US4082244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Counterbalancing supporting device
Assignee: Midmark Corp
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Filing: 1976-11-01
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1996-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A device for supporting an object such as a dental x-ray unit on the free end of a vertically pivotal arm, which allows the object to be counterbalanced for stabilized vertical positioning. The supporting device includes a rigid tubular encasement having a pair of articulating knuckles pivotably attached at each end of the encasement, and a counterbalancing mechanism disposed within the encasement and connected at each end to the articulating knuckles, the counterbalancing mechanism including a compression spring having a force adjustment means, a rod disposed through said spring which includes a threaded fastener which engages one end of the compression spring, and linkage arms at each end connecting the rod to the articulating knuckles. The device is characterized by a readily accessible spring tension adjustment allowing job site adjustment to compensate for spring fatigue, improved efficiency and reduced costs resulting from a reduced number of operating parts, and improved operability.
Inventors
- 👤 Leroy K. Groff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:56
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/20; F16M11/24; A; A61; A61G; A61G15/00; A61G15/14; A61G15/16; F16M11/2092; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/044; F16M2200/06; F16M2200/063; F16M2200/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A counterbalanced article supporting device to provide vertical adjustment of the supported article which upon release provides a stabilized fixed position of the article comprising: rigid, tubular encasement; first and second knuckles pivotably connected to opposite ends of said encasement; compression spring disposed within said encasement; spring stop connected to one end of said spring and to said encasement; a rod partially disposed within said spring; a block threadably connected to one end of said rod; a moveable first linkage arm pivotally connected at one end to said block and pivotally at its opposite end to said first knuckle; a clevis threadably connected to the opposite end of said rod; a clevis bearing coupled to said clevis and connected to said encasement; a movable second linkage arm pivotally connected at one end to said clevis and pivotally to said second knuckle at its opposite end; adjustable spring tensioning means connected to said rod and engaging one end of said spring; said encasement having an aperture in close proximity to said tensioning means, whereby said tensioning means is adjustably accessible from outside said encasement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A counterbalanced article supporting device to provide vertical adjustment of the supported article which upon release provides a stabilized fixed position of the article comprising: rigid, tubular encasement; first and second knuckles pivotably connected to opposite ends of said encasement; compression spring disposed within said encasement; spring stop connected to one end of said spring and to said encasement; a rod partially disposed within said spring; a block threadably connected to one end of said rod; a moveable first linkage arm pivotally connected at one end to said block and pivotally at its opposite end to said first knuckle; a clevis threadably connected to the opposite end of said rod; a clevis bearing coupled to said clevis and connected to said encasement; a movable second linkage arm pivotally connected at one end to said clevis and pivotally to said second knuckle at its opposite end; adjustable spring tensioning means connected to said rod and engaging one end of said spring; said encasement having an aperture in close proximity to said tensioning means, whereby said tensioning means is adjustably accessible from outside said encasement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A counterbalanced article supporting device, as in claim 1, including: locking means connected to said clevis for locking said tubular encasement in a fixed spatial position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
A counterbalanced, spatially adjustable article supporting device comprising: a rigid, tubular encasement having an aperture in one side wall; pivotal connector means coupled at each end of said encasement pivotal relative to said encasement; rod disposed in said encasement; a pair of linkage means, one coupled pivotally to said rod at each end, each of said linkage means coupled pivotally to said connector means; compression force generating means connected to said rod for resisting movement of said rod in one direction; and compression force generating adjustment means connected to said compression force means disposed near said encasement aperture and accessible from outside said encasement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
A counterbalanced, spatially adjustable article supporting device comprising: a rigid, tubular encasement having an aperture in one side wall; pivotal connector means coupled at each end of said encasement pivotal relative to said encasement; rod disposed in said encasement; a pair of linkage means, one coupled pivotally to said rod at each end, each of said linkage means coupled pivotally to said connector means; compression force generating means connected to said rod for resisting movement of said rod in one direction; and compression force generating adjustment means connected to said compression force means disposed near said encasement aperture and accessible from outside said encasement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A supporting device as in claim 3, including: rod locking means connected to said encasement and to said rod for locking said rod in a fixed position to prevent relative movement of said rod and said encasement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A supporting device, as in claim 4, wherein: one of said linkage means includes a first linkage arm; a clevis connected at one end to said first linkage arm; and a clevis bearing connected to said encasement and coupled moveably to said clevis, said clevis coupled to said rod at one end, said first linking arm pivotally coupled to one of said connector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as in claim 5, including: a horizontally disposed arm connected at one end to one of said connecting means, said encasement being rotationally moveable relative to said horizontal arm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |