Self-centering mechanism, a clamping device for an electronic device and means for their integration
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G03B-017/48
G03B-017/56
F16B-002/10
F16B-002/12
G03B-029/00
H04N-005/225
F16M-011/04
F16L-001/20
F16L-003/10
B25J-015/10
B25B-005/06
B23Q-001/76
B60R-011/02
B23Q-007/04
F16B-002/18
G02B-007/00
F16M-013/00
F16M-013/02
B60R-011/00
출원번호
US-0259337
(2016-09-08)
등록번호
US-10234749
(2019-03-19)
발명자
/ 주소
Hyers, Michelle
출원인 / 주소
Carson Optical, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
31
초록▼
This invention comprises a self-centering mechanism for retaining an object, a clamping device for retaining an electronic device or an electronic device in a case, and means to integrate the devices in an adapter form. The structure of the self-centering mechanism allows for a compact device that i
This invention comprises a self-centering mechanism for retaining an object, a clamping device for retaining an electronic device or an electronic device in a case, and means to integrate the devices in an adapter form. The structure of the self-centering mechanism allows for a compact device that is capable of fitting a wide range of differently sized and shaped objects. The clamping device allows for means to retain an electronic device or an electronic device in a case that is capable of fitting a wide range of differently sized and shaped electronic device. The self-centering mechanism and clamping device can also be integrated into the form of an adapter for various applications.
대표청구항▼
1. A self-centering mechanism to retain an object having a center, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises: a main body having an alignment axis and at least a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis, and a third pivot axis, such that at least the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis and the
1. A self-centering mechanism to retain an object having a center, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises: a main body having an alignment axis and at least a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis, and a third pivot axis, such that at least the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are rotationally asymmetric relative to the alignment axis,a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least a first end,a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least a first end,a third arm rotatable about the third pivot axis, and having at least a first end,wherein the geometry of at least the first arm, second arm and third arm, are such that at least the first end of each of at least the first, second, and third arm move in a self-centering manner about the alignment axis to retain and align an object. 2. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least each of the first arm, second arm and third arm, has at least one tangential member. 3. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least the first of the first arm tangential member and second arm tangential member are surfaces, and the surfaces move in a tangential manner due to the surfaces being in tangential contact with at least one other tangential member. 4. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the self-centering mechanism further comprises a fourth arm, said fourth arm being mechanically connected to or part of at least the first of the second arm tangential member. 5. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the surfaces are smooth curved surfaces. 6. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the surfaces are gear surfaces. 7. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alignment axis is parallel to at least one of the first pivot axis, second pivot axis, or third pivot axis, and at least the first pivot, second axis and third axis are all mutually parallel. 8. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the first end of the first arm and the first pivot axis are separated by a first distance, at least the first end of the second arm and the second pivot axis are separated by a second distance, at least the first pivot axis and the alignment axis are separated by a third distance, and at least the second pivot axis and the alignment axis are separated by a fourth distance, wherein at least the first distance, second distance, third distance and fourth distance are based upon a maximum size of the object that can be releasably retained and aligned by the self-centering mechanism. 9. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and second arms are mechanically connected, such that upon release of both arms, at least the first end of each of at least the first, and second arms move towards the alignment axis in a self-centering manner. 10. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second arms each include at least a first lever, such that pressing at least the first lever of the first arm and the first lever of the second arm causes at least the first end of each of at least the first, and second arms to move away from the alignment axis in a self-centering manner. 11. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-centering mechanism further comprises at least one bias member, and wherein the bias member preferentially rotates at least the first end of at least the first or second arm towards the fixed alignment axis. 12. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one bias member provides the clamping force to retain the object. 13. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bias member is a torsional spring. 14. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a movement of at least the first, second and third arm in a self-centering manner without an object retained may be offset geometrically to the alignment axis to account for the object having a weight of an anticipated range that may bias the self-centering mechanism due to gravity, such that the mechanism once retaining the object, having a weight within the anticipated range, is structured such that the center of the object is proximately aligned to the alignment axis. 15. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises a fourth arm, wherein the fourth arm is rotatable about the third pivot axis or an additional fourth pivot axis. 16. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-centering mechanism further comprises a fourth arm, and wherein the fourth arm is rotatable about the third pivot axis. 17. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the third arm and fourth arm are connected via a centering mechanism, wherein the centering member retains the third and fourth arm, such that at least the respective first ends of the third and fourth arms move equidistantly from the alignment axis. 18. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the object is an optical object or device having an optical axis, wherein the self-centering mechanism engages with the optical device in a self-centering manner with respect to the optical axis of the optical device. 19. The self-centering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the geometry that allows at least the first end of each of at least the first, second, and third arm move in a self-centering manner are surfaces. 20. A self-centering mechanism to align and retain an object having a central axis, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises: a main body having an alignment axis and at least a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis, and a third pivot axis, such that at least the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are rotationally asymmetric relative to the alignment axis,a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least a first end and at least one non-planar surface,a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least a first end and at least one non-planar surface,a third arm rotatable about the third pivot axis, and having at least a first end and at least one non-planar surface,wherein at least the first non-planar surface of at least the first arm and second arm move tangentially to actuate the mechanism such that the object is retained to the main body with the central axis aligned to the alignment axis. 21. An optical adapter for retaining an optical device or optical object to at least one of an electronic device and an electronic device in a case having at least a first, second and third side and an optical axis, the optical adaptor having at least a self-centering mechanism that is releasably biased to retain the optical device or optical object in a self-centering manner, and a clamping portion for individually retaining at least one of the electronic device and the electronic device in a case, wherein a combination of the self-centering mechanism and clamping portion comprises: a main body having an alignment axis, at least a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis and a third pivot axis, such that at least the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are rotationally asymmetric relative to the alignment axis, and at least a first surface,a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least one tangential member and at least one end,a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least one tangential member and at least one end,a first tangential member, such that the first tangential member moves in a tangential manner with the tangential member of the first arm,a second tangential member, such that the second tangential member moves in a tangential manner with the tangential member of the second arm,a third arm having at least one end, said third arm being mechanically connected to or a part of said first tangential member,a first holder member being rotatable about the third pivot axis and having a first end,a bias member preferentially rotating the first end of the first holder towards the alignment axis,a second holder member having at least a first surface, such that when the electronic device is held in the retained state, the third side of the electronic device or the electronic device in a case is in at least partial contact with at least the first surface of the main body, the first end of the first holder member is in contact with at least the first side of the electronic device or the electronic device in a case, the first surface of the second holder portion is in contact with at least the second side of the electronic device or the electronic device in a case, and the electronic device or the electronic device in a case is retained due to the clamping force of the bias member that occurs between the first end of the first holder member and at least the first surface of the second holder member;wherein the geometry of the tangential members of the first and second arm, and first and second tangential members, are selected such that the ends of at least the first, second and third arm releasably engage with an optical device in a self-centering manner, such that when the electronic device is held in the retained and aligned state so that the optical axis of the electronic device is aligned to the alignment axis of the main body, the electronic device can releasably engage with an optical device or object in a self-centering manner relative to the optical axis of the electronic device. 22. A self-centering method to retain an object, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises: a main body having an alignment axis and at least a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis, and a third pivot axis, such that at least the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are rotationally asymmetric relative to the alignment axis, a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least one surface and at least one end, a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least one surface and at least one end, a first member, a second member, a first tangential member, having at least one surface, said surface of the first tangential member being in tangential contact with the said surface of the first member, a second tangential member, having at least one surface, said surface of the second tangential member being in tangential contact with the said surface of the second member, a third arm having at least one end, said third arm being mechanically connected to or a part of said first tangential member, and at least one bias member, and wherein the bias member preferentially rotates at least one end of a member towards the central axis, wherein the shapes of the surfaces of the first and second arm, and first and second tangential members, are selected such that the ends of at least the first, second and third arm releasably engage with an object in a self-centering manner, wherein the method compromises the steps of: pressing the first and second arms in conjunction, such that pressing both arms causes the ends of at least the first, second and third arms to move away from the alignment axis in a self-centering manner,inserting the object into the self-centering mechanism,releasing both the first and second arms, such that the ends of at least the first, second and third arms to move towards the alignment axis in a self-centering manner, and then releasably engage with the object in a self-centering manner. 23. A self-centering method to retain an object having a center, wherein the self-centering mechanism comprises: a main body having an alignment axis and at least a first pivot axis, a second pivot axis, and a third pivot axis, such that at least the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis are rotationally asymmetric relative to the alignment axis, wherein the fixed alignment axis is parallel to at least one of the first pivot, second pivot axis, or third pivot axis, and at least the first pivot, second axis and third axis are all mutually parallel, a first arm rotatable about the first pivot axis, and having at least one first arm tangential member and at least one end, a second arm rotatable about the second pivot axis, and having at least one second arm tangential member and at least one end, a third arm rotatable about the third pivot axis, and having at least one third arm tangential member and at least one end, wherein the geometry of at least the first of the first arm tangential member, second arm tangential member and third arm tangential member are such that at least the first end of each of at least the first, second, and third arm move in a self-centering manner about the fixed alignment axis to retain and align an object, wherein the method comprises the steps of: pressing the first and second arms in conjunction, such that pressing both the first and second arms causes at least the first end of each of at least the first, second and third arms to rotate away from the alignment axis in a self-centering manner,inserting the object into the self-centering mechanism, releasing both the first and second arms, such that at least the first end of each of at least the first, second and third arms to rotate towards the alignment axis in a self-centering manner, to releasably retain and align the object.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (31)
Haydo Donald H. (Lawrence County PA) Berg William H. (Allegheny County PA), Adjustable guide for rotating cylindrical member.
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