Patent ID: 6729590
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: A47L,D06F,F16M,F25D,Y10T

Abstract:
A bearing-less leveling device consisting of:(a) a housing having a base portion, a top portion, and a substantially hollow portion, the hollow portion adapted and configured to provide at least one load-bearing surface; (b) an elevation shaft having a longitudinal axis disposed at least partially within the hollow portion, at least a portion of the shaft having threads on its external surface; (c) a worm gear having teeth disposed within the housing, at least one end of the worm gear having an extension protruding out from the housing and configured to facilitate rotation of the worm gear; (d) a driven gear disposed within the hollow portion having internal threads engaged with the threads of the elevation shaft and external gear teeth engaged with the teeth of the worm gear, the driven gear adapted and configured to operably engage the at least one load-bearing surface without any separate bearings; (e) means for retaining the driven gear within the hollow portion; and (f) means for restraining the elevation shaft from rotating relative to the housing, whereby upon rotation of the worm gear in opposite directions and concomitant rotations of the driven gear, the elevation shaft is caused to move axially up or down to provide leveling motions to an object attached to the device.