Patent ID: 8702337

Claim:
A lamellar rotational flexure pivot including a longitudinal flexing axis, the lamellar rotational flexure pivot comprising: a first pivot end including a first spring layer, a second spring layer and a first spacer layer disposed between said first and second spring layers; a second pivot end including a third spring layer, a fourth spring layer and a second spacer layer disposed between said third and fourth spring layers; and a divider layer disposed between said first and second pivot ends, wherein said first and second pivot ends are permitted to pivot relative to one another, wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth spring layers and said divider layer is a flat planar disc, wherein said first, second, third and fourth spring layers and said divider layer are concentrically aligned and axially stacked so they are connected with one another along said longitudinal flexing axis, wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth spring layers include: a surrounding support member including an inner surface defining an opening; a flexure arm including first and second ends; and an arc member disposed within said opening, wherein said surrounding support member is a continuous annular ring and surrounds said arc member, wherein said flexure arm, said arc member, and said surrounding support member are integrally formed of one piece of material, wherein said first end of said flexure arm is coupled with said inner surface of said surrounding support member, and wherein said arc member is coupled with said second end of said flexure arm, said arc member is concentric with and spaced apart from said inner surface of said surrounding support member, wherein said flexure arm on at least one of said first, second, third, and fourth spring layers are rotationally offset from said flexure arm on another of said first, second, third, and fourth spring layers.