Abstract: An S-cam assembly (33) is disclosed for expanding internal shoe brakes of the type comprising a pair of pivotally mounted brake shoes (17) located within a brake drum (11), each brake shoe carrying a cam follower (31). The assembly comprises an S-cam member (35) comprising a pair of substantially identical working portions (37), each working portion defining a working surface (39) and defining a nominal lift circle having a diameter D1. Each working portion includes a ramp member (43) pivotable about a pin (47) from a retracted position (FIG. 2) in which a ramp surface (51) is disposed within the nominal lift circle. Each ramp member has an extended position (FIG. 5) in which the ramp surface is disposed outward of the nominal lift circle and in engagement with the adjacent cam follower (31) and defining a larger lift circle having a diameter D2. The substantially increased reserve lift is accomplished without increasing the minimum installation diameter of the S-cam assembly.

Abstract: A camshaft arrangement has a series of cams mounted on a camshaft for limited angular motion relative to the camshaft in response to force applied by a closing spring for the associated valve and a series of fixed cams separated by spacer sleeves. All of the cams and spacer sleeves are assembled on the shaft by sliding them on from one end and are retained between stops on the shaft so that they seal recesses in the movable cams which are filled with a damping fluid.

Abstract: The hydraulic control device for rotating the camshaft of an internal combustion engine has a couple member constructed as a piston (25) connected with the sprocket wheel of the camshaft via a spiral toothing and with the camshaft via a straight toothing. A hydraulic body is mounted on at the camshaft and receives a radial piston pump which delivers the pressure medium required for the displacement of the piston. The pressure space is closed by a controllable pressure limiting valve. An electromagnetic valve controls a pressure medium flow to the piston bores of the radial piston pump and the pressure medium is delivered by an external pump. The sprocket wheel and camshaft are rotated relative to one another by the displacement of the piston.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an automotive engine camshaft deactivator that smoothly disconnect and reconnect a camshaft from the engine driveshaft with a low level impact force between the parts, the connection being made through a slippage friction clutch type mechanism that engages the two members in a manner providing slippage therebetween while the camshaft is being brought up to speed, whereby the camshaft lags behind the drive sprocket allowing the drive sprocket to cam a locking pin into a positive engagement relationship between the camshaft and crankshaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotational phase adjustment device mounted on a rotation shaft and having a hydraulic chamber rotatable with this rotation shaft, in which operating fluid or oil can be supplied to the hydraulic chamber from a housing covering the rotational phase adjustment device. Also, the invention provides a rotational phase adjustment device which can be assembled easily, and particularly prevents damages to an oil seal, sealing a hydraulic chamber, when assembling the oil seal. A housing is attached to an engine to cover the whole of a valve timing control device, and a ring plate is secured to the housing by a bolt threaded into the ring plate from the outside of the housing, so that an oil seal mounted on an outer periphery of the ring plate is held in liquidtight sliding contact with a camshaft sleeve to form two oil passages respectively inside and outside of the camshaft sleeve.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankshaft, a camshaft driven by the crankshaft through a drivewheel at half the crankshaft speed and at least one cam on the camshaft for actuating a spring-biased poppet valve. To achieve variable event timing, a lost motion coupling is arranged between the drive wheel and the camshaft. During the opening of the valve, the camshaft rotates at substantially the same speed as the drive wheel, but during the closing of a valve, the camshaft is accelerated by the valve spring to lead the drive wheel and thereby reduce the duration of the valve event. It is alternatively possible to collapse the opening phase of the valve event rather than the closing phase by reversing the operation of the coupling.

Abstract: A control mechanism for shifting the rotational phase transmitted from an engine, and for controlling the timing of the intake and exhaust valves. A first gear mechanism integrally rotates with respect to a timing pulley, and has a set of inner peripheral gear teeth. A second gear mechanism integrally rotates with respect to a camshaft, and has a set of outer peripheral gear teeth. The number of gear teeth of the first gear mechanism is greater than that of the second gear mechanism. This gear ratio generates a rotational phase shift of the timing pulley with respect to the camshaft, in order to vary the opening and closing timing of the intake and exhaust valves. A drive means drives the first gear mechanism in order to vary the phase shift and to control the opening and closing timing of the intake and exhaust valves in accordance with the operating state of the engine.

Abstract: To permit axial shifting of a camshaft dependent on its angle of rotation, a shifting device is used which includes a shifting profile made up of two guide grooves which are configured as oppositely oriented helixes and end in ring-shaped idling grooves, and further includes an engaging element which may be introduced into the guide grooves by an activating element.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus including a rotary member drivingly connected to an engine crankshaft for rotation with the engine crankshaft, and a drive mechanism for transmitting rotation of the rotary member to a camshaft. The drive mechanism includes a piston member provided for reciprocation between first and second positions within the rotary member to rotate the camshaft with respect to the rotary member. The piston member defines first and second pressure chambers on the opposite sides thereof along with the rotary member. A valve member is provided for movement between third and fourth positions. The valve member is adapted to connect the first pressure chamber to a pressure source while connecting the second pressure chamber to a drain port to produce a pressure differential between the first and second pressure chambers to move the piston member toward the second position when the valve member moves from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus, which can be used to perform variable valve timing of the intake or exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine, includes a hollow shaft with at least one slot defined through a cylindrical wall. A movable cam member is disposed to project through the slot and is rotatable relative to the hollow shaft in a channel defined in the interior surface of the hollow shaft. A base circle band extends circumferentially around the outer surface of the hollow shaft between the endwalls of the slot. The exterior surface of the hollow shaft can define grooves which receive front or back ear members of the cam member. The exterior surface of the hollow shaft also can define recesses, which in some embodiments have bottom surfaces and in other embodiments have partial bottom surfaces or no bottom surface. The recesses can receive tongue members formed on the cam member. The cam member can be engaged by a cam follower that has a roller to engage the cam surface.

Abstract: A valve timing control system includes of a cylindrical sprocket driven through a timing chain by a crankshaft of the engine. An arm is fixed to one end section of the camshaft and located inside the sprocket in a manner to extend generally diametrically. First and second plungers are slidably disposed respectively in first and second cylindrical bores formed in the sprocket. A hydraulic pressure chamber is defined between the bottom portion of each plunger and the bottom wall of the cylindrical bore so as to be supplied with a hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic pressure source. Each plunger is projectable toward the arm upon supply of the hydraulic pressure to the corresponding hydraulic pressure chamber thereby to cause the arm to rotate relative to the sprocket. Projections of the first and second plungers induce the rotational movements of the arm in opposite directions relative to the sprocket, respectively.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a camshaft (3) of an internal combustion engine is fitted with a facility for rotating the camshaft (3) relatively to a coaxial drive wheel (5) having a switching component (6), which interacts via a spur toothing (7) with the drive wheel (5) and via a helical gearing (8) with the camshaft (3) and can be axially shifted by a servo motor (13). The servo motor (13) is disposed at the end of the camshaft averted from the drive wheel (5). This prevents the axial length of the internal combustion engine from being extended beyond the drive wheel (5) by the servo motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a valve timing in an internal combustion engine. A timing piston 7 is in splined engagement with both a camshaft sleeve connected to the camshaft 1 and a pulley sleeve connected to the timing pulley. The timing piston 7 is connected, via a ball bearing unit 8, to a screw nut 9 of a ball screw mechanism. The bearing unit 8 is connected to the nut 9, with a clearance C. A disk spring 20, via a spacer 21, urges the inner race 8a of the bearing 8 so that it abuts against a washer 23 an a snap ring 22 on the screw shaft 9. As a result, the screw shaft 9 is connected to the timing piston 7 so that the axial movement from the shaft 9 is transmitted to the piston 7, while the piston 7 is rotating on the shaft 9, and a slight radial relative movement is allowed between the screw shaft 9 and the piston 7 without generating any play in the axial movement. An oil passageway is formed for lubricating the ball nut mechanism.

Abstract: A valve timing control system includes a timing sprocket, a camshaft, a sleeve secured to the camshaft and accomodated within the timing sprocket. A helical piston assembly and a floating piston are movably disposed in an annular space between the timing sprocket and the sleeve. An end plug is disposed at one end of the timing sprocket to close one end of the annular space. First and second chambers are defined between the floating piston and the end plug and between the floating piston and the helical piston assembly, respectively. A valve spool is operatively connected to an actuator and movably disposed in the sleeve. The valve spool moves among first, second and third positions. At the first position, the first and second chambers are drained. At the second position, the first chamber is communicated with a hydraulic fluid pump and the second chamber is drained. At the third position, the first and second chambers are communicated with the hydraulic fluid pump.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus comprises a rotary member drivingly connected to the crankshaft for rotation with rotation of the crankshaft, and a drive mechanism for transmitting rotation of the rotary member to the camshaft. The drive mechanism includes a piston member provided for reciprocation to rotate the camshaft with respect to the rotary member. The piston member has a pressure chamber formed therein. The piston member is urged resiliently in a first direction. The piston member is movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction in response to a pressure introduced into the pressure chamber. The valve timing control apparatus also includes first and second conduit. The first conduit has a first outlet for connection to the pressure chamber. The second conduit has a second outlet for connection to the pressure chamber. The second outlet is spaced away from the first outlet in the first direction of movement of the piston member.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a relative angle of rotation of a camshaft with respect to a drive wheel of an internal combustion engine utilizes a hydraulic linear motor for actuation. A hydraulic pump with a pump rotor is axially arranged with respect to a longitudinal or adjustment axis of the linear motor.

Abstract: A timing gear device includes a first rotatably supported shaft, a first gear, having a predetermined number of circumferentially spaced teeth, engaged on and carried by the first shaft and a second rotatably supported shaft spaced from the first shaft. A second gear having a predetermined number of circumferentially spaced teeth is engaged on and carried by the second shaft. The first gear and the second gear are engaged with each other. A timing device is provided for changing the rotative position of the second shaft and the second gear in relation to the first shaft and the first gear. The timing device includes a single primary keyway in one of the second gear and the second shaft and a plurality of secondary keyways in another of the second gear and the second shaft. The secondary keyways have differing configurations. A key is provided in the primary keyway. The key is engaged in a predetermined one of the secondary keyways to establish a driving engagement between the second shaft and the second gear.

Abstract: A centrifugal force governed mechanism for continuously controlling valve timing events of internal combustion engines. An outer-hub being coaxially interfaced in a journally oscillating relationship with an inner-hub and through a center bore, longitudinally mounted onto the camshaft and synchronously driven by the crankshaft. A plurality of parallel sided cavities radially placed within one side of the inner-hub and leading outward through the journaling periphery thereof into each counterpart within the outer-hub. A guided sliding weight within each cavity of the inner-hub provides the phasing control between the inner and outer-hub members. When the centrifugal force overcomes the camshaft torque and tension of the return-spring, each weight is expelled radially outward into each correspondingly placed cavity within the outer-hub. In an alternate embodiment, the centrifugal force and camshaft torque together overcome the return-spring tension.

Abstract: A camshaft has a cam arrangement with a projection and recess coupling the camshaft with a cam member which permits limited relative angular motion between them. The cam arrangement includes a hollow cylinder affixed to the shaft with a projection received in a recess in the cam member. The cam member and the hollow cylinder are held together by rings at their end faces into a pre-assembled unit which is slid on and affixed to the camshaft.

Abstract: An assembled shaft, especially a camshaft, gearbox shaft or crankshaft with at least one tubular member and several elements spaced thereon and fixed thereto in a force-locking way by of expansion of same in longitudinal portions, such elements being cams, gears, bearing sleeves or crank webs. The shaft can be made up of a tubular member which, while having an approximately uniform wall thickness, is provided with a reduced diameter in the region between two elements. As a result, when applying a suitable internal pressure to the entire tubular member, the portions with the larger diameter are plastically deformed relative to the drive elements to be fixed, whereas deformation of the tubular portions with the smaller diameter positioned between the drive elements is purely elastic.

Abstract: A device for adjusting at least one alignment characteristic of an automotive vehicle wheel that is adjustable through an adjusting bolt and nut, the device including a cam member having an eccentrically disposed aperture that receives the bolt. The cam member includes a mechanism for detachably attaching the cam member to the nut or to the head of the bolt such that the cam member is rotatable by engagement of the nut or the head of the bolt. When the cam member is rotated, the member works against a cam member bearing surface such that the bolt is moved sideways thereby adjusting camber.

Abstract: Deactivatable cams on a camshaft are axially displaceable thereon by changes in pressure of a hydraulic medium in an adjacent pressure space. The deactivatable cams are axially displaced for engagement of cam-specific couplings which establish a rotationally fixed connection between the cams and the camshaft. To make certain that disengagement of the couplings will not occur until the corresponding valves are in the closed position, the couplings include claws with flanks which are inclined from base to apex so that, during the closing motion of the valves, the torque exerted by the valve-closing spring on the cam is partially transformed into an axial force which causes disengagement of the corresponding coupling when the pressure in the adjacent pressure space is reduced. To store increased pressure when engagement of the couplings is to be maintained, one wall of each pressure space is acted on by a compression spring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel helix drive for use with a valve assembly of a water softener. The helix drive comprises a stationary drive axle bearing a longitudinally slotted sleeve; a piston having an apertured end and being disposed within said drive axle sleeve; a transverse pin, having ends fitted with guide shoes, disposed through said piston aperture and located within said axle slot; and a drive gear having a pair of helix paths within said pin guide shoes are disposed. Rotation of said drive gear results in reciprocating longitudinal movement of the pin within the axle slot and, thus, the piston.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus, which can be used to perform variable valve timing of the intake or exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine, includes a hollow shaft with at least one slot defined through a cylindrical wall. A movable cam member is disposed to project through the slot and is rotatable relative to the hollow shaft in a channel defined in the interior surface of the hollow shaft. A base circle band extends circumferentially around the outer surface of the hollow shaft between the endwalls of the slot. The exterior surface of the hollow shaft can define grooves which receive front or back ear members of the cam member. The exterior surface of the hollow shaft also can define recesses, which in some embodiments have bottom surfaces and in other embodiments have partial bottom surfaces or no bottom surface. The recesses can receive tongue members formed on the cam member. The cam member can be engaged by a cam follower that has a roller to engage the cam surface.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for sealing thermoplastic transparent overwraps on packages, in particular cigarette packages, using axially shiftable cylindrical cams enabling variable contact times dependent upon variable rotational speeds of the driving shaft of the overwrap machine as transferred to the cam support shafts. An encoder reads the rotational speed of each cylindrical cam and sends a signal representing that speed to a programmable controller which in turn sends a signal representative of an axial position of the cylindrical cam corresponding to the rotational speed to a reversible servo motor which functions to axially shift the cam support shaft to shift the cam relative to a cam follower. This in turn changes the dwell time of the cam follower and accordingly the contact time between the cam-controlled heater and the seam to be sealed over a variable range, while enabling the contact pressure and the temperature of the heater to remain constant.

Abstract: A variable camshaft phaser (VCP) has various embodiments and features including inner and outer helical splines for phase changing and return springs mounted in pockets to shorten overall length and relieve lash take-up friction on the piston return strokes. A three-way feed-discharge valve limits hydraulic actuating oil flow to that required to operate the drive pistons for phase changing operation. The three-way valve may be carried in a srew or fastener that secures the phaser to a camshaft or other rotary member.

Abstract: A camshaft, especially for high-power internal-combustion engines, has bearing points and cams consisting of a base circle and a cam face. The bearing points and cams are connected to one another by non-cylindrical shank portions. In order to increase the bending resistance of the camshaft and, at the same time, to provide a predetermined necessary clearance for machining tools, a shank portion between two cams is made barrel-shaped, with a maximum diameter which is located in the middle region of the shank portion and which is equal to or less than the diameter of the base circle.

Abstract: A rotary adjustment device adapted for user rotation to adjust the position of an adjacent mechanism such as the linkage for actuating an electrical snap switch. The device has an outer annular cam with a central hub structure with a shaft defining surface adapted for being rotatably journalled. The hub is suspended from the cam by torsionally stiff web structure which is radially inner an outer pairs of oppositely disposed spokes which permit resilient deflection, when unwanted side loads are applied to the shaft for preventing disturbances of the cam once the user has selected a rotary position.

Abstract: The specification describes a camshaft arrangement which opens a load-change valve of an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft having a projection which extends beyond what is otherwise a circular cross-section. The camshaft projection limits the relative angular motion between the camshaft and the cam element and includes a buffer which may comprise elastic material or a piston which interacts with a hydraulic medium. The buffer acts to cushion the approach motion of the camshaft projection and the inner wall, or stop, of the cam element, to prevent undesirable noise produced by, or wear of, the camshaft arrangement.

Abstract: An electro-rheological valve controller. The invention comprises a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet contacting cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating valve lift member; a plunger member coupled to said tappet, said plunger being perforated to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said perforated plunger member by a biasing spring and said electro-rheological fluid, said lift member communicating with a valve to be lifted; and electrode means coupled to said perforated member for generating an electric field within said perforated member such that said electro-rheological fluid within said perforated member solidifies, whereby said plunger applies a compressive fluid force against said reciprocating lift member thereby lifting said valve to be lifted.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating device and method are disclosed, the device including a rotatable cam having a selectively configured cam face engagable with a worm drive at an outer engaging surface of the cam, the worm drive being configured for both rotary and axial movement, rotary movement imparting rotational motion to the cam face, and axial movement changing relative valve timing. The device preferably includes a plurality of such rotatable cams engagable with different ones of a plurality of worm drives to thus provide selective variation of valve opening and valve closing times independently of one another, with open-valve duration being variable to occur at any point in an overall operating cycle of the system.

Abstract: A cam shaft assembly (10) constructed from a plurality of lobes (14) spaced along the longitudinal axis of a tubular shaft member (12). Each lobe (14) is defined by a body portion (16) and a camming portion (20). The lobes (14) define a pair of oppositely facing radially extending side surface (22) which have axially extending shoulders (24) thereon. The shoulders (14) are for mating engagement with a gauging surface (44) to positively position the lobe (14) angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis while the lobes (14) are being secured to the tubular shaft member (12). The assembly (10) also includes bearing journals (18) on the tubular shaft member (12). A method and apparatus for making the cam shaft assembly (10) are also provided.

Abstract: A drive mechanism includes an internal gear rotatably mounted on an eccentric, the eccentric being mounted on a drive shaft for rotation therewith, said internal gear having an arm with an elongate slot, a block being pivotally mounted on a pin slidably located in the slot, an external gear being rotatably mounted coaxially of the internal gear and in mesh therewith, the position of the pin being adjustable relative to the axis of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A control device, which is interposed between a modulating motor and a valve, includes a control arm which is mounted on the shaft of the valve and a roller follower that is on the arm. In addition, the control device includes a bracket which is mounted on a fuel line adjacent to the valve, a cam which rotates on the bracket about an axis that is parallel to the shaft and an operating arm which rotates with the cam and is connected to the modulating motor, so that the modulating motor moves an air damper and cam in unison. The cam has an arcuate element which curves eccentrically about the axis of rotation and screws which are threaded into the arcuate element such that their ends form a cam profile. The roller follower bears against this profile, riding over the ends of the screws as the cam rotates.

Abstract: A modular camshaft comprises at least two modular elements or modules removably coupled together; each module carries at least one cam and comprises two cylindrical elements disposed on the same axis and projecting in opposite directions from opposing faces of said cam, a first cylindrical element acting as a hub and the second being hollow and acting as a seat, the seat of one modular element being arranged to receive the hub of the other module so as to define the camshaft, on each hub there being provided means which cooperate with counter-means provided in each seat to torsionally lock said two modular elements together.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a support structure having first and second members rotatably mounted on the support structure and drive apparatus for rotating the first and second members so that the second member rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first member. A movable member for performing work is mounted on the support structure for reciprocating linear movement and is connected to the first and second members so that rotation of the first and second members reciprocates the movable member. In one embodiment, the movable member does not rotate during the reciprocation thereof but in another embodiment the movable member rotates during the reciprocation thereof.

Abstract: A press machine includes a first rotary shaft which rotates in synchronism with a press crankshaft, a second rotary shaft which is coaxial with the first shaft and which has a drive cam for actuating a knock-out pin, and a clutch for connecting and disconnecting the first and second shafts. Knock-out timing is adjusted by releasing the clutch to separate the shafts and rotating one of the shafts through a predetermined angle relative to the other to produce a predetermined rotational phase difference between them. In the preferred embodiments, the second shaft is axially aligned with the first shaft, and is rotatable but axially immovable with respect to the press frame. A driving gear and a driven gear are provided between adjacent portions of the first and second shafts. The second shaft has a bore in which a lightweight, axially movable shaft is mounted.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage characterizer for varying the movement of one output linkage with respect to an input from a linkage includes a generally box-like housing with a carriage mounted on tracks within the housing with a pivotally mounted output arm carried on the movable carriage and a pair of elongated variable contour stationary cams positioned adjacent the track for pivotally moving the output arm in response to movement of the carriage along the tracks.

Abstract: A phase adjuster for engine camshafts and the like includes in a preferred embodiment a sprocket driving a camshaft attached hub through paired wedge packs that transfer torque and maintain a lash free connection. A plunger actuated by engine oil pressure and coating drive springs axially move alternate active wedges to oppositely vary the arcuate lengths of the wedge packs and thereby change the phase angle between the sprocket and camshaft. A three way valve shuts off pressure oil flow except when needed to advance the plunger, thus minimizing oil flow requirements.

Abstract: A drain cleaning machine is disclosed which is of the character comprising a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning snake which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into and out of the drum, and the frame supports a snake feeding device through which the snake extends and by which the snake is displaced into and out of the drum. The frame is wheeled to facilitate transportation of the machine from one location to another. The drum, drum shaft and bearing are constructed as a unit removably mounted on the frame. The drive motor is pivotally mounted on the frame and spring biased to tension the drive belt and to facilitate separation of the drive belt from the drum to facilitate removal of the drum unit from the frame.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus for a stroke controlling mechanism having a cam shaft with a number of cams disposed around the cam shaft includes one or more circular lines and one or more sets of circular lines formed around the cam shaft. One or more longitudinal lines are formed on an outer surface of the cam shaft in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cam shaft. A check line is formed on a side surface of each cam. The cams are disposed on the cam shaft by aligning the check line of each cam with one of the longitudinal lines and by aligning each cam with one of the circular lines. A protractor is provided to measure the angles between the check line of each cam and the longitudinal line of the cam shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable cam is disclosed for use in grinding apparatus of the type where a cam pivots a part holder into and away from a grinding wheel. The adjustable cam consists of a central portion having two adjustable portions fixed at its ends such that the adjustable portions can be moved towards and away from a center position to result in a cam having a desired length. By selecting an adjustable portion having a desired width and radius and adjusting the distance between the two adjustable portions, a cam can be achieved that roughly corresponds to the final desired dimensions of the cam quickly and inexpensively. Some finish grinding may then be necessary in order to ensure that the final cam has the exact desired dimensions.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage characterizer for varying the movement of one output linkage with respect to an input from a linkage includes a generally box-like housing with a carriage mounted on tracks within the housing with a pivotally mounted output arm carried on the movable carriage and a pair of elongated variable contour stationary cams positioned adjacent the track for pivotally moving the output arm in response to movement of the carriage along the tracks.

Abstract: A camshaft arrangement including a pair of cams (7, 8 ) mounted on the same camshaft (1) with at least one of the cams rotatable relative to the camshaft (17) and with the cams (7, 8) maintained at a given axial spacing on the camshaft (1), a differential mechanism (a, b, c, d) coupling the two cams (7, 8) together for rotation about the camshaft axis with a selected relative angular phase, and phase adjusting means (14, 15) for acting on the differential mechanism (a, b, c, d) to effect a relative rotation of the cams (7, 8) to adjust the selected angular phase of the cams (7, 8) and thereafter to retain the cams in the adjusted position.

Abstract: The rotating cam limit switch includes a hub, a position screw arm, a position screw, a position wheel, a retractable cam, a dwell wheel, a dwell screw, a dwell screw arm, a spring wave washer and a locking ring. The hub is to be mounted on a rotating shaft which is to activate a non-rotating switch assembly. Near a first axial end, an integral position screw arm and position flange extend radially from the integral hub. The position screw arm carries a position screw, which is snap fitted onto the arm, which operatively engages the position wheel rotatably mounted on the hub next to the position screw arm. The dwell wheel is also rotatably mounted with respect to the hub. The dwell wheel is operatively engaged by the dwell screw carried by the dwell screw arm integrally formed with a dwell flange. The dwell screw arm is fixed to the hub by hub a anti-rotation device. The wave washer and the locking ring, mounted near a second axial end of the hub, compress the rotating components together.

Abstract: Engine valve driving apparatus having a camshaft and a radially movable cam supported on the camshaft. A support is fixed to the camshaft. Both the movable cam and the fixed support are formed with holes, whose axes coincide with each other when the movable cam protrudes at its maximum outward position. A connecting pin is disposed in the hole of the fixed support and an oil supply actuates the connecting pin. When the connecting pin is forced by the oil supply, the connecting pin lifts the movable cam radially outwardly to its maximum outward position.

Abstract: The rotating cam limit switch includes a hub, a position screw area, a position screw, a position wheel, a retractable cam, a dwell wheel, a dwell screw, a dwell screw arm, a spring wave washer and a locking ring. The hub is to be mounted on a rotating shaft which is to activate a non-rotating switch assembly. Near a first axial end, an integral position screw arm and position flange extend radially from the integral hub. The position screw arm carries a position screw, which is snap fitted onto the arm, which operatively engages the position wheel rotatably mounted on the hub next to the position screw arm. The dwell wheel is rotatably mounted on the position wheel. The dwell wheel is operatively engaged by the dwell screw carried by the dwell screw arm integrally formed with a dwell flange. The dwell screw arm is rotatable on the hub but fixed to the position wheel. The wave washer and the locking ring, mounted near a second axial end of the hub, compress the rotating components together.

Abstract: A driving connection between a first and hollow shaft (1) and a second shaft (3) within it, the axes (19, 20) of the two shafts being parallel at all times. By relative radial displacement of the two axes, the first shaft rotates at a variable and fluctuating speed within each revolution in response to uniform rotation of the second shaft. The ball (36) or part-cylindrical (22) end of a radial arm (2), carried by the second shaft, engages rotatably with a recess (37, 31) in a block (4) movable in a radial slideway (23) formed on the first shaft. Axial compactness is promoted by the arm, block and slideway all lying in a common radial plane (30), and radial compactness by the manner of engagement between the arm end (36, 22) and the corresponding recess (37, 31). The invention finds particular use where the first shaft (1) is the camshaft of an internal combustion engine, and in which the relative movement of the shaft axes (19, 20) may therefore be used to vary the timing of the engine valves (7, 8).

Abstract: A programmable sewing machine that has a work holder and X-Y actuators to move the work holder about on the bed of the machine is provided with a clamping structure to grasp a workpiece to move it about to form a programmed pattern of stitches in it. The clamping structure includes a clamp and a first quick-release connector to connect the clamp to a clamp foot on the work holder, and it also includes a cloth plate and a second quick-release connector to connect the cloth plate to the work holder under the clamp so that both the clamp and the cloth plate are firmly held by the work holder to move in unison but are both quickly releasable from the work holder to be easily replaced.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam shaft, a cam mounted on said cam shaft, the cam being capable of limited relative rotation with respect to the cam shaft and damping means being provided to control the extent of rotation of the cam relative to the cam shaft as a function of the speed of rotation of the cam shaft.