1. An exhaust gas recirculation valve comprising:
an exhaust passage tube, wherein the exhaust passage tube is aligned along an axis and the linear direction is parallel to the axis;
a valve element pivotally mounted entirely within the exhaust passage tube;
a linear actuator; and
a gear train including a rack gear operatively connected to the linear actuator, the rack gear adapted to move in a substantially linear direction upon activation of the linear actuator, and at least one rotatable gear meshing with the rack gear and operatively connected to the valve element to cause rotation of the valve element upon actuation of the linear actuator.
2. An exhaust gas recirculation valve comprising:
an exhaust passage tube;
a valve element pivotally mounted entirely within the exhaust passage tube;
a linear actuator; and
a gear train including a rack gear operatively connected to the linear actuator, the rack gear adapted to move in a substantially linear direction upon activation of the linear actuator, and at least one rotatable gear meshing with the rack gear and operatively connected to the valve element to cause rotation of the valve element upon actuation of the linear actuator; and
a return spring operatively connected to the rack gear for biasing the rack gear to a non-actuated position.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further including an adjustable stop mechanism for limiting the rotational travel of the valve element.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the adjustable stop mechanism includes a stop lever operatively connected to the valve element for rotation therewith.
5. An exhaust gas recirculation valve comprising:
an exhaust passage tube;
a valve element pivotally mounted entirely within the exhaust passage tube;
an adjustable stop mechanism for limiting the rotational travel of the valve element;
a linear actuator; and
a gear train including a rack gear operatively connected to the linear actuator, the rack gear adapted to move in a substantially linear direction upon activation of the linear actuator, and at least one rotatable gear meshing with the rack gear and operatively connected to the valve element to cause rotation of the valve element upon actuation of the linear actuator.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the adjustable stop mechanism includes a stop lever mounted to the spindle.
7. An exhaust gas recirculation valve comprising:
an exhaust passage tube;
a valve element pivotally mounted entirely within the exhaust passage tube;
a linear actuator; and
a gear train including a rack gear operatively connected to the linear actuator, the rack gear adapted to move in a substantially linear direction upon activation of the linear actuator, and at least one rotatable gear meshing with the rack gear and operatively connected to the valve element to cause rotation of the valve element upon actuation of the linear actuator,
wherein the gear train includes a plurality of rotatable gears.
8. An exhaust gas recirculation valve comprising:
an exhaust passage tube having a first axis;
a valve element pivotally mounted entirely within the exhaust passage tube;
an apparatus adapted for linear movement along a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, the apparatus adapted for linear movement along the second axis adapted to be selectively activated;
an actuator rod directly driven by the apparatus adapted for linear movement along the second axis, the actuator rod adapted to move in a substantially linear direction upon activation of the apparatus adapted for linear movement along the second axis; and
a gear train including a rack gear, disposed along at least a portion of the length of the actuator rod, and at least one rotatable gear meshing with the rack gear, the rotatable gear being operatively connected to the valve element and adapted to cause rotation of the valve element upon actuation of the apparatus adapted for linear movement along the second axis.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further including a return spring operatively connected to the actuator rod for returning the actuator rod to a non-actuated position when the apparatus adapted for linear movement along the second axis is not activated.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, further including an adjustable stop mechanism for limiting the rotational travel of the valve element.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the adjustable stop mechanism includes a stop lever operatively connected to the valve element for rotation therewith.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A case and support assembly for an electronic device, said case and support assembly comprising:
a device receiver portion, said device receiver portion adapted to support and hold an electronic device; and
a plurality of flexible legs, said flexible legs attached to said device receiver portion.
2. The case and support assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said flexible legs is composed of a multiplicity of connector pieces that join together in ball and socket joints that permit pivotable movement between connecting ball and socket components.
3. The case and support assembly of claim 2 wherein said legs have sufficient flexibility to substantially wrap around an object.
4. The case and support assembly of claim 2 wherein each ball and socket joint comprises a gripping member formed on an exterior surface of the associated socket member portion, the gripping member being formed from a different material than the associated socket member portion and having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the associated socket member portion.
5. The case and support assembly of claim 3 wherein each ball and socket joint comprises a gripping member formed on an exterior surface of the associated socket member portion, the gripping member being formed from a different material than the associated socket member portion and having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the associated socket member portion.
6. The case and support assembly of claim 1 wherein said device receiver is rectangular, and wherein a flexible leg is attached to each corner of said rectangular device receiver.
7. The case and support assembly of claim 5 wherein said device receiver is rectangular, and wherein a flexible leg is attached to each corner of said rectangular device receiver.
8. The case and support assembly of claim 7 wherein said device receiver comprises a rim around its periphery adapted to retain an electronic device.
9. A case and support assembly for an electronic device, said case and support assembly comprising:
a device receiver portion, said device receiver portion adapted to support and hold an electronic device; and
a set of flexible legs attached to said device receiver portion.
10. The case and support assembly of claim 9 wherein said set of flexible legs comprises two legs attached to a clip receiver body.
11. The case and support assembly of claim 10 wherein said device receiver comprises a plurality of clips, said clips adapted to mate with said clip receiver body.
12. The case and support assembly of claim 11 wherein said device receiver is rectangular.
13. The case and support assembly wherein said device receiver comprises a first clip along a first edge and a second clip along a second edge, wherein said first edge and said second edge are directly adjacent.
14. The case and support assembly of claim 13 wherein said flexible legs are composed of a multiplicity of connector pieces that join together in ball and socket joints that permit pivotable movement between connecting ball and socket components.
15. The case and support assembly of claim 14 wherein each ball and socket joint comprises a gripping member formed on an exterior surface of the associated socket member portion, the gripping member being formed from a different material than the associated socket member portion and having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the associated socket member portion.