Patent ID: 6247676
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: F16C,G02B

Abstract:
A rotary positioning apparatus comprising:a mounting device adapted to be fixedly secured to a work surface, said mounting device having a generally circular aperture therethrough, a plurality of cylindrically shaped hollow bearing members in flexural engagement with a coaxially positioned retention ring are retained within said aperture;said retention ring being circular in cross-section, and having an outermost circumference of lesser diameter than the diameter of said mounting device circular aperture, such that when said retention ring is positioned within said mounting device and is coaxially aligned therewith, an annular region is defined for fixed positioning of said cylindrically shaped hollow bearing members;said bearing members being in flexural engagement with said mounting device and said retention ring and being fixedly positioned within said annular region; androtation means selected from the group consisting of a piezo motor and a mechanical micrometer, said rotation means being in mechanical engagement with said retention ring and extending perpendicularly to the axis thereof;whereby application of a force to said rotation means within a plane perpendicular to the axis of said apparatus, will result in rotation of said retention ring and, upon rotation of said retention ring, the combination of said mounting device, bearing members and retention ring exert symmetrical and axially directed forces about the circumference within said annular region, thereby providing said retention ring with enhanced axial and lateral stability.