear motor actuators to selectively position the plurality of actuator shafts along respective shaft axes and position the mount platform structure at a selected position within a gimbal range of motion. The gimbal structure can optionally include a mechanism to selectively lock the mount structure in any respective position within the gimbal range of motion.Other References
| InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 10408623 filed on 04/07/2003US Classes:248/178.1, Adjustable platform248/371, Tilting support surface248/396, Ends raised differentially310/24, Plural cores434/58By fluid actuated piston/cylinder ramField of Search248/178.1, Adjustable platform248/179.1, Multiplanar platform adjustment at one point248/180.1, With means on platform to level article248/181.1, Ball and socket type248/181.2, Socket captures ball in upper hemisphere248/206.5, By magnet248/274.1, Adjustable248/276.1, Plural joints248/346.05, And base leveling means248/346.06, Base allows attachment or holder to adjust position248/370, Stand-mounted depending links carry support surface248/371, Tilting support surface248/393, With incremental horizontal adjustment248/394, Ends raised differentially248/395, Concurrent with tilting248/396, Ends raised differentially248/397, With incremental adjustment about fixed horizontal pivot248/398, Tiltable with understructure434/55, Tiltable or turnable ground trainer434/58, By fluid actuated piston/cylinder ram310/24, Plural cores74/99RReciprocating to or from oscillatingExaminersPrimary: King, Anita M.Assistant: Szumny, Jon Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References3374977, 3577659, 4360182, High-agility reflector support and drive systemIssued on: 11/23/1982 Inventor: Titus4798949, Linear actuated optical concentrator Issued on: 01/17/1989 Inventor: Wilcox , et al.4919382, Multi-post yoke gimbal Issued on: 04/24/1990 Inventor: Forman5042763, Self-leveling portable camera support apparatus Issued on: 08/27/1991 Inventor: Wong5457349, Reciprocating electromagnetic engine Issued on: 10/10/1995 Inventor: Gifford5544968, Lockable ball joint apparatus Issued on: 08/13/1996 Inventor: Goellner5696413, Reciprocating electric generator Issued on: 12/09/1997 Inventor: Woodbridge, et al.6395193, Magnetorheological compositions Issued on: 05/28/2002 Inventor: Kintz, et al.6481546, Magneto-rheological damping valve using laminated construction Issued on: 11/19/2002 Inventor: Oliver, et al.6592374Motion simulator Issued on: 07/15/2003 Inventor: Kim International ClassB25J 1700 |
