Abstract: A mechanical hammer that includes a support and an elongated member. The support defines a linear guide track. The elongated member is laterally confined by the support while being movable back and forth along the linear guide track between an extended position extending from the support and a retracted position relatively retracted within the support. A rack and pinion drive assembly is provided to selectively drive the elongated member along the linear guide track.

Abstract: An automated door assembly for a dishwasher appliance includes a door frame pivotally mounted to the cabinet. An extension arm is mounted to and extends away from the door frame at approximately 90 degrees. A motor is mounted to the cabinet and is coupled to a distal end of the extension arm by a cable. The motor is selectively rotated to wind and unwind the cable to move the door frame between the closed position and the open position. A latch assembly engages a striker mounted on the door frame to initiate the opening and closing process.

Abstract: A casement window operator includes a linear input mechanism configured to be mounted to a stationary frame of a casement window, a linear to rotary motion converter operably coupled to an output of the linear input mechanism, a gear reducer operably coupled to an output of the rotary motion converter, and a sash arm operably coupled to an output of the gear reducer to rotate in conjunction with the output of the gear reducer. The sash arm is configured to extend from the stationary frame of the casement window to a rotatable window sash of the casement window.

Abstract: A slider-crank mechanism includes a slider, a shaft, and a drive train correlating reciprocation of the slider with continuous rotation of the shaft. The slider reciprocates along a slider axis with respect to a slider surface. The drive train includes a linear actuator connected to the slider for substantially pure collinear movement with the slider to substantially eliminate side forces between the slider and slider surface. The slider and drive train may include a rack-and-pinion configuration. The rack-and-pinion may drive or be driven by a Grashofian four-bar crank-rocker linkage that includes a rocker arm, floating link, web, and the shaft. The slider-crank mechanism may be employed in a power generation system such as an internal combustion engine or a power consuming system such as a compressor or pump.

Abstract: Table saws and table saws designed to incorporate safety systems are disclosed. The table saws may include vertical slide elevation mechanisms positioned toward the rear of the saw and constructed so that an arbor block and blade can retract when a safety system detects an unsafe condition. Other table saw parts and components are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some aspects, reciprocating engines can include a drive mechanism for generating a rotational motion output from reciprocating piston assembly, where the drive mechanism includes an axially translating y-axis component to reciprocate along a y-axis with the piston assembly; an x-axis component: i) configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis, ii) having an internal ring gear, and iii) having an orbital engagement component substantially concentric with the internal ring gear; an output shaft assembly having an output pinion gear engaging tangentially with the internal ring gear; and a stationary engagement component substantially concentric with the output shaft assembly, the stationary engagement component interfacing with the orbital engagement component, the interfacing between the stationary engagement component and the orbital engagement component applying a force to the x-axis component to maintain contact between the internal ring gear and the output pinion gear.

Abstract: A device (3) for guiding a power tool (2) along an advancing direction (18), consisting of a baseplate (9) that can be fastened to a substrate (8) by a fastening means (10), of a guide rail (11) that can be joined to the baseplate (9) and that has a contour (21), and of a guide carriage (16) for guiding the power tool (2) along the advancing direction (18), whereby the guide carriage (16) has a counter-contours (22) that can be made to engage with the contour (21), the guide rail (11) being joined to an axis element (24) and is configured so that it can rotate relative to the baseplate (9) around a rotational axis (23) that is parallel to the advancing direction (18).

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a series of uniquely timed gears and flywheel(s) to convert a linear motion into a rotary motion or a rotary motion into a linear motion. The movement of the drive component (linear or rotary) results in an exact mathematical movement of the driven component (rotary or linear), divided by or multiplied by its gear ratio and can be measured at any point of the stroke or angle of rotation. The present invention achieves and maintains the mathematically and mechanically optimum 90 degree relationship between the linear and rotary components through the entire linear stroke and rotary motion, thereby eliminating the inefficient geometric constraints of a variable vector, crankshaft based motion conversion mechanism.

Abstract: In a driving force transmission mechanism in a motor type damper device, when a small AC synchronous motor rotates in one direction and a tooth-missing gear part of a tooth-missing gear engages with the first rack part of a rack member the rack member is moved upward to operate a baffle in an open direction and, when the tooth-missing gear part engages with the second rack part of the rack member, the rack member is moved downward to operate the baffle in a close direction. In this manner, even when the baffle and the rack member are operated in both directions, the tooth-missing gear is required to be rotated in only one direction and the rotation of the small AC synchronous motor is not required to be reversed. Therefore, the structure of a control circuit for the motor type damper device can be simplified.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting linear reciprocal motion to rotary motion is provided. The apparatus comprises a reciprocating assembly comprising a reciprocating component and a reciprocating rod. The reciprocating component is rigidly attached to the reciprocating rod and is supported by a housing. The reciprocating rod is slidably connected to an idler gear via a guide pin. Multiple gear racks are disposed on the reciprocating rod for transmitting motion to one or more gearing elements. The gearing elements are disposed on opposing sides of the reciprocating rod and are in alternate mesh with the gear racks to transmit the motion to the idler gear. Each of the gearing elements and each of the gear racks together define a fixed moment arm. The gearing elements mesh with the idler gear rigidly mounted on a power shaft to convert linear reciprocal motion of the reciprocating assembly to rotary motion of the power shaft.

Abstract: A shifter is equipped with a rack and a stopper. A transmission gear transmits power from an electric motor to the rack. A retention pin extends vertically downward from the transmission gear. When the shifter slides to an origin, the retention pin locks the stopper, which causes the electric motor to step out. On detecting the step-out of the electric motor, the position control device recognizes that the shifter has reached the origin (the reference position) and has been fixed at the position, thus setting the shifter position.

Abstract: A tray carrying-in starting mechanism for a disk drive is simple and reduces a load at the start of carrying-in of the tray. The tray carrying-in action is started by pushing a tray that has been carried out to a disk exchange position. The starting mechanism comprises a projection provided on a rear end portion of a rack with a predetermined spacing from a tooth at a rear end of the rack. An untoothed portion is provided on an outer periphery of the gear that meshes with the rack, and a cam groove is formed on the outer periphery of the gear to allow the projection to slide over a predetermined extent and to engage therewith. The projection engages with the cam groove when the tray is carried out to the disk exchange position, and the tray can be retracted a predetermined distance without rotation of the gear when the tray is pushed.

Abstract: A reciprocal force outputting mechanism having a body having a slide slot that contains a slide block, thereby providing for the linear, reciprocal movement of the slide block within the slide slot. The slide block has an elongated opening formed centrally and a row of teeth are disposed along each of the two facing sides the said elongated opening, with a stem extending from one end of the said slide block inserted through a guide hole of the body. A fan-shaped gear is secured onto a power output shaft that rotates it. When the fan-shaped gear revolves and its teeth are respectively enmeshed with a row of teeth, the slide block is brought into reciprocal motion, causing the reciprocal movement of the stem which serves as a means of outputting force.

Abstract: A reciprocal force outputting mechanism comprised of a body having a slide slot that contains a slide block, thereby providing for the linear, reciprocal movement of the slide block within the slide slot. The slide block has an elongated opening formed centrally and a row of teeth are disposed along each of the two facing sides the said elongated opening, with a stem extending from one end of the said slide block inserted through a guide hole of the body. A fan-shaped gear is secured onto a power output shaft that rotates it. When the fan-shaped gear revolves and its teeth are respectively enmeshed with a row of teeth, the slide block is brought into reciprocal motion, causing the reciprocal movement of the stem which serves as a means of outputting force.

Abstract: An automatic paper dispensing apparatus for dispensing one of toilet paper and paper towels includes a protective cover hingably attached to the housing, in which the housing of the paper towel dispensing version of said apparatus further includes a pair of parallel end shields disposed in a lower part of said housing, each of the parallel end shields being perpendicular to a rear plane of said housing and spaced to allow positioning of a rotatably supported support drum and a pressure roller used to ensure feeding of a strip of paper from a take-off reel disposed in an upper part of the housing. Each of the end shields include elastically deformable tongues having recesses to accommodate the pressure roller and to position opposing ends of the support drum. The housing of the toilet paper dispensing version includes a front end shield and a rear wall, each of the front end shield and a rear wall of the housing being spaced to allow positioning of the support drum and the pressure roller therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic paper dispensing apparatus includes a molded plastic housing and a protective cover hingably attached to the housing, the housing further including a pair of parallel end shields disposed in a lower part of the housing. Each of said parallel end shields are perpendicular to a rear plane of the housing and spaced to allow positioning of a rotatably supported support drum and a pressure roller disposed in relation to the drum to ensure feeding of a strip of paper from a take-off reel disposed in an upper part of the housing. Each of the end shields include elastically deformable tongues having recesses to accommodate the pressure roller and to position opposing ends of the support drum, wherein the support drum is a unitary member comprising a smooth continuous area extending over essentially one-half the outer periphery of the drum, and having a plurality of discs spaced over the entire length thereof.

Abstract: Automatic dispensing apparatus for paper rolls, including a molded housing containing a take-off reel, a cutting blade and a tensioning device in the upper section. A mechanism controls the tensioning and cutting of strips from the roll. A protective cover is hinged to the housing which snaps into place to cover the cutting and dispensing components.

Abstract: A rectilinear propulsion apparatus for propelling a bicycle. The rectilinear propulsion apparatus includes a rectilinear drive portion comprising a plurality of rack gear assemblies fixedly coupled to the sides of the middle frame portion of the bicycle, each of which have a pedal for biasing the rack gear assemblies by the rider. A quadrant drive portion comprising a plurality of quadrant sprocket members fixedly coupled to a main drive gear member which drives a drive wheel of the bicycle. The sprocket members are designed for alternately engaging the rack gear assemblies thereby propelling the bicycle. A clutch member coupled to the main drive gear member permits one of the rack gear assemblies to ratchet upwardly while the opposing gear assembly is being manually biased downwardly by the rider thereby allowing the rider to reciprocately propel the bicycle.

Abstract: A fishing reel having a frame and an operating mechanism on the frame. The operating mechanism has a line carrying spool that is movable guidingly and reciprocatingly in a first path in first and second opposite directions, a bail assembly which is rotatable around a first axis to direct line onto the line carrying spool, a drive element that is operable to rotate the bail assembly, and an oscillating assembly. The oscillating assembly is driven by operation of the drive element and thereby causes the line carrying spool to move in the first path. The oscillating assembly has a first gear element that is rotatably driven by operation of the drive element around a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and a second gear element that is in mesh with the first gear element. The second gear element extends both a) in the first direction beyond the second axis and b) in the second direction beyond the second axis as the fishing reel is operated.

Abstract: Automatic dispensing apparatus for paper rolls, including a molded housing containing a take-off reel, a cutting blade and a tensioning device in the upper section. A mechanism controls the tensioning and cutting of strips from the roll. A protective cover is hinged to the housing which snaps into place to cover the cutting and dispensing components.

Abstract: A motorized reduction gear unit for any purpose having a crank and connecting rod mechanism incorporated in it, but especially for use as a vehicle screen wiper drive unit, comprises a hollow casing having a cover plate, with, within the hollow interior of the casing, a toothed wheel which is rotatable about an axis. The toothed wheel carries a gudgeon pin parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheel but eccentric with respect to the latter. The pin drives a crank and connecting rod system in which the crank and connecting rod are articulated together about a pivot pin, so that continuous rotary motion of the toothed wheel is converted thereby into alternating rotary motion of an output shaft. It further includes a peripheral gasket disposed between the upper edge of the casing and the cover plate, together with a friction plate element in the form of a thickened friction portion disposed fixedly on the inner surface of the cover plate facing towards the casing.

Abstract: An eccentric gear for a transmission for a washing machine which uses an off center gear having a dual part construction combination with a rack and pinion mechanism, a brake clutch, and a drive clutch to provide the agitation and the high speed spin of the washing machine.

Abstract: A transmission including a housing, an agitator shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, an input shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, and an agitation system which back-and-forth agitation of the agitator shaft when the input shaft rotates relative to the housing. The agitation system includes a rack drivingly connected to the agitator shaft, an eccentric gear drivingly connected to the input shaft, an idler shaft rotatably mounting the eccentric gear to the housing, and a rolling-contact bearing rotatably connecting the eccentric gear and the rack. The rolling contact bearing is press-fit with the eccentric gear and the rack and has a rotational axis displaced from a rotational axis of the eccentric gear. The idler shaft has a first end press-fit into the eccentric gear and a second end slip-fit into a sleeve bearing of the housing. A bearing pad is located between the housing and an end of the rack connected to the agitator shaft.

Abstract: A mechanism of converting a reciprocal movement into a rotary movement comprises a coulisse and a toothed unit cooperating with one another, the coulisse being shaped so that conversion of the reciprocal movement to rotary movement is performed in a sequence successively by the toothed unit and the coulisse. Also, an internal combustion engine with the new mechanism can be provided.

Abstract: A motorized reduction gear unit for any purpose having a crank and connecting rod mechanism incorporated in it, but especially for use as a vehicle screen wiper drive unit, comprises a hollow casing having a cover plate, with, within the hollow interior of the casing, a toothed wheel which is rotatable about an axis. The toothed wheel carries a gudgeon pin parallel to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheel but eccentric with respect to the latter. The pin drives a crank and connecting rod system in which the crank and connecting rod are articulated together about a pivot pin, so that continuous rotary motion of the toothed wheel is converted thereby into alternating rotary motion of an output shaft. The cover plate has on its inner face, facing towards the casing, an engagement surface for abutting engagement with the end of the crank in the region of the pivot pin.

Abstract: A crank device can produce a large torque without increasing the locus of the crank arm. The crank arm has first and second arms which are longitudinally slidably coupled together through a pinion. The second arm is formed with two sets of rack teeth on both sides of the pinion. The pinion has along its circumference a plurality of teeth which are adapted to alternately come into meshing engagement with the respective sets of rack teeth every time the crank arm makes a half turn in the same direction. Thus, the entire length of the crank arm alternately becomes maximum and minimum every time the crank arm turns by 180.degree.. By applying a driving force to the crank arm when the length of the crank arm is maximum, it is possible to produce a large torque.

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 transmission for a washing machine which uses an off center gear in combination with a rack and pinion agitation mechanism, a brake clutch, and a drive clutch to provide the agitation and the high speed spin of the washing machine. A lost motion interconnection between the machine's motor and the rack and pinion agitation mechanism allows a measure of relative rotation for actuation of the clutches without movement of the agitator.

Abstract: A transmission for a washing machine which uses an off center gear in combination with a rack and pinion mechanism, a brake clutch, and a drive clutch to provide the agitation and the high speed spin of the washing machine. The input shaft is in line with the agitator shaft.

Abstract: A speed reducer, in particular for converting continuous rotary motion of a drive motor to alternating rotary motion of an output shaft for operating a wiper linkage, and a hollow casing, which is closed by a cover with, in the hollow interior of the casing, a toothed wheel carrying a crank pin which is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheel, the crank pin being freely rotatable and free to move axially, with the crank pin driving a crank and connecting rod system which converts the continuous rotary motion of the toothed wheel into the alternating motion of the output shaft. The cover has at least one flat sliding thickened portion, of a material having a low coefficient of friction, arranged on its inner face and directed into the hollow interior of the casing.

Abstract: Pendulum gears for windshield wipers of motor vehicles are known, which pendulum gears comprise a first gear member provided with teeth, which gear member is non-rotatably seated on a driven shaft, and a second gear member provided with teeth, which gear member meshes with the first gear member, and by which the first gear member can be driven in pendulum motion between two reversing positions. The noises occurring in the reversing positions of the first gear member are to be reduced. For this purpose the tooth play between the teeth of the two gear members is decreased towards the reversing position of the first gear member. Thus a beating noise caused by the teeth when changing the tooth flanks is avoided.

Abstract: A variable ratio rocker arm is provided for use in combination with the valve stem and push rod of an internal combustion engine. The rocker arm has a toothed rack. A fulcrum rod is provided with a toothed sector and a curved sector. A stationary support member has an elongated slot defined between a rod seat and a toothed rack. The fulcrum rod toothed sector engages the toothed rack of the rocker arm and the toothed rack of the stationary support member. A roller bearing assembly is movably disposed between the rod curved sector and the rod seat, with the roller bearing assembly being rollable along the rod seat. An operating arm is coupled to the fulcrum rod for simultaneously rotating and translating the fulcrum rod along the toothed racks.

Abstract: The conventional crank between the power piston and the crank shaft in a reciprocating engine is replaced by a fixed length moment arm during the power stroke and a scotch yoke during the return stroke.The motion of a power piston is converted to rotary motion at an output power shaft through the fixed length moment arm. The moment arm is the radius of a sector gear which is non-rotatably secured to the output shaft. The piston rod is modified to include a rack gear and a slot. The slot and the output shaft form the scotch yoke.The sector gear engages the rack only during the down stroke of the piston. The sector gear disengages just before the down stroke is completed. The piston is then timely returned to the precise position of its next stroke through the scotch yoke.The fixed length moment arm acts as a lever through the entire stroke of the pistion which reduces combustion pressure and temperature. The reduced combustion pressure permits a smaller combustion charge which saves fuel.

Abstract: The invention concerns an actuator for the operation of on-off valves. Said actuator includes a supporting body (1) in which there is transversally disposed at least one pneumatic cylinder (8, 9) which is capable of activating in two directions, a rack (7) which in turn is engaged with a cogged wheel (31; 50; 100) co-axial with the central shaft (15, 66, 104) of said actuator and able to transmit its own rotation through a pair of free wheels (27, 28; 61, 62; 109, 110) which rigidly and alternatively engage themselves in discordant directions with a ring (33, 34; 62, 63; 108) integral with the central shaft of the actuator, and pneumatic pistons for achieving the relative axial movement between the cogged wheel and the shaft of the actuator. Depending on the mutual distance between the free wheels, and in the absence of the pneumatic signal, the actuator has its central shaft blocked or manually maneuvereable.

Abstract: A variable ratio rocker arm is provided for use in combination with the valve stem and push rod of an internal combustion engine. The rocker arm has an elongated slot defined between a rod seat and a toothed rack. A fulcrum rod is provided with a toothed sector and a curved sector, with the toothed sector being engaged with the toothed rack portion of the rocker arm. A roller bearing assembly is movably disposed between the rod curved sector and the rod seat, with the roller bearing assembly being rollable along the rod seat. An actuator arm is coupled to the fulcrum rod for simultaneously rotating and translating the fulcrum rod through the rocker arm slot. The operating arm causes the fulcrum rod to rotate and translate along the mating toothing from one point of pivotal engagement, corresponding to a first engine operating condition, to another point of pivotal engagement, corresponding to a second engine operating condition.

Abstract: A trip mechanism for a trip valve is made up of a reset lever and a bell crank operatively connected through a guide stem which is guidingly received in a flange portion of the valve housing. A valve stem and the guide stem are slidably connected to the reset lever which is provided with a spring bias which tends to move the reset lever in a valve closing position. When the bell crank and guide stem are in engagement the valve is held open and when the bell crank is subjected to an actuating force the bell crank and guide stem become disengaged causing the valve to close under the spring bias and to remain closed until manually reset.

Abstract: A centrifugal rpm governor for internal combustion engines is proposed, the flyweights of which are so embodied as to attain both inexpensive mass production thereof and favorable distribution of physical mass. The mass of the flyweight supported on a flyweight carrier is preferably manufactured of sintered steel and one of each are firmly screwed on a lever arm of a bell crank manufactured of sheet steel. These lever arms are embodied as angle brackets which are open toward the flyweight carrier, the mutually parallel arms of which bracket laterally enclose the flange of the flyweight carrier. A crosspiece which connects the two parallel arms has an end face oriented away from the bearing bores of the bell crank and disposed, in the resting position of the flyweight, at least approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rpm governor and against which end face the flyweight mass is firmly screwed by means of securing screws stressed up to the yielding-stress threshold.

Abstract: A cooking device including an open topped vessel having a prismatic form and a polygonal base which is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis parallel to its length. Motor means for oscillating the vessel in a rocking motion about the axis and a heat source is fixedly mounted above the vessel.

Abstract: An operative member for a quick shut-off apparatus for steam turbines formed of a non-arcing solid material having a predetermined characteristic value determined by the breaking elongation, breaking stress, modulus of elasticity and specific weight, such as an extruded polyamide.

Abstract: Apparatus for the retracting and extending the lens holder of a camera, which comprises two gear wheels or gearwheel segments swingably supported about fixed axes on different sides of the longitudinal central plane of the lens holder, said gear wheels or gear-wheel segments being in direct or indirect engagement with each other, two stationary toothed members, two swingable segments coupling said lens holder and said gear wheels or gear-wheel segments, said gear wheels or gear-wheel segments, when swung, being operable to retract and extend said lens holder via said swingable segments and to move said swingable segments over the toothed segments as said lens holder is extended from its fully retracted position, such that with equal paths of swing of the gear wheels or gear-wheel segments, the lens holder is displaced by a larger amount in the vicinity of the retracted position than in the vicinity of the extended position.

Abstract: A rotary engine is disclosed having a plurality of rotor blades spaced around an annular chamber and dividing the chamber into separate engine chambers. The rotor blades drive two output shafts which are coupled by a transmission means to provide a single rotational output. The transmission means alternately drives selected of the rotor blades at an increased forward rotational speed while simultaneously driving the other rotor blades in a reverse direction so the latter remain stationary relative to the housing. The alternate driving of the rotor blades varies the volume of the engine chambers formed by the blades to provide expansion and contraction of the engine chambers.

Abstract: A bottom douche for flush toilets comprises arms supported with one end on the toilet; spray nozzles carried at the free ends of said arms; duct means for passing water through said arms to said nozzles; a handle associated with the toilet, and a linkage connecting said handle and said arms for swiveling said arms and nozzles about a generally horizontal axis extending transversal to the seat of the toilet and for shifting the arms in a direction about parallel to said seat so as to bring the nozzles into spray position.

Abstract: An operator for hinged windows in which all components are molded from polymeric material. The worm gear, sector gear and link are molded glass-filled nylon and the housing, crank and other components are molded ABS. The worm gear tooth has a top land to root axial dimension ratio of 4:10 and each face of the tooth is inclined at a 20.degree. angle. The sector gear has a pitch diameter to thickness ratio of 5:1. The link is provided with a stiffening rib.

Abstract: A nut on a helically threaded steering shaft, held against rotation, carries a first set of involute teeth meshing with a second set of involute teeth on an adjoining gear sector which pivots on an axis skew to that of the shaft. The two sets of teeth have centers of curvature offset from the sector axis but aligned with that axis in a midposition in which they engage each other without play; upon a shift of the nut to either side, the tooth clearance or backlash increases progressively while the transmission ratio either increases or decreases, depending upon the relative positions of the two centers of curvature and the sector axis. In a limiting case, the radius of curvature of one set of teeth is infinite.