Patent ID: 6915716
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: A47B,F16F,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A roller/damper for use with an associated sliding object that is movable between a first position and a second position, comprising: a roller having an outside diameter and configured for movement, the roller rotating about an axis; a gear housing disposed adjacent the roller and rotating about an axis common with the roller axis, the gear housing having gear teeth formed thereon for engaging a rack gear of the associated sliding object; a damper rotor positioned in the gear housing and having an axis common with the roller axis and the gear housing axis, the damper rotor being rotatable within the gear housing; a damping material disposed about the damper rotor within the gear housing for damping rotation of the gear housing relative to the rotor; and a shaft extending along the common axis, through the roller, the gear housing and the rotor, the rotor being fixed to the shaft, the roller and gear housing being rotational about the shaft, rotation of the roller and the gear housing about the shaft being independent of one another, wherein the roller rotates as it moves, and when the gear housing, moving along with the roller, engages the rack gear, movement of the roller damper is dampened by the engagement of the gear housing with the rack gear.