Abstract: An actuator with an override device to avoid damage to components during transition to and from manual operation and during manual operation. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises an output shaft, a drive assembly coupled with the output shaft, the drive assembly comprising a motor and a brake, an override device coupled with the output shaft, the override device comprising a gear assembly and a switch actuator, and a housing forming an enclosure about at least the gear assembly and the switch actuator. The switch actuator can be configured to modify an external input to the drive assembly in response to relocation of the gear assembly relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position so as to disconnect the motor from the external input at the first position, disconnect both the motor and the brake from the external input at the second position, and apply the external input to the brake during transition between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A safety device that is useful to release load on a spring found in an actuator. In one embodiment, the actuator can have a housing comprising a pair of housing members and a fastening device coupling the pair of housing members to one another. The embodiment can also have an output shaft extending longitudinally in the housing, the output shaft having an end configured to couple with a process device. The embodiment may also have a spring coupled with the output shaft. The embodiment can further have a safety device coupled to the spring and configured to operate to reduce loading of the spring from a first load to a second load. In one example, the safety device is in position to prevent access to the fastening device at the first load and to allow access to the fastening device at the second load so that the pair of housing members can separate to allow access to the spring in the housing.

Abstract: An actuator with an override device to avoid damage to components during transition to and from manual operation and during manual operation. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises an output shaft, a drive assembly coupled with the output shaft, the drive assembly comprising a motor and a brake, an override device coupled with the output shaft, the override device comprising a gear assembly and a switch actuator, and a housing forming an enclosure about at least the gear assembly and the switch actuator. The switch actuator can be configured to modify an external input to the drive assembly in response to relocation of the gear assembly relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position so as to disconnect the motor from the external input at the first position, disconnect both the motor and the brake from the external input at the second position, and apply the external input to the brake during transition between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A safety device that is useful to release load on a spring found in an actuator. In one embodiment, the actuator can have a housing comprising a pair of housing members and a fastening device coupling the pair of housing members to one another. The embodiment can also have an output shaft extending longitudinally in the housing, the output shaft having an end configured to couple with a process device. The embodiment may also have a spring coupled with the output shaft. The embodiment can further have a safety device coupled to the spring and configured to operate to reduce loading of the spring from a first load to a second load. In one example, the safety device is in position to prevent access to the fastening device at the first load and to allow access to the fastening device at the second load so that the pair of housing members can separate to allow access to the spring in the housing.

Abstract: A controlled coin inlet or portal is described that allows for improved alignment of a coin with the coin entry slot of a coin acceptor mechanism. A coin entry slot having at least an upper or lower edge is dimensioned to allow entry of a coin of a desired maximum width in a substantially on-edge orientation. The coin portal may include at least one outwardly extending coin guide slot of substantially corresponding maximum width as the coin entry slot and positioned adjacent to the upper or lower edge of the coin entry slot.

Abstract: A controlled coin inlet or portal is described that allows for improved alignment of a coin with the coin entry slot of a coin acceptor mechanism. A coin entry slot having at least an upper or lower edge is dimensioned to allow entry of a coin of a desired maximum width in a substantially on-edge orientation. The coin portal may include at least one outwardly extending coin guide slot of substantially corresponding maximum width as the coin entry slot and positioned adjacent to the upper or lower edge of the coin entry slot.

Abstract: A controlled coin inlet or portal is described that allows for improved alignment of a coin with the coin entry slot of a coin acceptor mechanism. A coin entry slot having at least an upper or lower edge is dimensioned to allow entry of a coin of a desired maximum width in a substantially on-edge orientation. The coin portal may include at least one outwardly extending coin guide slot of substantially corresponding maximum width as the coin entry slot and positioned adjacent to the upper or lower edge of the coin entry slot.

Abstract: A controlled coin inlet or portal is described that allows for improved alignment of a coin with the coin entry slot of a coin acceptor mechanism. A coin entry slot having at least an upper or lower edge is dimensioned to allow entry of a coin of a desired maximum width in a substantially on-edge orientation. The coin portal may include at least one outwardly extending coin guide slot of substantially corresponding maximum width as the coin entry slot and positioned adjacent to the upper or lower edge of the coin entry slot.