Abstract: A thrust cam device is located at a back side of an input disc to bias the input disc toward an output disc in accordance with a torque applied thereto. The thrust cam device includes a drive cam, a back surface of the input disc, groups of cam rollers each being between respective cam surfaces of the drive cam and input disc, and a cam holder disposed between the drive cam and the input disc for rotatably holding the cam rollers. A disc spring is compressed between the input disc and the drive cam for constantly biasing the input disc toward the output disc. The input disc, the cam holder and the drive cam have respectively positioning holes which can be aligned. The positioning hole of the input disc is threaded. Upon requirement of preassembly of the thrust cam device, the input disc, the cam holder and the drive cam are turned to certain positions wherein the positioning holes are aligned, and a bolt is inserted into the aligned positioning holes and screwed into the threaded positioning hole.

Abstract: An electrically operated drive assembly for turning a motor vehicle disc brake rotor while the rotor is still on the vehicle includes a portable stand or base having a combination electric motor and adjustable drive shaft assembly pivotally mounted thereon. The end of the drive shaft is selectably releaseably retained on a lug adapter mechanism that is retained on the motor vehicle wheel lugs. The drive shaft assembly includes a right angle bend that allows the entire drive assembly to be positioned to one side of the motor vehicle wheel hub and rotor assembly. This arrangement allows a mechanic to have open access to a separate portable brake lathe which is mountable on the vehicle brake caliper mounting bosses. The drive assembly turns the brake rotors at a predetermined speed which is suitable for combined operation with a portable brake lathe.

Abstract: A rack and pinion mechanism in a switch apparatus which ensures proper staging of the pinion to the rack during assembly is disclosed. A protuberance engages a receiver disposed on the rack and operates to prevent final assembly of the pinion to the rack unless both are properly staged. This minimizes the occurrence of misstaged switches assembled in blind installation conditions.

Abstract: An X-Y-Z positioning apparatus includes an X table which may move along an X axis and a Y table which is mounted on the X table and movable along a Y axis. A pair of guide rails is provided on the X table and a pair of sliders mounted at the bottom surface of the Y table is slidably mounted on the pair of guide rails, respectively. The Y table is formed with an opening at a location between the pair of guide rails, through which a Z shaft assembly extends when mounted on the Y table. Thus, no significant moment is applied to the Y table due to the weight of the Z shaft assembly. Preferably, the Z shaft assembly is so arranged with its center of gravity located below the Y table when mounted thereon so as to provide an increased stability in operation.

Abstract: A starting motor with an intermediate gear wherein rotation of a rotating shaft of a DC motor is transmitted to a pinion in a one-way rotational direction by an overrunning clutch, and an intermediate gear supported rotatably and forward-and-backward slidably by an intermediate shaft retained by insertion holes in a front end portion and a first back end portion of a front bracket and in mesh with the pinion, meshes with a ring-gear of an internal combustion engine by a forward movement thereof thereby starting the internal combustion engine, characterized by that; a polygonal hole is provided at a second back end portion of the front bracket communicating to the insertion hole in the first back end portion thereof; a spacer composed of a metallic material or a synthetic resin material, a section of which is a polygon, is inserted into the polygonal hole and fixed thereto blocking rotation thereof; a back end of the spacer is received by a front end of a yoke of the starting motor contacting the front end of

Abstract: A device for locking a tilt steering column in adjusted position has two clamping rings, one of which is rotated by a handle. When the handle is rotated in one direction, the clamping rings interact to lock the steering column in adjusted position. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the clamping rings release the steering column so that its position can be adjusted. The handle is normally positively retained in a position in which the locking device clamps the steering column, but can be moved to a position in which it unclamps the steering column upon operation of a release lever on the handle.

Abstract: An orthogonal two-axis moving apparatus is provided with a first guide member extending along a vertical direction, a second guide member mounted on the first guide member for movement along the vertical direction and extending along a horizontal direction, and a slide block mounted on the second guide member for movement along the horizontal direction. A timing belt having its opposite ends fixed to the slide block is passed over first and second drive rollers rotatably mounted on the opposite ends of the first guide member and rotatively driven by first and second motors, four idle rollers rotatably supported on one end of the second guide member and two idle rollers rotatably supported on the other end of the second guide member, and a driven roller rotatably supported on the slide block.

Abstract: A motion device with three legs provides six degrees of freedom using a pair of motor assemblies (22) to drive each leg. Each leg has a differential drive (28, 30, 32, 40) for providing a pitch-roll joint connected to an elbow (16) for providing a pitch joint connected to a second roll joint (56) connected to a universal joint (62, 72). An actuated plate (10) is connected to the universal joint. All of the motors drive the differential drive from the base of the unit and do not add inertia to the actuated plate. The same kinematic arrangement can be used for hand controllers as well as for end effectors and other movable platforms.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for ergonomically controlling a vehicle. A vertical control stick provides acceleration, brake, and turn functions in the vehicle. The apparatus may include a pivotal attachment or a slidable attachment at the lower end of the stick to a fixed surface in the vehicle. The stick is restricted to movement along the line of direction of the vehicle, both forward and rearward, of a neutral stick position. A braking means is interconnected with the stick such that movement of the stick forward from the neutral stick position causes vehicle braking. Similarly, an acceleration means is interconnected with the stick such that movement of the stick rearward from the neutral stick position causes vehicle acceleration. A steering collar on the stick is included such that the collar may be manually rotated about the longitudinal axis of the stick in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions from a neutral collar position.

Abstract: A rotary tool, such as a screwdriver, in which a grip is grasped and released, so that the output shaft is rotated in the same direction during both actions comprises a motion converting mechanism wherein two sets of one-way clutch mechanisms are added to a mechanism for converting a rectilinear reciprocating motion into a rotary motion through a rack gear and pinion combination. The two sets of one-way clutch mechanisms include one that engages during the reverse movement of the rack gear, both of which rotate an output shaft in the same direction when they engage. With this arrangement, the motion converting mechanism according to the present invention rotates the output shaft in the same direction during both forward and reverse movements of the rack gear, thereby improving efficiency in converting the reciprocating motion into the rotary motion.

Abstract: A device for translating rotary to linear motion and vice versa includes a reciprocating linearly moving shuttle with a central aperture. The aperture has a pair of opposing gear racks protruding towards the center and which capture therebetween a pair of pinion sectors rotatably mounted to the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft with the axis of crankshaft rotation perpendicular to the linear path of the shuttle. The pinion sectors are free to rotate about the crankpin and articulate independently of each other through a selected angular range. When the crankpin, including the pinion sectors, is inserted into the shuttle aperture with the pinion sectors engaging the racks, motion is transferable between the crankpin and the shuttle through the pinion sectors.

Abstract: A robot wrist comprises a wrist input connected to a wrist output through three mechanical links. Two of the mechanical links each include an actuator and a joint. Each actuator is pivotally attached to the wrist input. The output of each actuator is translationally driven along the output axis by the actuator. The input of each joint is rigidly attached to the corresponding actuator output. The third mechanical link includes a third joint and means for connecting the third joint input to the wrist input. The outputs of all three joints are rigidly mounted to the wrist output at three separate locations on the wrist output.

Abstract: A pumping mechanism particularly adapted for coupling a rotating prime mover to the sucker rod of an oil well lift pump is disclosed. A linkage assembly comprised of a V-shaped floating link and two grounded links provides straight line, reciprocating motion from a rotary input, without the massive horsehead cam and flexible cable employed by conventional oil well pumping units. A driving dyad coupled to the floating link connects the linkage assembly to the prime mover, and a counterweight is carried by one of the grounded links.

Abstract: A toroidal type continuously variable transmission which is arranged such that a pair of toroidal transmission mechanisms are disposed around an input shaft connected to an engine. A forward-reverse switching device is located around the first shaft between the engine and the toroidal transmission mechanism. A control valve assembly is disposed around the forward-reverse switching device relative to the input shaft. Therefore, the needed space for the transmission is reduced, and the responsibility of controlled hydraulic pressure to each element is improved.

Abstract: A device for pulling the starter cord of a lawn mower engine utilizes a pulling cable disposed about upper and lower pulleys on a vertical post. The upper extremity of the pulling cable is attached to a lever pivotally joined to the vertical post. Downward movement of the lever causes the starter cord to be pulled horizontally.

Abstract: A continuously variable traction roller transmission comprises a transmission casing for housing traction roller transmission units and a forward/reverse change-over device, and a wall member detachably disposed therein between the traction roller transmission units and the forward/reverse change-over device.

Abstract: A gear shift lever bearing for automotive transmissions includes a ball socket formed of tough elastic material located in a bearing housing having multiple slots that define circular ball socket sectors. A ball, received in the ball socket, includes laterally guided tabs received in grooves formed in the socket. The bearing housing retains the ball socket in position by locking rings and a retaining ring. A shoulder of the ball socket includes multiple webs located in the slots and radial and axial supports that resiliently bear upon the cylindrical bore and the retaining ring.

Abstract: An improved rolling element bearing assembly is provided which is particularly applicable for use in gas turbine engine gearboxes. The rolling element bearing includes an inner ring mounted to a rotatable shaft and an outer ring mounted to a stationary structure. The inner and outer rings define a raceway for a plurality of rolling elements. The rolling element bearing assembly includes the bearing and a compliant anti-rotation ring compressed between the bearing outer ring and the stationary structure. The compliant ring provides improved frictional engagement and improved bearing damping between the bearing outer race and the stationary structure preventing outer ring rotation within the stationary housing.

Abstract: A ball-screw includes a shaft 1 having two separate helical grooves 3,4 of the same pitch and spaced by half that pitch. The nut 2 includes two corresponding grooves and return bores 5 to define two endless recirculating paths for balls disposed between the nut and shaft. This arrangement permits, for a given groove pitch, the minimum length of the nut to be reduced.

Abstract: A starting device has a pinion for a drive of a toothed rim of an internal combustion engine, an engaging relay having an armature which axially displaces the pinion, a free wheel device and a stator rotor in which the pinion cooperates, a locking device which prevents a pre-engagement of the pinion in an unexcited state of the engaging relay. The locking device has a stationary locking element which engages behind a part actuated by the armature for securing a rest position of the pinion. The armature has a tappet on which a control sleeve is arranged. The locking element is formed as a first spring provided with at least one undercut step and deflectable in a release position by the control sleeve arranged on the tappet of the armature.