Patent ID: 7516680
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: B64C,F16D,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for assisting in moving an element between a first position and a second position, said apparatus comprising: a tubular housing; a torque transferring member disposed within said tubular housing and having first and second opposing portions, at least one of said first and second portions being fixed secured relative to said element; a first biasing member disposed within said tubular housing; a first link operably disposed within said tubular housing and coupling said first biasing member with said first portion of said torque transferring member; a second biasing member disposed within said tubular housing and arranged axially in line with said first biasing member and said torque transferring member, said first and second biasing members further being arranged on opposing sides of said torque transferring member to cooperate to assist in moving said element rotationally; a second link disposed within said tubular housing operably coupling said second biasing member with said second portion of said torque transferring member; said first and second biasing members adapted to store sufficient energy to urge said torque transferring member from said first position to said second position when an external force is applied to at least one of said element and said torque transferring member; and a tensioning adjuster threadably engaged with said tubular housing at one axial end of said tubular housing, said tensioning adjuster including a portion adapted to be engaged by an external tool and rotated by said external tool, and said tensioning adjuster being operably coupled to said first biasing member to apply a predetermined compressive force to said first biasing member by threaded adjustment of said tensioning adjuster relative to said tubular housing, using said external tool.