Patent ID: 7891265

Claim:
A motorized anti-backlash linear actuator, comprising: a motor; a hollow shaft that is rotated about a central axis by the motor, at least a portion of the hollow shaft comprising an internally threaded surface; an anti-backlash nut having an internally threaded portion, at least a portion of the anti-backlash nut being nested inside the hollow shaft, the anti-backlash nut configured for rotating with the hollow shaft while being permitted to slide axially within the hollow shaft; and a rod having external threads, the threaded portion of the hollow shaft and the threaded portion of the anti-backlash nut engaging the threads of the rod, such that the rotation of the hollow shaft and the anti-backlash nut imparts a linear motion to the rod relative to the hollow shaft and the anti-backlash nut, said linear motion being substantially backlash-free, a mechanical stop threadably mounted around the anti-backlash nut engages an axial end of the hollow shaft defining a distance between the end of the hollow shaft and a face of the anti-backlash nut, the stop being connected to a rotationally resilient member for rotationally biasing the stop to be self adjusting to axially force the anti-backlash nut away from the threaded portion of the hollow shaft to take up backlash.