The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 11, 2012
Filed:
May. 19, 2008
Michele Picerno, Bergamo, IT;
Flavio Tondolo, Stezzano BG, IT;
Michele Picerno, Bergamo, IT;
Flavio Tondolo, Stezzano BG, IT;
STI srl, , IT;
Abstract
A stepper actuator including a brake drum and a central gear mechanically connected thereto. The brake drum and the central gear are selectively rotatable in opposing first and second rotational directions. First and second actuation members are moveable through first and second actuation cycles to incrementally rotate the central gear. The actuation members engage and subsequently disengage the central gear as they move through their actuation cycles. The actuation members are configured to rotate the central gear during engagement therewith. A braking assembly is operatively connected to the first and second actuation members and is frictionally engaged to the brake drum to prevent rotation of the brake drum when the first and second actuation members are each in a retracted position as occurs when neither is moving through a corresponding actuation cycle. The braking assembly disengages the brake drum when one of the actuation members is moved from its retracted position and into its actuation cycle as facilitates the incremental rotation of the central gear.