Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus or manipulator for positioning objects within a sealed chamber. The inventive positioning apparatus has a stator (or sleeve) sized and shaped for receiving a substantially cylindrical outer rotatable element. The outer element is rotatable with respect to the stator. The outer element has an eccentrically bored longitudinal passage sized and shaped for receiving an inner rotatable element. The inner and outer rotatable elements are independently rotatable with respect to each other. The object to be positioned in the sealed chamber is eccentrically mounted on the internal end face of the inner element such that relative rotation of the inner and outer element translates the mounted object in an X-Y plane perpendicular to the axis of the outer element. Relative rotation of the inner and outer elements allows two-dimensional object positioning.

Abstract: A gear reduction unit, having first and second worm gears, includes a support member shaped such that a combined gear unit, having the second worm and a first worm gear coaxially formed therein, is held in an operating position by the first worm and a second worm gear engaging the second worm and first worm gear, respectively.

Abstract: An improved flexure support for a movable wafer or mask holders in photolithographic projection machines, comprising a long slender wire extending between the positioning device and the holder along the X or Y axis so as to constrain the holder to move along the axis while permitting substantial freedom of movement of the holder in a direction perpendicular to the wire by flexing, a bracket housing attached either to the holder or the positioning device with a hollow cavity filled with elastomeric material, and a plate in the cavity and attached to one end of the wire, to permit limited movement of the holder along the axis while it is being restrained against such movement by the positioning device.

Abstract: For changing the wiping angle in a driving mechanism of a windshield wiper for an automotive vehicle or for enabling varying wiping angles with the same parts both in a driving mechanism having a predetermined parking position and in a driving mechanism having no predetermined parking position, an actuated wheel of the gear between the driving motor and the wiper shaft includes at least two selectively used hinge points for the crank drive or at least one hinge point displaceable over the axis of rotation in the radial direction of the wheel, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A transmission includes a plurality of shift rails, each of which is axially movable forwardly and rearwardly from a center neutral position to respective gear engaging positions. The lower shift rails are provided for manual shifting among the lower gear ratios of the transmission. The highest shift rail is provided for selective manual or automatic shifting among the highest two gear ratios of the transmission. An idler rail is disposed adjacent to the highest shift rail. For manual shifting, the idler rail is connected to the highest shift rail, and a manually operable shift lever is used to move both the idler rail and the highest shift rail. For automatic shifting, the idler rail is disconnected from the highest shift rail, and an automatic shift member is moved into cooperation with the highest shift rail. Rotation of the automatic shift shaft causes corresponding movement of the automatic shift member.

Abstract: A drive device for a vehicle part that can be displaced between end positions, especially for a cover of an openable vehicle roof. The drive device is actuated by an electric motor that is connected, by a reduction gear, to a pinion gear placed on an output shaft. The drive device further has a switch element controlling the electric motor, to stop it in at least one predetermined position and an eccentric gear arrangement is provided to actuate the switch. The drive device enables an emergency actuation in which manual actuation of the output shaft is made possible by uncoupling of the electric motor while maintaining the coupling of the switching gear elements, so that, after an emergency actuation, no readjustment of the switching arrangement is necessary.

Abstract: A power receiving, torque translating, output device receives reciprocating power from a plurality of external power producers. The received reciprocating power is timed and controlled by a cam affixed inside a rotor rotating about a stationary central shaft. The central shaft is mounted inside an octagonal central block, and extends to provide rotatable mounting for the rotor. The rotor has a drum shaped portion so positioned as to overlap the entire length of the block thus placing the cam in close proximity rotation around the block. The block has rectangular grooves adapted to guide a plurality of cam following actuators during the reciprocating motion of each one. Each actuator derives motion from a connecting rod attached both to the actuator and to its respective external power producer. Each cycle of reciprocation of each actuator contains one power stroke in each direction for a total of two power strokes per cycle.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle includes a steering column shaft (1) mounted so that it can move rotatably inside a column body (2), and a restraining arrangement (5) for temporarily axially immobilizing the shaft within the body for fitting the assembly onto the rest of the structure of the vehicle, it being possible to move the restraining arrangement between an active immobilization position and a non-obstructing position. The restraining arrangement includes structure (10) for enabling a limited degree of axial movement of the shaft within the body when the arrangement is in the non-obstructing position.

Abstract: A cable assembly for an industrial robot comprising power and signal cables, which by means of watertight bushings extend through a watertight connection box connected at each motor unit, such that the respective table serves all the motor units connected along the cable. Within the respective connection box the cables are unsheathed, whereby a number of conductors for the motor unit in question are deflected whereas the other conductors, without joining, together with the remaining part of the deflected conductors are left to pass to the next motor unit.

Abstract: An actuator unit for a vehicle door locking device comprises a reversible motor, a gear shaft set to an output shaft of the motor, a rotational output member which rotates by engaging with the gear shaft, a driven lever which is changed in at least two positions in accordance with the rotation of the output member, and a housing for storing the above components. The housing is constituted with a main case and a sub case. A first recess for storing the rotational output member, a second recess for storing the motor, a third recess for storing the gear shaft and support means for supporting a rotating shaft of the driven lever are formed on the main case. The output member fitted in the first recess and the gear shaft fitted in the third recess are constituted so that they maintain a meshing state mutually, and each component in the main case is secured at its home position by putting the sub case on the main case.

Abstract: A multiple speed manual transmission shift mechanism mounted within a transmission housing, including a shift rail (10), a control tube (14) which is coaxial with said shift rail (10), a plurality of shift forks (16) supported for translation by said control tube (14), where the shift forks (16) are prevented from translating due to deflectable pins (20), and the control tube (14) may selectively disable the pins (20) to allow translation of the shift forks ( 16 ) .

Abstract: The ball nut and screw assembly includes a ball nut with a radially projecting tang which is received in an aperture in a connector collar for the ball nut. The tang has an axially extending slot which receives a wall portion of the connecting collar. The engagement of the ball nut retainer wall portion or member with the slot locks the ball nut to the connecting collar. If needed, a key can be secured in the aperture to limit axial movement between the tang and the connecting collar. The tang may be manufactured as a separate element having an interlocking slot and projection coupling with the nut.

Abstract: A neutral-reverse shift control actuator is provided in a countershaft transmission. The actuator is operatively connected through a resilient detent mechanism to a forward shift control mechanism. During a neutral-reverse shift maneuver, the drive connection partially manipulates the forward synchronizer, such that synchronization between the input and output shaft is achieved during a reverse shift maneuver. During a five-six or six-five shift, a detent structure is available to reduce the 3-4 neutral force of the centering spring in the shift control mechanism.

Abstract: A base support for a moveable object, particularly an amusement ride employing a stepping motor and stepping motor controller to move the object in fine increments. The base support is attached to an upstanding mounting member. An amusement ride is attached to a first support structure connected to a base member. The support structure is operatively connected to a worm gear assembly and motor driven worm gear disposed between the base member and the support structure to effect movement of the amusement ride about a predetermined axis. The worm gear is driven by a stepping motor. The stepping motor is controlled by a stepping motor controller to control incremental movement of the amusement ride. A second worm gear assembly can be interposed transversely between the first support structure and a second support structure to effect movements of the antenna about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A transmission includes a plurality of shift rails, each of which is axially movable forwardly and rearwardly from a center neutral position to respective gear engaging positions. The lower shift rails are provided for manual shifting among the lower gear ratios of the transmission. The highest shift rail is provided for selective manual or automatic shifting among the highest two gear ratios of the transmission. An electronic controller is provided for controlling the automatic shifting of the transmission in response to sensed operating conditions of the vehicle. A circuit is provided for sensing the rotational position of the automatic shift shaft and for generating an electrical signal which is representative of the actual position thereof, which is also representative of the actual position of the highest shift rail, to the electronic controller. The transmission also includes a shift lever having an end which extends through an opening formed in a case.

Abstract: A centripetal impeller to impart a force and having an attachment piece defining an axis of revolution. The impeller has a movable arm pivotable relative to the attachment piece so that the movable arm is a distance r from the axis of revolution. The impeller includes a rotation device coupled to the attachment piece causing the attachment piece to rotate along the axis of revolution. A variable force device is attached to the movable arm to produce a force on the movable arm toward the axis of revolution so as to cause a net force along the axis of revolution.

Abstract: A rotary control device which includes an output pulley housing and an output pulley rotatably mounted therein. A cable is at least partially wrapped around the output pulley and passed through a cable housing that is slidably mounted on the output pulley housing. The output pulley rotates in response to the movement of the cable. A spring mechanism is positioned between the output pulley housing and the cable housing to bias the pulley housing away from the cable housing to take up any slack in and tension in the cable. Furthermore, the output pulley or the input pulley or both can include a cam lobe or lobes formed on its periphery where the cable wraps therearound to control the torque output of the assembly.

Abstract: A ball nut and screw system has a ball screw mounting a coaxial ball nut. A ball train is disposed in the helical trackway defined by the helical grooves of the nut and screw. A ball end return assembly is provided for the nut which has separate end walls carrying generally radially extending return tracks which communicate with the trackway and the nut has an external ball return surface in communication with the tracks. Interengaging parts on the end walls partially envelop the nut and interconnect the end walls.

Abstract: A composite lead screw for use in a linear drive assembly is provided. The lead screw comprises a generally cylindrical carrier means. The carrier means has disposed therein at least one helical seating groove. This helical seating groove has a lead substantially equivalent to the lead of the lead screw. The lead screw also comprises at least one helical guide means having a lead substantially equivalent to the lead of the lead screw. The helical guide means is seated in the helical seating groove. A follower nut for use in a linear drive assembly in conjunction with the lead screw is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle hand control assembly which, when installed on a motor vehicle, allows the user to control the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal with his hands. Two telescoping members are pivotally attached to a plate which is then secured to the individual pedal with a strap. The strap loops around the pedal and is then attached to the telescoping member with a hook and loop fastener in order to secure the strap, thereby allowing the user to easily install the device without reaching to the floor.