Patent ID: 7134357
Filing Date: 2006-11-14
Classification: G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus limiting the arc of rotation of an axially elongated rod about its longitudinal axis in either of opposite rotational directions, comprising: an adjustable stop assembly, useable with an axially elongated rod that is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, mountable for rotation with the rod, and establishing a stop assembly pathway about the longitudinal axis of the rod, said ston assembly formed of first and second collars coaxially mountable on the rod at separate axial heights; a first ston carried by said first collar and, when the first collar is mounted on the rod, moveable with the first collar in a first annular oath around the longitudinal axis of the rod; and a second stop carried by said second collar and, when the second collar is mounted on the rod, moveable with the second collar in a second annular oath around the longitudinal axis of the rod; first and second pivot arms, juxtaposed to said stop assembly, positioned with either one of said pivot arms extending into an interference position with said stop assembly pathway such that the adjustable stop assembly will strike the interfering pivot arm in one of the opposite rotational directions, and positioned with the other pivot arm displaced from the interference position; and a mechanism for linking the first and second pivot arms for common movement and moving either pivot arm into the interference position when the other pivot arm exits the interference position; wherein, when in the interference position, each pivot arm is positioned to respond to being struck by said stop assembly from a one of the rotational directions by braking the stop assembly and to respond to being struck by the stop assembly from the opposite rotational direction by exiting the interference position; wherein the first and second pivot arms respond mutually oppositely to being struck in the respective opposite rotational directions; and whereby the arc of rotation of the rod about its longitudinal axis in one of the rotational directions is limited by one of the pivot arms braking the stop assembly in response to the stop assembly striking the pivot arm in the one rotational direction.