Abstract: A thread tensioner for a sewing machine has smooth flat, parallel plastic surfaces between which the thread is passed and which can be urged together with variable tension by a cam acting through a spring. One of the surfaces is a part of an inner wall of a box-like housing. The other surface is carried by a hollow block slidable in the housing and containing the spring, and into which the cam projects.

Abstract: A toy cash register including, in one embodiment, a plastic case having a drawer compartment at the bottom and main mechanism and target display compartments above the drawer compartment. A horizontal metal frame plate defines the top of the drawer compartment and the bottom of the main mechanism compartment. The targets and their operating and release mechanism are supported on the top of the metal frame plate by a plastic target frame carried thereby. In one embodiment a bell and clapper are supported by the target frame below the metal plate and above a cash drawer slidable in the bottom compartment. In another embodiment the bell and clapper are located under the drawer. The means for opening the drawer consists of a wire spring formed as a simple loop of generally circular form which reacts outwardly against the drawer and inwardly against the case. In one embodiment the spring is carried by the case, and in another embodiment by the drawer. The drawer is guided by a portion of its operating mechanism.

Abstract: A chain stitch sewing machine is operated by two substantially parallel and horizontal levers, one of which is medially pivoted in the head and the other in the base. The levers are connected together by a link and actuated by a crank directly connected to the upper lever. The upper lever, which is slidable along its fulcrum to accommodate the throw of the crank, actuates the needle bar. The lower lever actuates a swingable hook by means of a cam secured to the hook and pivoted therewith in the base. A feed dog supported for vertical and horizontal movement in the base has a camming portion interposed between the cam and hook and which is also actuatable by the lower lever and by the cam.In a modification, the upper lever, which is of the first class, does not slide along its fulcrum axis. The actuating arm of the lever is laterally flexible, in a direction parallel to the fulcrum axis, but rigid in a plane perpendicular to such axis, and at its free end is directly pivoted to the crank.

Abstract: A toy cash register having vertically slidable plastic indicator targets and plunger-type actuating keys which are integral with the targets and with interconnecting parts including hinging portions. When raised, the targets are held up by resilient fingers formed on and integral with a rockable plastic latch plate which is swingable to release the targets. The working and locating parts, formed primarily of plastic, interlock with each other and with supporting portions of a metal housing structure so that the need for separate fasteners is virtually eliminated.

Abstract: Type bar actuating mechanism for typewriters comprises a cord connected to each type bar. Each cord is attached to an individual type bar at a position below the pivot axis of the type bar and extends forwardly to a keyboard area, where it is attached to a fixed support. In the keyboard area, each cord extends through a slot in a sleeve-like vertical plunger guide, which is open at the top and which contains a plunger which extends upwardly to a finger piece conventionally arranged in the keyboard section. Between the plunger guide and the type bar the cord extends over a wall having a smooth top over which the cord is freely slidable. When the finger piece is depressed, the plunger pulls the cord over the wall and forces it down inside the sleeve.

Abstract: Typewriter carriage actuating mechanism includes ratchet teeth which are successively pushed by an actuating-type pawl to move the carriage. The actuating pawl is swingable toward and away from the ratchet teeth, to permit the teeth to move beneath it, and is also movable parallel to the path of carriage movement to actuate the carriage. A detent pawl positions the carriage after each forward actuation and prevents reverse movement thereof. The teeth and the tooth-engaging portions of the pawls are inclined in such manner that the carriage is movable in both directions by force applied directly to the carriage. At such time the ratchet teeth cam the pawls out of the spaces between the teeth.

Abstract: A toy cash register having vertically slidable plastic indicator targets and plunger-type actuating keys which are integral with the targets and with interconnecting parts including hinging portions. When raised, the targets are held up by resilient fingers formed on and integral with a rockable plastic latch plate which is swingable to release the targets. The working and locating parts, formed primarily of plastic, interlock with each other and with supporting portions of a metal housing structure so that the need for separate fasteners is virtually eliminated.