Abstract: A double wrap brake band having three bands, friction facings fastened to each band and a connecting member connecting the outside bands of the three bands with the intermediate band of such bands. A first bracket member secured to both outside bands, and a second bracket member secured to the intermediate band. The three bands, the connecting member, and the first and second bracket members are made of sheet metal, respectively. Edges, receiving a piston, or an anchor, at their backsides, are integrally formed on the first and second bracket members, respectively. The connecting member and the first and second bracket members are secured to the three bands by rivets.

Abstract: A shaft-locking device which locks rotation of a movable shaft by a clamping force of a coil spring closely surrounding a fixed shaft and a movable shaft. Both sides of the coil spring are inserted surrounding the fixed shaft and a central portion of the coil spring surrounds the movable shaft. In case of rotation of the movable shaft on both sides, the locking torque is applied. Further, the closed state of the coil spring to the movable shaft is maintained uniformly without any relation to operation by separating the end portions of the coil spring at the movable shaft side of the coil spring from an outer circumference of the movable shaft so that a constant locking torque may be always obtained.

Abstract: In a brakeband, two side bands extend from a connecting portion in one circumferential direction and a middle band located axially between these side bands extends from it in the other circumferential direction. The band ends of the two side bands (located opposite the connecting portion) are widened in the direction of the middle band, while the middle band is narrowed at its circumferentially corresponding band region. This provides a larger cross-section for the welded joint between the respective widened band ends of the two side bands and a circumferentially adjacent thrust piece of the brake actuating device.

Abstract: A method of, and a device for, controlling the rotation of an element about an axis are disclosed. A continuous torque is exerted on the element to rotate it in one direction, and a control member engages with one end of a wrap spring, which extends around a cylindrical part of the element, to preclude rotation of the element when the control member is in a first position. When the control member is out of the first position, the wrap spring loosens about the cylindrical element, thereby allowing the element to rotate under the continuous torque. However, rotation of the element under the continuous torque indirectly causes the control member to return to the first position, thus preclouding further rotation of the element.

Abstract: A transmission band assembly including a circular band member 12 with connector members 14 and 16 disposed on the exterior of the ends of the band member, a friction lining 22 that is bonded to the interior surface of the band member 12, a first pair of spaced slot 24 that extend from one end of the band member 12 over approximately one half the length of the band member, and a second pair of slots 26 that are aligned with the first pair of slots 24 and that extend over the remaining length of the band member. A hole 28 extends therefor through the band member 12 and the lining 22 between the slots 24 and 26.

Abstract: An improved reverse double wrap brake band for the automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle wherein the band is lightweight and heat set round at the released position and utilizes a thinner strap material at higher hardness ranges. The configuration of the double wrap band has a wider central band segment adjacent the anchor portion of the bracket assembly, with the band width tapering over 60 to 70 percent of its length toward the apply end of the band; thus providing a double wrap band of increased durability for the friction lining and increased apply end, drum, and fatigue life.

Abstract: A seat back reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat includes an upper and lower brackets respectively secured to the seat back and the seat cushion. A reduction gear mechanism is provided between the upper and lower brackets for a stepless adjustment of the reclining angle. An actuating knob is located at one side of the seat cushion for the convenience of operation. A belt-sprocket type motion transmitting mechanism is provided between the actuating knob and the reduction gear mechanism for transmitting a rotation of the knob to the gear mechanism. In order to prevent the seat back from being inclined under the load applied by the passenger, a constraining device is provided for preventing the motion transmitting mechanism from transmitting the force from the reduction gear mechanism.

Abstract: A chain winch 10 having a sprocket wheel 14 of polygonal cross-section with flat faces 32 dimensioned in dependence on the dimensions of a link chain to be used therewith and having pin formations 36 for engaging between or in chain links. The winch includes a self latching pawl 48 engageable with the chain links and a braking mechanism 16 for controlled unwinding when required in use. The winch is simple and inexpensive and the sprocket tolerant of chain dimensions so that it can be used with uncalibrated chain. This winch, amongst other things, has application for permanent fitting to a tire chain for tensioning it on to a tire.

Abstract: Spring coupler apparatus including a driving member and a driven member coaxially mounted in a case, the driving member including a substantially circular annular body having a pair of fan-shaped flanges extending diametrically therefrom with upstanding portions at the end of the flanges forming recesses therebetween, and the driven member also including a pair of diametrically opposed fan-shaped flanges with projections extending upwardly from the ends thereof into the recesses. A relatively larger diameter spring is wrapped around the upstanding portions and projections and is in frictional engagement of the outer wall of the case in the free state of the spring, one tang end of the spring being engaged in a slit in one of the projections, and a tang on the free end of the spring being engageable with one of the upstanding portions of the driving member.

Abstract: A headrest includes a unidirectional clutch permitting adjustment of the headrest from a reference position to any desired selected position and resists motion in a rearward direction except upon release of the clutch. In one embodiment of the invention, a spring return mechanism is provided to automatically return the headrest to a reference position upon release of the clutch.

Abstract: A restoring device for an adjusting element, which serves in particular for restoring a throttle device of an internal combustion engine. The restoring device has a first spring subject to bending, which is disposed on a bushing that is rotatably supported about a throttle valve shaft and with one end engages a step of the bushing, while the other end of the spring is hooked onto the housing on the throttle valve fitting. A lever is connected with the shaft. The first spring subject to bending acts in the restoring direction of the throttle valve. A second spring subject to bending is disposed in the bushing, one end of this spring engaging the bushing and the other end being supported on the lever. The spring force of the second spring subject to bending is less than that of the first such spring, so that the bushing, with a stop step, is rotated so far that the second spring has not influence in the restoring direction upon the throttle valve.

Abstract: A friction brake assembly for stopping the transmission of motion between drive and driven shafts comprising a brake drum, a coiled braking spring having several turns adapted to frictionally contact the inner peripheral surface of the brake drum to exert a braking force, an operating member rigidly mounted on the drive shaft within the brake drum, a hanger member rigidly mounted on the driven shaft within the brake drum, and a pair of guide members for controlling the braking spring according to the rotation of the drive shaft to allow the braking spring to be released from the condition in which it exerts the braking force.

Abstract: An energy absorber strut includes a pair of elongated drive nuts threaded internally to mate with a drive screw having high lead threads on opposite ends so that outward movement of the nuts on the screw rotates the screw in one direction and inward movement rotates the screw in the opposite direction. A mandrel mounted to rotate with the screw is restrained from rotation by a capstan spring which surrounds and grips it. Prestressed torsion springs connected to the ends of the capstan spring permit it to unwind slightly and drag with respect to the mandrel when the torsion springs are subjected to a predetermined torque.

Abstract: An emergency braking device for a chain saw having a clutch drum drivingly connected to the engine crank shaft through a centrifugal clutch. The emergency braking device includes a braking band wound around the clutch drum and connected at its one end to a stationary part of the chain saw. The other end of the braking band is connected to an actuator having a lever member. The emergency braking device further includes a hit switch member adapted to be rotated when hit by an inertia action of an inertia member disposed in the vicinity of a front handle so as to surround the lever member. As a kick-back takes place in the chain saw, the inertia member hits the hit switch member which in turn drives the lever member to actuate the actuator thereby to tighten the braking belt to quickly brake the clutch drum.

Abstract: An electromagnetic spring clutch comprises a driving member, to be driven by a belt, and a driven member, which is connected to a load shaft, and to which revolving power is to be transmitted from the driving member by a clutching coil spring.One end of the coil spring is fixed to the driving member and the other end is fixed to a rotor which is freely rotatable and has several rotor windings, each shortcircuited.A stator having several windings to be excited by a power source is disposed closely parallel to the rotor for electromagnetically braking it, to thus twist the coil spring and make it grip the driven member.

Abstract: A mechanical lock normally preventing axial motion of a rod with respect to a housing includes a coil spring which normally encircles and grips the rod tightly. The coil spring is mounted on the rod between a fixed bushing and a rotatable bushing. The two bushings are identical and interchangeable to reduce the cost and complexity of the device. The rotatable bushing is rotated by an actuating lever to unwind the spring so as to increase its diameter and thereby to release its grip on the rod. Both the fixed bushing and the rotatable bushing include beveled faces which permit the last few turns at both ends of the spring to become cocked on the rod to provide a true locking engagement with the rod. The last few turns of the spring adjacent the rotatable bushing are immediately released by a minimum of rotation of the bushing since it is not necessary for the unwinding of the spring to be transmitted through the entire length of the spring.

Abstract: A spring clutch which has multiple springs disposed between two coaxially mounted cylindrical elements. The springs are designed to slip so that all of the springs are required to support the maximum load. During the onset of rotation, tabs at the ends of the springs contact the load surfaces on one of the cylindrical elements sequentially, with some slippage occurring, so that impulse is reduced. In different embodiments, either releasing or reversing the clutch re-establishes offsets between spring tabs so that the sequential contact can again occur.

Abstract: A mechanical lock of the type in which axial translational movement of a rod is prevented by a coil spring which encircles the rod and grips it and being readily released by application of a relatively small force through a relatively short stroke, thereby permitting the mechanical lock to be controlled by a pushbutton control. Rotating bushings adjacent the ends of the springs have beveled faces which cause the locking turns at the ends of the spring to become cocked on the rod to provide a true locking action. The device is unlocked by rotation of the rotating bushings, which unwind the locking turns of the spring, thereby releasing the grip of the spring on the rod. The rotating bushings are rotated in opposite directions by actuating levers which extend outside of the housing of the device. The actuating levers are provided with rollers and are located at the same station along the axis of the rod.

Abstract: A mechanical lock normally preventing axial motion of a rod with respect to a housing sleeve that surrounds the rod includes a coil spring whose diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the rod so that the coil spring normally encircles and grips the rod tightly. The coil spring is mounted on the rod between a bushing fixed to the housing sleeve at one end of the spring and a second bushing that is rotatable with respect to the housing at the other end of the spring. The rotary bushing is rotated by an actuating lever to unwind the spring so as to increase its diameter and thereby to release its grip on the rod. Both the fixed bushing and the rotatable bushing include beveled faces which permit the last few turns at both ends of the spring to become cocked on the rod to provide a true locking engagement with the rod.

Abstract: Drafting board apparatus features a dual-spring brake to enable the angle of tilt of the drafting board to be selectively altered. Use of oppositely-coiled springs secures the board against movement, while a control linkage enables near-simultaneous release of said springs to enable adjustment of the board.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a wheel hub, a hub member separate from the wheel hub, a torsional coupling device and a magnetically actuable brake spring. In a preferred embodiment, the hub member is connected to the vehicle suspension by the torsional coupling device and, upon actuating, the brake spring wraps around the wheel hub to cause the hub member and the wheel hub to be nonrotatably joined together. In another embodiment, the wheel hub is torsionally connected to the hub member and actuation of the brake spring causes the hub member to be nonrotatably joined to the vehicle suspension. The movements of the wheel hub relative to the vehicle suspension permitted by the torsional coupling are monitored by an electronic control circuit that guards against wheel lockup or skid conditions. The electronic control circuit intermittently triggers the brake spring between brake release and approaching wheel lockup so as to incorporate anti-skid performance with the brake function.

Abstract: Brake band assembly for a wrap-around brake includes a metal band, a friction lining carried by the metal band, a support member for the metal band mountable on a device for actuating and supporting the brake band assembly, and at least one securing strap securing the support member to the metal band, the support member comprising a shell narrower than the end width of the metal band and being at least partly encircled collar-like by the securing strap.

Abstract: A manual mechanism for resetting a rotatable member to its initial position is disclosed which provides for rotation of 360.degree. or more, rotates in one direction only, and can be simply locked and unlocked for periodic use. In one embodiment the resetting mechanism is applied to cumulative demand registers on watt hour meters.

Abstract: A lawnmower has an improved clutch-brake mechanism interposed between the engine drive shaft and the rotating blade to stop the blade except when an operator tensions a control cable. The clutch-brake includes cylindrical input and output members selectively drivingly coupled by a clutch spring wound around both members. A control sleeve positioned around the clutch spring connects with the input end of the clutch spring. When the control sleeve is braked, the clutch spring releases its grip on the input member and the output is no longer driven. A coiled brake band extends around the control sleeve to selectively effect this braking action. An improved floating mount is provided for the brake band. An improved lost-motion connection is provided between the control sleeve and the output member to limit the twisting of the clutch spring. An optional slip clutch is provided for connecting the output member to the blade.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lawn mower comprising a blade housing supported for travel over the ground, a drive shaft mounted for rotation by the blade housing and including thereon a clutch drum, an engine drivingly connected to the drive shaft for rotation thereof, a cutter blade located in the blade housing and mounted for rotation coaxially with and relative to the drive shaft, a clutch shoe connected to the cutter blade for common rotation therewith and for movement relative to a position of engagement with the clutch drum, a spring urging the clutch shoe into the position of engagement, a brake surface fixed to the clutch shoe, and a brake member movable between a first position wherein the brake member is spaced from the brake surface, and a second position wherein the brake member engages the brake surface to brake rotation of the cutter blade and to displace the clutch shoe from the position of engagement against the action of the spring.

Abstract: The gear train speed changing transmission for transmitting rotation from an input member to an output member comprises planet gears carried at the distal end portion of the input member for planetary rotation and connected together for conjoined rotation about their respective axes, at least one of the planet gears being in mesh with a reaction gear and at least one planet gear being in mesh with a gear carried by the output member. The transmission also includes a coil spring brake means disposed to coact with the reaction gear to selectively prevent or permit rotation of the gear.In a more limited aspect of the invention the transmission has two or more gear trains interconnecting the input member with the output member and wherein each train includes a reaction gear and a brake means for selecting which gear train rotary transmission is to be effected.

Abstract: A brake for quickly stopping the cutting chain of a chain saw in the event of a kickback or other mishap comprises a narrow band of spring steel which wraps at least 11/4 turns around the drum of the centrifugal clutch by which the chain is driven. One end of the band is anchored while the other end is connected to an operating lever which is rotatable between a released position in which the brake band is released from the drum and an applied position in which the brake band is applied to the drum. The operating lever has a peripheral portion which has an interfering engagement with a cooperating portion on a rotatable actuating lever to which a guard or other sensing member is connected. By reason of this interfering engagement the operating lever remains in one or the other of its positions until forcibly moved to the other position by the guard member operating through the actuating lever.

Abstract: A die holder comprising a housing in which is freely journaled a spindle, the spindle terminating in a free end portion capable of supporting a die. A collar is mounted upon the spindle and is associated with a position-referencing system which governs an at-rest position of the spindle relative to the housing. At least one shearable pin or lug fixedly secures the collar to the spindle, the lug having a shear-resistance below the bending and shear-resistance of the spindle, the collar and the housing so as to be capable of shearing in the presence of the application of an excessive torque to the spindle before any damage occurs to the remainder of the die holder. The die holder also includes a releasable spring-clutch device interposed between the spindle and housing for overcoming any rotary force exerted against the spindle tending to rotate the latter to its at-rest position before the die held by the die holder is fully released from a workpiece.

Abstract: In order to attain a defined braking action, a measuring band brake device has a brake band which surrounds the brake drum through more than one turn of the same, one end of the band being free and having applied at said end a measuring force which alone decides the braking force.

Abstract: A safety device for automatically closing a door in response to a predetermined condition, such as fire, is provided by a selectively disengageable brake operatively associated with a pivotable door closure arm. The brake includes a flexible cable wrapped around a brake drum, and means to selectively tighten the cable around the drum. A crank-pin rotates conjointly with the drum and engages the door closure arm to expeditiously close the door in the event of fire.