Abstract: A robotic hand controls movement of a workpiece relative to three longitudinal axes in response to three control signals and relative to mutually perpendicular rotational axes .alpha. and .beta. in response to two control signals. Two C-shaped holders carry two motors having mutually perpendicular rotating shafts. Each holder includes two parallel flanges connected together by a web. The first motor is mounted on the first holder so its shaft extends between the first holder flanges. A second holder flange is mounted on the first motor shaft between the first holder flanges. The second motor is mounted on the second holder other flange. A carrier for the first holder responds to three of the signals which control movement of the first holder relative to the longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A continuously and infinitely variable mechanical power transmission that utilizes the principles of gyrodynamics in a torque converter and gearing arrangement as its means of achieving continuous and infinitely variable torque ratios between input and output rotary members.

Abstract: A mechanism for feedthrough of rotary motion to a sealed chamber includes a shaft (220) rotatingly supported inside a hollow housing (200). The shaft (220) comprises a front portion (222), a middle portion (224), and a rear portion (226). The front portion (222) of the shaft protrudes into a sealed external vacuum chamber (202), which is attached to the housing (200). The rear portion (226) of the shaft (220) is eccentric with respect to the rotational axis of the shaft. A cylindrical end (244) of the shaft rotatingly supports a cap (252), which is coaxial with the shaft end (244). The housing (200) and the cap (252) are sealingly and movably connected by a bellows (246). A compensator (250), eccentric with respect to the cap (252) is rotatingly mounted at the periphery of the cap and is fitted into a cavity within an eccentric driver (248), the rotational axis of which is concentric with that of the shaft ( 220).

Abstract: A simple stepless variable transmission in which rotation of an input shaft (10) is translated into circular motion of an input stage arm (16) which is then converted into periodic rotation of an intermediate linkage (20) around a center of rotation that is displaced from the center of circular motion of the input stage arm (16). The periodic rotation of the intermediate linkage (20) drives an output stage arm (30) into periodic circular motion about a center that is displaced from the center of rotation of the intermediate linkage (20). An overrunning clutch (36) then transmits the useful portion of the periodic circular motion to an output shaft (37). Simultaneously controllably varying the distances between the centers of motion for the input stage arm (16), the intermediate linkage (20) and the output stage arm (30) controllably varies the ratio of the transmission.

Abstract: Screw-nut device of rolling bearing type comprising a screw (V) and a nut (E) with multiple threads, of identical pitch. The consecutive threads (I, II) have, on the screw (V) and on the nut (E), intervals (a+.delta., a-.delta.) varying in repetitive manner with a periodicity corresponding to the pitch, changing of the position of assembly of the screw (V) with respect to the nut (E) making it possible, with the same constituent elements, to cause the conditions of contact of the rolling elements (B) with the threads of the nut (E) and of the screw (V) to vary.

Abstract: In a variable speed geared motor constructed by combining an inverter motor controllable in rotational speed by inverter drive with a gear reducer, the gear reducer is of a two-stage type, and a reduction ratio i of the gear reducer is suppressed so that i.ltoreq.N holds where N stands for a maximum reduction ratio of the inverter motor at which a constant torque characteristic can be ensured. Further, in a series of variable speed geared motors each satisfying the above conditions, a common ratio R of a series of reduction ratios i of the variable speed geared motors is set to 1.2-1.5. For example, the series is set to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.Accordingly, the geared motor can be constructed lightly in weight, compactly, and at low costs, and it can be economically used in a rotational speed region of 200-900 rpm which is an ordinary region in driving of a pump or a high-speed conveyor.

Abstract: The specification discloses a starter drive for starting engines. In one embodiment, a drive gear having a recess on a side thereof transfers motion from a starting motor to a sprag and a rim located in the recess. The rim is integrally formed with an idler gear which in turn transfers its motion to the crankshaft of the engine. After startup, the sprag permits the idler gear and rim to turn independently of the drive gear.

Abstract: A crankshaft vibration damper which has an unique elastomer member positioned between a hub and outer annular inertia member. The hub is configured for connection to the accessory drive end of the crankshaft. The inertia member may or may not be grooved to accept an accessory drive belt. The resilient elastomer member is dimensionally and chemically developed to dampen torsional and bending vibrations when assembled between a corresponding curved hub and inertia member. The radially outward or inward curvature of the hub and inertia member is selected to be sufficient to effectively reduce crankshaft bending vibration.

Abstract: A ball screw device with internal motors comprises a shaft provided with a ball screw groove and a ball spline groove, a ball screw nut threaded on the shaft with balls interposed therebetween, a ball spline nut threaded on the shaft with balls interposed therebetween, and direct drive motors having rotors and stators, respectively. The rotors are provided on outer circumferences of the ball screw nut and ball spline nut, respectively, so that the rotors can rotate integrally with the corresponding nuts. The stators are arranged in an opposing circumference-to-circumference relationship with outer circumferences of the rotors and are secured on an inner wall of a housing. To detect rotation angles of the nuts, rotational positions sensors are arranged close to each other between the nuts.

Abstract: A stage driving device for optical examining apparatus has a pair of moving beds capable of traveling in directions perpendicular to each other, straight guide members mounted on the moving beds, driving knobs coaxially arranged to move the moving beds, and a transmission mechanism converting a rotary motion of each of the driving knobs into a rectilinear motion of each of the moving beds. By the operation of the transmission mechanism, the movements of the moving beds can be made in two directions perpendicular to each other, independently or simultaneously. Additionally, the wear of parts of the straight guide members and the transmission mechanism is minimal and the use of inexpensive parts and the ease of assembly makes it possible to reduce the cost of the entire device.

Abstract: The problem of providing a simplified actuator apparatus (10) for converting unidirectional motion to multidirectional motion is provided by a driven member (14) rotatable about a first axis (18) and a drive member (12) rotatable about a second axis (28) generally parallel to and spaced from the first axis (18). The driven member (14) has first (20) and second (22) radially disposed, diametrically opposed cam followers. The drive member (12) has first (36) and second (38) radially disposed cam actuators. The first cam follower (20) of the driven member (14) is engageable by the first cam actuator (36) of the drive member (12) for driving the driven member in one direction of rotation in response to rotation of the drive member in one direction.

Abstract: In a tilt steering column assembly, there is provided a tilt lock mechanism comprising upper and lower toothed bars which extend along the column assembly, and which are formed with rack-like teeth, and pivotally supported by upper and lower steering columns, respectively. The bars are both placed between two side walls of a lock member having inclined cam slots which move the bars into and out of engagement. The toothed bars engaged with each other to lock the tilt steering column assembly securely in a selected tilt position.

Abstract: The starter includes a movable pinion and a control electromagnet. A transmission between the core of the electromagnet and the pinion includes a rocker lever. The lever has a shaped profile so that the initial loadless travel of the core is shorter than would be the case with a substantially straight lever, if other geometrical conditions remain the same.

Abstract: A balanced worm gear attachable to an output shaft of a motor so as not to disturb the balance of the output shaft. The overall length of the worm gear is set to be an integral multiple of a predetermined pitch L of the worm tooth. The formed worm gear has symmetrical ends which can further be more closely balanced by chamfering the ends.

Abstract: A slip clutch mechanism is provided with a clutch shaft rotated by a driving power source, a pair of slip pinions supported on the clutch shaft in such a manner as to be rotatable around the clutch shaft, and a pair of slip washers supported on the clutch shaft, in such a manner as to be rotatable as unified with the clutch shaft and movable in the axial direction of the clutch shaft and as to get into frictional contact with the individual sliding pinions at the inner sides thereof. A compression coil spring member is interposed between the slip washers and brings the slip washers into frictional contact with the slip pinions. An output shaft is rotated by one of the pair of slip pinions.

Abstract: A method of lubricating the roller bearings journaling the rotatable, vibration imparting, eccentric mass in the closed cavity of a vibratory compactor housing comprising the step of providing a layer of lubricating oil at the bottom of the housing cavity having its upper surface spaced below but relatively close to the nadir point of the circular path of travel of the maximum radially extending node portion of the eccentric mass about its eccentric axis of rotation whereby to prevent penetration of the node portion directly into the oil layer itself and instead permitting the impacting of the node portion only with the upstanding thin columns of oil which are continuously formed at the upper surface of the oil layer, during the vibration of the housing and oil layer, to thereby splatter the oil from the impacted oil columns upwardly within the housing and into the roller bearings.

Abstract: A gravitational compensating system that eliminates gravitational torque of linked robotic arms is provided. A three arm embodiment is disclosed which rotates around a vertical reference axis. The second and third arm rotate around two separate horizontal axes. The gravitational compensating system compensates for the gravitational torque attributed to the second arm as it rotates about its horizontal swing axis and the gravitational torque attributable to the third arm as it rotates about its horizontal swing axis. The combined actuating and compensating systems for the second and third arm are housed in the base structure of the first arm. The compensating system also applies to two arm embodiments.

Abstract: A rotatable flange device for mounting a starter to an engine thereby permitting ready orientation of the starter and associated connections to adapt the starter configuration to a wide variety of engines, mounting positions, and vehicles.

Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, has a three element pantographic linkage including a rigid control arm of which an intermediate point is constrained to move along a horizontal path. One end of the arm is pivotally mounted to an arm carrying the tiltable head, while the other end is pivotally mounted to a locating arm whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure. The relative angular position of the two arms is controlled by two parallelogram linkages with different degrees of fold and having the central arm in common, whereby one of the two linkages is always laterally spaced from the arm. Alternatively the two arms may be secured to respective sprockets pivoted to the arm and connected together by a chain.

Abstract: An electric steering apparatus which effects position adjustment by electric drive has a screw shaft parallel to upper and lower columns. A nut member rotatably supported by a housing fixed to a bracket is fixed against movement in the axial direction of the screw shaft and threadably engaged with a screw portion provided at one end of the screw shaft. In a preferred embodiment the other end of the screw shaft is pivotally connected to the upper column for pivotal movement relative to the bracket in the direction of tilt. The nut member is self-aligning in the housing, and the nut member is rotatively driven by an electric motor to move the screw shaft in the axial direction and thereby move the upper column, whereby position adjustment can be accomplished. The apparatus is provided with a back-lash preventing device in which the screw shaft is pressed against the nut member in a radial direction and the threadably engaged portions of the screw shaft and the nut member are urged against each other.