NUT WITH FLEXIBLE GRIPPING FINGERS AND APPARATUS

摘要

A nut and lead screw assembly that includes a nut are disclosed. The nut includes at least one flexible finger for adjusting the engagement of a threaded portion of the nut with corresponding threads of a lead screw. The threaded portion is preferably formed of a different material than the flexible finger. The material of the threaded portion is preferably of a lower coefficient of friction than the flexible finger. The nut also includes an adjustment mechanism that adjust the radial position of the flexible finger and also the threaded portion. A preferred adjustment mechanism includes a spring finger that provides a radially extending biasing load to a free end of the flexible finger to adjust the position of the flexible finger. The adjustment mechanism more preferably includes a an adjustment member that adjusts the radial load provided by the spring finger.