Abstract: A portable electric spice mill is configured to be easily carried in a pocket or purse, having a grating wheel turning with a drive shaft extending perpendicularly to a motor shaft extending from a motor powered by a battery. These shafts are connected by a pair of gears. The grating wheel turns within a hopper supplying spices for grating, being disposed above a plate including a number of holes through which grated spices flow. A rear cover forms a battery compartment and a portion of the walls of the hopper, while an intermediate plate forms the remaining portion of these walls. A front cover extends around the motor and an electric switch, which is closed by the depression of a button to begin and maintain operation of the motor.

Abstract: A stamp (1) is disclosed which has a luminescent coating (9, 11) which over the area of the coating is such that there are a plurality of coated spaced regions interspersed with non-coated regions. The coating may be applied as a grid or cross hatching or other suitable arrangement. The coating is applied over an area which is of sufficient size relative to the thickness and density of the coating to permit the coating to be detected by a postage stamp luminescence detection device. The non-coated regions over which the coating extends being of sufficient area to permit penetration and drying of a stamp cancelling ink. A method of producing such stamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: At least a pair of metal rolls having different peripheral speeds with each other are removably mounted to respective rotary shafts in a cantilever form. The axial length of each of the metal rolls is between 100 and 500 mm and the peripheral speed of the high speed roll is between 12 and 30 meter/second. A cover is fitted to a milling chamber that houses therein the paired metal rolls and has a transparent member at least as a part thereof. With such an arrangement, the rolls can be replaced with ease and the milling operation carried out in the milling chamber can be easily monitored through the transparent member.

Abstract: A computer video monitor mask for removable attachment to a computer video monitor having a computer video monitor screen and a front face, comprises a generally planar substantially rigid panel portion having a generally planar front surface, a back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and first and second opposed side edges. The computer video monitor mask is attached to the front face of the computer video monitor by way of a hook and loop fastener system such as VELCRO.TM.. A first generally centrally disposed cut-away portion in the back panel is shaped and dimensioned to permit viewing of the computer video monitor screen therethrough when the computer video monitor mask is in place on the computer video monitor. There is optionally provided a removable paper writing surface generally surrounding the computer video monitor screen, wherein a plurality of sheets of paper are secured together in overlying separable relation one over another so as to form at least one pad of paper.

Abstract: An attachment for an identification card for providing information, such as medical data. The medical data is entered on one portion, and an attention strip is provided adjacent to that portion. When the attachment is mounted on an identification card, a fold between that portion and the attention strip is located at one edge of the card, with the medical data being freely available and accessible from the back of the identification card, while the attention strip is on the front to alert the user that information is available on the rear of the card.

Abstract: A multi-compartment condiment grinder which comprises a cylindrical enclosing housing, preferably transparent, which is divided into a plurality of separate compartments. Each compartment is designed to be filled with a type of condiment with there normally being different types of condiments located within each compartment. The bottom end of the enclosing housing is mounted on a sleeve assembly with this sleeve assembly being pivotable. The sleeve assembly includes a center section which is basically closed except for a hole. The center section is to be mounted against the bottom end of the enclosing housing. Pivoting of the sleeve assembly will move the hole to align with a single dispensing opening of a compartment with the hole being capable of being aligned with each dispensing opening. The condiment flows through the hole into a grinding chamber with a grinder mechanism being mounted in conjunction with the grinding chamber.

Abstract: In a control device for shifting gears in an automotive-vehicle transmission, including a lever for input of the shifting motion that is pivotal about a first axis (I) in a first plane and about a second axis (II) in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, and including output members movable substantially parallel to the first axis (I), the first output member is coupled to the lever via a joint and transfers a pivotal motion of the lever about the second axis (II), while the second output member is kinematically coupled to the lever by an interposed angular revolving train and transfers a pivotal motion of the lever about the first axis (I). The train has an input shaft and an output shaft that is perpendicular to the input shaft and is connected thereto by interengaging bevel gears. The lever is pivotally mounted on the input shaft so as to pivot about the second axis (II), and the second output member is connected to the output shaft by a one-armed output lever.

Abstract: An actuator includes a worm provided with a shaft-engaging hole, a motor provided with a shaft having a worm-engaging part for detachably engaging the shaft-engaging hole of the worm and an end cover having a worm-supporting hole for rotatably supporting at least one end of the worm whereby it is possible to provide a compact actuator which is easy to assemble. The motor and worm are supported between upper and lower complementary casings.

Abstract: In an impact absorbing type steering column device, edges of a flat plate portion provided at an end portion of an energy absorbing member are bent to form bent-over sides which are attached to the outer surface of a steering column to provide a space where the energy absorbing member can be guidingly displaced.

Abstract: A power spring drive apparatus having a power spring on a power spring wind up shaft, an output shaft, and a gear train for winding the power spring and for transferring the rotational force of a wound power spring to the output shaft. The apparatus is in a housing case formed of first and second synthetic resin cases connected together by pins and receiving holes. The housing case has a power spring housing section with a window between the section and externally of the housing. One end of the power spring has a neck shape and extends through the window and is fastened to the housing.

Abstract: A lever member (1) is pivotally supported on a shaft for a roller (2) which is in rolling contact with a guide plate (3). One end of the lever member (1) is connected to a force point regulator (4), and the other end of the lever member is connected to an action point regulator (6).

Abstract: A contaminant proof structure for a starter for an engine, with the starter including a sliding portion between a sliding member and a support member supporting the sliding member disposed in a housing so that the sliding member can project into the outside of the housing through an opening formed in a wall of the housing. An atmospheric gas reservoir disposed in the housing between the support member and the wall of the housing around the opening, and a communication passage bypasses the sliding portion and communicates the atmospheric gas reservoir with an external atmospheric gas through a space at an opposite side of the support member to the atmospheric gas reservoir side. The sliding member is dimensioned such that a gap between the opening and the sliding member inserted in the opening is small.

Abstract: A bearing structure for an output shaft of an automatic transaxle employs a ball bearing, radial needle bearing and a thrust needle bearing in combination. The ball bearing and the radial needle bearing radially support the output shaft. On the other hand, the thrusting load to be exerted on the output shaft when it is driven by an output torque of the engine is received by the thrust needle bearing, and relatively small thrusting torque in reverse direction is received by the ball bearing. The ball bearing is provided on a side cover which is fixed to a transaxle casing. The radial thrust bearing is radially supported by the inner periphery of an output retainer. The thrust needle bearing is oriented at the opposite side to the ball bearing with respect to the output gear. A generally cylindrical retainer body having an axial end mating with a wall section of a transmission casing has a cylindrical projection extending from the axial end adjacent an inner circumferential edge.

Abstract: An improvement to a linear actuator (9) having a lead screw (15) received in a drive tube assembly (17) is provided in the form of a bushing (41) mounted on the end of the screw. The outer dimension of the bushing generally corresponds to the inner dimension of the tube. The bushing has a recess (53) formed in one face to accommodate a washer (55). A retaining ring (59) holds the bushing in place. The bushing serves both to prevent contact between the lead screw and tube to reduce noise during actuator operation, and as a positive stop to prevent disengagement of the lead screw from the drive tube assembly.

Abstract: A linear weight actuator includes a clamp assembly adjustably connecting the power screw to the output spindle. The assembly includes an integrally formed key, riding in a slot formed in the actuator housing, which obviates the need for a separate key element. A mounting plate is adjustably clamped to the actuator housing, by a threaded mounting nut, such that the plate may be conveniently rotated relative to the housing. A linear bearing disposed in the mounting nut provides lateral support for the output spindle at a point spaced from the clamp assembly. A clamping ring encircles a thinned segment of the power nut and urges it against the power screw to prevent backlash.

Abstract: A detachable steering wheel for burglar proof purpose comprises a steering column having a square hole in it, and a coupler on its upper end; a big nut placed around the coupler on the steering column, and retained thereto by a retainer ring to permit free rotation; a spindle having a front tip in the form of a square post for inserting into the square hole in the steering column, and fixing thereto by screws, a big threaded portion in its middle section for locking of the big nut, an intermediate threaded portion above the big threaded section, and a small threaded portion at the top section; a positioning sleeve having a screw hole for locking to the small threaded portion on the top of the spindle after fitting to the spindle; and a steering wheel with a detaching member in the middle and a positioning teethed cap, assembled so as the steering wheel can be detached and removed by loosening a screw fixing the steering wheel and the big nut as a preliminary burglar proof measure, and the spindle can be detac

Abstract: An electric motor gearbox for a vending machine has four main parts: a housing, a minimotor, a printed circuit board, and an assembly of gears. An output pinion and an output gear are so strong that they permit the minimotor to stall before the assembly fails in response to jamming of a product item in the vending machine. Also, the motor gearbox is less prone to failure caused by constant starting and stopping, excessive flexibility of a gearbox housing cover, intermittent vibrations, and the like.

Abstract: A linear movement table apparatus includes a cylinder tube having an axially extending slit in an upper surface, a screw shaft rotatably supported in the cylinder tube, a feed nut threadedly engaged about the screw shaft, and a table body having an integrally formed piston portion and a table portion. The feed nut is loosely fitted into a nut accommodating space of a half-cylindrical piston portion with minute gaps formed in the feed direction and in the rotational direction. The piston portion has expanding portions expanding outwardly and laterally from both lateral sides. The expanding portions are respectively guided by recessed guide surfaces formed in inner side surfaces of the cylinder tube. Axially extending sliding members are respectively attached to the expanding portions of the piston portion. Each sliding member is a leaf spring made from a synthetic resin.

Abstract: An improved power take-off arrangement for a transfer case which is readily incorporated into a planetary gear reduction assembly without necessitating excessive redesign of the transfer case. The power take-off arrangement includes utilization of a bearing support member for eliminating excessive eccentric loading during power take-off operation while providing improved centering and piloting capabilities.

Abstract: A rotational body is made of a deep-drawn sheet metal portion and has a hollow cylindrical center portion integral therewith which can be connected to a shaft. The sheet metal portion 1 and the center portion 2 are manufactured as one continuous piece. A metallic shrink-on sleeve 3 can immovably be affixed to the outer circumference of the center portion by shrink-fitting.