Abstract: An idling device is able to bring into an idling condition a lever hoist including a change gear provided on driving member threadedly engaged on a driving shaft for driving a sheave winding-up thereabout a chain or rope for a load, an operating lever rockably driven by a hand, winding-up and winding-off driving pawls engageable with teeth of the change gear and changeable in response to the purpose of hoisting or lowering the load, and a braking assembly for preventing the change gear from being driven by a gravity of the load and adapted to be clamped and released by rotative movement of the driving member relative to said driving shaft.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for wheelchairs comprises a drive member and a driven wheel hub member journalled on the drive member for rotation about an axis. The drive and driven members each have axial grooves, the grooves in the drive member and the driven member being adapted to be aligned thereby to define axial keyways. A clutch member is rotatably mounted on the drive member and provides axially extending keys. The clutch is movable between an engaged position in which the keys are inserted into the keyways and a disengaged position in which the keys are removed from the keyways.

Abstract: An adjustment drive apparatus particularly for motor vehicles having coaxial rotatably supported driving and driven members with a helical spring which is braced against the inner circumferential surface of a hollow cylindrical element coaxial with these members operating to effect drive transmission therebetween. One of the members has a first claw or driver connection member rigidly affixed thereto, the claw member pressing against one of the ends of the helical spring to effect an extension or enlargement of the spring when relative rotation occurs between the spring and the claw member. The hollow cylindrical element within which the helical spring is located is affixed for rotation with the other of the driving and driven members. An auxiliary driving member is provided which, when activated, will cause the spring to be disengaged so that the driven member may be rotated through the auxiliary driving member.

Abstract: An idling device is able to bring into an idling condition a lever hoist including a change gear provided on driving member threadedly engaged on a driving shaft for driving a sheave winding-up thereabout a chain or rope for a load, an operating lever rockably driven by a hand, winding-up and winding-off driving pawls engageable with teeth of the change gear and changeable in response to the purpose of hoisting or lowering the load, and a braking assembly for preventing the change gear from being driven by a gravity of the load and adapted to be clamped and released by rotative movement of the driving member relative to said driving shaft.

Abstract: A microtome actuable both manually and by a motor, with a single coupling element, whereby rotation of the hand wheel when the motor drive is engaged and thus the risk of injury by the manual grip are excluded. The coupling element is located in the hand wheel and is capable of locking in two positions by means of pulling and rotating, the respective positions establishing the manual or motor drive mode. The drive mode is made readily apparent from the outside by means of symbols. In the hand wheel, an equalizing weight for the object carriage is provided.

Abstract: A clutch element fastened to the end of a sewing machine main shaft by a shouldered screw is slidable thereon to a first position wherein axially extending clutch fingers thereof extend through guide notches in an interlock element fixed to the main shaft by the shouldered screw, into axially aligned recesses in a belt driven handwheel so as to drive the sewing machine main shaft. In a second position of the clutch element, the axially extending fingers thereof are withdrawn from the recesses in the handwheel so that the sewing machine main shaft is not driven. Detent means are provided to maintain the clutch element in a selected position.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing for the one-handed control of a rotary feedthru includes bi-directional braking means which is controllable by the same element used for imparting rotation to the feedthru.

Abstract: The specification discloses a fast-acting ratchet wrench (10) which operates in a fast-acting mode of operation and a normal mode of operation. Wrench (10) includes a grip (16) rotatably mounted on one end of a handle (12) with a wrench head (14) disposed on the other end thereof. A rod (74) is attached to the grip (16) and extends through the handle (12) and into the wrench head (14). A drive gear (50) is mounted on the rod (74) within the wrench head (14), and constantly engages teeth (130) on a drive wheel (26). A drive stud (18) is mounted on the wheel (26). A pin (76) is fixedly mounted extending through the rod (74) at a position proximate to the drive gear (50). The wrench (10) is placed in the fast-acting mode of operation by pulling the grip (16) and rod (74) in a direction away from the wrench head (14) to move the pin (76) into slots (66 and 70) or (68 and 72) in the gear (50).

Abstract: A rotary actuator having an output drive rod mounted within an output sleeve that is rotated by a drive motor. A driving mechanism for coupling the torque of the drive motor to the output sleeve includes a worm wheel that is mounted on the output sleeve so as to be freely rotatable relative to the output sleeve and a driving portion for transmitting power from the worm wheel to the output sleeve. A clutch also is mounted on the output sleeve for rotation with axial movement along the output sleeve. The clutch is normally biased into its first position for engagement with the drive portion of the drive mechanism for coupling it to the output sleeve for transmitting rotational force. A declutch mechanism causes the clutch to be moved of engagement with the drive portion, if the drive portion ceases to operate and the output sleeve is to be rotated by a hand wheel.

Abstract: A hand brake including a lock-up and release clutch mechanism, a ratchet rotatable by a hand wheel connected thereto through a drive shaft, a nut screw-threadedly arranged on the shaft and effective, upon rotation of the wheel and shaft in one direction, for advancing on the nut on the shaft to cause the ratchet to be clamped between respective friction surfaces of the nut and friction plates carried on the shaft. Rotation of the shaft causes rotation of a pinion which, in turn, rotates a gear associated with a chain drum to effect chain take-up and, therefore, application of the brakes. A holding pawl prevents rotation of the ratchet in a release direction. Rotation of the hand wheel in an opposite direction effects release of the clutch mechanism and consequently relaxation of tension on the chain for effecting a gradual release of the brakes. Quick release of the brakes is effected by a lever which, by rotation, causes disengagement of the collar from the pinion.

Abstract: A bi-directional feed mechanism for webs, especially for plotting and generating special characters, forms and shapes on the webs, uses twin pairs of tractors which feed a web around a loop which may contain a platen roller. Each pair of tractors is mounted on and driven by its own drive shaft. The drive shaft of one of the tractor pairs is driven from the drive shaft of the other tractor pair through a manually releasable clutch which may be mounted on, and movable along the axis of, the driven shaft. The tension in the loop may be adjusted by releasing the clutch so that one of the tractor pairs may be driven while the other is stationary. Webs and other documents which may vary in length and require tension adjustments may readily be fed by means of the mechanism. The arrangement of the tractors also enables the webs to be easily loaded from the top.

Abstract: A ratchet lever hoist (10) which includes an overload clutch (19) enclosed within the hoist handwheel (16). The handwheel is driven through a spline connection with the input drive hub (24) of the hoist, and carries a plurality of first clutch disks 94. Second clutch disks (100) are carried by a load brake drive member (34) and frictionally engage the clutch disks (94) through friction disks (106) bonded to the second clutch disks (100). The clutch is preloaded to a torque capacity corresponding to the rated load of the hoist or a predetermined value over the rated load, such that the clutch will slip, preventing rotation of the load brake drive member when the torque capacity of the clutch is exceeded.

Abstract: An automatic torque regulator couples a motor to a load and automatically and continuously varies the torque delivered to the load to avoid large and sudden loading of the motor as can occur during start-up and shutdown. This regulator solves the problems associated with prior art regulators by being operable over a range of rotational speeds and by being adjustable in said range of rotational speeds without having to stop said regulator.

Abstract: The coupling means can be mounted over a rotatable shaft of existing motors and employs a lining sleeve which is disposed about or within the shaft and a helical spring which is disposed between the sleeve and shaft. Various types of couplings are used to secure a hand wheel to one or both ends of the spring such that rotation of the hand wheel causes the spring to bind about the shaft and cause turning of the shaft. In some embodiments, rotation of the hand wheel causes the opposite end of the spring to bind about the shaft to turn the shaft with the hand wheel.

Abstract: A hand brake mechanism of the quick-release type having locking structure preventing accidental brake release includes a clutch collar interconnecting a drive member mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith and a pinion mounted on the shaft for rotation relative thereto and for being operatively connected in a power train to the car brakes. The collar is shiftable on the shaft between a drive position making the aforesaid interconnection, and a brake-release position wherein the connection is broken and the pinion is freely rotatable on the shaft. A pivotally mounted shift lever has collar-engaging members for shifting the collar between such positions. A cam shaft is provided with a cam which, when the cam shaft is rotated in one direction, engages the shift lever to shift the collar into the brake-release position.

Abstract: A printer has a set of display wheels and print wheels on a common shaft for individual coupling to that shaft so that one display wheel and one print wheel at a time is rotationally adjusted, the selection of the wheel pair depends upon the axial disposition of the shaft. Particular structure is provided to hold wheels not to be turned in that fashion.

Abstract: A hub clutch comprises a drive clutch adapted to be connected to a power shaft, an axially movable driven clutch to be coupled with the drive clutch and having semi-circular grooves for connection to a wheel hub, a case secured to the wheel hub by means of a plurality of bolts, coupling means providing a preload on the driven clutch, and actuator means for effecting movement of the driven clutch toward the drive clutch by the operation of the coupling means wherein the torque of the driven clutch is conveyed to the wheel hub by the engagement between the semi-circular grooves and the bolts.

Abstract: A clutch for engaging and disengaging rotary systems and devices such as alternators and generators, which includes a hollow engaging knob fitted with projecting engaging pins, a spindle shaft and plate mounted on a rotating shaft and cooperating with the engaging knob and engaging pins, and a drive pulley rotatably positioned on the rotating shaft and having seats for selective registration with the engaging pins. A spring is positioned in the hollow cavity of the engaging knob to facilitate biasing of the engaging pins through apertures in the spindle plate and in registration with the seats in the drive pulley when the clutch is engaged. Retraction of the engaging knob and engaging pins against the bias of the spring facilitates retraction of the pins from the pulley seats, and effects disengagement of the clutch and free rotation of the drive pulley.

Abstract: A remote control steering attachment for a steering wheel wherein a driving motor is releasably attached to the steering wheel by means of a cross member adjustably bolted to the steering wheel. A clutch is interposed between the driving motor and the steering wheel so that the steering wheel can be operated when the unit is declutched and the driving motor is not being used. A remote control is used for controlling the driving motor and thus turning the steering wheel from a location distant from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The hand drive employs two coil springs between the sleeve of the coupling and the shaft to be turned. The hand wheel has a driver with a parallelepiped extension for abutting one or the other of the facing spring ends depending on the direction of rotation of the hand wheel. A brake is also used to restrain movement of the sleeve and limit the torque exerted on the sleeve by the hand wheel.

Abstract: There is disclosed a slip clutch useful for the fixed adjustability of an indexed knob on a control shaft of a device such as thermostatically controlled gas valve for a water heater. The clutch comprises the assembly of a shaft with a reduced end portion to provide an annular distal shoulder, a ring received over the end and having a radial tab, a spring washer also received over the end of the shaft and resiliently biasing the ring against the annular shoulder and an outwardly flared end of the shaft to secure the assembly. The end of the shaft is hollow form and has internal wrench flats so that the shaft can be immobilized and the ring rotated about the shaft. The control knob is received over the ring and has a radial slot which receives the radial tab.

Abstract: A semi-automatic roller type locking clutch for use between concentric rotational driving and driven members comprises a semi-automatic locking means and a manually activated locking means. The semi-automatic locking means is adapted to displace a plurality of rollers each disposed within a plurality of grooves circumferentially disposed on one member up onto one edge of the grooves and into contact with one edge of each of a plurality of grooves disposed on the other member whenever the driving member rotates faster than the driven member. The manually activated locking means is adapted to urge a clutch ring member slidably splined to one member into splined engagement with the other member when the members are nonrotational with respect to each other.

Abstract: Forward and reverse rotary tool, particularly for inserting and retracting a threaded element. The power-driven tool is designed primarily for surgical use and is capable of applying pressure against the free end of the threaded element during both the inserting and retracting operation, as into a bone. The shift from a driving mode to a retracting mode, or vice versa, is readily effected under conditions existing in an operating room. All movable and/or lubricated parts, other than the driven element, are housed to prevent leakage of lubricant. The tool comprises a unidirectionally driven pinion in constant engagement with a pair of counter-rotating clutch elements and means alternatively engageable with said clutch elements for rotative driving in one direction or the opposite direction.

Abstract: A knob assembly comprising a cup-shaped knob shell having therein a coaxial pair of oppositely wound coil springs disposed for binding engagement with a surrounding wall of a race and having respective terminal end portions engaging an encircled portion of an axially rotatable bushing which is provided with fastening means for rotatably engaging an axially inserted shaft, the springs having other terminal end portions engaged by respective oppositely rotatable lever arms mounted on the bushing and having end portions aligned with axially spaced projections of the knob shell, whereby axial movement of the shell causes the projections to pivot the lever arms in opposite angular directions to release the coil springs windingly from binding engagement with the wall of the race and permit rotation of the bushing and engaged shaft in response to rotary movement of the knob shell.

Abstract: A pull-cord acting through a leverage and a linkage actuates the driving element of a 2 element clutch, the driven element containing a slot which is in driving engagement with the tongue of a TV tuner dial. The clutch and an actuating lever are attached to separate clamps which are vertically and rotatably attached to a column affixed to the table or to a plate on which the TV rests. A lever arm attached to the driving element of the clutch is connected by means of a linkage to the parallel arm of an L-shaped actuating lever. A pull on a pull-cord attached to a vertical arm of the actuating lever advances the tuner to the next adjacent channel.

Abstract: A mechanism for coupling and uncoupling a driven rotatable drive wheel from a rotatable shaft, particularly, the arm shaft of a sewing machine from its associated drive wheel in order to spool up the lower thread, comprises a rotatable shaft which has an annular collar portion which is frictionally engageable by a drive wheel which is freely rotatable on the shaft. The drive wheel is continuously driven from a drive, such as a belt, and it may be urged into engagement with the collar by means of a nut which is threaded onto the end of the shaft. The arrangement includes a stop disc which has a cam surface which is engageable with a stop defined on the nut end face in a recess thereof. The cam surface and the stop define a cam structure which permits rotation of the nut so as to permit frictional engagement of the drive wheel with the shaft collar for driving the shaft and the disengagement thereof by rotation of the nut in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A sealed adjusting device for mounting in the wall of a sealed instrument housing that includes at least one adjustable element, such as a potentiometer. The adjusting device comprises an elongated sleeve-like mounting hub capable of being sealingly secured in the housing wall, and a normally freely rotatable or freely turnable knob structured as a hollow capsule rotatably inserted onto one end of the mounting hub. The other end of the mounting hub receives or is connected with a portion of the adjustable element. A spring is provided within the mounting hub to hold the knob in its freely turnable or rotatable position. The knob is operatively connected with a clutch-sleeve for temporary engagement with the rotatable operating end of the adjustable element when the knob is pushed against the spring.

Abstract: A kit including an axle to be substituted for a fixed flanged axle from which kit axle the flange is omitted and which includes an outward axle extension providing spaced bearings on which a kit wheel hub is rotatably supported, the inner end of the hub providing an annular flange which performs the same function as the replaced fixed axle flange by accepting the bolts normally used for supporting the adjacent brake drum and wheel of the vehicle. Both inner and outer ends of the substitute axle are splined, the inner end fitting into the splined differential socket provided therefor in the differential, the outer end fitting into a conventional wheel clutching mechanism mounted on the outer end of the axle housing hub, the mechanism being operable manually to optionally lock the substitute axle to the wheel hub and wheel or to disengage the substitute axle to permit the hub and wheel to turn freely thereon.

Abstract: A mechanism which normally is driven by a motor, but which can be safely manually driven by a hand crank or the like in case of a power shortage or other emergency. The mechanism has a power-driven drive gear and a driven assembly which preferably includes a gear-like member, such as a worm, and a crank-receiving member, such as an internally splined hub. A disconnecting assembly which is responsive to engagement of the hand crank in the crank-receiving member is provided to disconnect the driven assembly from the power-driven drive gear.

Abstract: A stub axle and inner end flange which fits the outer wheel supporting flange on a fixed axle and is apertured peripherally to accept the wheel attaching bolts of said fixed axle flange, a pair of roller bearings mounted on said stub axle, the outer end of said stub axle being splined, an axle-housing hub rotatably supported on said bearings and having an inner flange, the latter having peripheral bolt holes corresponding to those in said stub axle flange and said vehicle fixed axle flange, a set of bolts for securing a drive wheel disc removed from said fixed axle flange to said stub shaft flange and a conventional wheel hub clutching mechanism mounted on the outer end of said axle housing hub, said mechanism being operable manually to optionally lock said splined stub axle to said axle housing and wheel or to disengage said stub axle to permit said housing and wheel to turn freely thereon.

Abstract: A potentiometer has a disc mounted on the shaft. A knob embraces the end of the shaft and is biased away from the disc. The knob is slidable along the shaft into engagement with the disc so that rotation of the knob operates the potentiometer.

Abstract: A pneumatic outlet for a hopper is disclosed having a tubular conduit extending from at least one end of the outlet to which suction or air under pressure may be applied for unloading the outlet. The tubular conduit is rotatably mounted and is connected to an internal valve member whereby rotation of the tubular conduit actuates the valve member to control the flow of lading from the outlet. The tubular conduit has a cylindrical outer surface, and a hub having at least one handle extending therefrom is rotatably and axially slidable on the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: This knob assembly comprises a knob housing slidable on a body contained therein, and fixed to a centrally located control shaft. The body has means controlled by springs, to frictionally engage a disc non-rotatably keyed to a panel for said control shaft. Normally the knob housing can be freely spun, but when it is pushed in, it is lockingly engaged with the body whereby rotation of the pushed in knob housing will rotate the shaft with friction drag imposed on rotation of the shaft to thereby prevent inadvertent rotation of the shaft after setting of the angular position of the shaft. A spring causes the knob housing to pull out to disengage the knob housing from the body, to allow the knob housing to substantially spin freely again. The springs which cause friction between the body and the keyed disc, are stronger than the spring which pulls the knob housing out or returns it to normal when the knob housing is released.

Abstract: In a valve-actuating mechanism of the kind which is manually manipulated for actuating the valve-actuating member, the combination of a helical cam surface formed on a friction ring, a follower solid with the handwheel shaft and two confronting cylindrical surfaces carrying clutching dogs, a spring being inserted therebetween. Frictional forces are exploited for causing the axial displacement of the handwheel overcoming the spring bias.

Abstract: A control knob for permitting the service technician to adjust the operating level of a component in an electrostatic type reproduction machine with locking means effective to prevent unauthorized adjustments by others. To enable the machine user or operator, when training and experience warrants it, to perform service adjustments, the control knob incorporates an internal release mechanism, settable only by the machine service technician, permitting selected adjustment by the operator despite the locking means.

Abstract: In a wheel hub clutching mechanism, a clutch ring to be meshed with a shaft driven pinion is resiliently connected by way of a connecting spring to a follower controlled by turning of a cam. The follower and the clutch ring are pushed toward the lock positions thereof by a compression spring when the cam is turned to its lock position by a manually operated handle and the clutch ring is retracted to the free position thereof together with the follower when the cam is moved to its free position by the handle.

Abstract: A rotary duplicator includes a handwheel for manually moving the cylinders to insert and remove masters, to make adjustments, etc. To minimize risk to the operator when the machine is running, there is provided a means for disconnecting the handwheel automatically and holding it stationary whenever the machine is turned on.

Abstract: A push-to-engage device comprising a hollow knob having axially disposed therein an independent bushing provided with a fastener for bindingly engaging an inserted end portion of a rotatable shaft and with a plurality of recesses disposed for engagement with keys protruding inwardly from the knob, and an external resilient device coupled to the knob for positioning the keys in spaced relationship with the recesses in the bushing.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a machine tool having an improved stop mechanism which includes a movable stop, a stationary stop, and a rotatable control member. The stationary stop is located on a rotational path of the movable stop which is freely rotatable about a handle shaft. The control member, which can be rotated together with the handle shaft, is adapted to rotate the movable stop together therewith except through a predetermined angular extent, such that the handle shaft for feeding a movable unit of the machine tool may be rotatable more than the movable stop by the predetermined rotational extent.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus is disclosed in which a power output shaft is connected to both a manual input means and a power input means. Means are provided to automatically disengage the power input upon actuation of the manual input. Alternative embodiments disclose means to prevent rotation of the manual input handle during engagement of the power input means.