초록 ▼

A thrust bearing for bearing a load along a force vector includes at least two roller elements in rolling contact with one another and arranged along the force vector such that the load is borne through the roller elements. The roller elements are retained within a retainer such that they remain ali

A thrust bearing for bearing a load along a force vector includes at least two roller elements in rolling contact with one another and arranged along the force vector such that the load is borne through the roller elements. The roller elements are retained within a retainer such that they remain aligned along the force vector while subjected to loads. The retainer used to house the roller elements may be designed to abut the roller elements at minimum points of contact, or alternatively to distribute the load borne by one or both of the roller elements across a greater surface area. One application of the preferred thrust bearings is in an apparatus such as a keyboard support for reducing repetitive stress injuries. A main disk is rotatably coupled to a base and supports a support member on a plurality of the thrust bearings. Rotation of the main disk varies the tilt of the support member relative to the base, thereby adjusting the position of a keyboard supported on the support member relative to an operator.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for reducing repetitive stress injuries, comprising: (a) a base; (b) a support member for supporting a load along a force vector and from which an operator performs a repetitive task; and (c) moving means for moving at least a portion of the support member relative to the base in a dire

An apparatus for reducing repetitive stress injuries, comprising: (a) a base; (b) a support member for supporting a load along a force vector and from which an operator performs a repetitive task; and (c) moving means for moving at least a portion of the support member relative to the base in a direction generally along the force vector, the moving means including a rotatable member coupled to the base and having a plurality of thrust bearings supporting the support member on the base, each thrust bearing including top and bottom ball bearings in rolling contact with one another and arranged in a direction generally along the force vector, the top ball bearing in rolling contact with the support member and the bottom ball bearing in rolling contact with the base.