Patent ID: 7249534

Claim:
A leadscrew mechanical drive comprising: a leadscrew having a leadscrew axis and a leadscrew thread with a nonzero leadscrew thread pitch; and a leadscrew follower structure engaged to the leadscrew, the leadscrew follower structure including a threaded insert having an insert thread with a nonzero insert thread pitch different from the leadscrew thread pitch, wherein the threaded insert is threadably engaged to the leadscrew thread, a bearing in which the threaded insert is received and which permits the threaded insert to rotate about an insert axis, wherein the insert axis is angularly rotated from the leadscrew axis, a bearing support in which the bearing is received, and a preload structure which biases the insert thread against the leadscrew thread, said preload structure further comprising a spring in the form of a dished washer that applies a preload force to the insert.