Patent ID: 7270619

Claim:
A linear actuator for transmitting tractive and thrust forces, said actuator comprising: first and second flexible actuating belts, each said actuating belts having an inner face and an outer face, each said inner faces including a plurality of spaced apart studs disposed thereon, said studs spaced apart by spaces of equal length, a first tooth disposed on said inner faces in each said spaces of both said actuating belts, each said space associated with each said belt shaped to form fittingly receive therein a said stud disposed on the other said actuating belt to thereby completely fill said space, each said studs including first and second side faces, a front active face, a rear active face, and a substantially rectilinear face disposed between said front active face and said rear active face, each said rectilinear face having a second tooth disposed thereon, said outer faces of said actuating belts each having a plurality of third teeth disposed thereon; a control member operatively associated with said first and second belts to cause the plurality of studs disposed on said first and second belts to mesh with one another, said control member comprising a pair of toothed members, each said toothed member having a plurality of fourth teeth operatively arranged to mesh with said plurality of third teeth, so that when said first and second teeth are caused to mesh by said control member, said studs of said respective first and second belts are each form fittingly received in said spaces of said respective second and first belts, each of said plurality of said first teeth of said respective first and second belts are engaged with said second tooth associated with said respective second and first belts, and said plurality of third teeth of said respective first and second belts are each engaged with said plurality of fourth teeth of one of said toothed members, wherein said meshed belts are independent upstream of said control member and form a unitary rigid member downstream of said control element without voids between said studs.