Rotary Crank Or Eccentric Drive Patents (Class 74/116)
  • Patent number: 11168771
    Abstract: To provide a drive force transmission device that is capable of transmitting elastic energy of an elastic member to an output shaft with a simpler structure than the structure of the related art. A drive force transmission device includes a first shaft (input shaft), and a second shaft (a crankshaft, a crank disc, an intermediate shaft). A force is applied to the second shaft in a predetermined direction of rotation and in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation. The force varies in strength in association with the rotation. The first shaft is connected to the second shaft, and transmission of a drive force of the first shaft to the second shaft is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Eiji Tsuchiya, Yoshihiro Mizuno, Norio Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 10760684
    Abstract: A device for actuating a rotating shaft selected from a plurality of parallel rotating shafts, comprising a driving shaft supported and actuated by corresponding rotation means, which is provided with a driving gear for the transmission of torque, a plurality of driven shafts each one of which is provided with a corresponding driven gear that is designed to be meshed with the driving gear, the driven gears being arranged on the respective driven shaft in an axial position that is offset with respect to the other driven gears, the driving gear being capable of performing a translational movement axially with means of translational motion for alternate meshing with one of the driven gears, the device further comprising means of prevention of rotation for the driven shafts whose driven gear is not meshed with the driving gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Vincenzo Girlando, Dario Bergamo
  • Patent number: 9790920
    Abstract: A rotation driving mechanism for windmill (1) includes an annular track part (2), a rotation driving part (11), and a plurality of swinging parts (15). The annular track part (2) is disposed on one of a base-side structure and a rotation-side structure, and has a track wall part (3) and first teeth (7). The rotation driving part (11) is fixed on the other of the base-side structure and the rotation-side structure. Each swinging part (15) has a swinging part body (16a) and second teeth (16b). When a rotating shaft (13) of the rotation driving part (11) is rotated so that the swinging parts (15) are swung with maintaining a predetermined phase difference thereamong, the swinging parts (15) are relatively moved with respect to the annular track part (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Nohara, Yuichi Asakawa
  • Patent number: 9726152
    Abstract: A rotation driving mechanism for windmill (1) includes an annular track part (2), a rotation driving part (11), and a plurality of swinging parts (15). The annular track part (2) is disposed on one of a base-side structure and a rotation-side structure, and has a circumferential wall part (4) and first teeth (7). The rotation driving part (11) is fixed on the other of the base-side structure and the rotation-side structure. Each swinging part (15) has a swinging part body (16a) and second teeth (16b). When a rotating shaft (13) of the rotation driving part (11) is rotated so that the swinging parts (15) are swung with maintaining a predetermined phase difference thereamong, the swinging parts (15) are relatively moved with respect to the annular track part (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu Nohara
  • Patent number: 9492913
    Abstract: A link attachment 100 for use with a device 300 for effecting an intermittent turning force 360 which oscillates in a forward and a backward direction 361 and 371 for tightening or loosening a fastener including: —a link housing 115; a link drive input 131 operatively connectable with device 300; a link drive lever 102 operatively connected with link drive input 131; a link drive plate 101 operatively connected to link drive lever 102 at a pivot point 125 by a link drive pin 105; a link ratcheting mechanism 103 operatively connected to link drive lever 102 by a drive pawl 104; a link attachment drive output 130 operatively connected with link ratcheting mechanism 103 and operatively connectable with the fastener; and link attachment 100 being operatively connectable to device 300 to provide intermittent turning force 360 to turn the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin A. Bonas, Peter Koppenhoefer
  • Publication number: 20140026696
    Abstract: A step actuator includes a housing, a stator in the housing, a rotor including a magnet provided radially inward of the stator and a nut member inserted into the magnet and protruding through one side of the housing, a bearing rotatably supporting the nut member, a screw member coupled with the nut member to linearly move as the rotor rotates, and a mounting member supported on one side of the housing to support the screw member in such a manner that the screw member is linearly movable. The nut member includes an end portion passing through the bearing and a coupling portion extending from the end portion to couple with the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Woo Jin HYUN
  • Publication number: 20110203396
    Abstract: Disclosed is a step actuator. The step actuator includes a housing, a stator in the housing, a rotor including a magnet provided radially inward of the stator and a nut member inserted into the magnet and protruding through one side of the housing, a bearing rotatably supporting the nut member, a screw member coupled with the nut member to linearly move as the rotor rotates, and a mounting member supported on one side of the housing to support the screw member in such a manner that the screw member is linearly movable. The nut member includes an end portion passing through the bearing and a coupling portion extending from the end portion to couple with the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Woo Jin Hyun
  • Patent number: 7942073
    Abstract: Device for transmitting rotary motion in a diverter switch comprising a motion-transmitting member for transforming an alternating rotary motion of a drive shaft into a unidirected rotary motion of a driven body driven about driven shaft. The motion-transmitting member includes an intermediate body rotatable about an intermediate shaft. A mechanical energy accumulation member is connected to the driven body. The motion-transmitting member for transforming the alternating rotary motion of the drive shaft into a unidirected rotary motion of the driven shaft includes an intermediate motion member connected to a crank mechanism. The motion member includes an engagement mechanism for transforming the linear motion into a unidirected rotary motion of the intermediate shaft via drive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Lars Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20090282936
    Abstract: A one-way action mechanism capable of rotating steplessly includes a main body, a rotary element and a friction element. The main body is provided thereon with a pivotal hole and a recessed space in communication with the pivotal hole. One side of the recessed space away from the pivotal hole has a friction surface. The rotary element is formed into a circular ring and is pivotally connected in the pivotal hole. The outer periphery of the rotary element is formed by a plurality of teeth. The friction element is received in the recessed space and has a gear and a friction wheel covering the gear. The friction element is restricted by an elastic element, so that the friction wheel can be brought into a rotary and frictional contact with the friction surface. An intermediate gear is drivingly engaged between the rotary element and the gear of the friction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Chun-Lung CHEN, Yu-Sheng Chen, Chien-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 7475609
    Abstract: The power ratchet wrench has a body, a planet gear device and a mounting bracket. The body has an outer thread and an annular flange. The planet gear device is connected to the body and has three transmitting gear wheels, a rotating bracket, a bearing and a mounting cover. The transmitting gear wheels are mounted in the chamber of the body. The rotating bracket is rotatably mounted in the chamber of the body, is connected with the transmitting gear wheels and has a bottom plate, three mounting posts and an extending rod. The mounting cover is connected to the body around the rotating bracket and has an inner thread and a resisting flange. The mounting bracket is connected to the planet gear device and the body and receives an operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Rea Lee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian-Shiou Liaw
  • Publication number: 20080141804
    Abstract: This invention concerns a device to transform rotary motion into rectilinear motion, which comprises a trapezoidal threaded (13) rotating screw (11) and a translating nut screw (12). Driving teeth (15) are assembled on board the nut screw (12), radially orientated towards the screw and each one with a truncated cone portion (17) which engages with a side of the threading of the screw. Each driving tooth (15) is supported in the nut screw by rotating on its axis and subjected to axial preload in order to remain constantly coupled to the threading of the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Giuseppe Maffeis, Giuseppe Bellandi
  • Patent number: 7100466
    Abstract: An angular velocity profile generator [22,24] comprising an input shaft [46], an output shaft [56], a universal joint coupling the shafts by pivot pins [70,75] situated on two pivot axes which are normal to one another, means [49] in the joint for varying the path of rotation of the pin [70] relatively to that of the pin [75], a first control arrangement [32] for varying the angle between the shafts and a second control arrangement [84], external to the universal joint, connected to the pivot pin path varying member which is activated by the first control arrangement to suit a specific velocity profile produced by the generator. The invention extends to an infinitely variable transmission machine including transmission stages [16] which each include two of the profile generators connected in series and an angular velocity profile portion extraction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Varibox (PTY) Limited
    Inventor: Johannes Jacobus Naude
  • Patent number: 7040185
    Abstract: A device for driving an output mechanism has a rotationally drivable input shaft, a structure located between the input shaft and the outlet mechanism for transmitting a drive torque to the input shaft to the output mechanism, wherein a non-positive functional connection can be created between a first element and the output mechanism, enabling an alternating movement of the first element to be converted into a movement of the output mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Sjong Houben
  • Publication number: 20040089085
    Abstract: An angular velocity profile generator [22,24] comprising an input shaft [46], an output shaft [56], a universal joint coupling the shafts by pivot pins [70,75] situated on two pivot axes which are normal to one another, means [49] in the joint for varying the path of rotation of the pin [70] relatively to that of the pin [75], a first control arrangement [32] for varying the angle between the shafts and a second control arrangement [84], external to the universal joint, connected to the pivot pin path varying means which is activated by the first control arrangement to suit a specific velocity profile produced by the generator. The invention extends to an infinitely variable transmission machine including transmission stages [16] which each include two of the profile generators connected in series and an angular velocity profile portion extraction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Johannes Jacobus Naude
  • Patent number: 6647824
    Abstract: A gear indicator for use on a bicycle is provided remotely from the shift operating device. The gear indicator is coupled to a shift operating device via an indicator cable. The gear indicator basically includes a housing with an indicator member slidably coupled to the indicator cable with in the housing. The location of the indicator member relative to the housing indicates a gear currently engaged by the chain. In the most preferred embodiments, an indicator member is frictionally mounted on the inner wire of the indicator cable for automatically adjusting of the indicator member in the event that the cable becomes elongated or the indicator member becomes misaligned. The housing has a biasing member coupled between one wall of an interior cavity and the first end of the inner wire of the cable indicator for biasing the indicator member to one of its end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Publication number: 20030084737
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide a system for high speed intermittent motion. The system consists of one or more intermittent motion generators. Each motion generator may function independently of the others and may be controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC). Each motion generator consists of a first and a second drive system with each drive system having its own control software and control input information received from the PLC. Each motion generator employs dual cams with fixed angular rotation. The dual cam combination consists of a first cam nested within a second cam. The dual cams permit independent and individual motion generation for each motion generator. The use of dual cams enables the system to generate different linear strokes for each generator. The angular rotation of the second cam relative to the angular rotation of the first cam causes a linear displacement which generates intermittent linear motion for each individual motion generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: George Schmideg, Ronald Weissberger
  • Publication number: 20010020399
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism for transmitting motion with a uniform speed transmission factor between first and second moveable elements comprises a set of cams adapted to rotate with the first moveable element about a revolving axis, and corresponding arrays of spaced-apart rollers connected to the second moveable element for movement therewith. The cams cooperate in relays with the corresponding arrays of spaced-apart rollers to continuously communicate motion between the first and second moveable elements. The cams are in rolling contact with the corresponding arrays of rollers, whereby torque and force transmission can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism allows for the reversal of both the direction of the input speed and the roles of the first and second moveable elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Jorge Angeles, Max Antonio Gonzalez-Palacios
  • Patent number: 6265967
    Abstract: A cable operated display device for a bicycle is provided in which the cable can be easily installed or replaced. The cable operated display device includes a mounting portion, a housing, an internal take-up element and a lid. The mounting portion is adapted to be coupled to a portion of a bicycle. The housing is coupled to the mounting portion. The housing has an interior cavity and an open front. The internal take-up element is pivotally coupled within the housing about a first pivot axis. The internal take-up element has a cable attachment portion that is accessible through the open front of the housing without detaching the internal take-up element from the housing. The lid is releasably coupled to the housing to overlie the open front of the housing. The lid has a window to view the movement of an indicator coupled to the internal take-up element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shigekatsu Okada
  • Patent number: 6240795
    Abstract: A cam-controlled power differential gear transmission for a sheet acceleration system, which is formed of a pregripper having an acceleration course determinable by a control cam driven at a single speed, includes two compensating masses pivotably supported diametrically opposite one another, and respective control cams assigned to the compensating masses, respectively, for controlling the pivoting motion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siegfried Kurtzer
  • Patent number: 6231468
    Abstract: A desmodromic mechanism having transmission elements connected to and supported by an intermediate element and a primary and a secondary cam both in permanent contact with the transmission elements. The transmission elements, the intermediate element, the primary and secondary cams are assembled to one another to compulsorily move in rotation or linearly relative to one another. The various elements are also assembled in such a way as to form sealed variable volume chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Roger Bajulaz
  • Patent number: 6220107
    Abstract: Since the phases of pinions 23, 25 and a pinion 24 are deviated by 180 degree, the pinions 23, 25 are acted with the engaging force which is reverse in a working direction to the engaging force of the pinion 24 and is half in the value. At this time since distances between a center 27a in the gear width of the pinion 24 and centers 26a, 28a in the gear width of the pinions 23, 25 are substantially equal, the engaging forces in the pinions 24 and 23, 25 are zero in resultant force and moment of rotation, and balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hongyou Wang
  • Patent number: 5823050
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a motion transforming apparatus, comprising first and second rotation shafts each formed with crank shaft portions, a plate assembly constituted by rotation plates each formed with teeth and cranked through bores respectively having the crank shaft portions of the rotation shafts received therein, a toothed rail having teeth, and a plate assembly housing relatively movable along the toothed rail, wherein the first rotation shaft is driven to rotate the rotation plates, and each of the rotation plates has an untoothed portion connected to the toothed portion of each rotation plate to be spaced from the toothed portion of the toothed rail and to have the toothed portions of the rotation plates closer to the second rotation shaft than the first rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takenaka
  • Patent number: 5806369
    Abstract: A linear motion apparatus is comprised of: a toothed rail (40); a linearly driving mechanism section (50) having a plurality of swinging plates (53), crankshafts (54, 55), and a casing (51); and guiding means for guiding the casing (51) relatively movably with respect to the toothed rail (40). The casing (51) includes: a pair of side portions (61, 62) which are guided by the guiding means on both sides, in a tooth width direction, of the rail (40); a pair of end plate portions (63, 64) which are located on opposite sides, as viewed in a longitudinal direction of the rail (40), of the swinging plates (53) and connect opposite end portions of the pair of side plate portions (61, 62); and a coupling member (521) which is located between the plurality of crankshafts (54, 55) as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the rail and couple intermediate portions of the pair of side plate portions (61, 62). The coupling member (521) is preferably passed through the swinging plates (53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takenaka, Kiyoshi Ando
  • Patent number: 5771743
    Abstract: A mechanical continuously variable torque transmission, in particular for flywheel driven, fuel efficient, low emission cars, trucks and locomotives includes structure as follows: three eccentrics 20, 21, 22, mounted on input shaft 18 and carrying needle bearings 23, 24, 25, rotate freely inside three loops of flexible bands 57, 58, 59. One end of each flexible bands is mounted on an oscillating member 36, 37 or 38, which contain overrunning clutches, able to drive output shaft 30. The oscillating members 36, 37, 38 are each held in a home position by a spring 63 and stop 60, 42. The other ends of the flexible bands are each mounted on a pulley 49, 50, or 51, which are themselves mounted on torsion bars 71, 72, 73. The torsion bars are adjustable in angular position as well as in their elastic length.Rotation of pulleys 49, 50, 51 tightens the flexible bands so that rotation of the eccentrics causes torque to the oscillating members and pulleys in the first half of a cycle of rotation of each eccentric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Ulrich Menzi
    Inventor: Ulrich Menzi
  • Patent number: 5626055
    Abstract: An electrically-driven thrust generator is provided, which can contribute energy saving, and has properties (thrust controllability, swift action etc.) equivalent to hydraulic cylinders and contributes to solve problems (leakage etc.) associated with oil pipings. The electrically-driven thrust generator comprises a motor 3, a variable reduction ratio speed reducers 5, a rotary motion to linear motion converting mechanism 7, a thrust rod 121 linearly driven by this rotary motion to linear motion converting mechanism 7. The present invention is characterized in that the rotary motion to linear motion converting mechanism 7 comprises an oscillating crank plate driven rack mechanism, which provides a compact and powerful electrically-driven thrust generator equivalent to hydraulic thrust generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyozumi Fukui
  • Patent number: 5611243
    Abstract: The mechanism consists of a crankshaft and connecting rods driving two rods which extend through the full length of the cylinder of the taper. The rods reciprocate 180.degree. out of phase with each other and pass through a piston assembly. Clutch mechanisms in the piston assembly engage when the rods are moving toward the head assembly and do not engage for the opposite motion. As a result the piston assembly advances toward the head assembly an increment of motion each time one of the rods moves in that direction. A mechanism in the piston assembly engages the head end of the cylinder as the piston assembly approaches the head end and prevents the clutches from engaging so that the piston assembly does not jam against the head end of the cylinder. Also, mechanism is provided to disengage both clutches and keep them disengaged so that the piston assembly is free to move as the cylinder is being filled. This mechanism involves rotating the rods to drive cams which engage the clutches to hold them disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Donald M. MacMillan
  • Patent number: 5582068
    Abstract: A motion transforming mechanism comprises a plate assembly constituted by rotation plates having a common rotation axis, a toothed rail having a parallel rail portion and a mid-longitudinal plane perpendicularly intersected by the common rotation axis and held in mesh with the rotation plates, a housing for housing the plate assembly and the toothed rail, and a rotation shaft supported by the housing and formed with cranked shaft portions respectively received in the rotation plates. The motion transforming mechanism further comprises distance regulating means for regulating the distance between the common rotation axis and the toothed rail. The toothed rail is formed with a toothed portion having a pitch plane perpendicularly intersected by the mid-longitudinal plane and a base portion integrally formed with the toothed portion and having a parallel rail portion in parallel with the mid-longitudinal plane and the pitch plane of the toothed rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyozumi Fukui
  • Patent number: 5577975
    Abstract: A variable speed changing gear has an internal friction wheel made of elastic material and a cycloid wheel inscribed to the internal friction wheel. The cycloid wheel is rotated for circulating along the internal friction wheel. Because of the elastic material, the effective radius of the internal friction wheel is changeable by giving force to the cycloid wheel in the radial direction. The circulation speed of the cycloid wheel is changed in reverse proportion to the radius. The output shaft can be rotated with variable speed following to the circulation of the cycloid wheel. This speed changing gear can be operated as a load compensating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Mituo Kitugawa
  • Patent number: 5477741
    Abstract: A motion transforming mechanism comprises a plate assembly and a toothed rail. The plate assembly is constituted by at least three rotation plates having a common rotation axis and each having a plurality of teeth, the rotation plates being respectively formed with cranked through bores. The toothed rail is formed with a plurality of teeth held in mesh with the teeth of rotation plates. The motion transforming mechanism further comprises a drive motor assembly constituted by a rotor unit rotatably received in the cranked through bores and a stator unit accommodated in the rotor unit. The rotation plates are rotated with respect to their common rotation axis by the rotation of the rotor unit with respect to stator unit. The motion transforming mechanism thus constructed requires no external electric motor and accordingly is able to be more easily assembled with various systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takenaka, Katumi Mori, Tuyoshi Nachi, Tomohiro Kiriyama, Masanori Hirai
  • Patent number: 5351568
    Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a speed changing apparatus having a housing mounting a plurality of inwardly directed, circumferentially disposed teeth, preferably in the form of a ring gear. The housing has a hub that rotatably receives at least a first shaft that in turn eccentrically mounts a plurality of elongate follower arms. Each follower ann is mounted at one end to the shaft with the other end having at least one tooth configured to engage the circumferentially disposed teeth. The housing further includes a base plate that is rigidly attached to the second shaft. Rotary motion is transferred between the first shaft and a second rotatable member by apparatus that includes a base pin that is rigidly attached to the base plate, an arm pin rigidly attached to a follower ann and a linking ann pivotally attached at opposite ends to the base pin and the arm pin. The second rotatable member may be a second shaft, the housing, or the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Core Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon G. Feterl
  • Patent number: 5237885
    Abstract: The tool includes a housing having two substantially semi-cylindrical members. An air motor in the housing has motor end members located adjacent each end thereof. Two O-rings, respectively disposed between the motor and the end members, are squeezable axially so as to be forced radially outwardly to abut the housing. A manifold includes a chamber of a size that dampens Helmholtz frequencies in the exhaust air. A bearing block includes an outer surface configured to transfer operating loads from a crank shaft extending through the bearing block to the housing. Each of the members of the housing has an arm with a cylindrical opening for receiving a rotatable drive body. The drive body has a knob including a shaft having an ear cooperating with an O-ring in the drive body for preventing the knob from inadvertently rotating between operating positions while the tool is in use. An O-ring between the knob and the drive body isolates the housing from shock to the knob resulting when the tool is dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon A. Putney, Martin S. Scolaro, Kenneth C. Happ
  • Patent number: 5081877
    Abstract: A steplessly variable transmission is described in which a driving element and a driven element are adjustable eccentrically to one another and are coupled via pivotal levers which are journalled on one element and can be brought into force transmitting clamping engagement with the other element via coupling shoes. In the context of this series connection the two change speed units are inversely combined with an eccentric positioning device being provided which either jointly actuates the members with the ring tracks associated with the coupling elements or the members with the coupling elements. The force transmitting zones of engagement of the two units are angularly displaced relative to one another and the eccentricities of the two units and also the lever arms associated with the coupling elements can be so selected that ideal transmission ratios result which are largely free of fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Look, S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Mercat
  • Patent number: 5074895
    Abstract: An intermittent drive (10) for intermittently advancing a cleaning head (50) for sequential cleaning of filter bags (44) in a bag house (12). The intermittent drive includes a ratchet wheel (80) secured to a central shaft (74) on which the cleaning head is radially mounted. A drive plate (90) in proximity to the ratchet wheel is continuously rotated by a drive motor (83) about a drive axis (88). An elongated drive arm (94) has a base end portion (100) pinned to the upper surface (92) of the drive plate at a point radially offset from the drive axis. The drive arm (94) also has a distal end portion (102) that is engageable with the teeth (82) of the ratchet wheel. The bottom surface (98) of the drive arm frictionally contacts the upper surface of drive plate to urge the drive arm into engagement with the ratchet wheel teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: H & R Mechanical Systems
    Inventor: Lewis E. Hunsberger
  • Patent number: 4750376
    Abstract: A transmission in which gear segments are cammed to mesh with a circumferential gear and to transmit power from a centered shaft through arcs of power determined by the position of segments relative to the shaft. The segments automatically adjust the radii from shaft to segment in reaction to the torque transmitted from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Inventor: Harold L. Walker
  • Patent number: 4705144
    Abstract: A spring operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter comprises means for converting the rotation of an electric motor into a rocking motion of a pawl, a ratchet wheel having teeth for being engaged by the pawl to be rotated by the rocking motion of the pawl and a closing spring which is charged by the rotation of the ratchet wheel, whereby energy charged in the closing spring is used for the closing and the tripping of the circuit interrupter. The mechanism comprises a catch arranged to come into engagement with the tip of the pawl when the tip of the pawl begins to ride on a large-diameter outer circumferential toothless portion of the ratchet wheel and to be brought out of the above engagement by the rocking motion of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yabe, Akiyoshi Onuma
  • Patent number: 4653344
    Abstract: This bearing system has been developed primarily for long rotating shafts having a number of support points and supported objects. A beam is preferably extruded with a T-slot in one face. The slot receives the heads of mounting bolts securing a split bearing housing to the beam. A split eccentric assembly is also provided, which is rotatively secured to the shaft by clamps to generate orbital movement of a second beam, which is secured to a split bearing housing surrounding the eccentric assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Belco Industries Incorporation
    Inventor: John W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4650118
    Abstract: A gear driven sprinkler head with a pop-up spray nozzle driven by a water-flow powered motor. The nozzle is rotated incrementally through an adjustable arc to irrigate a sector of a particular size, and it is automatically reversed at the end points of the selected irrigated sector. The nozzle may be interchanged with other nozzles to provide matched precipitation rates for sectors of different sizes. The feature of incremental rotation of the nozzle overcomes the problem of reduced throw distance at high rotational speeds encountered by the prior art assemblies of the same general type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Richdel Div. of Garden America Corp.
    Inventors: Myrl J. Saarem, Donald E. Lovelace
  • Patent number: 4584890
    Abstract: A device for rotating at will, step by step, a shaft (2) driven from a drive shaft to which is imparted a continuous uninterrupted rotational movement in an invariable direction, comprising means for transforming the continuous rotational movement of the drive shaft into an alternating rotational movement of an intermediate rotary member (7), disengageable coupling means (9 to 13) and a free wheel device (17), interposed between the intermediate rotary member (7) and the drive shaft (2), and means for controlling the disengageable coupling means adapted so that the driven shaft is locked in rotation with the intermediate rotary member only when this latter effects a rotational movement in the appropriate direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Societe d'Applications Generales
    Inventor: Guy Chevrollier
  • Patent number: 4568060
    Abstract: A valve for use in a domestic water installation such as a shower is moveable between open and closed positions by an operating mechanism. The mechanism includes a ratchet that provides intermittent unidirectional drive to the valve member from a manual operator. Successive repetitive movements of the operator moves the valve between open and closed positions. The valve includes a seat and a poppet the disposition of which is controlled by cams that ensure that pressure of water in the conduit assists in moving the valve between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Inventor: Mohinder P. Sud
  • Patent number: 4538474
    Abstract: The impulse variable speed device comprises an input shaft (2) and output shaft (2) both axially aligned. The input shaft is kinematically connected to a mechanism for converting rotary motion of the input shaft into an oscillating motion of an intermediate link. The output shaft is connected to a mechanism for converting the oscillating motion of the intermediate link into rotary motion of the output shaft, the mechanism comprising free-wheeling clutches and of heterodirectional action kinematically connected with the intermediate link. The mechanism for converting rotary motion into an oscillating motion comprises a bow-shaped guide rod fixed on the input shaft and having the center of curvature thereof on the axis of the input and output shafts and, which center is a single center of the variable speed device. A slider is put on said guide rod for displacement along the guide rod. The slider is pivoted to one end of a lever whose axis crosses the single center of the variable speed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Odessky Politekhnichesky Institut
    Inventors: Vladimir F. Dzjuba, Vladlen L. Besedin, Boris N. Birjukov
  • Patent number: 4467664
    Abstract: The timing cam is advanced for switching purposes by the large reciprocating pawl acting on the ratchet teeth molded on the timing cam. When the program requires a timed period during which conditions remain the same the ratchet teeth are spaced so the pawl cannot pick up the next tooth until the cam is advanced by the small pawl acting on the separate ratchet provided with small, closely spaced teeth. This ratchet has a pinion gear driving the ring gear molded inside the timing cam. The steps imparted to the timing cam by the small pawl and ratchet are very small and consume appreciable time--the length of time taken to position the next tooth for engagement by the large pawl being determined by the space between the large teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: John Willigman, Guy A. Wojtanek
  • Patent number: 4347919
    Abstract: A one revolution clutch assembly is provided which transmits the rotation of a normally rotating drive shaft to a driven rotating body through gears and which interrupts the rotation of the driven body when it has rotated through one revolution. The one revolution clutch assembly includes a drive gear mounted on the drive shaft and which meshes with a driven gear on the driven body. The driven gear is formed with a hiatus along part of its periphery, and when the hiatus is located opposite to the drive gear, the rotation of the driven gear is interrupted. The driven gear is maintained in this position where it ceases to rotate, by a cam mounted on the driven assembly and formed with a notch which is engaged by a movable piece of an electromagnetic plunger. A crank lever has its one end rotatably mounted on the driven assembly, and imparts a rotating force to the driven gear to cause a meshing engagement of the driven gear with the drive gear when the driven gear is located at said position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Star Seimitsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Maeda
  • Patent number: 4319101
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sequential timer with a programmable dual frequency drive. The timer includes a relatively flat housing which mounts a circular, flat disk having arcuate switch actuating cams on at least one face thereof. A plurality of switches are mounted in the housing and are sequentially actuated by the arcuate cams upon rotation of the disc. Drive pawls are provided which coact with teeth on the periphery of the disk. One of said pawls is driven at a multiple of the frequency of the other pawl so that the disk is driven at a relatively rapid rate of advance when the disk is performing a switching function and at a relatively slow rate of advance during a steady operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: The Scott & Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Bolin
  • Patent number: 4311059
    Abstract: A geneva drive means is used in combination with an eccentric drive means to provide intermittent motion to a cam means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Wagle
  • Patent number: 4215585
    Abstract: An ultrasonic scanner, comprising a holder for supporting the ultrasonic probe, said holder being rotatably pivoted by a pivoting shaft, a rotating shaft whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of the pivoting shaft pivoting the holder, and a motion-converting mechanism for converting the rotation of the rotating shaft to a rotatingly reciprocating motion of the ultrasonic probe holder. The ultrasonic scanner can be made small in size, is capable of freely adjusting the rotatingly reciprocating motion, i.e. the head-shaking motion of the ultrasonic probe, and permits readily detecting the rotation angle of the rotating shaft. In addition, the scanner can be housed satisfactorily in a sealed vessel filled with a transmission medium of the ultrasonic beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kunii, Toshikuni Shimoji, Masaharu Jingu
  • Patent number: 4138904
    Abstract: A link drive mechanism for vertically moving the slide of a mechanical press comprises a power driven eccentric unit carried by a horizontal shaft arranged substantially vertically above the connecting means for the slide and having first and second adjacent eccentrics, a first eccentric strap carried by the first eccentric and extending downwardly therefrom and having first and second laterally arranged pivot connections, a first link pivotally connected between the first pivot connection and the connecting means for the slide, a second eccentric strap carried by the second eccentric and extending laterally therefrom, a substantially vertically extending fulcrum lever arranged laterally from the horizontal shaft and pivoted intermediate its ends and having one of its arms pivotally connected to the second eccentric strap, and a second link pivotally connected to the other arm of the fulcrum lever and to the second pivot connection of the first eccentric strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: Verson Allsteel Press Company
    Inventors: Tsuruo Otsuka, Jacob J. Zeilenga
  • Patent number: 4091684
    Abstract: A variable speed control apparatus is provided for operating a work member in a first mode at a given uninterrupted speed and in a second mode intermittently in incremental movements. The apparatus comprises a drive motor, actuator means drivingly associated with the motor, coupling means actuable into and out of driving relation with the motor and control means associated with the work member. The work member is operated in the first mode in response to actuation of the coupling means into driving relation with the motor and, in response to actuation of the coupling means out of driving relation with the motor, the actuator means operates the control means for operating the work member in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Mathias Bauerle GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Lehmann
  • Patent number: 4037493
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed herein for driving and selectively stopping a platform at predetermined work stations which includes a frame rotatably supporting the platform and a index wheel coupled to the platform in fixed relationship therewith. A drive wheel of lesser diameter is offset from the index wheel so as to overlap edge portions thereof and further includes a pin carried on its edge portion slidably engageable with one of a plurality of slots provided in the edge marginal region of the index wheel. The drive wheel is powered so that the pin enters and leaves each slot in a driving relationship whereby the index wheel and the platform are rotatably moved thereby. A spring biased dog operated by a cam mechanism selectively engages with the index wheel to register the platform at each of the respective work stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Inventor: Edgar P. Freer
  • Patent number: 3951005
    Abstract: A speed reducing assembly including a series of arms transferring force from any input power shaft to a driven output shaft. Uncoupling means are associated with said arms for disengaging any number thereof without interference in the force transfer of any of which might be still engaged for selective control of the power and/or speed of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: Dahltron Corporation
    Inventor: Arvid Dahlstrom
  • Patent number: RE30364
    Abstract: A variable speed transmission comprising outer and inner rotatable members mounted for rotation about first and second rotational axes, respectively, at least first and second one-way clutches mounted on the inner rotatable member, and first and second drive elements attached to the first and second clutches, respectively, and to the outer member so that rotation of one of the rotatable members about its rotational axis causes the drive elements to rotate the other of the rotatable members about its rotational axis. The radial spacing between the rotational axes can be adjusted to vary the drive ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Harris Dynamics
    Inventor: Trevor L. Harris