Apparatus for converting motion

Abstract

An assembly for converting motion, the assembly comprising a first arm rotatable about a first fixed pivot; a second arm rotatable about a second fixed pivot, the second fixed pivot spaced apart from the first fixed pivot; a third arm pivotably connected to the second arm; a first connecting arm extending between the first arm and the third arm, the first connecting arm pivotably connected to the first arm spaced and pivotably connected to the third arm; and a second connecting arm extending between the first arm and the second arm, the second connecting arm pivotably connected to the first arm and pivotably connected to the second arm. The assembly finds use in supporting and moving components of a building. In one embodiment, the assembly finds use in deploying a solar panel array.

Claims

1. An assembly for converting motion, the assembly comprising: a first arm pivotably connected at a first position thereon to a first fixed pivot and rotable about said first fixed pivot; a second arm pivotably connected at a first position thereon to a second fixed pivot and rotable about said second fixed pivot, the second fixed pivot spaced apart from the first fixed pivot; a third arm pivotably connected at a first position thereon to the second arm at a second position on the second arm, the second position spaced apart from the first position on the second arm, the third arm having a point thereon; a first connecting arm extending between the first arm and the third arm, the first connecting arm pivotably connected to a second position on the first arm spaced apart from the first position on the first arm and pivotably connected to the third arm at a second position thereon spaced apart from the first position thereon; and a second connecting arm extending between the first arm and the second arm, the second connecting arm pivotably connected to a third position on the first arm disposed between the first and second positions thereon and pivotably connected to a third position on the second arm; wherein the position of the first fixed pivot is fixed relative to the position of the second fixed pivot; and wherein the assembly is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, with movement of all of the said arms of the assembly between the retracted position and the extended position being confined to one side of a plane containing the first fixed pivot and the second fixed pivot.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arms are arranged to be accommodated adjacent to one another or within one another when in the retracted position.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first position on the first arm is at or adjacent an end of the first arm.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first position on the second arm is at or adjacent an end of the second arm.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second position on the second arm is at or adjacent an end of the second arm.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first position on the third arm is at or adjacent an end of the third arm.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the first arm to the distance between the first and second fixed pivots is from 0.5 to 2.0.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the second arm to the distance between the first and second fixed pivots is from 0.5 to 2.0.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first and second arms is substantially the same.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the lengths of the first, second and third arms are substantially the same.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second position on the first arm is at or adjacent an end of the first arm.

12. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the distance between the first position on the third arm and the second position on the third arm and the distance between the first position on the third arm and the said point on the third arm is from 0.1 to 0.9.

13. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the distance between the first position and the third position on the first arm and the distance between the first position and the second position on the first arm is from 0.1 to 0.9.

14. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third position on the second arm coincides with the second position on the second arm, such that the second connecting arm is connected to both the second and third arms.

15. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the distance between the first position and the third position on the second arm and the distance between the first position and the second position on the second arm is from 0.8 to 1.0.

16. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising means to limit the movement of the third arm with respect to the first and second fixed pivots.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the said means comprises a plurality of hinged arm or hinged arm assemblies.

18. A system comprising a first component and a second component, the first component being arranged for movement with respect to the second component, wherein an assembly for converting motion according to claim 1 is provided between the first component and the second component, operation of the assembly providing movement of the first component with respect to the second component.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the first component is moveable with respect to the second component in a pattern that displaces and rotates the first component with respect to the second component.

20. The system according to claim 18 wherein the first component and/or the second component are building structures.

21. A building comprising: a first building portion and a second building portion, the first building portion being moveable relative to the second building portion between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein relative movement between the first and the second building portions and support of one of the first and second building portions with respect to the other of the first and second building portions are provided by an assembly according to claim 1.

Description

(1) The principles and operation of the assembly of the present invention will be further explained by reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a simplified diagrammatical representation of an assembly according to the present invention in a super-extended position;

(3) FIG. 2a is a diagrammatical representation of the assembly of one embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position;

(4) FIG. 2b is a diagrammatical representation of the assembly of FIG. 2a in a first partially extended position;

(5) FIG. 2c is a diagrammatical representation of the assembly of FIG. 2a in a second partially extended position;

(6) FIG. 2d is a diagrammatical representation of the assembly of FIG. 2a in a third partially extended position;

(7) FIG. 2e is a diagrammatical representation of the assembly of FIG. 2a in an extended position;

(8) FIG. 2f is a diagrammatical representation of the assembly of FIG. 2a in a partially super extended position;

(9) FIG. 2g is a diagrammatical representation of the assembly of FIG. 2a in a super extended position;

(10) FIGS. 3a to 3e are perspective views of two conjoined assemblies of the general arrangement of FIG. 1 it a series of positions between a retracted position in FIG. 3a and an extended position in FIG. 3e;

(11) FIGS. 4a to 4f are diagrammatical representations of an assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a series of positions between a retracted position shown in FIG. 4a and an extended position shown in FIG. 4f; and

(12) FIGS. 5a to 5e are perspective views of a solar panel assembly comprising assemblies of the general arrangement of FIG. 1 in a range of positions from retracted to deployed.

(13) Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown a diagrammatical representation of an assembly of one embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated as 2. The assembly 2 is shown mounted to a fixed structure at a first fixed pivot 4 and a second fixed pivot 6. The fixed pivots 4, 6 are spaced apart and are fixed in relation to one another.

(14) A first arm 8 is pivotally connected at a first position D at one end to the first fixed pivot 4. A second arm 10 is pivotally connected at a first position C at one end to the second fixed pivot 6. A third arm 12 is mounted at one end by a pivot connection 14 at the second end of the second arm 10, the position of this connection being indicated as B in FIG. 1.

(15) A first connecting arm 16 is mounted at one end by a pivot connection 18 at the second end of the first arm 8, the position of this connection being indicated as E in FIG. 1. The second end of the first connecting arm is mounted by a pivot connection 20 to the third arm at a position F spaced from the position B.

(16) A second connecting arm 22 is mounted at one end by a pivot connection 24 to the first arm at a position d spaced from both positions D and E. The second end of the second connecting arm 22 is mounted by a pivot connection 26 to the second arm at a position H spaced from both positions C and B.

(17) The pivot connections may be formed by any suitable means, for example by pins extending through holes in the arms being pivotally joined.

(18) Movement of the first arm 8 about the first fixed pivot 4 and the second arm 10 about the second fixed pivot 6 causes the third arm 12 to move such that a point A on the third arm moves between a retracted position X and an extended position Y. In moving between the positions X and Y, the point A describes a substantially straight line. Further movement of the first and second arms 8, 10 causes the point A to move beyond the extended position Y and follow an arc to a super-extended position Z.

(19) A first exemplary arrangement of the assembly of FIG. 1 has the dimensions set out in Table 1.

(20) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Dimension of assembly of FIG. 1 Length (mm) C-D 3250 D-E 3000 C-B 3000 B-A 2925 D-G 1485 C-H 2850 B-F 1250 E-F 1500 G-H 1085 X-Y 2750

(21) The arrangement of Table 1 provides movement of point A to follow an approximate straight line X-Y perpendicular to the line joining the fixed pivots at points C and D, the straight line having a length C to Y of 2750 mm and a maximum deviation from a straight line of 8 mm.

(22) A second exemplary arrangement of the assembly of FIG. 1 has the dimensions set out in Table 2.

(23) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Dimension of assembly of FIG. 1 Length (mm) C-D 3250 D-E 3200 C-B 3200 B-A 3200 D-G 1343 C-H 3200 B-F 1535 E-F 1615 G-H 1293 X-Y 2197

(24) In the assembly of Table 2, the second connecting arm 22 is connected to the second arm 10 such that the distance from point H to point B is zero. The arrangement of Table 2 provides movement of point A to follow an approximate straight line X-Y perpendicular to the line joining the fixed pivots at points C and D, the straight line having a length C to Y of 2197 mm and a maximum deviation from a straight line of just 5.7 mm.

(25) A third exemplary arrangement of the assembly of FIG. 1 has the dimensions set out in Table 3.

(26) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Dimension of assembly of FIG. 1 Length (mm) C-D 3250 D-E 3200 C-B 3200 B-A 3200 D-G 1387 C-H 3200 B-F 1535 E-F 1615 G-H 1337 X-Y 3254

(27) In the assembly of Table 3, the second connecting arm 22 is connected to the second arm 10 such that the distance from point H to point B is zero. The arrangement of Table 2 provides movement of point A to follow an approximate straight line X-Y perpendicular to the line joining the fixed pivots at points C and D, the straight line having a length C to Y of 3254 mm and a maximum deviation from a straight line of 31.4 mm.

(28) A fourth exemplary arrangement of the assembly of FIG. 1 has the dimensions set out in Table 4.

(29) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Dimension of assembly of FIG. 1 Length (mm) C-D 3250 D-E 3200 C-B 3200 B-A 3200 D-G 1467 C-H 3200 B-F 1535 E-F 1615 G-H 1417 X-Y 4372

(30) In the assembly of Table 3, the second connecting arm 22 is connected to the second arm 10 such that the distance from point H to point B is zero. The arrangement of Table 2 provides movement of point A to follow an approximate straight line X-Y perpendicular to the line joining the fixed pivots at points C and D, the straight line having a length C to Y of 4372 mm and a maximum deviation from a straight line of 133.7 mm.

(31) Turning now to FIGS. 2a to 2g, there is shown a sequence of drawings of an assembly of one embodiment of the present invention in positions between a retracted position, shown in FIG. 2a, and a super extended position shown in FIG. 2g. The components of the assembly of FIGS. 2a to 2g have been identified using the same reference numerals as used in relation to FIG. 1 and discussed above.

(32) Referring to FIG. 2a, the assembly 2 is shown in a retracted position held within a frame 102, providing the mounting for the fixed pivots 4 and 6. The arms of the assembly are formed to lie within one another when in the retracted position of FIG. 2a, in particular with the arms having appropriate flat, ‘L’-shaped and ‘U’-shaped forms at portions along their lengths. In this way, the assembly 2 occupies the minimum amount of space when in the retracted position.

(33) The assembly 2 is shown in FIG. 2b in a first partially extended position, with the third arm 12 having moved away from the fixed pivots 4, 6 and the frame 202, that is to the left as viewed in the figure. In the movement from the position of FIG. 2a to the position of FIG. 2b, the point A at the end of the third arm 12 is following a substantially straight line.

(34) FIG. 2c shows the assembly 2 in a second partially extended position, with the third arm 12 moved further away from the fixed pivots 4, 6. Again, point A on the third arm 12 is tracing a substantially straight line from its position in the retracted position of FIG. 2a.

(35) Similarly, FIG. 2d shows the assembly 2 in a third partially extended position, with the third arm 12 still further from the fixed pivots 4, 6 and the point A on the third arm 12 still following a straight line path.

(36) FIG. 2e shows the assembly 2 in its extended position, that is with the third arm 12 at a position where the point A is at the end of the straight line path followed from the retracted position.

(37) Further movement of the third arm 12 causes the point A on the third arm to follow an arcuate path, that is to move leftwards and upwards, into a partially super extended position, as viewed in FIG. 2f. In this way, the third arm 12 is both being moved away from and rotated with respect to the pivots 4, 6.

(38) Finally in this sequence, referring to FIG. 2g, the assembly 2 is shown in the fully super extended position. In this position, the third arm 12 extends perpendicular to the line extending between the first and second fixed pivots 4, 6.

(39) Referring now to FIGS. 3a to 3e, there is shown a pair of conjoined assemblies of the general arrangement of the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2a to 2g. The assemblies, generally indicated as 202a and 202b, have the general configuration of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 and components of the assemblies are indicated using the reference numerals used in FIG. 1. The assemblies 202a, 202b are arranged in a parallel orientation and mounted to a generally rectangular frame 204. In particular, the frame 204 comprises first and second upright members 206a and 206b connected by upper and lower horizontal members 208a and 208b. The upright members 206a and 206b provide the first and second pivot points 4, 6 for a respective assembly 202a and 202b.

(40) As shown in FIG. 3a, the assemblies 202a and 202b are in the retracted position and lie within the members of the frame 204. The arrangement and form of the members of each assembly 202a, 202b are such that the members may be accommodated within one another, thereby occupying a minimum volume when in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3a.

(41) Referring in turn to each of FIGS. 3a to 3e, the assemblies 202a and 202b are shown in positions as the assemblies move from the retracted position of FIG. 3a to the extended position of FIG. 3e.

(42) The assemblies 202a and 202b are interconnected in their upper portions by a frame assembly, generally indicated as 210 and comprising a first, generally rectangular frame portion 212 and a second, generally rectangular frame portion 214. The first frame portion 212 is pivotally mounted to the upper end portion, as viewed in the figures, of the first arm 8 of each of the assemblies 202a, 202b by a simple pin arrangement. The second frame portion 214 is similarly pivotally mounted to the upper end portion of the second arm 10. Further, the first and second frame portions 212, 214 are pivotally connected to each other. In operation, as the first and second assemblies 202a, 202b extend from the retracted position, the frame assembly 210 unfolds. The frame assembly 210 serves a number of functions. First, it operates to coordinate the movement of the assemblies 202a and 202b. In particular, the frame assembly 210 ensures that the assemblies 202a, 202b remain parallel to one another. Further, the frame assembly 210 acts to limit the movement of the assemblies 202a, 202b, in particular preventing the assemblies from moving past the retracted position, as shown in Figure Ae. It is to be understood that appropriate sizing of the frame assembly 210 allows the movement of the assemblies 202a, 202b to be restricted in this manner, as required. It will further be understood that a similar function of controlling and limiting the movement of the assemblies 202a, 202b may be obtained by having the frame 210 extend between other components of the assemblies.

(43) It will be appreciated that the general arrangement shown in FIGS. 3a to 3e is particularly suitable for supporting a component between the assemblies 202a, 202b for movement with respect to the frame 204.

(44) Turning now to FIGS. 4a to 4f, there is shown a sequence of drawings of an assembly of a further embodiment of the present invention in positions between a retracted position, shown in FIG. 4a, and a super extended position shown in FIG. 4f. The components of the assembly of FIGS. 4a to 4f have been identified using the same reference numerals as used in relation to FIG. 1 and discussed above.

(45) The assembly shown in FIGS. 4a to 4f has the same general configuration as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described above. However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4a to 4f, the pivotal connection between the second connecting arm 22 and the second arm 10 coincides with the connection between the second arm 10 and the third arm 12, that is, the positions H and B are at the same location.

(46) Referring to FIG. 4a, the assembly 2 is shown in a retracted position between the fixed pivots 4 and 6. The arms of the assembly are formed to lie within one another when in the retracted position of FIG. 4a, in particular with the arms having appropriate flat, ‘L’-shaped and ‘U’-shaped forms at portions along their lengths. In this way, the assembly 2 occupies the minimum amount of space when in the retracted position.

(47) The assembly 2 is shown in FIG. 4b in a first partially extended position, with the third arm 12 having moved away from the fixed pivots 4, 6, that is to the left as viewed in the figure. In the movement from the position of FIG. 4a to the position of FIG. 4b, the point A at the end of the third arm 12 is following a substantially straight line.

(48) FIG. 4c shows the assembly 2 in a second partially extended position, with the third arm 12 moved further away from the fixed pivots 4, 6. Again, point A on the third arm 12 is tracing a substantially straight line from its position in the retracted position of FIG. 4a.

(49) FIG. 4d shows the assembly 2 in its extended position, that is with the third arm 12 at a position where the point A is at the end of the straight line path followed from the retracted position.

(50) Further movement of the third arm 12 causes the point A on the third arm to follow an arcuate path, that is to move leftwards and upwards, into a partially super extended position, as viewed in FIG. 4e. In this way, the third arm 12 is both being moved away from and rotated with respect to the pivots 4, 6.

(51) Finally in this sequence, referring to FIG. 4f, the assembly 2 is shown in the fully super extended position. In this position, the third arm 12 extends perpendicular to the line extending between the first and second fixed pivots 4, 6.

(52) Examples of the use of the assemblies will now be described.

(53) Referring to FIGS. 5a to 5e, there is shown a solar panel assembly, generally indicated as 302. The assembly 302 comprises a generally rectangular base assembly 304, having a foldable leg 306 extending from each corner thereof to provide stability to the assembly.

(54) Opposing major sides of the base assembly 304 are each provided with an assembly, 308a, 308b, each of the general configuration of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2a to 2g. The assembly shown in FIGS. 4a to 4f could also be used in the solar panel assembly 302, in like manner. The assemblies 308a, 308b have their first and second fixed pivots provided by the respective side member of the base assembly 304.

(55) The assembly 302 further comprises a solar panel array 310 comprising a plurality of solar panels 312, hingedly attached to each other, so as to be movable between a folded position as shown in FIGS. 5a to 5d and an extended position shown in FIG. 5e.

(56) The operation of the solar panel assembly 302 in moving from the retracted or stowed position to an extended position is shown in sequence in FIGS. 5a to 5e. In particular, in the stowed position, shown in FIG. 5a, the assemblies 308a, 308b and the solar panel array 310 lie within the volume contained by the base assembly 304. The solar panel array 310 is moved from the stowed position of FIG. 5a. As shown in FIGS. 5b to 5d, movement of the array 310 causes it to be displaced upwards and rotated relative to the base assembly 304, under the action of the assemblies 308a, 308b. The solar panel array 310 may be secured in any position between that of FIG. 5a and FIG. 5d, as required for effective operation. As described above, the assemblies 308a, 308b provide a range of movement that allows the solar panel array 310 to be moved to a position displaced from and extending perpendicular to the base assembly 304. However, in the case of a solar panel array, it is likely to be preferred that the array is position at an acute angle to the base assembly, as shown in FIG. 5e, for effective operation.

(57) Once in the desired position for operation, for example as shown in FIG. 5d, the panels 312 of the array 310 are unfolded. In particular, the panels 312 are arranged to unfold under the action of gravity, that is with the array 310 in the position shown in FIG. 5d, gravity acts to lower and unfold the individual panels 312.

(58) The assembly 302 is retracted to the stowed position as shown in the reverse sequence of FIGS. 5e to 5a.

(59) In one embodiment, the assemblies 308a, 308b are mounted on the base assembly 304 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing the solar panel array 310 to be rotated for accurate positioning relative to the prevailing position of the sun.

(60) The general assembly shown it FIGS. 5a to 5e may be used in an analogous manner to deploy and support other components in like manner to the solar panel array. For example, the general assembly may be used to deploy and support signs, such as road signs, screens, such as for use with a projector, or other installations, particularly for temporary use.