Patent ID: 6009981
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B23Q,F15B

Abstract:
A device used for locking or braking on a linear motion system having at least one shaft or rail which moves axially relative to said device, said device comprising:a housing having a chamber defined by, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, said first and third sides having shaft apertures opposite one another to receive the at least one shaft or rail passing therethrough,a pair of clamping members being received in said chamber of said housing, said clamping members having a first side and a second side, said first side of each clamping member having a cut-out portion, each said clamping member being positioned with said cut-out portions facing each other and substantially aligned with each other, said cut-out portions formed to receive the at least one shaft or rail of the linear motion system, said clamping members further being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein said clamping members are frictionally engaged with the shaft or rail of the linear motion system in said first position and wherein the at least one shaft or rail is loosely slideable between said clamping members when said clamping members are in said second position, said first clamping member further comprising a first lever arm, said second clamping member further comprising a second lever arm,a first pivot body acting as a fulcrum positioned between said first clamping member and said first wall of said housing, a second pivot body acting as a fulcrum positioned between said second clamping member and said second wall of said housing, said first and second pivot bodies being distinct from the housing, andan actuation assembly acting on said first and said second lever arms for selectively rotating said first and second clamping members between said first and second positions around said first and second pivot bodies,whereby, when said actuation assembly is actuated, said clamping members pivot to said first position around their respective pivot bodies causing said clamping members to frictionally engage the at least one shaft or rail.