WO2010029560A1 - An assembly for unilateral and multilateral movement - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a assembly capable of allowing uni and multilateral movements of articles mounted thereon where in the entire weight, of the article rests on one ball (B). It consists of a ball (B) mounted between two cone (C) shaped housing provided with inclined slots (S) at its conical surface. The size of ball, angle of the cone (C) and the slots (S) are varied to optimize load-bearing area for minimum friction. The invention also includes rocking and tiltable chairs, Fun Play Couch, dentist chairs, operation tables, stretchers and the like mounted on such a ball bearing assembly.

Description

An Assembly for Unilateral and Multilateral movement

The present disclosure relates to assembly for Unilateral and Multilateral movements of articles mounted thereon. The assembly is useful in mounting articles such as dental, hospital, domestic and industrial equipments such as rocking chair, Fun Play Couches, cradle, dental chair, wheel chair, training equipments and the like which require a uni and multilateral movements.

BACK GROUND OF INVENTION

Rockable and Tiltable articles presently available are unsafe and often uncomfortable to the occupants. Power driver versions of such equipments are expensive and require skilled operators.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of this disclosure is to develop a safe, comfortable and cost effective mechanism for mounting rockable and movable articles such as rocking chair, dental and beautician chairs, swivel chair, cradle and the like for providing uni and multilateral movement.

Conventionally many ball bearings, pneumatic/hydraulic cylinders and motors are used for imparting the desired movements of articles mentioned above. It is well known that the size of the bearing surface determines its load bearing capacity and life of the equ.pment mounted thereon. A single point contact in the ball bearing surface is achieved by the conventional ball bearing arrangement. Increase in the contact surface and thereby the loading area is desirable in obtaining stability of the mounted articles and for long life. However there must be an optimization of contact area on the ball for minimum friction and the different directional movements of the article to be mounted thereon.

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE INVENTION.

In order to achieve the object described herein above, a novel Uniball assembly has been developed.

The Uniball assembly according to this invention comprises a ball housed in a conical housing having inclined slots (S) extending downwardly there from.

The contact surface area or the loading area of this assembly is circular and the size of conical housing is varied to accommodate ball of the desired size depending on its use. Number and width of slots may depend on various factors such as optimization of contact area of the Ball for minimum friction and the different directional movements envisaged by the article to be mounted thereon. This ball assembly is applicable to many products such as rocking chair, dental chair, cradle, beautician chair, toy rocking horse, operation table, stretchers, similar equipments and the like.

may be provided for lubricating as shown in Fig.2 &3. The cone '.C may also additionally be provided with circular grooves to ensure smooth movement by lubrication.

The articles such as rocking such as rocking chair, dental chair, cradle and the like may be mounted on a single ball assembly according to this invention.

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

Fig 1 - A sectional view of the uniball assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig 2 - A sectional view of an article with the uniball assembly of the present disclosure providing Unilateral movements.

Fig 3 - A Cross sectional top view of the uniball assembly Fig 4 - A sectional view of the braking assembly system used in articles such as Dental Chair, having Multilateral movements for rigid fixing. Fig 5 - ¹ A cross sectional top view of the uniball assembly with the braking system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION :

Fig.l describes the uniball assembly system in accordance to the present disclosure. The cone shaped housing (C) with slots (S) houses the ball (B). Provision exists for tightening of bolt item (T) with lever (L) underneath thus causing the ball to float in Conical Housing. This provides additional incremental movements in forwards and backward direction in addition to usual rocking movement.

Load bearing ball (B) may be made of sintered bronze, which is self -lubricating. The ball may also be made of hardened steel.

This assembly provides uni and multilateral movement to the article on which it is loaded.

An article having unilateral movements is mounted on uniball assembly as per the present disclosure is shown in figure. L. The leg members (LEG) supports the Fixed member (4) on which the assembly is mounted. The Moving member (1) forms the seat of the article that is then mounted on the uniball assembly. The assembly is formed by the spherical fixed member (3) and the spherical moving member (2), which has the cone shaped housing as described in Fig 1 which houses the ball (B).

The fixed spherical member (3) has a machined conical stopper marked to control the movement ol Moving members.

Backrest (BR) and Footrest (1 R) is provided and operated by conventional method, preferably by a Ratchet and pawl system.

Sliding key (K.) is provided which is mounted on the fixed spherical member (1) and through an elongated key way in on the moving spherical member (2) that permits rocking member in unilateral movements. It also prevents falling of rockinglmember assembly. This key is provided with key withdrawal system using Bolt item (M) that lowers the key and thus allows multilateral movement.

An ^*U' bolt (Lf) is snugly fitted to the moving members (1) and spherical moving member (2) and freely assembled and fitted to item the fixed members.

Fig 3 shows the sectional top view of the assembly in as in the article. Clearance (5) provides enough clearance permitting the desired multilateral movements of rocking member. The U bolt also acts as a stopper for Uni and Multilateral movements. Lubricating hole (12) and grease nipple (1 1) may be provided for lubricating as shown in Fig 3 & 5 for lubricating the Ball.

The -present invention is represented by means of a rocking chair, however it can be easily developed into a dental chair etc., by minor workshop modification by a person skilled in the art and by disclosure. Similar mounting arrangements may be made in respect of other articles specified herein before.

Power operated rocking chair, dental chair and the like equipments may have power drive mechanism coupled to them in a conventional manner with an output shaft connected to a geared motor. Power operated dental chair may have one drive to achieve multilateral movements by workshop modifications.

The power driven and manually operated equipments may be provided with brake means to restrict the movements more effectively.

Fig.4 describes the ai '.icle having multilateral movement comprising a braking mean-. The article has no keys or the key is withdrawn. Brake liner (6) like asbestos sheet fixed to machined concave surface (7) to match the assembly by means of suitable fixing means. Hydraulic / Pneumatic Cylinder (8) with Piston (9) may be used depending upon the requirement. It can also be replaced with manually operated multi start thread system or quick acting CAM mechanism.

Piston assembly (9) is used to move the break system in place on item' 2 & 3 of Fig.3. When this is operated whole system become rigid and slippage will not occur, in any multilateral positioning.

Two guiding members (10) are fixed to the moving spherical members (2) to prevent tilting of brake system. The concave surface (7) is a forged/fabricated flexibly connected to piston assembly to prevent from tilting when the break is applied as it slides over the guiding members perfectly and enables effective braking. Figure 5 further clearly shows the spherical break area. Obvious component modifications and alterations known to the person skilled in the art are also within this scope of invention and the appended claims.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. Λ assembly for Uni and multilateral movc/nents of articles mounted thereon comprising a ball (B) housed between two cone shaped housing (C), the cone (C) periphery of the cone housing being provided with inclined slots (S) extending downwardly therefore.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the size of ball (B)₅ ^' angle of the cone (C) and the slots (S) are varied to optimize load-bearing area for minimum friction.

3. The assembly as claimed in claims 1 is provided with lubricating means comprising a grease nipple (1 1) and a lubricating hole (12).

4. The assembly as claimed in claims 1 - 2 wherein said ball and housing are made of hardened steel or sintered bronze.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising means (T,L) to lift the ball and achieve incremental movement in the forward and backward direction.

6. Articles such as rocking chair Fun Play Couch, dental chair, cradle, tiltable chairs, medical equipments like tables, stretchers and the like mounted on the assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1-5

7. The article as claimed in claim 6 that is a rocking chair mounted on a frame and having key (K) on the fixed member to provide unilateral movement of the moving member.

8. The article as claimed in claim 6 wherein the dental chair mounted on the assembly is provided with braking means having spherical braking area for multilateral movements and for rigid fixing.

Dated this 29 ^;th day of September 2008.