Abstract: A piston arrangement includes a piston movable within a cylinder in reciprocating motion along a piston axis, a rack movable with the piston, a sector gear configured to engage and disengage the rack and rotatable around a sector gear axis, a track adapted to rotate relative to the cylinder around a track axis of rotation, the piston being coupled to the track. The sector gear and the track are coupled in rotation. The track may have a shape such that the movement of the piston coupled to the track is substantially non simple harmonic. Also, an internal combustion engine comprising the piston arrangement.

Abstract: A tractor unit mounting mechanism includes a clamping assembly that is configured to engage and disengage the tractor unit to a track guide. The tractor unit includes at least two pivot blocks with each pivot block including at least one rolling device and a locking mechanism. The at least one rolling device is designed to roll on a rail of the guide track. The clamping assembly is configured to operatively connect the at least one rolling device with the guide track when the tractor unit is engaged. The pivot block is configured to pivot such that the at least one rolling device can conform to a profile, e.g., a concave profile, convex profile, a straight profile, or any combination thereof, of the guide track as the tractor unit is engaging the guide track. The locking mechanism, e.g., a bushing, is configured to prevent the pivot block from pivoting once the tractor unit has engaged to the guide track.

Abstract: A cradle drive mechanism is provided. The cradle drive mechanism includes a drive motor, an intermediate frame and a screw and nut transmission device driven by the drive motor so as to drive linear reciprocating motion of the intermediate frame. The cradle drive mechanism also includes a rotating, shaft having a first driving wheel and a gear, a transmission belt, and a rack meshed with the gear so that, during linear reciprocating motion of the intermediate frame, the rack forces the gear to rotate and drive rotation of the first driving wheel, wherein rotation of the first driving wheel drives rotation of the transmission belt. The cradle drive mechanism also includes a cradle connector fixed on the transmission belt and configured to connect a cradle and to drive linear reciprocating motion of the cradle.

Abstract: A device that automatically actuates the reversing lever of a ratchet mechanism when the radial direction of the motor is changed. The auto-shift mechanism includes a worm gear that rotates with the motor, and a disc coupled to the worm gear that moves laterally as the worm gear rotates. Axial movement of the disc actuates a reversing lever of a ratchet mechanism by either pulling or pushing the reversing lever. A lost-motion mechanism can absorb an initial amount of torque so that the auto-shift mechanism can run its course prior to applying the torque to a fastener.

Abstract: Disclosed are a scanner and an image forming apparatus including the same. The scanner may include a scanner unit; a support unit configured to support the scanning unit; a first pinion rotatably disposed on the support unit and configured to move along a first rack of a first surface of a guide member; and a second pinion rotatably disposed on the support unit and configured to move along a second rack of a second surface of the guide member such that the direction of rotation of the second pinion is opposite to the direction of rotation of the first pinion, the second surface of the guide member being different from the first surface of the guide member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission device. A power transmission device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: an input gear connected to a motor so that the input gear may rotate by the motor in a forward and backward direction; a planetary gear train circumscribing the input gear with respect to the input gear and rotating in association with the rotation of the input gear; a ring gear inscribing the planetary gear train and rotating relative to the planetary gear train; a main frame having a plurality of rollers coupled along the circumferential direction and interacting with a rack, and coupled with the ring gear on the outside of the ring gear; an irrotational rear side fixture disposed on an area where the input gear is positioned; and an irrotational front side fixture disposed at the opposite side of the irrotational rear side fixture via the ring gear and the main frame therebetween and coupled with the irrotational rear side fixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to brushing the teeth, and more particularly, to a method for moving a toothbrush in a top down manner for the upper teeth and in a bottom up manner for the lower teeth. For this purpose, the mechanical toothbrush of the present invention is configured such that a handle of the toothbrush is closed/opened similar to one exercising with a hand gripper (an exercise tool for increasing grip strength), so as to convert the linear motion of a rack gear into a rotating motion, and thus enable the toothbrush to rotate from 0 to 180 degrees, and the rotating direction of the toothbrush can be changed using the rack gear and a rotation-converting frame. A tension spring is connected to a rotating shaft such that a toothed wheel of the rotating shaft is prevented from escaping from the rack gear, and the rotating shaft is fixed at the rotation-converting frame. The handle and the rack gear return to the original positions thereof by means of the elasticity of a torsion spring.

Abstract: A load displacement apparatus to displace a mobile platform along a structure includes a worm screw mounted on the platform for rotation about its axis that meshes with a plurality of support blocs mounted on the structure. The support blocs are spaced apart from one another along the structure to be successively engaged by the worm screw. Each support bloc includes a plurality of bearing balls freely movably supported and retained therein to selectively and movably engage the worm screw over at least an arc segment thereof such that the worm screw is always in meshing engagement with at least one of the support blocs. The invention also refers to a scaffolding system incorporating the apparatus.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus is provided with: a transporting device (120) having: a loading device (220) which can elongate in an elongation direction toward a side of the track portion; and an elongation mechanism (600) for elongating the loading device. The elongation mechanism is provided with: a first rack (510) fixed to the main body device (210) and a second rack (520) fixed to the loading device, the first rack and the second rack each extending in the elongation direction and facing each other with a space therebetween; and a first pinion (610) engaged with the first rack, a second pinion (620) engaged with the second rack, and an odd number of third pinions (630) engaged between the first and second pinions.

Abstract: An adjusting device has a carriage, at least one guide element, on which the carriage is mounted such that it can be moved, a shifting device for moving the carriage, and a securing mechanism for securing the carriage in a desired position. To provide an improved adjusting device, which has more compact construction and enables a simpler and more precise adjustment without additional contrivances, the shifting device has an electric motor, which is integrated in the carriage, and the securing mechanism blocks any movement of the carriage when the motor stands still and is automatically released when the motor starts running.

Abstract: A change-speed gearbox has an input shaft connected to an output shaft by at least one first and one second component transmission, arranged parallel to one another in the power flow and each having a frictional power-shift clutch and an intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft can be operatively connected to the input shaft by the power-shift clutch, with at least one gearbox constant per component transmission. Each gearbox constant has a gearwheel on one of the two intermediate shafts, at least one of which can be operatively connected to a first layshaft arranged parallel to the input shaft. At least one gearbox constant can be brought into an operative connection with the first and the second power-shift clutch.

Abstract: An apparatus for wiping a non-planar window has a wiper and a track arrangement including a first track substantially parallel to at least a portion of the window and a second track substantially parallel to and displaced from the first track. A drive wheel assembly includes at least one motorized drive wheel. The drive wheel assembly alternately engages the first and second tracks and drives in alternate directions along the length of the track arrangement for drawing the wiper across the surface.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided to reciprocate an element with a motor rotating in one direction to produce forward and reverse motion by a drive wheel in contact with the obverse and reverse faces of the element. The element can take various forms such as a sliding door covering a vanity mirror in a vehicular sun visor, a sliding drawer or a pivoting door.

Abstract: An apparatus for wiping a window has a wiper, a first track substantially parallel to at least a portion of the window and a second track substantially parallel to and displaced from the first track. A first motorized drive wheel is provided for driving the wiper along the first track in a first direction and a second motorized drive wheel for driving the wiper along the second track in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, so as to wipe the window. The wiper is preferably designed to reduce drag-back of water across the window. In a preferred embodiment, curved connecting tracks connect between the ends of the first track and the second track so as to form a closed loop track. A single motorized drive wheel is used. The single motorized drive wheel may be driven by a motor rotatably associated with the wiper, or through a flexible drive cable by a remotely mounted motor. Other embodiments use a single substantially linear track in combination with a motor running unidirectionally.

Abstract: A motion conversion system by which near 100% of a reciprocating motion, and a rotary motion, fluently converted from one to the other includes, a drive shaft (20), an intermediate circular element (22), externally teethed to near one-half of its circumference and an elongated element (24), having a pair of opposed internal teeth and internal curves, forming an elongated hollow to accommodate and constantly engage with the circular element. Due to their geometry and geometrical relationship, the three elements (20), (22) and (24), throughout the full cycle of reciprocating motion of the elongate element (24) and rotary motion of the drive shaft (20), remain fully engaged without interruption and with no further requirement for any additional gear engagement support. Simplicity, versatility, efficiency and easy to implement characteristics of the present invention, makes it the most practical arid effective motion conversion system of its kind.

Abstract: A reciprocating mechanism is provided with a motor rotating in one direction to produce forward and reverse motion by a drive wheel in direct contact with the forward and rear surfaces of an element such as a plate. The plate can take the form of a sliding door covering a vanity mirror in a vehicular sun visor.

Abstract: The invention is a versatile device for transferring power between rotary and reciprocating linear motion comprising a rack assembly with opposed, spaced apart longitudinal portions joined by curved end portions arrayed to form a substantially continuous engaging surface; a stator block for guiding the rack assembly in reciprocating linear movement; a pinion wheel; a guide cam for holding the pinion wheel continuously in engagement with the engaging surface of the rack; and a floating power transfer shaft connected with the pinion wheel and mounted to swing in an arc perpendicular to the linear motion of the rack assembly. Linear reciprocation of the rack assembly through the stator block is coupled with rotary motion of the power transfer shaft and periodic rocking of the shaft as the pinion wheel traverses the engaging surface of the rack.

Abstract: A document platen on which a document is placed is movably installed on the main body of a copying machine. A motor for producing a driving force is provided. An input gear to which the driving force is transmitted is located in a fixed position. A planetary gear is positioned such that it engages with and moves around the input gear. An endless gear is connected to the document platen. The endless gear has internal teeth in the form of a closed loop which engages with the planetary gear. When the planetary gear, which engages with both the input gear and the endless gear, moves around the input gear once, one reciprocating movement of the document platen is caused. With this configuration, since there is no need to provide a switching mechanism including clutches and solenoids that is used in a conventional device, the number of components is reduced, and thereby decreasing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A multiple-step cyclical ram advancing apparatus. In a three step configuration linear motion is imparted to a moving axis as revolution therearound translates said axis to provide a first linear push to a slide ram to abut articles, then a partial retraction of the slide ram during a period of dwell, followed by a second linear push to discharge the assembled articles. In other configurations, the ram is alternately advanced and retracted a varying number of times depending on the integer ratio of the number of revolutions of the pinion gear in half revolutions to the number of revolutions of the flywheel.

Abstract: A stationary exercise bike that includes a foot-exercise mechanism that rotates and a hand-exercise mechanism that rotates. In addition to the rotational movement, both the foot-exercise mechanism and the hand-exercise mechanism simultaneously move in a reciprocating manner. The foot-exercise mechanism makes reciprocating upward and downward movements in a vertical plane and the hand-exercise mechanism makes reciprocation forward and backward movements in a horizontal plane. The height of the hand-exercise mechanism and the seat of the bike are adjustable, so that they may be positioned at a proper height and angle.

Abstract: A reciprocating drive mechanism powered by a rotating prime mover for use, for example, in operating oil well pumps. The drive mechanism utilizes a rotating pinion meshing with an endless arcuate rack gear to convert rotation to reciprocation and includes an assembly to provide a positive engagement between the pinion and rack gear. The prime mover is coupled to a fixed input shaft, the input shaft has the pinion coupled thereto, and an endless arcuate rack gear is rigidly coupled to an output shaft and meshes with the pinion. An arcuate cam is rigidly coupled to the arcuate rack gear and is engaged by a pair of cam followers which are also coupled to the pinion. A transmission shaft, which supports the pinion and cam followers, is parallel to and located a fixed distance from the input shaft, thereby maintaining the cam followers in positive engagement with the cam and the pinion in positive engagement with the rack gear.

Abstract: A massager with a vertical guide column (1) which has a cylinder/piston unit (10) and toothed racks (4) mounted at the side on the guide column (1). These toothed racks (4) engage pinions (5) which hold the brushes (7) which are mounted in housing halves (8) which slide up and down on the guide column (1). The housing halves (8) are connected by connecting rods (12) and a crossbar (11) to the piston rod (9) of the cylinder/piston unit (10). With the help of a control valve (15), automatic switching to the end positions of the brush unit can be achieved.

Abstract: Massaging device comprising a slide movable back and forth along a stationary guide, a massaging brush arranged rotatably upon the slide and rotated, through a shaft, by a motor, and a reversing drive driven by the motor. The direction of motion of the slide is predeterminable and the reversing drive is adapted to be connected to the guide by means of a first gearwheel. The motor is arranged stationarily and the slide is locked in a predeterminable position while the massaging brush continues to rotate. There is provided an endless belt running over two deflecting rollers spaced from each other and driven by the stationarily arranged motor. The slide has a drive-wheel which is connected to the shaft and is in engagement with the belt, the reversing drive, driven by the drive-wheel, is mounted on a drive-carrier which moves upon the slide, the reversing drive being selectively connected to, or disconnected from, the guide and the slide being locked in relation thereto by means of a switching element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion. The apparatus includes an endless rack assembly reciprocally mounted for reciprocating motion through a stroke; a cooperating pinion rotatably mounted on a rotatable element operative to track the rack assembly; and lock means cooperating with said rotatable element for blocking rotation of said element during a substantial portion of said stroke. The method comprises reciprocating the rack assembly under control of a power source; causing a first pinion of a rotatable pinion assembly which cooperates with the endless rack assembly to traverse the rack assembly continuously as said rack assembly reciprocates effective to rotate the first pinion continuously in a given direction; using the first pinion to drive a second pinion of the pinion assembly; and using the second pinion to drive a flywheel and an output shaft thereby rendering power output uniform throughout a given cycle.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for the gas stream of a fan jet engine. The engine having a surrounding cowl which forms a fan duct therewith that is divided into a forward fixed and an aft translatable section. The thrust reverser mechanism comprises the plurality of blocker doors rotatable in and out of the fan duct. The rotation mechanism of each of the blocker doors comprises a pinion gear rotatable about a central axle which engages the teeth of a pair of opposing gear racks, one gear rack is attached to the forward cowl section and the other is attached to and carried by the aft cowl section and at least one link member pivotably connected at one end to the axle and at the other end to one of the blocker doors. The translation of the aft cowl section causes said blocker doors to rotate in and out of the fan duct and expose and cover gas reversing cascades.

Abstract: A track guided carriage unit for selectively supporting a variety of work performing devices, tools and the like for movement along a predetermined working path, in which a supporting platform has spring loaded wheels that are releasably clamped by a manually operable handle into and out of engagement with opposed surfaces of a guide track, and wherein a motor driven pinion has adjustable meshing relation with a linear rack extending along the track, the pinion being operative to advance the platform at a predetermined rate of guided movement along the work path.

Abstract: In a pinion-rack drive system, an auxiliary lock mechanism for the movable omponent, said lock mechanism including a second rack normally not meshed with the pinion drive gear but potentially meshable therewith when the pinion gear is moved axially parallel to the teeth on the racks. Lock action involves axial adjustment of the pinion gear so that the gear has opposite ones of its teeth (on the gear diameter) locked in the rack teeth, thereby precluding rotation of the pinion gear and translation of the pinion gear along the rack system.

Abstract: A flow line valve containing an articulated disc, operated by means of a lever actuating mechanism and articulated by the combination of a guide with a rack and pinion gearing system, is disclosed. A valve disc is mounted in a valve body and is operated by rotary motion applied to a crankshaft, through a crank lever and a linking means, which in turn exerts a linear force on the valve disc. The valve disc is initially moved in relation to the seat in a longitudinal direction, directed by a guide means, which is then translated into a pivotation of the disc controlled by a rack and pinion system, such that the valve disc is first longitudinally retracted from the valve seat and then pivoted, clear of the valve seat, 90.degree. to an open position, concurrent with further retraction of the valve seat. Closure is effected by reversing the sequence of articulation.

Abstract: A postage meter conversion apparatus is disclosed that will convert a mechanical, lever operated postage meter into an electrically controlled postage meter. The conversion apparatus is easily assembled and disassembled from a standard lever operated postage meter. Each lever of the meter is operated in a sequential manner. The conversion apparatus is so constructed that only one lever of the meter can be actuated at any time in the sequence. The conversion apparatus can be used to make the mechanical meter compatible in an electrical environment containing equipment such as a computer, a digital scale, and other postage system processing devices.