| Swinging apparatus -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Swinging apparatusSwinging apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070222267, Swinging apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a swinging apparatus. BACKGROUND ART [0002] An elevating and lowering apparatus has been proposed which is installed in an uneven place or in a van type vehicle to perform a loading or unloading operation (for example, Patent Document 1). As shown in FIG. 17, the elevating and lowering apparatus is mainly composed of a pallet 1 on which a load can be placed, a base member 2 disposed on a side of the pallet 1, a driving motor 3 provided on the base member 2, and a swinging arm 5 that positions the base member 2 and a suspension arm 1A standing on the pallet 1. The swinging arm 5 can be swung around its connection portion 5A connected to the base member 2 to elevate and lower the load on the pallet 1. [0003] In this structure, the swinging arm 5 is connected to the suspension arm 1A of the pallet 1. Accordingly, even while out of use, the swinging arm 5 extends upward far from the pallet 1. This increases the size of the apparatus even in a vertical direction, thus degrading the aesthetic aspect of the apparatus. This apparatus thus leaves room for improvement. [0004] An elevating and lowering apparatus different from the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a pivoting support mechanism and an elevating and lowering mechanism (for example, Patent Document 2). The pivoting support mechanism supports a seat so that the seat can be pivoted between a forward position where it is directed in a vehicle advancing direction and a pivoted position where it is directed toward a door opening. The elevating and lowering mechanism elevates and lowers the seat in the pivoted position, outside the vehicle through the door opening. These mechanisms comprise dedicated driving sources (driving motors). A control device switches the driving to allow the mechanisms to perform predetermined operations. [0005] However, the elevating and lowering apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 has an increased size because the pivoting support mechanism and the elevating and lowering mechanism have the dedicated driving source. This apparatus thus leaves room for improvement. Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-67173 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-47898 [0006] A problem to be solved by the present invention is the difficulty in reducing the size of the swinging apparatus. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention is mainly characterized in that amount is rotatively moved around a connection portion in a direction opposite to that in which a swing arm be rotatively moved, so as to be held in a horizontal posture even during a swinging operation. [0008] The swinging apparatus in accordance with the present invention is configured so that when a swing arm is in a set position, a mount and a base member are diagonally positioned. This prevents the swing arm from extending upward from the mount. Consequently, the size of the apparatus can be reduced across the height. [0009] Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, when the swing arm is swung, a movable sprocket rotatively moves in a direction opposite to a swinging direction. This allows the mount to be held in a horizontal posture with respect to the base member regardless of the swinging operation of the swing arm. Further, some such posture holding portions operate via a four-node link, that is, four supporting points. However, the sprocket operates via two supporting points, and thus has a simple structure and operates smoothly. [0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, when a driving portion rotatively moves a horizontal rotating shaft, the mount is swung (elevated or lowered and moved forward or backward) via the swing arm. As the horizontal rotating shaft rotates, its rotating operation is directionally converted into a rotating operation around a vertical rotating shaft, with the converted rotating operation transmitted to a rotatively moving portion. This rotatively moves the base member and thus the mount. Thus, both swinging operation and rotatively moving operation can be performed using the same driving source. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts required and thus the size of the whole apparatus. [0011] Moreover, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a converting portion comprises such a pair of gears as allows the rotating shafts to cross at right angles. The converting portion thus has a simple structure. [0012] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a transmitting portion joins two sprockets together via a belt. Consequently, even if the two sprockets are spaced from each other, their power can be easily transmitted. [0013] Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the swing arm is inverted, that is, rotatively moved through about 180.degree. around the horizontal rotating shaft. This ensures a sufficient stroke for a seat portion when it swings to the exterior or interior of the vehicle (for a swinging angle of 180.degree., a stroke is ensured which is almost double the length of the swing arm). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle applied to an embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a rotatively moving operation of a seat portion. [0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a loading and unloading position of the seat portion. [0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a rotatively moving and swinging apparatus. [0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of the seat portion in a forward position. [0019] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the rotatively moving and swinging apparatus in the forward position. [0020] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a swinging operation of a swing arm. Continue reading about Swinging apparatus... Full patent description for Swinging apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Swinging apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Swinging apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Nestable and stackable chair Next Patent Application: Ergonomic side chair Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Swinging apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.11598 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
