Abstract: A linear drive has at least one rack which is arranged along a longitudinal axis and has a plurality of teeth, a drive shaft arranged in a transverse axis transversely to the longitudinal axis, and at least two propulsion elements, each having at least one propulsion tooth. The at least two propulsion elements are linearly movable in a stroke axis which is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis and transversely to the drive shaft. The at least two propulsion elements are drivingly coupled to the drive shaft in such a manner that the at least two propulsion elements perform at least one cyclical stroke movement in the course of one rotation of the drive shaft and enter and exit the at least one rack to generate a propulsion in the longitudinal axis. The at least two propulsion elements enter and exit the at least one rack with a phase shift.

Abstract: A steering rack for a vehicle rack and pinion steering gear and a method of manufacturing a steering rack includes a first member having a toothed region, attached to a tubular second member, the second member includes a bore, the cross section of the bore being circular along the length of the second member. The second member has at least one region of increased wall thickness and reduced bore diameter formed by an upsetting operation.

Abstract: Described is a steering rack bar which is low in costs, which is hollowed in overall length, and for use in steering equipment for automobiles. A rack is formed on a first steel tube by plastic working, wherein the first steel tube has good plastic workability by low carbon content, and has high strength after hardening. The above first steel tube and a second steel tube are joined to complete a hollow steering rack bar, wherein the second steel tube has a higher carbon content and is lower in cost than the first steel tube. Moreover, the second steel tube which has a margin of the strength can be thinner than the first steel tube for reduction of weight.

Abstract: The axis of a gear is to follow a trajectory having a salient point. To this end, the gear rolls along two stationary toothed racks. A change-over toothing is provided between these two toothed racks. This change-over toothing extends non-smoothly with respect to the toothed racks. Such change-over toothing permits the gear to roll, without jamming, from one of the toothed racks to the other one, with its axis following a trajectory having a salient point.

Abstract: Corkscrew machine including rotatable spiral radius pinion gear mechanically coupled to annular collar and engages inclined gear rack to translate driver up and down carrying freely rotating, helical corkscrew. Crank rotates spiral radius pinion gear to translate driver up and down relative to collar along rotation axis of corkscrew with mechanical advantage increasing as driver approaches collar. A non-rotating collar cam coupled to, translated relative to, driver, receives and follows helix of corkscrew to impart torque rotating the corkscrew when held stationary within annular collar responsive to translation of driver toward and away from annular collar. Biased, releasable collar latch captures and holds collar cam at stationary position within annular collar releasing it to translate upward with driver upon an upward cork pulling stroke of driver relative to collar when bottle is held within annular collar.

Abstract: An adjustable rotational transmission assembly 10 coupled to and provides adjustment of final drive ratio for a driven device 12, such as a bicycle, moped, motorcycle, vehicle, etc. Transmission assembly 10 adjusts rotation or drive radius and drive circumference to adjust final drive ratio to the driven device 12. Transmission assembly 10 provides infinitely variable drive ratios within a range by adjusting the size of the drive circumference path for movement of drive cable/chain ends. Assembly 10 allows shifting or adjusting of drive ratio with or without requiring any drive rotation of assembly 10. A first example embodiment 14 of the present invention assembly 10 has adjustable transmission crank arms 22. Crank arms 22 are adjusted to retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An electric starter includes a metal base plate which supports the body of a starter head which is actuated by a lever articulated on an articulation support member. The articulation support member is carried by the base plate, on which it is formed by being molded in a plastics material. A crown having internal teeth is also molded on to the base plate in a plastics material, simultaneously with the molding of the support member. The support member and the toothed crown are two separate components, each formed in the mold from a separately injected, separate charge of plastics material.

Abstract: A transmission having ratios from 0:1 to 1:1 is disclosed; the transmission comprises a plurality of clutches for producing a partial rotational output from a reciprocating input, an output gear for collecting the partial output of the clutches, an input gear for providing rotational input to a varicrank (i.e. an index plate/web shaft slidably and rotably disposed in a rotatable cylindrical block), and a varicrank (i.e. an index plate/web shaft slidably and rotatably disposed in a rotatable cylindrical block) for producing reciprocal motion on the clutches. The varicrank has a variably offset center web member having a plurality of connecting rods secured thereto corresponding to the number of clutches and a plurality of crank arms pivotally secured to the connecting rods.

Abstract: Bearing system for a turntable (10) with a stepping drive, in which a table plate (12) is rotatably mounted on ball bearings on top of a housing (14), having drive pins (36) disposed on the same diameter offset at uniform angular distances and protruding from the bottom of the table plate (12), the drive pins engage a cam groove (34) in a motor-driven roll (32) mounted on the housing, wherein the shape of the cam groove determines the characteristic of the rotary movement of the turntable (12); the table plate being circularly defined, has a diameter that is greater than the associated upper part of the housing (14) that forms the bearing area (40); the part of the table plate (12) reaching radially past the housing is thickened such that it reaches slightly downward over the bearing area (40) of the housing and the races of the rolling bearing for the table plate are formed in the bearing area of the outwardly facing wall of the housing (14).

Abstract: The transmission couples a cam shaft to an output shaft through a plurality of sets of specialized linkages.

Abstract: A rotary motion to longitudinal motion converting mechanism comprising a passive rack with a plurality of teeth, a plurality of active racks respectively having a plurality of teeth having the same pitch as that of the teeth of the passive rack and meshing with the passive rack, and a plurailty of rotatable crankshafts respectively having eccentric circular portions different in phase from one another and respectively having the active racks supported on the eccentric circular portions in such a manner that the passive rack is moved in its longitudinal direction through the active racks by rotary motions of the plurality of rotatable crankshafts.

Abstract: A boring machine includes a power unit having a housing, a drive member for engaging a boring bar, and a motor for driving the drive member to rotate relative to the housing. The boring machine also includes a bearing assembly comprising an inner bearing member defining a passage through which the boring bar extends, and an outer bearing member in which the inner bearing member is fitted in a manner permitting angular movement of the inner bearing member relative to the outer bearing member about axes perpendicular to the axis of the passage defined by the inner bearing member. In use, the bearing assembly is attached to a workpiece in a manner preventing movement of the outer bearing member relative to the workpiece, and a collapsible torque transmission linkage connects the housing of the power unit to the outer bearing member, whereby the housing unit is held against rotation relative to the outer bearing member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a switching device such as a clutch or brake for a moveable element such as a shaft which is driveable by a prime mover such as a rack and pinion device. The clutch selectively connects the shaft to the prime mover and the brake alternately and selectively connects the shaft to the housing. A motor sinusoidally reciprocates the rack by way of an eccentric drive and the rack drives a pinion on the input side of a pneumatic clutch and brake unit. The clutch is always operated in only one direction of movement and the moveable shaft can thereby be intermittently driven in one direction. A continuously rotating motor shaft carries a signal generator disc having a signal generating track in the form of recesses which are scanned photoelectrically. An operating signal which holds the clutch engaged during one half period is received by the signal generator and delivered by a control device.

Abstract: A heating element for use in an electric blanket or the like including conductors spaced apart in a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material which serves as a self-limiting heater. The conductors are separated by a spacer which prevents the conductors from engaging each other when the PTC material softens or melts during annealing thereof. A coating of material having a higher melting point than the PTC material is placed over the PTC material to maintain its shape during the annealing process.