I'm looking for links (info, patent) on a mechanism inventend on World War 2 to let cables cross others, to avoid submarines mines to be dragged. It is also called "axis avoider" (translated from french) as it allows a rod to move "through" another one. I learned about it at university some years ago, but could not find any info on the net (it is probably called differently...) I want to design the mechanism in SolidWorks. It consists in a star- shaped wheel inserted in curved rails like:
-(*)- when an obstacle (cable, axis) hits the star *, it rotates freely in the ( ) rails, ensuring continuity of the rod and letting the obstacle cross... Did you see this somewhere ? Thanks! Philippe Guglielmetti -