Abstract: A universal starter motor assembly, which may be affixed to many different makes and models of internal combustion engines. A starter motor and solenoid assembly of the gear reduction type has a face plate which covers the armature gear, supports the idler gear and the outer bearing of the clutch assembly extends through the face plate. Many different styles of mounting adapters can be easily attached to the face plate and are shaped and configured to permit the starter motor assembly to be affixed to a particular style of internal combustion engine. The pinion gear of the starter motor is removable and replaceable from the exterior of the universal starter motor.

Abstract: A cam mechanism that converts unidirectional rotary motion into substantially uniform oscillating motion is disclosed. The mechanism includes a cam having a cam surface of generally cardioid configuration having a first point of minimum distance from a rotational axis and a second point of maximum distance from the rotational axis such that an angle measured from a first line connecting the axis and the first point to a second line connecting the axis and the second point is less than 180.degree. measured in the direction of cam rotation. The cam may be driven from a power source having unidirectional rotary motion, such as the output shaft of a music box mechanism. A crank or rocker arm may be pivotally attached to oscillate about an oscillating axis and have a cam follower associated with the cam such that rotary motion of the cam causes the crank or rocker arm to oscillate about its oscillating axis.

Abstract: An anti-backlash rack and pinion drive system comprising a pair of spur gears on parallel shafts engaging a rack with countertorque preload imposed by a positive timing belt engaging a pair of pulleys respectively coupled to the shafts. Slack on one side and a resilient transverse load applied to the other side of the belt provides counterspur gear tooth pressure on the rack equal to the maximum drive load effected through reversible rotation of one of the shafts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving device for driving or operating elongate display members at signs for consecutive, repeated presentation of series of images, whereby said elongate display members (2) are driven through pairs of gear wheels (15, 16) having conical teeth and whereby a driving gear wheel (15) in each pair of gear wheels is provided on a drive shaft (6) and a driven gear (16) wheel in each pair is operatively connected with the elongate display member (2) to be driven.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column apparatus includes two opposed toothed surfaces 36, 38. One toothed surface is disposed on a bracket fixed to the vehicle body structure. The other toothed surface is formed on a clamp plate 24 which includes resilient wings 44, 46 which lift the mating toothed surfaces out of engagement when adjustment is to be carried out.

Abstract: A horizontal (X-Y) table used in, for example, a bonding device including a lower table movable in one direction on a horizontal plane, an upper table installed on the lower table and movable in the other direction on the horizontal plane, an upper table driving deck which is supported by a bridge that straddles the upper table and is able to make a linear motion in the moving direction of the upper table on the upper table, a driving mechanism for the lower table, a driving mechanism for the upper table driving deck, and a link which connects the upper table and upper table driving deck so as to move them in the moving direction of the lower table, thus minimizing an area to be occupied by the X-Y table.

Abstract: An engine starter apparatus comprises a housing (9), a d.c. electric motor (2), an output rotary shaft (3) with a pinion (7), and a planetary speed reduction gear (5). The planetary speed reduction gear (5) comprises a sun gear (11), an internal gear (20), a plurality of planetary gears (12) disposed between the sun gear (11) and the internal gear (20), and a planetary gear carrier (10) connected to the output rotary shaft (3) for rotatably supporting the planetary gears (12). The internal gear (20) comprises a ring-shaped internal gear member (20a), and elastic reinforcing ring member (21,22; 24) for elastically supporting the internal gear member (20a), thereby to increase rigidity of the internal gear member (20a).

Abstract: The component mounting plate of a control console for an appliance such as a washer or dryer is retractable so that the console's knobs are flush with the appliance's outer trim panel.

Abstract: In an overhang type starter, an output shaft having a pinion for rotating a ring gear of an engine is arranged so as to move forwardly through an interlocking member by a shift lever which is turned by an electromagnetic switch. Accordingly, it is not necessary to move an over-running clutch large in weight by the shift lever, so that the electromagnetic switch can be made compact in size.

Abstract: A coaxial starter including: an electric motor, an output shaft having a pinion mounted to the front end thereof and engaging the pinion with a ring gear in an engine when it is advanced and to disengaging the pinion from the ring gear when it returns. An electromagnetic switch is provided for advancing the output shaft when an excitation coil is energized and for closing a contact in a circuit electric motor. A planetary gear reduction device reduces the rotation of an armature shaft of the motor and an over-running clutch transmits the reduced rotation to the output shaft.

Abstract: In a coaxial type starter, the rear end portion of the clutch inner of its overrunning clutch is supported through a bearing on the front end portion of the armature rotary shaft, and the front end portion is supported through a bearing on the front bracket. Both end portions of the clutch outer are supported through bearings on the clutch inner, and the clutch outer is fitted into the cylindrical portion of the planetary gear frame in such a manner that the clutch outer and the cylindrical portion slide relative to each other when torque larger than a predetermined value is applied thereto. The clutch inner and the clutch outer are maintained coaxial at all times, and the clutch inner and the bearings or rollers are prevented from being abnormally worn out.

Abstract: An improved tram transmission (10) for transferring power produced by a tram motor (54) to a tram crawler chain (66) more efficiently than transmission of prior art. The improved tram transmission (10) includes a motor drive shaft receptacle (12) which is dimensioned for receiving the drive shaft (56) of a tram motor (54). A plurality of cooperating pairs of gears (70) are provided to cooperate with the motor drive shaft receptacle (12) such that the power produced by the motor (54) may be transferred to the crawler chain (66). A plurality of shafts (73) are included to support the gears (70) and are held in place with ball bearings (183). The main shaft (76) carries a hub (158) which includes a plurality of sprockets (166) for engaging the crawler chain (66). A housing (18) is provided for shielding the components (12, 70, and 183) from debris and moisture and for containing lubricant (68) for the gears (70), shafts (73) and bearings (183).

Abstract: Flexible thermoplastic rack bar for meshing with a gear wheel, particularly for the drive of displaceable vehicle elements, like roof elements, sliding windows, and the like, having a series of supported teeth and a pull-resistant reinforcement embedded essentially parallel to a pitch line of the rack bar. The rack bar teeth are supported on at each lateral side and the reinforcement is disposed only in a cross-sectional area of the rack bar which lies heightwise between the head and the root of the rack bar teeth, preferably, substantially along a central transverse plane of the rack bar.

Abstract: A reduced pressure reaction chamber allows rotation of a workpiece, and translation of the workpiece along the axis of rotation, using a sealed rotate and translate actuator. The reaction chamber has rigid walls, and is particularly suited to reduced pressure systems. The actuator includes a shaft coupled through the wall of the chamber by a vacuum rotary feed-through mechanism. A sleeve is mounted over the shaft and coupled to the shaft by means of threads, and shaft seals, which provide a frictional coupling between the shaft and the sleeve. Due to the frictional coupling, the sleeve attains the same rotational velocity as the shaft. A clutch is provided, which engages the sleeve when linear translational motion is desired. The difference in rotational velocity of the shaft and the sleeve is translated into linear motion by the threads. The shaft seals, in addition to providing the frictional coupling, seal the actuator, and reduce contamination caused by such mechanism.

Abstract: A bench type router/shaper which includes (i) a spindle drive pack which incorporates the motor and the spindle into a unitary package so as to establish and maintain a spacial relationship between the motor and the spindle, (ii) a semi-elastic drive belt encompassing the spindle and drive shaft which has a modulus of elasticity effective for providing effective power transmission while permitting removal and replacement of the drive belt without repositioning of the spindle and/or the drive shaft, (iii) a spindle adjustment mechanism for repositioning the longitudinal position of the spindle and thereby the depth of the cutter which includes a rotatable bell crank, a spindle in communication with the first extremity of the bell crank for linear movement of the spindle based upon rotational movement of the bell crank, and a rotatable handle in communication with the second extremity of the bell crank for producing rotation of the bell crank based upon rotation of the handle and (iv) a protective shield over t

Abstract: Both ends of a main shaft are fixed so as not to rotate, so a rotatable moving body can be moved along the main shaft when a screw-rotor is rotated on the main shaft and a spline-rotor does not rotate thereon. The rotatable moving body can be rotated on the main shaft when the screw-rotor and the spline-rotor rotate on the main shaft. Further, the rotatable moving body can be moved along and rotated on the main shaft when the spline-rotor rotates on the main shaft and the screw-rotor does not rotate thereon. In case that both ends of the main shaft are respectively fixed to travellers, which are capable of moving in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the main shaft in the same direction at the same speed, the rotatable moving body can be moved in a plane. Further, in case of a plurality of subdrive systems, a plurality of rotatable moving bodies can be moved independently.

Abstract: Known traffic barriers require heavy duty motors to raise and lower the arm. Accordingly, a traffic barrier arm operating mechanism comprises a component for raising and lowering an arm connected to a drive shaft. A crank arm is mounted on the drive shaft and a draw rod is connected to the crank arm, the draw rod passing through a bearing in which it is slidably pivoted. A spring guide is mounted at the bearing, the draw rod extending into the spring guide. The end of the draw rod remote from the crank arm carries a spring compression element engaging one or more springs contained within the spring guide and is arranged to compress the or each spring within the spring guide on rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction which, in use, causes the barrier arm to be lowered.

Abstract: A disk driven rotationally by an electric motor includes a cam-shaped groove and a shaft orthogonal to the plane of the disk. One end of the shaft bears a radial arm connected rotationally to the shaft, and fitted with a pin designed to engage the groove. The other end of said shaft is connected directly or indirectly with one or several movable parts to be animated.

Abstract: An interactive system for guiding the use of a surgical tool uses at least one imaging technique, such as CT scanning. A mechanical arm has a fixed base at a first end and a tool holder that holds the surgical tool at a second end. A display displays one or more images from the image space of a patient's anatomy. A computer is coupled to the display and the mechanical arm. The computer tracks the location of the surgical tool through physical space, performs a transforming rotation of the physical space to the image space, and causes the display to display the location of the surgical tool within the image space.

Abstract: The face angle dependent force versus displacement properties of the double faced, asymmetrical inclined plane are extended to a three dimensional rotating machine which exhibits the properties of continuously variable torque versus speed ratios in both forward and reverse directions. These desired properties are obtained in the three dimensional model through the use of circular disks which are tilted on their axes of rotation to create the force versus angle properties of the inclined plane. The selection of desired torque-speed ratios including transitioning through a zero speed or "frictionless clutch" operation. Ratio selection is accomplished by setting the tilt angles of three disks around their respective axes of rotation. Two of these disks are mounted through universal joint mounts to the transmission output shaft and the third disk is mounted, through a universal joint mount, to a non-rotating sleeve surrounding the output shaft.