Abstract: In a steering column, a mechanism for adjusting its length and inclination relative to the vehicle body, the steering column consisting of a steering column casing or housing, interconnecting first and second steering column tubes, the first tube being displaceable and the second pivotable relative to the housing, the second steering column tube end cooperating with the housing and having a hub limitably rotatable in a seat in the housing about an axle located perpendicular to the tube and adapted to be arrested in different angular positions by a locking mechanism, an angularly adjustable coupling interconnecting the steering gear post and the steering axle extending through the first and second steering column tubes in the housing, a common control for releasing or locking both adjustments of the steering column, a piston axially displaceable and/or pivotably supported in the housing, and biased to a position wherein it locks the first steering column tube against actual displacement and causes the blocking

Abstract: This tiltable steering column is for an automotive vehicle, and includes a main steering shaft made up from a lower steering shaft and an upper steering shaft tiltably rotationally connected to the lower steering shaft, and a column tube assembly which includes a lower tube which rotatably supports the lower steering shaft from the body of the automotive vehicle and an upper tube which rotatably supports the upper steering shaft and is pivotally mounted so as to be able to tilt relative to the lower tube. A tilt locking mechanism also included in the steering shaft includes a first side ratchet mechanism on one side of the column tube assembly and a second side ratchet mechanism on the other side of the column tube assembly.

Abstract: A pivoting mechanism having two lockable end positions, and comprising a stationary basic body having two first stop surfaces each defining an end position in cooperation each with a different one of first counter stop surfaces on a pivotable basic body drivable by means of a pivot shaft journalled in the stationary basic body. One of the basic bodies is further provided with two second stop surfaces directed oppositely to the first stop surfaces and each arranged, for locking one of the end positions, to cooperate with one of two second counter stop surfaces on a pawl member mounted for movement on the other basic body. The movement of the pawl member is controlled by a cam on a control body secured to the pivot shaft for rotation relative to the pivotable basic body.

Abstract: A vehicle hand brake lever assembly for actuating the vehicle parking brake. The lever assembly includes an axially slidable plunger mounted on a support and having one end connected with a brake actuating member. The plunger and the support have a ratchet mechanism for holding the plunger at the brake applying position. The ratchet mechanism can be released by rotating the plunger about its longitudinal axis. A handle assembly is provided at the other end of the plunger and comprises a handle having a handle shaft. A sleeve fitted to a cylindrical guide member is secured to one of the sleeve and the handle shaft, and a lock member to the other. The lock member is axially slidably received in the guide member and provided with a cam profile for cooperation with a cam profile provided on the sleeve. The lock member is spring biased toward the sleeve so that the cam profiles are normally engaged with each other to thereby maintain the handle shaft at a predetermined relationship with respect to the plunger.

Abstract: A foot operated vehicle parking brake mechanism comprises a brake pedal lever and a brake cable actuator pivotal about a common axis, the brake pedal lever being operable upon depression to displace the cable actuator to a cable tensioning position in which the vehicle brake is set. The cable actuator and pedal lever are independently releaseably retained in the cable tensioning and depressed positions and, respectively, against the bias of the tensioned cable and a pedal lever biasing spring. A manually operable release mechanism operates to release the pedal lever from its depressed position and, during return of the pedal lever to its retracted position, the pedal lever operates to release the cable actuator for return to its released position.

Abstract: A parking brake releasing mechanism for used in a vehicle which has solved an apparently illogical problem, that is, minimizing the operating power of the brake releasing rod (or lever in some case) without increasing the stroke thereof, by ingeniously combining a first lever secured to a pawl for restraining the quadrant or toothed portion and a second lever operated by a brake releasing rod, in their constructing way such that the lever ratio is maintained large while the pawl is in engagement with the quadrant and is lowered after the engagement has been released.

Abstract: A parking brake operating device in which a member having two cams and spring are disposed outside a handle by coaxially securing a sleeve to one end of a plunger, and by providing in the handle a shaft member for insertion into the sleeve as to be supported, cam surfaces on the expanding portion at the end of the shaft member and at the opposite position on the end surface on the handle side of the sleeve, and in the sleeve a spring for pressing these cam surfaces.This structure enables a rotatable connection of the handle with the plunger only when the handle is pulled such that actuation of the parking brake is maintained even when the handle is turned when mistakenly touched by the hands or legs while the parking brake is actuated.

Abstract: A foot-operated device for controlling a parking brake wherein a parking brake pedal is locked in its operated position through engagement of a pawl member with ratchet teeth. The pawl member is pivotally connected to the brake pedal, and the ratchet teeth are formed on a bracket fixed to a vehicle frame. The parking brake is released when a pedal pad pivotally connected to the brake pedal is pivoted on the pedal and the pedal is depressed. The pedal pad has an extension arm protruding toward the pawl member which is biased by a spring device in a first direction to cause the pawl member to engage the ratchet teeth while the pedal pad is placed in its original position. The extension arm directly engages the spring device to change the biasing direction thereof from the first direction to a second direction so that the pawl disengages from the ratchet teeth when the pedal pad is pivoted to its operated position.

Abstract: In a tiltable steering mechanism wherein a support portion for rotatably supporting a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted is provided for tilting about a tilt axis relative to a fixed portion fixed to a vehicle body, the tilt axis is defined by a pair of tilt fulcrum forming members and an engaging portion is provided in one of the support portion and the fixed portion positioned at the intermediate portion between the two tilt fulcrums, and a restraining member for engaging the engaging portion to fix the support portion to the fixed portion at a desired tilt angle is movably provided in the other of the support portion and the fixed portion. Accordingly, the support portion is fixed to the fixed portion with a great steering wheel holding force and high steering wheel supporting rigidity.

Abstract: A service brake pedal is overlapped by a parking brake pedal with both pedal arms mounted on a common axis for pivotal apply and release movements. The service brake pedal arm contacts a pin holding the push rod for the master cylinder, applying the hydraulic service brakes when the pedal is depressed. When the transmission lever is shifted into the park position a solenoid type servo is energized, engaging a pawl, mounted on the parking brake pedal arm, with a gear sector pivoted about the pivot point of the brake pedal arms. A one-way spring clutch is energized to hold the link in which the push rod pin is installed in the applied position during parking brake apply, retaining hydraulic brake pressure during that operation. When shifting to park, the parking brake pedal arm is raised by a vacuum servo so that the parking brake pedal can be actuated to apply the parking brake without contacting the service brake pedal, and therefore without hydraulic pressure resistance.

Abstract: A dual brake pedal lock mechanism includes a pair of lock members individually mounted on a shaft for limited pivotal movement relative thereon. The shaft has a handle connected thereto for respectively bringing the pair of lock members into engagement with racks of teeth of a pair of brake pedals so as to retain them in respective depressed, brake-engage positions. The mountings of the pair of lock members permit one brake pedal to be depressed further than the other without effecting disengagement of the other brake pedal from its associated lock member.

Abstract: A fastening device for a tiltable steering shaft assembly of the type in which when shifted into a remote position upwardly from a pre-selected angular position, the steering wheel is automatically returned to the pre-selected angular position and locked at the same position only by depression of the steering wheel. The fastening device comprises a first manual lever arranged to release lock of the fastening device for permitting upward movement of the steering wheel to the remote position, and a second manual lever arranged to readjust the pre-selected angular position of the steering wheel in accordance with a user's physique, in which the first manual lever is cooperable with the second manual lever in operation of the latter to carry out readjustment of the pre-selected angular position of the steering wheel in a simple manner.

Abstract: A fastening device for a tiltable steering shaft assembly of the type in which, when shifted into a remote position upwardly from a pre-selected angular position, the steering wheel is automatically returned to the pre-selected angular position and locked at the same position only by depression of the steering wheel. The fastening device comprises a first manual lever arranged to release the fastening device for permitting upward movement of the steering wheel to the remote position, and a second manual lever arranged to readjust the pre-selected angular position of the steering wheel in accordance with a user's physique, in which the first manual lever is cooperable with the second manual lever in operation of the latter to carry out readjustment of the pre-selected angular position of the steering wheel in a simple manner. The fastening device further includes a mechanism for avoiding unexpected trouble caused by an error in operation of the second manual lever.

Abstract: In a fastening device for a tiltable steering assembly of the type in which the steering wheel can be tiltably adjusted into a number of selected driving positions in accordance with the driver's physique, the manual lever of the device is arranged to be moved upwardly to a predetermined angular position for effecting upward movement of the steering wheel into a remote position with respect to a pre-adjusted angular position and to be moved upwardly over the predetermined angular position for adjustment of the pre-adjusted angular position of the steering wheel. In the arrangement of the manual lever, the steering wheel is automatically returned to the pre-adjusted angular position and locked at the same position when depressed from the remote position.

Abstract: A tilt and telescope steering wheel with a push button keyboard non-rotatably mounted within the steering wheel has a foot actuated release mechanism for simultaneous disengagement of tilt lock and telescope lock mechanisms. A readout instrument panel with various indicators thereon rigidly attached to and tiltable with the steering column so as to provide a constant angular correlation with the steering wheel facilitating an unobstructed view of the panel in all steering wheel tilt positions.

Abstract: In the operator's station of many construction vehicles, there is a critical lack of space in which to mount the control levers (12) used to operate the vehicle. The use of mechanical linkages and motion translating devices between the control lever (12) and the actuator has required complicated mechanisms and excessive hardware for the mounting and positioning of the respectively connected components. The mounting apparatus (10) of this invention overcomes these problems by employing a detent mechanism (38) that functions as a rotational positioner between the control lever (12) and an actuating switch (60) assembly as well as an axial positioner used in the mounting of the respective components. The mounting apparatus (10) allows the control lever (12) and the actuating switch (60) to be mounted together for rotation about a single axis (X) to provide a very axially compact mechanism.

Abstract: The device comprises an effort-reducing gear means interposed between a fixed rack and a toothed sector for locking and unlocking the element. In this way, it is possible to achieve a fine adjustment while employing easily-produced large gear teeth.

Abstract: A telescopic steering apparatus for vehicles includes a locking member movable substantially axially relative to a main shaft, a holder member disposed about the locking member and the main shaft and an operating lever. The main shaft has a tapered end portion engageable with a tapered end portion of the locking member. Both the main shaft and the locking member are provided with projecting portions on their outer peripheries which are engageable with portions of the holder member and the projecting portions of the locking member and the holder member include toothed portions which, when engaged, lock against telescoping of the steering apparatus through displacement of the main shaft.

Abstract: A device for locking a seat back in desired predetermined positions comprises a slider 3 slidable in a slideway 2 provided in the seat base 1, 1' and pivoted at one end to a connecting rod 9 which connects the slider to the seat back 10, and locking pawl 6 fixed to an axle 21, to which is also fixed a handle 8. The slider and the pawl are provided with series of arcuate teeth 4, 4' and 5, 5' capable of meshing with one another, and the pawl is urged by a spring 7 into mesh with the slider, and can be disengaged manually from the slider by means of the handle 8.

Abstract: A foot-operated device for controlling a parking brake wherein a parking brake pedal is locked in its operated position through engagement of a pawl member with ratchet teeth. The pawl member is connected to a bracket pivotally supporting the pedal, and the ratchet teeth are formed on the pedal. The parking brake is released only when a pedal pad pivotally connected to the pedal is pivoted on the pedal and the pedal is depressed. Near the pawl member is disposed a lever pivotally connected to the bracket. The pedal, pedal pad, pawl member and lever are pivoted about respective axes which are parallel to one another. The pedal pad and the lever are connected by a connecting device which transmit a pivotal movement of the pedal pad to the lever such that a movement of said pedal pad incident to a pivotal movement of the pedal is not transferred to the lever.

Abstract: A release mechanism is provided ensuring simultaneous opening of the two clamps of a traction apparatus for freeing the cable which passes therethrough.The release lever is mounted for longitudinal sliding by actuation of the handle while moving the intermediate pin carried by the warping out lever. A pivoting bolt, mounted in a widened end of a longitudinal oblong slit of said lever, prevents the release movement. The release can only be obtained when the user frees said bolt with one hand against the return action of a spring and, with the other hand, operates simultaneously said handle.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column includes both tilting and telescoping movement. For telescoping, the steering column and to a telescope latch device which selectively engages one of a series of telescope detents. The tilt adjustment includes a slide component pivotally connected to the steering column and movable with respect to fixed vehicle structure, there being a series of detents in an edge of the slide component. Two or more separate and individually movable latches are provided on a pivotal actuating rod adjacent to the detents of the slide component. The spacing between adjacent latches is different from that between adjacent detents, so that only one latch is engaged in a detent at any one time. All latches are retracted by pivotal retracting movement of the actuating rod, and when the tilt is adjusted, a different latch engages in a detent before the just-disengaged latch reaches the next detent in the direction of movement.

Abstract: A multi-position ratchet mechanism for holding a surgical retractor blade which permits a retractor blade to be rotated into the wound and retracted at the same time to duplicate the natural "toe-in" method of retraction achieved with the hand. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet holder to which is pivotably attached a ratchet pivot housing. The retractor blade is mounted in an opening projecting through ratchet pivot housing and held in position by a retractor pawl attached to the ratchet pivot housing. The ratchet pivot housing also has a curved ratchet which depends into a cooperating slot in the ratchet holder and engages a pivot pawl rotatably mounted and spring biased into the ratchet slot. The holder includes a transverse slot which slides onto an oval ring which is mounted about the incision site.

Abstract: In a somewhat standard system for releasing a parking brake of a wheeled motor vehicle of the type including a mechanical locking panel which coacts with a toothed sector for holding the parking brakes in the set condition, there is provided an improvement for automatically releasing the pawl from the sector when the transmission control mechanism of the vehicle is shifted from park or neutral into a driving condition. The improved device includes an elongated flexible element, such as a cable, extending from the brake releasing mechanism to the transmission control mechanism and a bell crank at the transmission control mechanism which coacts with a movable cam sector to effect the automatic release by pulling the flexible element.

Abstract: A device for pulling upon a parking brake actuating cable in response to movement of a pedal actuated lever in a selected path between a brake release first position and a brake engaging second position wherein the device comprises a motion translating element having first and second mechanical couplings spaced from each other for securing to the lever and to the actuation cable, respectively, mechanism for moving the first mechanical coupling in a selected first path by the pedal lever and a cam coacting with the motion translating element for causing the second mechanical coupling to move in a selected second path controlled jointly by movement of the first coupling and the cam. In this device, the motion translating element is a link and the cam includes a curvilinear surface on the link and a fixed rotary pin against which the cam surface is biased by the pulling force of the cable against the link so that the fulcrum formed by the pin and surface progressively changes as the pedal lever is depressed.

Abstract: Discloses a caulking gun apparatus including a caulking cartridge housing, a handle with a trigger attached to the housing, and a pawl system to ratchet a plunger rod and displacement head into the inlet of a caulking cartridge. A plunger rod release mechanism is provided which can be actuated by the operator while the caulking gun is held and operated with one hand. Mounted within the housing is a piercing blade and sealing mechanism for piercing the closure diaphram of the caulking cartridge and thereafter stopping the caulking cartridge to seal the caulking cartridge between the times that the caulking compound is extruded from the cartridge through its nozzle. A plurality of holes of different size as defined in the handle of the gun with the holes being oval or elliptical in shape and having their edges bevelled as to form a sharp edge on the inner side of the handle to act as a shear with a cooperating edge of the trigger when depressed into the handle.

Abstract: A device for fastening a first member such as a head rest relative to a second member such as a head rest supporting member in an inclining adjustable manner, including a one-way ratchet and pawl mechanism incorporated between the two relatively rotatable members, wherein the pawl is driven out of engagement with the ratchets when the two relatively rotatable members have been brought to an extreme relative position allowed by one-way sliding engagement of the ratchets and the pawl, and a control member which catches and holds the driven up pawl at the extreme relative rotational position and releases the pawl when the two relatively rotational members have been brought to the other extreme relative rotational position so as to make the pawl again engage the ratchets at the second mentioned relative rotational position.

Abstract: A parking brake foot pedal is pivoted to a bracket, and is formed with a ratchet plate portion. A pawl is engaged with the ratchet so as to hold the parking brake in the applied condition. A release lever is pivoted to the bracket so that it displaces the pawl away from the ratchet when it is pulled by a release structure. A resin bush is attached to the release lever at a position remote from its pivoting point. The bush has a hole through it which is narrowest at its middle portion and opens out towards its ends. A release cable passes through this hole in the bush, and on its end there is fixed a stop member larger than the internal diameter of the hole in the bush. Thereby, the end of the release cable is flexibly coupled to the release lever, so as not to be subject to severe bending stress when the release cable is pulled and rotates the release lever so as to displace the pawl away from the ratchet and release the application of the parking brake.

Abstract: A hinge for a chaise and the like has a first hinge element having a segment portion with a plurality of first arresting formations, a second hinge element provided with an arresting member pivotally mounted on the same and having control faces and a plurality of second arresting formations arranged to abut against the first arresting formations, and control projections engageable with the control faces of the arresting member so as to guide the latter in connection with the first hinge element having the segment portion.

Abstract: A four link member derailleur for a bicycle, which comprises a fixing member, two linkage members, and a movable member having a chain guide, and a return spring is provided with a control element having a plurality of engageable portions corresponding to the number of speed change stages and with a retainer engageable with each engageable portion at the control element to retain the movable member in a desired speed stage. The control element and retainer cooperate during shifting such that if a stroke of a control cable supported to the retainer is less than a given length, the retainer retains its engagement with each engageable portion, while if the stroke is greater than the given length, the retainer disengages from the engageable portion.

Abstract: Locking mechanisms for a hand-operated parking brake having an elongated pulling plunger at a free end of which is a manipulating handle and a locking member normally spring biased toward locking engagement with the plunger and provided with a hook adjacent to the handle so as to be clasped in the driver's palm together with the handle without any conscious effort when the handle is manipulated by the driver for being pulled, whereby the locking member is slightly pulled by the driver immediately prior to pulling of the handle for unlocking the plunger in order to release the parking brake.

Abstract: A movable linkage has a surface of travel in which a generally V-shaped notch with edges is formed. A rotatable cam follower has first and second sides meeting to form a corner that fits in the notch. One of the sides of the cam follower is urged by a spring against the surface of travel of the linkage. The spring force acts in a direction transverse to one side of the notch and along the other surface of the notch. An arcuate concave relief on the first side of the cam follower adjacent to the corner is shaped to embrace one edge of the notch without such edge bottoming on the cam follower as the corner of the cam follower enters the notch.

Abstract: A control module comprises a bracket assembly adapted for attachment to a support structure of a construction vehicle. A control lever is pivotally mounted on the bracket assembly along with a bellcrank having a roller mounted on a first arm thereof. The roller is adapted to selectively engage at least one notch formed on the control lever to form a detent mechanism and is biased in that direction by a tension coil spring connected between the bracket assembly and a second arm of the bellcrank. A control rod is reciprocally mounted in the bracket assembly and has its first end pivotally connected to the control lever and is adapted to have its second end connected to a self-centering valve spool of a directional control valve. A lost-motion link is interconnected between the first arm of the bellcrank and a solenoid plunger of a kickout mechanism to selectively override the solenoid to release the detent mechanism.

Abstract: An improved brake lever assembly of the overcenter toggle type is disclosed, wherein the brake operating lever is preferably pivotally connected with the stationary mounting plate assembly about a pivot axis that is laterally displaced from the linear axis of travel of an inner cable member relative to the concentrically arranged tubular outer sheath, thereby to reduce wear of the inner cable guide means. According to a first feature of the invention, an improved anchor plate or anchor plate arrangement is provided for connecting one end of the outer sheath member with one end of the stationary mounting plate assembly. In accordance with a second feature, a ratchet and pawl assembly is provided for releasably locking the operating lever in various angular positions relative to the mounting plate assembly.

Abstract: A shift control mechanism having a detent means for selectively positioning the shifting mechanism for selective and alternative engagement of hydraulic actuators in a power shift transmission through spool valves operated by a control rack connected to the shifting mechanism.

Abstract: In a fastening device for a tiltable steering mechanism having a stationary bracket mounted on the vehicle body structure and a movable bracket secured to a tubular housing and pivoted at its opposing arms to the stationary bracket for permitting angular adjustment of a tiltable steering shaft journalled within the tubular housing, a toothed portion is unitedly provided on one of the arms of the movable bracket and a latch member is pivoted to a portion of the stationary bracket to be engaged with the toothed portion in the locked position.

Abstract: A movable linkage has a surface of travel in which a generally V-shaped notch with edges is formed. A rotatable cam follower has first and second sides meeting to form a corner that fits in the notch. One of the sides of the cam follower is urged by a spring against the surface of travel of the linkage. The spring force acts in a direction transverse to one side of the notch and along the other surface of the notch. An arcuate concave relief on the first side of the cam follower adjacent to the corner is shaped to embrace one edge of the notch without such edge bottoming on the cam follower as the corner of the cam follower enters the notch.

Abstract: In a fastening device for a tiltable steering wheel assembly, the locking lever of the device is set in the locked position beyond the rotary dead point of a rotary cam element pivoted on a fastening bolt so as to firmly hold the steering wheel at a desired angle with respect to the driver. The fastening device is provided with a rack element and a ratchet element to give click feeling to the driver in adjustment of the steering wheel.

Abstract: In an aircraft having two engines, a pilot's master control throttle assembly for selectively operating one or both engines and configured to allow for synchronization of the engines using only the master control throttle, the master control assembly has a master throttle lever with a fixed carriage pin extending laterally therefrom which engages detents located in separate slave throttles for each engine. The detent in one slave throttle is a snug fit around the carriage pin, releasably locking it to the master throttle, while the detent in the other slave throttle is elongated, allowing for engine synchronization by movement of the carriage pin within the range of the elongated detent. The slave throttles are spring loaded and can be selectively disengaged from or engaged to the master throttle.