Abstract: A remotely controllable linear power actuator for the control of manually operable hydraulic valve handle or the like. A down-geared motor drives an adjustable friction slip clutch connected to a plate that can be rotated around the axis of the clutch by operation of the motor. A freely movable second plate is pivotally connected to the first elongated plate and the linearly movable output shaft is connected to the opposite end of the second plate. Thus, until the two plates are interconnected against pivotal rotation the output shaft which is connected to the valve handle may be easily moved manually. A solenoid interlock on one plate may be actuated to force the solenoid armature, or a steel ball driven by the armature, into a corresponding hole in the other plate to thereby connect the two plates at some point distant from the pivot pin.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a rack and pinion type steering gear for an automobile and a method for cutting rack teeth in the gear. The gear comprises a housing, a pinion rotatably supported within the housing and operatively connected to a steering wheel and a rack bar supported within the housing for slidable movement in the axial direction and rotation and provided with rack teeth in engagement with the pinion. The rack teeth are formed on the rack and along a varying pitch line so that the axial movement amount of the rack varies as the pinion rotates.

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle transmission consisting of a synchronized gearshift transmission and a bevel-gear axle transmission driven by an output shaft of the gearshift transmission, the output shaft is movable with a bearing clamping plate to set the bevel gear contact play. In order to avoid, after setting of the gear contact play, having to readjust the shifting rods with respect to the sliding sleeves of the synchronizers, all of the gearshifting elements of the gearshift actuation as well as of the blocking interlock and preselection route blocking mechanisms are mounted on the bearing clamping plate and participate in the setting motion of the latter.

Abstract: An infinitely variable traction roller transmission having a housing, input and output shafts rotatably and coaxially journaled to the housing, input and output toric discs mounted on the input and output shafts and rotatable together while being firmly engaged with the shafts, the opposed surfaces of the toric discs cooperating with each other to form a toroidal cavity, a plurality of traction rollers disposed in the toroidal cavity symmetrically with the axis of the input and output shafts, a trunnion device rotatably supporting the traction rollers and pivotably supporting the vicinity of a pivot axis perpendicular to the rotational axis thereof, and forcing means for firmer engaging the input and output toric discs with the traction rollers and generating a traction force, is provided with a support device for mounting the trunnion device on the housing for slight movement in the direction of the pivot axis, a displacing device provided at the end of the pivot axis of the trunnion device to displace the t

Abstract: Apparatus for converting multi-directional input to uni-directional output having a plurality of drivers rotated by the input and moveable to alternate positions with respect to opposed surfaces on the output driven member for frictional drive of the driven member. The drivers are moved to alternate positions automatically upon change of direction of the input.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a continuously variable gear device for converting a rotary motion into a linear motion which is dependent on the angle of rotation. The gear device comprises a swivel arm which is rotatable about a fulcrum and is attached to a guide structure on the input and output sides, respectively, of the gear device. Each guide structure is provided with a sliding member to which strings are attached. The swivel arm has guide slots formed on either side of the fulcrum and each guide structure has a roller bearing which engages one of the slots. The mutual distance between the two guide structures is adjustable, by moving one of the guide structures along a positioning rail to vary the transmission ratio of the device.

Abstract: A support for stabilizing an elongated carriage-driving screw against whipping while permitting the carriage to pass the area at which the screw is supported including an elongated screw for driving a carriage, a base, spaced bearings selectively movable radially into engagement with opposite sides of the screw, and a moving linkage including a fluid piston and cylinder for selectively moving said bearings into and out of engagement with the screw, said bearings being either planar or concave, and in the latter instance, either fixedly or floatingly mounted.

Abstract: An endless power transmission belt having a toothed compression section and method of making the same are provided, the belt being formed substantially of polymeric materials and comprising a tension section, a compression section, and a load-carrying section disposed between the tension section and the compression section and having a transverse centerline, the compression section having an outer layer and an inner layer joined to the outer layer and defining an interface therewith that is substantially uniformly spaced from the load-carrying section by the outer layer throughout substantially the entire width and length of the belt. The compression section has an inner surface in the form of alternating transverse teeth and grooves with the grooves respectively defining the roots of the teeth.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the travel, velocity and stroke distance of a ram as used in punch and draw presses, and riveting machines, and a lever as used in automatic screw machines, feed mechanisms and indexing machines. In each embodiment the ram/lever is rotatably attached to a cam follower. When the mechanism is in the idle mode the cam follower is at rest in the idle area keeping the ram/lever motionless while the cam rotates. When the work mode is selected an escapement guide is actuated, causing the cam follower to transfer from the idle area into a cycloidal work groove intersecting the idle area. The work groove is configured to produce ram/lever motions commensurate with those required for the specific work piece. The mechanism uses fewer parts than are presently required for conventional machines is easier to maintain, more reliable and requires less power to operate.

Abstract: A variable pulley structure (10) arranged to be mounted to a shaft (17) with at least one of the sideplate elements (14) thereof movably mounted to the shaft for both axial and rotational movement. Disposition of the movable sideplate element (14) is controlled by a spring (26) extending between a spring retainer (22) fixed to the shaft (17) and a portion (24) of the sideplate element. The spring (26) is retained at its opposite ends to the retainer and sideplate element, respectively, suitably to be unwound as a result of increased torque developed in the movable sideplate element (14) by the drive system. The ends (29,30) of the spring (26) are releasably connected to the retainer and movable sideplate element as by reception in arcuate grooves (27,28) therein, by abutment with suitable stop shoulders (131,132) thereon, etc. Cross section of the spring, in one form, is round and in another form for use in transmitting high load torques, is rectangular.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic transmission for a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine has a low speed clutch and a high speed clutch, both actuated hydraulically. An oil draining line is connected to a low speed clutch when a control valve assembly is in its high speed position. The control valve assembly has an orifice and a drain oil control valve arranged in parallel. The valve is moved toward closed position when there is an increase in the throttle valve opening of the engine driving the hydraulic transmission. The drain oil control valve includes a valve having an intermediate throttling position between open and closed positions. The drain oil control valve is moved to its open position when oil pressure fed to the high speed clutch increases to a predetermined pressure, which pressure varies in response to the opening of the engine throttle valve.

Abstract: A rack lubricator is bolted to a drive pinion housing. The lubricator supports a porous felt gear on a rotatable shaft. Lubricant is ported through the shaft to the inner surface of the gear, and the gear wicks the lubricant onto the rack teeth, thereby coating the surface of the rack with minimal lubricant as the felt gear rolls with the rack.

Abstract: The specification discloses a linear actuator including a quick-release mechanism enabling the actuator to be successfully commercially utilized in a variety of applications including a vehicle speed control. More specifically, the actuator includes an axially reciprocable rod, a mechanism for angularly shifting the rod about its axis between first and second angular orientations, and a quarter-turn coupling for releasably coupling the rod to an element, such as a throttle cable, to be driven thereby. Angular shifting of the rod couples and releases the rod and driven element through the quarter turn coupling. Also disclosed is a vehicle speed control responsive to vehicle acceleration and/or vehicle tilt to deactivate the speed control when either the acceleration or tilt falls outside of acceptable parameters.

Abstract: A power transmission is disclosed, including a single input pinion or worm and multiple gears and output shafts associated therewith such that two of the latter shafts are at right angles to one another, or any other angle other than parallel. In an alternate embodiment, two worms are formed on one input shaft, with one or more gears meshing with each worm, producing multiple outputs at two different speeds.

Abstract: A compound parallelogram four-bar linkage is provided wherein a first primary link is connected to a second primary link through connector links of substantially the same length and the pivotal angles of the first primary link and second primary link are maintained at substantially ninety degrees as movement is transferred from one primary link to the other so that the resonant frequency of the linkage does not vary and the linkage stiffness is independent of the angle of rotation.

Abstract: A reciprocating input rod lifts a heavy ball up an inclined circular track that provides a path for the ball to roll down by gravity. The ball's speed of rotation causes the track itself to rotate and this rotation provides useful output energy of rotation.

Abstract: A centrifugal vibratory exciter of this invention has a tubular rotatable exciter shaft on which a centrifugal mass is eccentrically fixed and in which a control shaft is axially slideably adjustable. Surrounding the exciter shaft, rotatable but not axially slideable relative to it, is a tubular counterweight carrier on which a counterweight mass is eccentrically fixed. A transverse pin carried by the control shaft projects through a slot in the exciter shaft that is elongated lengthwise of it and into a helical groove in the counterweight carrier, to translate axial adjustment of the control shaft into rotation of the counterweight carrier about the exciter shaft but to constrain the counterweight carrier to rotate with the exciter shaft in any position of axial adjustment of the control shaft.

Abstract: A tool carrier assembly comprising a carrier (2) which supports a tool (6) for reciprocating motion along guide rails (8). There are bearings (14) on the carrier engageable with the guide rails in which assembly the guide rails and the bearing are fabricated from dissimilar plastics.

Abstract: Automatic manipulator having a frame with respect to which two moving members can slide, under the action of actuators, and in both ways of two different directions. At least one of the moving members has the structure of a frame sliding in its plane with respect to the frame. The other moving member is mounted inside of the frame so as to slide with respect to the latter parallel to its plane. A rigid, accurate manipulator, capable of carrying a plurality of tools, is obtained.

Abstract: A transmission synchronizer includes a strut and blocker ring engagement system wherein the strut is retained by the blocker rings in all of its axial positions against centrifugal and spring forces on the strut. The slots in each blocker ring are fully enclosed, and thus are disposed for total containment of the opposed ends of the struts. In a preferred embodiment the strut includes a pair of opposed axially spaced, radially extending bearing surfaces, each disposed for axially bearing against one side of a blocker ring, wherein each of the bearing surfaces is distinct from the slot engaging ends of the strut. Thus each bearing surface defines an inwardly stepped wall relative to one of the slot engaging ends of the strut.