Abstract: A linear actuator includes a hollow housing that is formed from a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the housing is formed to support all of the components of the linear actuator therein, while the second portion of the housing functions to retain such components in the first portion of the housing. An end cap is secured to the end of the elongated tube portion to close the housing. The linear actuator includes a motor that operates through a clutch assembly to selectively rotate a screw. The clutch assembly limits the amount of torque that can be transmitted from the motor to the screw assembly. A nut is mounted on the screw assembly for linear movement in response to rotation of the screw assembly. An extension tube is crimped onto the nut for effecting linear movement of a workpiece. The structure of the nut is designed to facilitate an improved crimping connection between the nut and the extension tube.

Abstract: A spring-set, centrifugally released brake for a linear actuator is provided. The brake includes a drum or ring that is disposed radially outward of a shaft extending from the actuator's motor. The brake also includes a drive plate that is mounted to the shaft for rotation therewith. The brake further includes a pair of brake shoes disposed radially outwardly of the shaft and having radially outer portions disposed radially outwardly of the drum. Finally, the brake includes a pair of compression springs disposed within hollows in the drive plate. The springs are supported at one end by the drive plate and at the other end by one of the brake shoes. The springs urge the brake shoes radially inward when the actuator is at rest and cause the radially outer portions of the brake shoes to engage a radially outer surface of the drum.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a lead screw having a worm gear thread, a forward end and a rear end, a worm gear drive train connected between the motor output shaft and the lead screw to convert the rotary motion of the motor output shaft into rotary motion of the lead screw, an extension tube assembly mounted at the forward end of the lead screw, where the extension tube assembly includes an extension tube concentrically disposed around the forward end of the lead screw, the extension tube having a forward end for contacting a device requiring linear motion, and a rear end, a nut connected to the rear end of the extension tube and threadedly mounted on the lead screw so that rotation of the lead screw moves the nut and the extension tube assembly axially along the lead screw, and a mounting adapter positioned at the rear end of the lead screw for rotatably mounting the lead screw and for attaching the linear actuator to a support structure.

Abstract: Pull starters for cranking an internal combustion engine in a cranking direction include clutch driven means mounted upon a rotatable part of the engine which is rotated during starting by driving clutch means mounted for rotation by a starting pulley. The starting pulley is a spring retrieved pulley which causes rotation of the driving clutch means. The pulley carries projecting clutch disengagement means to forceably disengage the driving clutch means from the clutch driven means if normal disengagement does not occur.The starting pulley is provided with a spring retaining collar extending from one surface of the pulley, and this collar is provided with an outer spring engaging surface. An open ended spring retaining channel is formed beneath the collar outer surface, and a cam step surface extends inwardly from the outer surface to guide a spring into the open end of the channel. Also, the collar is formed to lock a spring end within the spring retaining channel.