Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.

Abstract: A combination loader and post cure tire inflator for use with a tire press is provided. A post cure inflator for inflating and curing vulcanized tires includes a plurality of inflator stations with each inflator station including a pair of axially aligned, vertically separable tire inflating chuck rings. A loading apparatus includes a loading arm movable along a linear track relative to the plurality of inflator stations to load and unload each vulcanized tire in a selected one of the plurality of inflator stations without rotating the vulcanized tires in a turnover operation.

Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.

Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.

Abstract: A combination loader and post cure tire inflator for use with a tire press is provided. A post cure inflator for inflating and curing vulcanized tires includes a plurality of inflator stations with each inflator station including a pair of axially aligned, vertically separable tire inflating chuck rings. A loading apparatus includes a loading arm movable along a linear track relative to the plurality of inflator stations to load and unload each vulcanized tire in a selected one of the plurality of inflator stations without rotating the vulcanized tires in a turnover operation.

Abstract: A loader basket for gripping, transporting, and releasing tires, including a fixed ring, a rotating ring operatively interrelated with the fixed ring, a plurality of shoe arms pivotally attached to the fixed ring, shoe assemblies pivotally mounted on each of the shoe arms, alignment links pivotally mounted on the fixed ring and pivotally attached to each of the shoe assemblies, shoe arm actuating rods pivotally attached to each of the shoe arms and the rotating ring for pivoting the shoe arms about the fixed rings while maintaining the shoe assemblies in concentric relation during movement between collapsed and expanded positions, and an actuator for selectively moving the rotating ring relative to the fixed ring.

Abstract: A loader basket for gripping, transporting, and releasing tires, including a fixed ring, a rotating ring operatively interrelated with the fixed ring, a plurality of shoe arms pivotally attached to the fixed ring, shoe assemblies pivotally mounted on each of the shoe arms, alignment links pivotally mounted on the fixed ring and pivotally attached to each of the shoe assemblies, shoe arm actuating rods pivotally attached to each of the shoe arms and the rotating ring for pivoting the shoe arms about the fixed rings while maintaining the shoe assemblies in concentric relation during movement between collapsed and expanded positions, and an actuator for selectively moving the rotating ring relative to the fixed ring.

Abstract: A center mechanism (10) for manipulating a bladder (20) in a tire curing press (12) includes a lower plate ring (28) for carrying a lower bead (22) of the bladder (20), and an upper plate ring (60) for carrying an upper bead (24) of the bladder (20). The center mechanism (10) may also include a first piston chamber (45) and a second piston chamber (105) positioned radially interior from the first piston chamber (45). An outer piston assembly (37) is operative to selectively raise the lower plate ring (28) and an inner piston assembly (71) is positioned inside the outer piston assembly (37) and is operative to selectively raise the upper plate ring (60) relative to the lower plate ring (28). A guide (120) is coupled to the outer piston assembly (37) and is adapted to slidingly contact the inner piston assembly (71) to prevent relative rotation therebetween. Operating fluid is provided through a single port (52) to selectively raise the outer piston assembly (37) and the inner piston assembly (71).

Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator including at least one motor having an output shaft; a drive train coupled to the output shaft, a locking pawl coupled to the drive train; and a housing for at least partially enclosing the motor, the drive train, the locking pawl and the locking pin. The drive train may be configured to linearly urge the locking pawl and a locking pin between a locked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin extend at least partially out of the housing and unlocked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin are retracted toward the housing relative to the locked position. The locking pawl may be positioned to prevent rotational movement of the steering shaft when in the locked position. The locking pin may be positioned to lock the actuator to a steering shaft interface when in the locked position.

Abstract: An actuator for selectively coupling first and second shafts for transmitting torque between the first and second shafts and a system incorporating the same. The actuator includes a sleeve movable between engaged and disengaged positions. An armature is configured to move the sleeve into an engaged position in response to energization of a coil. A latching mechanism may hold the sleeve in the engaged position when the coil is deenergized.

Abstract: An actuator and door latch system incorporating the same. The actuator moves a door latch between locked and unlocked positions with rapidity using a gear train directly coupled to an actuator motor or energy stored in an energy storage element such as a spring.

Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator for locking a detent bracket in an out of park position is provided. The actuator includes a latching lever that is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the latching lever is in the first position and the solenoid is in an extended position the plunger of the solenoid is positioned between a bearing surface of the latching lever and a bearing surface on a base plate, thereby preventing the latching lever from pivoting to the second position. A park pawl actuator including a rack coupled to park pawl and a motor for driving the rack is also provided.