Patent ID: 8220349
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A telescoping linear actuator comprising: a first segment comprising a housing and an inner spline shaft; a second segment having axial slots; an outer spline shaft coaxial with said inner spline shaft, said outer spline shaft being tubular and receiving at least a portion of said inner spline shaft therein for telescoping movement of said outer spline shaft relative to said inner spline shaft; a locking system locking said outer spline shaft against rotation relative to said inner spline shaft; a third segment engaged with said outer spline shaft, said first segment and said third segment in coaxial relationship with said second segment and configured for telescoping axial movement relative to one another upon rotation of said second segment; a collar surrounding a portion of said second segment, said collar connected to said first segment to prevent axial displacement of said collar while still permitting rotation of said collar relative to said first segment; a cam follower connected to said collar and configured for mating with the axial slots of said second segment; and a drive source connected to said collar to rotate said collar, wherein rotation of said collar causes movement of said cam follower and movement of said cam follower causes rotation of second segment.