Actuator bracket for a modular base assembly for vehicle model making

Abstract

A bracket assembly is provided for an actuator associated with a modular base assembly for vehicle model making where the actuator includes a tube nut assembly, a motor, and a gear housing. The bracket assembly includes an upper actuator mount assembly mounted around the drive screw assembly adjacent to the motor and gear housing; and a lower actuator mount assembly mounted around the drive screw assembly adjacent to a lower bearing surface of the tube nut assembly. The upper and lower mount assemblies each include locator nubs for positioning and securing to the modular base assembly.

1 . A bracket assembly for an actuator associated with a modular base assembly for vehicle model making, the actuator having a drive screw assembly having a lower bearing surface, a motor and a gear housing, the bracket assembly comprising:
 an upper actuator mount assembly configured for mounting around the tubular nut assembly adjacent the gear housing; and   a lower actuator mount assembly configured for mounting around a lower end of the drive screw assembly, adjacent to the lower bearing surface and said lower actuator mount assembly configured for mounting to the modular base assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , the upper actuator mount assembly comprising:
 a pair of plate members, each plate member with spaced horizontal surfaces and having inner surfaces configured for abutment and connection to each other and outer surfaces forming a wall extending perpendicular from the horizontal surfaces, said each wall having apertures for connecting the pair of plate members together.   
   
   
       3 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each wall has a center through aperture for receiving connection means to the actuator. 
   
   
       4 . The bracket assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each plate member has a semi-circular notch formed in the inner surface forming a center circular aperture when the pair of plate members connected together, said center circular aperture configured for receiving an upper portion of the tubular nut assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The bracket assembly of  claim 4 , wherein one of the horizontal surfaces of each plate member has a groove extending from the semi-circular notch to the wall. 
   
   
       6 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , the lower actuator mount assembly comprising:
 a back plate and a front plate, the front and back plates each having inner surfaces configured for abutment and connection to each other, and opposing outer surfaces with through apertures extending from the outer surfaces to the inner surfaces.   
   
   
       7 . The bracket assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the inner surfaces of the front and back plates have arcuate notches formed therein and the arcuate notches form a circular aperture when the front and back plates are assembled together defining a lower bracket plate said circular aperture configured for receiving a lower portion of the drive screw assembly adjacent the bearing surface. 
   
   
       8 . The bracket assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the back plate has a larger arcuate notch than the front plate. 
   
   
       9 . The bracket assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the circular aperture includes means for expelling dirt and air around the tubular nut assembly. 
   
   
       10 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the means for expelling dirt and air is a groove in the arcuate notch extending between the opposing horizontal surfaces. 
   
   
       11 . The bracket assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the circular aperture is offset the center of the lower bracket plate. 
   
   
       12 . The bracket assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the back plate has locating nubs protruding from one of the horizontal surfaces adjacent the outer surface.