Term #1,399
follower
Claim Term
follower
Origin matter
ARTHROPLASTY BALANCE AND GAP GAUGE
Reference Case 1
OPT-9
Date Added
—
Created
1/6/21, 8:06 PM
Modified
9/11/25, 10:56 PM
Full Desc
As used herein, a "follower" refers to a rigid structure that contacts a cam lobe profile. In one embodiment, the follower may translate motion of the cam to the follower and/or a structure connected to the follower. In certain embodiments, as the cam rotates the follower may slide along a contacting surface of the cam to thereby convert the rotary motion into a linear motion. A follower may also be referred to as a "cam follower" or "track follower." A cam follower is a type of structure, roller, or needle bearing designed to follow and/or contact a cam lobe profile of the cam. (Search "cam follower" on Wikipedia.com Nov. 13, 2020. Modified. Accessed Jan. 6, 2020.)
Various kinds of followers can be used in the present disclosure. The type and shape of a cam follower may be based on the kind of surface of the follower (referred to as a follower face) that contacts a contacting surface of the cam. In one embodiment, the follower is a stud that comes to a point to form a knife edge follower. Alternatively, or in addition, the follower face can have a variety of other shapes including, but not limited to a flat face, a mushroom face, a cylindrical face, a curved face, a semispherical face, and the like. In addition, the follower can include a roller on the end that contacts the contacting surface of the cam. The roller on the end of the follower can enable the follower to roll and or slide along the contacting surface of the cam.