Patent ID: 9103419
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A radially engaging system, comprising: a housing having at least one guide channel formed therein: at least one sliding member slidably disposed in a respective guide channel to reciprocate therein; a follower extending orthogonally from each sliding member; at least one rotator rotatably connected to the housing, the at least one rotator having at least one guide curve formed therein, the at least one guide curve being configured as an Archimedian spiral, the follower being received in the at least one guide curve and extending away from an axis of rotation of the rotator, the at least one guide curve defining a predefined travel distance for the at least one sliding member; a rotating mechanism for selectively rotating the rotator to selectively extend or retract the at least one sliding member into and out of locking engagement with at least one mechanical component; wherein a rate of linear movement of the at least one sliding member is proportionately constant with a rate of rotation of the rotator; wherein the housing comprises an elongate, substantially hollow cylindrical housing; wherein the at least one sliding member comprises a plurality of sliding members spaced around the cylindrical housing; wherein the at least one rotator has at least one pair of keyholes angularly spaced therein: the rotating mechanism including a key having an elongate handle and a pair of spaced key members extending orthogonally from the elongate handle, each of the key members being selectively insertable into one of the pair of keyholes to engage the at least one rotator and selectively turn the key in order to rotate the at least one rotator; means for locking the rotator in selected positions, the means for locking having: at least one lock recess formed inside the cylindrical housing; at least one spring disposed in the lock recess; at least one lock post abutting the at least one spring at one end, the at least one lock post having a diameter larger than the keyholes, the at least one lock post being normally biased by the at least one spring to abut against the one of the keyholes; and an engagement head formed on an opposite end of the at least one lock post, the engagement head having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the at least one lock post, the engagement head being normally engaged inside the one of the keyholes to prevent rotation of the at least one rotator; wherein one of the key members has a length greater than the length of the other key member, the longer length extending the one of the key members to push the engagement head against the bias of the at least one spring upon insertion of the key into the keyholes to free engagement of the engagement head with the one of the keyholes to thereby unlock and rotate the at least one rotator.