Abstract: An apparatus and method for incrementally advancing a shaft by a selected rotational amount. The apparatus includes a belt trained about a pair of space driven pulleys, the belt forming both first and second runs between the pulleys. Each pulley is associated with a shaft and is mounted for rotation in one direction only, with brake means designed to resist rotation of the pulley in the opposite direction. Means are provided for alternately deflecting the first and second runs of the belt to advance each shaft by an incremental amount in the one direction. In this manner, either or both shafts can be used for whatever purposes an incrementally advancing shaft is needed or desired.

Abstract: Improved agitation means for use in a clothes washing machine of the type in which an agitator is oscillated by means of a drive mechanism to secure agitation of the clothes placed within the washing machine. The present invention provides a first agitator element and a second agitator element driven from a common driving source, the second agitator element being provided with means to urge clothes into a rollover pattern established by the coaction of the agitator elements and thereby impart a highly efficient rollover motion to the clothes. The first agitator element, which may employ either rigid or flexible vanes, or a combination thereof, is preferably located below and coaxial to the second agitator element which may be driven either intermittently, or continuously, in a unidirectional rotary motion.

Abstract: A line feed ratchet arrangement is disclosed which allows selectability between two different line feeds such as the 5 1/3 lines per inch and six lines per inch and utilizes a drive pawl arrangement having two pawls driven identically. The drive ratchets are selectively engaged by coaxial shifting of a drive member in response to operator movement of a selector knob or similar control.

Abstract: A washer agitator with an oscillating skirt portion below an upper, unidirectionally-rotating auger agitator portion has scrubbing vanes on the skirt ramped on one side so that the fabric such as clothing being washed is driven by the scrubbing vanes in a direction opposite to the direction of orbital fabric movement induced by the rotating auger, thereby minimizing tangling of the fabric during the washing cycle while optimizing roll-over.

Abstract: Rotary actuator mechanism in which relative axial movement of two magnetizable members is converted into relative rotative movement. Each magnetizable member has a plurality of inclined engagement surfaces, the inclined engagement surfaces of one magnetizable member are in an adjacent opposed position with respect to the inclined engagement surfaces of the other magnetizable member. Electromagnetic means are employed to provide the relative axial movement. An annular member retains a plurality of ball elements which are adapted to roll on opposed inclined surfaces. Relative rotative movement between the magnetizable members is created by action of the ball elements and the inclined engagement surfaces, with relative axial movement between the magnetizable members.The degree of relative rotative movement of the actuator mechanism is adjustable by adjustably limiting the relative axial movement between the two members. The magnetizable members are arranged to provide maximum magnetic operating efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently turning a turbine shaft wherein a ratchet wheel is secured upon the shaft and is engaged intermittently by a to and fro movement of a ratchet arm actuated by a reciprocating drive mechanism. The ratchet arm has a combined rectilinear and pivotal movement and is provided with a device, operable in the event the ratchet wheel is put into rotation by starting up of the turbine while the ratchet arm is engaged with the ratchet wheel, for detaining the arm against a return pivotal movement towards the ratchet wheel after being hurled outwardly therefrom to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A device for transforming a reciprocating linear movement into a rotary movement comprising a first member adapted for reciprocating axial movement relative to a turnable second member, means for displacing said reciprocating first member in opposite linear directions, at least a pair of annular sleeves disposed in a space between said first and second members, each sleeve having a frustoconical tapered surface confronting and adapted for torque transmitting engagement with a corresponding tapered surface on one of said members, the surface of each sleeve opposite the frustoconical surface confronting a surface of the other one of said members and guide means including at least one helical groove in one of said confronting surfaces and a guide element engageable in said grooves, actuation of said one member linearly in one axial direction causing engagement with the frustoconical surface of one sleeve to prevent turning relative to said one member and through said guide means rotation of said other member, ac

Abstract: An improved film winding device for photographic cameras, having a sprocket, a sprocket rotation limiting member and an engaging member, both of which move in unity with the sprocket, a stopper member which is interconnected with the film winding operation to be engaged with the sprocket rotation limiting member at the completion of one film frame winding to stop further rotation of the sprocket, and a driving member which is also interconnected with the film winding operation to be engaged with the engaging member to drive the engaging member for the rotation of the sprocket, the engaging member and the driving member being disposed at a predetermined space interval therebetween prior to commencement of the film winding operation, and the shifting quantity of the driving member being made greater than the shifting quantity of the engaging part.

Abstract: Device for controlling the doctor roller of a printing press includes a control gear segment rotatably mounted on a reciprocating control lever, a transmission gear segment mounted on a journal pin for the doctor roller and couplable in one direction, and a control disc member formed of an adjustable guide cam and a cam follower mounted on the control gear segment and guidably movable in the guide cam.

Abstract: An agitator accessory for washing machines having an oscillating vertical-axis agitator, the accessory comprising a sleeve which is securable to the barrel of the agitator in coaxial alignment therewith, the sleeve having a vane means attached thereto. A one-way clutch means is included to rotate the agitator accessory incrementally, during one-half cycles of the oscillatory agitator movement, to thereby force fabrics being washed downward along the agitator and toward vanes extending from the skirt of the agitator.

Abstract: Improved agitation means for use in a clothes washing machine of the type in which an agitator is oscillated by means of a drive mechanism to secure agitation of the clothes. The present invention provides a first agitator element and a second agitator element driven from a common driving source, the second agitator element being provided with means to urge clothes into a rollover pattern established by the coaction of the agitator elements and thereby impart a highly efficient rollover motion to the clothes.