Patent ID: 6062106
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: B66C,F16C,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A side load sensor for sensing a longitudinal load on a rotary worm which turns a worm gear comprising: a gear housing for supporting a worm shaft for rotation about a horizontal axis, the worm being disposed centrally on the worm shaft, the gear housing including a pair of spaced bearing mounts for supporting the ends of the worm shaft, a worm gear disposed for rotation around a vertical axis, a motor for rotating the worm shaft, the worm being arranged in driving relation with the worm gear, a sleeve mounted at each end of the worm shaft for movement with the worm shaft in response to longitudinal forces transferred back from the worm gear to the worm, a polyurethane ring mounted adjacent each end of the worm shaft and disposed between a flat surface on the adjacent sleeve and a flat surface on the associated bearing mount so that a polyurethane ring is compressed between a sleeve and its adjacent bearing mount depending upon the direction of the force exerted by the worm gear against the worm, and means responsive to the compression of the polyurethane ring to sound an alarm signal and/or to shut off the motor which drives the worm shaft when the compression exceeds a predetermined valve.