Lift assist mechanism

• Main Authors: Nilsen Erik E, Brauer Robert K, Ivester Clarence
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.10.2016
• Subjects: AIRCRAFT; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSIONTRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; BLASTING; CHECKS FOR WINGS; COSMONAUTICS; DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FLYING SUITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; KEYS; LIGHTING; LOCKS; MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOTOTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PARACHUTES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER; SAFES; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; SPRINGS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS; WIND, SPRING WEIGHT AND MISCELLANEOUS MOTORS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THEFUNCTIONING OF THE WING

A lift assist mechanism is provided for assisting lifting of a movable component that can move between lowered and raised positions relative to a fixed structure. The lift assist mechanism includes a lift assist spring connected to a spring shaft, and an elongated track in which an end of the lift assist spring or an end of the spring shaft are movably engaged. A spring lock restrains movement of the spring shaft when a lift assist is not required, and releases the spring shaft when a lift assist is required.