Lever with shifting fulcrum point

Abstract

A lever with a shifting pivot or fulcrum point such that in pivoting of the lever between a first position and a second position for at least one angular segment of such pivoting about a first fulcrum point and for a second angular sector of such pivoting, pivots about a second fulcrum point.

Description

Claims

1. A lever having two ends and pivotable about a fulcrum member in which during which pivotal movement in a first direction, the lever pivots during a first angular sector of pivoting about a first pivot point and during a second angular segment of pivoting about a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point.

2. A lever as claimed in claim 1 wherein intermediate the first angular segment and the second angular segment, a position of the lever exists in which the lever is in engagement with the fulcrum simultaneously at both pivot points and at which position one end of the pivot moves from following an arcuate path about the first pivot point to an arcuate path about the second pivot point.

3. A lever as claimed in claim 2 wherein in pivoting of the lever through a third angular segment, a shoulder surface on the lever rolls in rolling engagement relative to a surface on the fulcrum member to move the first end of the lever relatively away from the fulcrum member as compared to an arcuate path of one of the pivot points.