Cable actuators and cable actuated apparatuses and systems

A cable actuator includes a housing and a cam disposed in the housing. The cam includes a first cable retaining portion and a second cable retaining portion. The cam is movable between a first position in which the first cable retaining portion is in an actuated position and the second cable retaining portion is in a return position, and a second position in which the first cable retaining portion is in a return position and the second cable retaining portion is in an actuated position.

BACKGROUND

Many assemblies such as, for example, mobility aides, include components that move or articulate through a range of motion. In many cases, these components may be moved into multiple positions such as a sitting position or a standing position. One example of such an assembly is a standing frame of the type manufactured by Altimate Medical, Inc. of Morton, Minn., US. Other examples of mobility aides include, for example, wheelchairs, seating systems, walkers and rollators. It is not unusual for such assemblies to have latching or locking mechanisms that are manually or electro-mechanically actuated.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses exemplary embodiments of a cable actuator for use with a variety of apparatuses, including, for example, a wheelchair or standing frame. In one exemplary embodiment, a cable actuator is configured for selective operation of one or more of a plurality of cable actuated devices by operation of a single manual controller.

Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, a cable actuator includes a housing and a cam disposed in the housing. The cam includes a first cable retaining portion and a second cable retaining portion. The cam is movable between a first position in which the first cable retaining portion is in an actuated position and the second cable retaining portion is in a return position, and a second position in which the first cable retaining portion is in a return position and the second cable retaining portion is in an actuated position.

In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a first device operable between an actuated condition and a return condition, a second device operable between an actuated condition and a return condition, and a cable actuator. The cable actuator includes a housing, first and second cables, and a cam. The first cable has a first end positioned within the housing and a second end connected with the first device. The second cable has a first end positioned within the housing and a second end connected with the second device. The cam is disposed in the housing and is operably connected with the first and second cables. The cam is movable to a first position to apply a first force to the first cable to move the first device to the actuated condition, and to a second position to apply a second force to the second cable to move the second device to the actuated condition, with the first cable being free of the first force when the cam is in the second position to maintain the first device in the return condition.

DESCRIPTION

This Description merely describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the specification in any way. Indeed, the invention as described is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used have their full ordinary meaning. For example, while the exemplary embodiments describe actuators and operating systems employing retractable cables, in other embodiments, other types of actuating mechanisms may additionally or alternatively be utilized, including, for example, gear-drive, motor-driven, electrical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic actuating mechanisms.

As described herein, when one or more components are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the components or may be indirect, such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members or elements.

Cable actuators are often used to provide manual operation of a mechanical or electromechanical device (e.g., a lock or braking system) that is remote from a manual controller, such as a knob, button, lever, or switch. One such actuating cable, known as a Bowden cable, includes an inner cable wire disposed within a fixed lumen or sheath, with the cable wire extending from the controller to the device to operatively connect the controller with the device. Operation of the manual controller applies a pulling force to the cable wire, which is transmitted to the device to operate the device (e.g., by rotating, pivoting, sliding, or otherwise moving a portion of the device). The cable wire is typically spring loaded to return to a normal or default position when the manual controller is returned to a normal position, eliminating the pulling force on the cable wire. Alternatively, a cable actuator may include a cable biased to a force transmitting position in which a pulling force is applied, with a manual controller (e.g., a spring loaded push button) that removes the pulling force from the cable when actuated.

According to one aspect of the present application, an actuator (e.g., a cable actuator) is described for use with apparatuses including multiple actuated systems or devices, or a system or device operated with multiple actuation mechanisms (e.g., actuating cables). In one such application, a cable actuator for an apparatus using first and second actuating cables is arranged such that an actuating force (e.g., a pulling or pushing force) may be applied to only a first cable, in a first selected condition of the actuator, or to only a second cable, in a second selected condition of the actuator. In an exemplary embodiment, a cable actuator is further configured to be operable to a third condition to apply an actuating force to both first and second cables, or to withdraw the actuating force from both of the first and second cables. In other embodiments, more than two cables may be used and any combination of actuating/withdrawing forces may be applied to the cables.

FIG. 1illustrates a partial schematic view of a cable actuated system S including an assembly M of cable actuated devices d1, d2, . . . dn, operated by a plurality of actuating cables c1, c2, . . . cn(e.g., Bowden cables). A cable actuator A includes an actuating member b (e.g., a cam, lever, or other such component) that is operatively connected with engageable portions e1, e2, . . . en(e.g., end portions) of the cables to selectively actuate one or more of the cables c1, c2, . . . cnwhen a manual controller h is moved to a selected position. The selectable positions of the manual controller may be configured to provide for two or more positions of each of the actuating cables (e.g., fully actuated, partially actuated, fully released).

Many different systems or apparatuses may involve actuation of multiple actuation mechanisms to effect operation of the system or apparatus. In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, as partially illustrated inFIG. 2, a standing frame10configured to assist handicapped individuals in moving between seated, standing, and supine positions includes a cable actuated operating system10. In other exemplary embodiments contemplated by the present application, other types of actuating mechanisms or operating systems may be utilized, including, for example, gear-drive, motor-driven, electrical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic actuating mechanisms.

The standing frame10includes a seat portion or seat bracket93connected with a wheeled base92by pivoting sliders97,98for sliding and pivoting articulation of the seat bracket93with respect to the base92(for example, by operation of a motorized actuation system, not shown) between sitting/supine (substantially horizontal) and standing (substantially vertical) positions. The standing frame10further includes a footrest portion or leg carrier bracket96pivotable with respect to the base92for pivoting movement of the leg carrier bracket to support the lower legs of a user in both sitting (substantially perpendicular to the seat bracket) and supine/standing (substantially collinear with the seat bracket) positions.

To secure the leg carrier bracket96with respect to the wheeled base92when the seat bracket reaches the standing (substantially vertical) position, the standing frame10is provided with a striker latch46that automatically latches in this standing position. Many different types of striker latches may be utilized, including, for example, _. The exemplary striker latch is operated by a first cable40aand is in the locked condition when the first cable is in the extended or returned position, and is unlocked when the first cable is pulled or refracted to the actuated position. When the standing frame10is raised from a sitting position to a standing position (“sit-to-stand”), the first cable40ais released or relaxed to maintain the striker latch46is in a locked or automatic latching position. When the standing frame10is to be returned to a reclined or supine position, the first cable40ais pulled or retracted to release the striker latch46, thereby permitting pivoting movement of the leg carrier bracket96with respect to the frame base92.

To secure the seat bracket in a desired position (e.g., sitting/supine, standing) the sliders97,98are provided with slider locks47,48that secure the sliders against undesired movement when in a locked condition. Many different types of slider locks may be utilized, such as, for example, integral locking slider assemblies (e.g., Mechloks®, manufactured by Crane Aerospace and Electronics). The exemplary slider locks47,48are operated by second and third cables40b,40cand are in the locked condition when the second and third cables are in the extended or returned position, and are unlocked when the second and third cables are pulled or retracted to the actuated position. When the standing frame10is to be secured in a supine, reclined, or sitting position, the second and third cables40b,40care released or relaxed to maintain the slider locks47,48in a locked position to prevent articulation of the seat bracket93. When the standing frame10is to be operating from a sitting position to a standing position, the second and third cables40b,40care pulled or retracted to release the slider locks97,98, thereby permitting sliding and pivoting articulation of the seat bracket93.

To facilitate operation of a standing frame, the standing frame may be provided with a single actuator that is operable to simultaneously or sequentially operate each of a striker latch, configured to secure and release a leg carrier bracket, and first and second slider locks, configured to secure and release a seat bracket, as described above. The exemplary standing frame10includes a cable actuator11(which may, but need not, be consistent with the cable actuator100ofFIGS. 4-8B) operable by manipulation of a pivoting handle70between a first “supine” position, a second “sit-to-stand” position, and a third intermediate or “neutral” position. In the supine position, the cable actuator11maintains an actuating force on the first cable40ato maintain the unlocked condition of the striker latch46, and removes or withholds actuating forces from the second and third cables40b,40cto allow the second and third cables to relax or extend to the return position to move the slider locks47,48to the locked condition. In this actuator-selected condition, the seat bracket93is secured at a desired angle of inclination.

In the neutral position, the cable actuator11applies actuating forces to the second and third cables40b,40cto unlock the slider locks, and additionally applies an actuating force to the first cable40ato pull the first cable to the actuated or refracted position, thereby unlocking the striker latch to permit adjustment of the leg carrier bracket96. In this actuator-selected condition, the seat bracket93and leg carrier bracket96are manually adjustable to a desirable orientation.

In the sit-to-stand position, the cable actuator11maintains actuating forces on the second and third cables40b,40cto pull the cables to the actuated or retracted position, thereby unlocking the slider locks for adjustment of the frame positioning sliders97,98. The first cable remains in a relaxed, extended position to maintain the striker latch in the locked or automatic latching condition for securely fixing the leg carrier bracket96of the frame when the standing frame10has been raised to the standing position.

Many different types of cable actuators may be utilized. In one embodiment, shown schematically inFIGS. 3A and 3B, a cable actuator20includes a housing22enclosing a cam23operatively connected with first ends24a,24bof first and second reciprocally movable cables25a,25bfor engagement with first and second devices d1, d2to be actuated. The cam is movable to selectively operate either one of the first and second cables25a,25b. The cam23is movable to at least two positions: a first position (FIG. 3A) in which an actuating force is only applied to the first cable25a, and a second position (FIG. 3B) in which an actuating force is only applied to the second cable25b.

While any suitable operative connection between a cam and the first and second cables may be utilized, in one embodiment, the cam includes first and second tracks receiving projections secured to the ends of the corresponding cables. The tracks may be contoured or otherwise oriented to translate movement of the cam (e.g., rotating, pivoting, or sliding movement) to reciprocating movement (e.g., pulling, pushing, or releasing) of the cables. Movement of the cam causes the first and second tracks to guide the projections for movement of the first and second cables between actuated and return positions. In embodiments with more than two cables, more than two tracks may be used. Furthermore, a single track may operate on multiple cables.

To provide for different, non-synchronized movement of the first and second cables, the first and second tracks may be differently contoured or oriented. In one such example, the first and second tracks are oriented such that when the cam is moved to a first position, the first track guides a first projection connected with the first cable to move the first cable to the actuated position, and the second track guides a second projection connected with the second cable to move the second cable to the return position. When the cam is moved to a second position, the first track guides the first projection to move the first cable to the return position, and the second track guides the second projection to move the second cable to the actuated position. In other embodiments, the number of cables (e.g., 3, 4, or more cables), tracks (e.g., 3, 4, or more tracks), cam positions (e.g., 3, 4, or more cam positions) may be varied, for example, to operate more than two actuating cables, to provide multiple combinations of cable positions (e.g., multiple cables actuated or multiple cables released), or to actuate one or more of the cables to one or more intermediary positions (i.e., between fully actuated and return positions).

FIGS. 4-8Billustrate an exemplary embodiment of a cable actuator100, for use, for example, with the operating system10ofFIG. 2, or with any suitable system or device utilizing multiple actuating cables. The cable actuator100includes a housing120formed from opposed housing members120a,120bsecured together by fasteners121,122, an operating cam130disposed within the housing, and first, second, and third cable assemblies140a,140b,140cassembled with the housing120. The cam130, more clearly shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B, is rotatably mounted within the housing120on bushings133a,133binstalled on the fastener121. The cable assemblies each include a hollow outer sheath141a,141b,141cand an inner cable wire142a,142b,142caxially movable within the sheath. The sheaths are secured to the housing120by cable mount covers150a,150bfastened to the housing (e.g., by fasteners151a,151b). The cable wires include first ends143a,143b,143cdisposed within the housing120for connection with the cam130, and second ends (not shown) for connection with one or more cable actuated devices or systems. The cables may be spring-loaded or otherwise in tension, such that in the absence of an actuating force applied by the cable actuator, the cables are biased to a return position opposite the actuated position. As shown, the sheaths may be provided with ferrules144a,144b,144cthat are adjustable to apply an adjustable clamping force on the cable wires, thereby varying the resistance to axial movement of each cable wire.

While the ends of the cable wires may be connected directly with the operating cam, in the illustrated embodiment, the cable ends are secured to cable end retaining portions of actuator slide members160a,160bdisposed between the cam130and the sides of the housing120. The exemplary cable ends include cylindrical nipples that are retained in complementary shaped cavities163a,163bin the slide members. The slide members160a,160binclude elongated openings161a,161bin which the bushings133a,133bare disposed, allowing for radial movement of the slide members with respect to the cam130(i.e., towards or away from the central axis of the cam). As shown, the slide members160a,160bmay be provided with multiple cavities163a,163b(or other such attachment features) for actuation of multiple cables by a single slide member.

To selectively position the slide members160a,160bwith respect to the cam, the cam130includes a contoured track135a,135bon each side engaging a pin or other such projection165a,165bsecured to the corresponding slide member160a,160b. In the illustrated embodiment, the tracks are formed as recessed grooves in the sides of the cam. In other embodiment, the tracks may be formed from other structures, such as ridges, channels, or slots. The tracks135a,135bare contoured to vary the distance from the cam axis, such that rotation of the cam130causes the projections165a,165bto be guided by the tracks to varying radial positions with respect to the cam axis. These varying radial positions translate into actuating and return forces on the cables. In the illustrated embodiment, when the projection is disposed in a radially inward portion of the track, the slide member and cable end are moved to a pulled or retracted position. When the projection is disposed in a radially outward portion of the track, the slide member and cable end are moved to a pushed or extended position. As shown, the tracks135a,135bmay be gradually contoured to facilitate smooth operation of the cam.

While the contoured tracks of an actuating cam may be aligned to provide simultaneous, synchronized movement of the slide members and cable ends, in other embodiments, the tracks may be contoured differently, such that movement of the cam produces different actuation of each of the slide members and cables. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second tracks135a,135bare oppositely contoured (seeFIG. 9), such that in a first rotational orientation of the cam130(FIGS. 6A and 6B), the first slide member160ais guided to the actuated position for its associated cable and the second slide member160bis guided to the return position for its associated cables, and in a second rotational orientation of the cam130(FIGS. 7A and 7B), the first slide member160ais guided to the return position for its associated cable and the second slide member160bis guided to the actuated position for its associated cables. Additionally, the tracks may be further contoured such that in an intermediate rotational orientation of the cam130(FIGS. 8A and 8B), between the first and second rotational orientations, both slide members and their associated cables are guided to the actuated position.

In an exemplary embodiment, when used with a standing frame apparatus (e.g., a standing frame apparatus including the operating system10ofFIG. 2), the first position ofFIGS. 6A and 6Bcorresponds to a “supine” position in which the first cable140ais actuated to unlock a striker latch46, and the second and third cables140b,140care returned or released to secure opposed slider locks47,48. The second position ofFIGS. 7A and 7Bcorresponds to a “sit-to-stand” position in which the first cable140ais returned or released to secure the striker latch46, and the second and third cables140b,140care actuated to unlock the slider locks47,48. The third position ofFIGS. 8A and 8Bcorresponds to a “neutral” position in with all three cables140a,140b,140care actuated to unlock both the striker latch46and the slider locks47,48.

Many different manual controllers may be utilized to operate a cable actuating cam described above, including, for example, a lever, knob, or push button. In the illustrated embodiment, a lever handle170is secured within a radially extending bore137in the cam130(for example, by a roll pin174), with a handle shaft171extending through a slot125in the housing120, and a user graspable handle knob172secured to the end of the shaft171. The cam is selectively positioned by pivotal movement of the handle170within the slot125, with the handle170aligned with a first end of the slot125in a first rotational orientation (for example, for actuation of the first slide member and return of the second slide member) and with a second end of the slot125in a second rotational orientation (for example, for actuation of the second slide member and return of the first slide member). The selectable positions of the handle may be identified, for example, by markings or other indicia on the handle, cable actuator housing, or some other portion of the cable actuated apparatus.

To secure the handle170and cam130in a selected orientation, the cable actuator may be provided with one or more detents, stops, or lockout features. While many different handle securing arrangements may be used, in one embodiment, a releasable lockout member is assembled with the handle170to releasably retain the handle170in at least one of a plurality of selectable positions. In the illustrated embodiment, a lockout member is provided as a collar180that surrounds the handle shaft171and is received in an enlarged outer portion138of the cam bore137. In each of the cam's selectable orientations, the collar180is receivable in an enlarged opening126,127,128in the housing120to securely position the handle170and cam130in the selected orientation. The collar180may be spring biased toward this secure or lockout position (for example, by spring189) or may be otherwise movable into the lockout position. To move the handle to a different selected position, the collar180may be lifted to withdraw the collar from the opening, such that the collar does not obstruct movement of the cam130with respect to the housing120. When the cam130is moved to the new selected position, the collar180may be released and spring biased (or otherwise moved) into the corresponding housing opening for retention of the cam130in the new position.

Other features or modifications may be applied to the inventive cable actuators described herein. For example, while the exemplary embodiments described herein utilize actuating cables that are pulled to actuate the controlled devices, in other embodiments, one or more of the actuating cables may be pushed to actuate the controlled devices, and may (but need not) be biased toward the retracted (i.e., toward the cable actuator) position. As another example, while the described embodiments utilize a cam having a guiding track on each side, in other embodiments, multiple guiding tracks may be provided on one or both sides of the cam, such that more than two different or non-synchronous cable operations may be controlled by a single cam. In still other embodiments, a cable actuator may utilize multiple cam wheels, which may (but need not) be operatively connected for co-rotation, allowing for actuation of several cables or sets of cables by operation of a single manual controller.

In other embodiments, the shape or contour of the guiding tracks on an actuating cam may be selected for a desired rate or distance of cable actuation. For example, a shallow angled track may provide for more gradual cable actuation and/or a shorter distance of cable actuation, while a steep angled track may provide for more rapid cable actuation and/or a greater distance of cable actuation. Further, non-angled portions of track may provide for a predetermined amount of cam dwell prior to actuation of one or more of the cables. For example, a first track, guiding cable actuation of a first device, may be contoured for an extended cam dwell, as compared to the contour of a second track, guiding cable actuation of a second device. As a result, when the manual controller is moved from a first position to a second position, the first device is actuated after actuation of the second device.

Still further, a manual controller may be configured for a desired number of operating positions corresponding to a desired number of combinations of cable positions, including actuated, return, and partially actuated positions of one or more of the actuating cables, or a combination of actuated, return, and partially actuated positions of the multiple cables. These positions may be identified by markings or other indicia on the handle, on the cable actuator housing, and/or on some other portion of the apparatus. Detent, stop, or lockout features may, but need not, be provided for one or more of the multiple positions. Markings on the handle, cable actuator housing, or apparatus may additionally include instructions for proper operation of the cable actuator, including, for example, release of the handle from a lockout or detent position.