Abstract: A toothless ratchet and clutch mechanisms chararacterized by substantially continuous engagement of the rachet wheel, thus allowing the mechanism to operate even under very limited-space conditions. Also, a biasing mechanism for the stem of the socket driver of the rachet or clutch, which eliminates backlash, if the stem is undersized as compared to the socket cavity which receives the stem.

Abstract: Toothless ratchet and clutch mechanisms characterized by substantially continuous engagement of the rachet wheel, thus allowing the mechanism to operate even under very limited-space conditions.

Abstract: A gripping tool, acting as both a pair of pliers and a wrench, self locks and self releases upon application or removal of clamping torque on the handles of the tool, respectively. The locking and releasing mechanism is based on reversible wedging action.

Abstract: A mechanical device alternately visually displays measurements, such as measurements of distance, in either one of two different units of measure. The apparatus comprises a dimensionless rotary indicator means carried by a frame to be visually observable by a user. The indicator means has rotatable input means and is calibrated in units and selected fractions thereof. Motion amplifying gear means are carried by the frame and are continuously coupled to the indicator means. The gear means operate the indicator input means faithfully in response to rotation of a rotary input shaft to the apparatus. The gear means include alternate input gears which are alternately engageable in a more directly driven relation with the input shaft than the other. The apparatus also includes selectively operable mode selector means, operable for engaging one or the other of the alternate input gears in said more directly driven relation.

Abstract: A fully adjustable concentric dial indicator comprises a first annular scale member which is adapted to carry indicia around the periphery thereof defining a first circular scale. The second scale member is disposed coaxially of the first and is adapted to carry indicia around the periphery thereof defining a second circular scale. Friction clutch means couple the scale members to a support for selective rotation of the scale members relative to the support in either direction about the common axis. The friction clutch means includes a manually engageable ring member to which only the first of the scale members is fixed and which is rotatable about the common axis of the scale members against the effect of the friction clutch means associated with the first scale member. First and second concentric rotatable shafts are aligned with the axis and respectively carry first and second pointers.

Abstract: A back-gear set is coupled between a gear forming roll and a gear blank into the virgin surface of which gear teeth are cold-rolled by forceful engagement of the roll with the blank. The blank and the roll are rotatable about axes which are movable relative to each other for infeed of the roll into the blank during cold-forming of the gear teeth in the blank. The back-gears are defined in cooperation with the infeed drive mechanism so that, at the time of contact of the roll with the blank, the blank and roll rotate at a ratio of angular velocities, and the ratio is not changed during infeed of the roll into the blank during cold-forming of teeth in the blank.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is provided for biasing a driven gear in a gear train of the variable center distance type in which the driven gear is meshed with a drive gear and rotates about an axis which is not fixed, at least radially, relative to the axis of the drive gear. The biasing mechanism includes spring means engaged with the driven gear for biasing the same substantially radially toward the driven gear into mesh therewith at a force which provides appropriate relatively low-level engagement forces between the meshed gear teeth. A stop is provided for limiting deflection of the spring means in a direction corresponding to unmeshing of the drive and driven gears. The stop is positioned to limit such deflection of the spring means to an amount less than the deflection required for unmeshing of the gears.

Abstract: A centerless gear forming tool for cold rolling teeth on a gear blank in which the blank is inserted between a pair of gear forming rolls which are movable toward and away from each other. The rolls are urged toward each other by a spring, clamping the blank between them and are caused to rotate synchronously in the same direction. The gear rollers have lugs forming opposing surfaces which engage the blank when the gear rolls are rotated to an initial position. A latch initially holds the rolls apart so that the blank can be inserted between the rolls and clamped in position by rotating the opposing lugs into engagement with the blank. The latch is then released causing the blank to be also clamped between the rolls. Subsequent rotation of the rolls in the direction to move the lugs away from the blank operates to cold form the teeth in the blank under the pressure of the spring.

Abstract: A method for the contrast enhancement of an electrostatic latent image in a TESI-type system or the like, which comprises positioning a photoconductive member adjacent a dielectric surface, and applying an electrical potential between the photoconductive member and dielectric surface while irradiating selected portions of the photoconductive member, to cause electric charge formation on selected portions of the dielectric surface corresponding to the irradiated portions of the photoconductive member. In accordance with this invention, the electrical potential is applied as a plurality of discrete pulses, the pulses of applied electrical potential being separated by time periods in which the applied potential is essentially zero. By this method, the relative electric charge density in the selected portions of the dielectric surface is increased over any electric charge density in the portions of the dielectric surface which do not correspond to the irradiated photoconductive member portions.