ADJUSTABLE OPERATOR WORM GEAR DRIVE WITH ROBUST BEARING SURFACES

摘要

A worm gear drive operator having immovable flat thrust bearing surfaces at each end of a worm gear drive for absorbing thrust forces and keeping direct mechanical rotational forces away from the cover plate and housing base during rotation of the worm gear drive. The worm gear drive operator assembly is capable of vertical adjustment of the actuator arm while providing thrust support. A threaded post about which rests a bearing for the actuator arm, and is secured in place by an adjustment screw received within a threaded post on the cover plate.

主权项

1. A casement window operator assembly comprising:
a housing base engageable with a cover plate for mounting a worm gear drive assembly; said worm gear drive assembly including: at least one knob at a top end for attachment to a handle crank or electric motor, said top end extending upwards from a shoulder portion of said worm gear drive; a threaded portion for rotational engagement with an actuator arm, said threaded portion extending downwards from said shoulder portion; and a bottom portion for translating thrust forces to said housing base; a top thrust bearing plate having a cavity for receiving said top end of said worm gear drive assembly, said top thrust bearing plate cavity having a smaller diameter than said shoulder portion of said worm gear drive for securing said worm gear drive top end from axial movement upwards, while prohibiting rotational movement of said worm gear drive from interacting with said cover plate or said housing base, said top thrust bearing plate including a non-rotational base portion for attachment to said cover plate or said housing base or both, said non-rotational base portion entrapped by said cover plate or said housing base or both to prohibit rotation when subjected to rotational forces from said worm gear drive.