Abstract: An energy recovery system for a machine, and particularly an automotive vehicle, includes an energy storage device which selectively receives energy from the prime mover for storage via a predetermined path and delivers stored energy to the prime mover load via the same path. In the preferred embodiment the energy storage device is an elastomeric tube which is disposed for rotational movement about a shaft and secured at the ends to respective end members. Braking units permit selective braking and releasing of the end members relative to fixed supports. A set of planet gears are controlled by the brake actuation to drive a sun gear or be driven by a ring gear to effect energy inflow and outflow, respectively, from the elastomeric tube. The storage device is permitted to store energy or release its stored energy as a function of vehicle control and operational parameters.

Abstract: In a driving gear, a wheel is mounted on a supporting plate. The wheel has a rim with teeth on its inside surface and a pinion mounted on the supporting plate is in meshed engagement with the teeth. A housing, attached to the supporting plate, encloses the wheel. Entrainment surfaces on the outside circumference of the wheel engage an elongated power take-off member supported within and extending through the housing.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for toy running vehicles comprises a frame member having a circular recess for receiving a coil spring therein, a gear, a pinion, and a gear mechanism for connecting the gear and the pinion within the recess with a drive shaft having wheels mounted thereon, a cover for the frame, another frame snap-engaged with the first mentioned frame and a spring in the recess. The inner end of the spring is inserted through a guide slot formed in the first frame and wound within the recess, the inner peripheral wall face of which has a plurality of small recesses for receiving the outer end of the wound spring.

Abstract: A device for supporting a hanging plant and for slowly rotating it to expose different sides to sunlight. The device comprises a cord for attachment at one end to a hook or other fixed object and for attachment at the opposite end to the plant. The cord extends in length and winds in one direction in response to an increase in the weight of the plant by feeding of water and contracts and winds slowly in an opposite direction as the water evaporates from the plant.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor has a single spring arrangement for a dual belt system. The spring is connected between two drum members which are respectively connected to one seat belt and one member of an epicyclic gear mechanism. The other two members of the epicyclic gear mechanism are connected to the other seat belt and the other drum member, respectively. Extension of either or both seat belts results in the spring being transferred from one drum to the other resulting in a force differential between the drums. Retraction of the belt or belts is enforced by the spring returning to the as assembled position on the drums to relieve the force differential. The epicyclic gear mechanism is operable to drive one drum at a higher rate of speed than the other drum independently of which seat belt is extended.

Abstract: A tension providing device is adapted to change a rotation force due to a spring torque of a shaft to a pushing force in the direction of an axial line of a piston. At one end of the above shaft, a split groove is formed, and at a position corresponds to an axial center of the shaft attached to a lid of a casing body which forms an outer shell of said device, a penetrated hole having an appropriate size and shape is provided. The rotation of the shaft is locked or unlocked by a stopper member latched with said split groove and said penetrated hole removably. Further, said locking mechanism is adapted to perform winding the spring and pulling back the piston into the device by the rotation of the shaft through the penetrated hole of said lid without removing the lid of the casing using an appropriate tool.

Abstract: A winding and reeling device for an elongated, flexible member. A reel is connected to the outer end of a spiral spring. The outer end of the spiral spring is rigidly connected to the reel, whereby a gear is connected between the outer and the inner end of the spiral spring such that upon rotation of the outer end of the spiral spring around its center axis the inner end of the spiral spring rotates around the same axis, however at a slower rotational speed. The reel has smooth surfaces and comprises at no place any gear teeth. A rotation of the reel causes the rotation of the gear wheels of the gear, whereby two gear wheels having a different number of teeth are rigidly connected to each other and arranged on a common shaft. A further shaft is provided which carries two further gear wheels, whereby one gear wheel is rigidly connected to the further shaft and the other gear wheel is freely rotatable on said further shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved gyro-type manually operated dynamo mechanism applied to appliances consuming limited momentary power. Energy is stored by stressing a spring which, when released, keeps in mechanical connection with a train of acceleration gears terminating in a relatively heavy flywheel when the stressed spring is released to resume its unstressed state, and disconnects therewith when the spring reaches unstressed condition and allow the flywheel to rotate freely, thereby enhancing the exploitation of the energy stored in the flywheel in the form of inertia to produce the requisite electricity to sound the buzzer.

Abstract: The energy recovery device includes a housing having a central shaft which is connected to a lever operating a work-load system capable of generating work-load forces. The central shaft is also connected to a disk having four posts generally parallel to the shaft and initially located at positions corresponding to the four major points of a compass. Within each corner of the housing, a helically coiled spring is positioned over a support post. Each spring has two extending arms which contact two respective adjacent posts on the disk so as to maintain the spring under tension. When the lever is at the neutral position, i.e., when no work-load forces are generated, the recovery forces generated by the four springs within the housing are generally balanced. As the lever is displaced from the neutral position by a driving force, the disk rotates whereby the angular displacement between the arms of any spring decreases. Once the disk is displaced, the spring forces aid in continuing displacement of the disk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring assembly for retracting a spirally wound seat belt to retracted condition after extension in use, and provides means for locking the spring in pre-wound condition prior to assembly with the seat belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a regenerative braking device for an automotive vehicle. The device includes a power isolating assembly (14), an infinitely variable transmission (20) interconnecting an input shaft (16) with an output shaft (18), and an energy storage assembly (22). The storage assembly includes a plurality of elastomeric rods (44, 46) mounted for rotation and connected in series between the input and output shafts. The elastomeric rods are prestressed along their rotational or longitudinal axes to inhibit buckling of the rods due to torsional stressing of the rods in response to relative rotation of the input and output shafts.

Abstract: A device for storing and later releasing mechanical energy has an elongate body, preferably cylindrical, at least one elastic strip or band wound helicoidally about the body and fastened thereto at each end thereof. A rigid rod extends longitudinally through and supports the body. The strips are wound about the body by rotating one end of the body on the rod. The strips of elastic material are subjected only to tensile stress and can be greatly deformed to accumulate a large amount of energy. The dimensions of the device are relatively small and need not be varied to accumulate a large amount of energy. The device is useful for starting an internal combustion engine, a rechargeable element as a substitute for a motor or as an accumulator of braking energy of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A panoramic camera is disclosed having a main body portion and a handle portion which is attached to the main body portion for rotation about a central axis. The main body portion includes a lens and slit arrangement with film being advanced within the camera with respect to the lens and slit arrangement. A lens of the arrangement is oriented radially with respect to a central axis of the panoramic camera. Means are provided within the main camera portion for rotating the handle with respect to the main body portion. The means for rotation preferably includes a resilient ribbon which is wound on a pair of spools. To provide a driving force for the panoramic camera, the ribbon is wound in a reverse manner on one of the spools and in a forward manner on the other spool. A tendency of the ribbon in favor of winding in a forward manner urges the main camera portion to rotate with respect to the handle.

Abstract: This invention involves a spring operated, reversibly rotatable body having a surface on which a flexible, elongated object, e.g. a wire or a band, can be wound, said body being connected with a spring which is stretched by the rotation of the body during the unwinding of said elongated object. The improvement includes a transmission between the elongated object and the spring, said transmission having a gearing ratio which is varied during the rotation of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission comprises two rotatable cones, said cones being connected by means of a traction wire which is wound on the surfaces of said cones. One of the cones is connected with the spring and the other with an output shaft.The aim of the improvement is to provide a means by which the tractive force caused by said spring in the elongated object during the rotation of said body will remain constant.

Abstract: A toy activating mechanism including first and second relatively movable portions, a rotor mounted on the first portion and rotated relative thereto by a wound rubber band with parts of the rubber band rubbed along a surface on the first portion to slow rotation of the rotor relative thereto. The rotor has a row of projections that engage a protrusion on the second part to cause the relative motion as the rotor turns.

Abstract: The invention is an improved apparatus for charging a weapon-type mechanism hile applying only approximately one-half the force required to move the mechanism forward. The apparatus consists of a charger assembly having a spring which is extended by an initial force applied to the charger assembly in a rearward direction and to a position where the charger assembly is latched to the barrel assembly of the weapon-type mechanism. At this position, a compression spring in the barrel assembly is fully extended.The barrel assembly and the charger assembly latched to it are then moved forward to compress the spring in the barrel assembly. As the forward position of the combined barrel assembly and charger assembly is reached, the spring in the barrel assembly being essentially fully compressed, the barrel assembly is latched in place at this position as the charger assembly is delatched from the barrel assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a winding spring for a seat belt winding apparatus which comprises an output drum and a take-up drum. The winding spring is stretched in the S-shaped form between the output drum and take-up drum. In the normal use region of the entire length of the winding spring, the natural radius of curvature of the spring is gradually increased. In the surplus use region of the spring, the natural radius of curvature of the spring is divided into a part where it is gradually decreased and a part where it is kept constant. The natural radius of curvature in the free end portion of the winding spring is increased.

Abstract: A speed governor for a disposable spring motor driven data recorder of the type which is used, for example, in a railroad car to graphically record, on a traveling tape, the temperature in the car at all times during a transit period of several days; the speed governor comprising a mechanical-hydraulic mechanism associated with the spring motor and operative to control--to a constant but extremely slow rate--the speed of travel of the tape.

Abstract: There is disclosed a testing system employing a circulating tool, a cushion valve, a seal unit packer with a foot sleeve, and a landing nipple with a transducer fitting. This system permits running a packer with a foot sleeve and transducer fitting and landing it in the well, and subsequently running a tubing with a circulating tool and cushion valve to land in the seal unit. Thereafter a transducer may be run on a wireline.

Abstract: A toy timing device including an escapement-like mechanism regulating the movement of a movable portion toward a position on a housing toward which it is biased by the alternate slipping and sticking of parts of a rubber band extending over ribs on the movable portion as the rubber band parts move along a continuous surface on the housing.

Abstract: An energy storing device comprising an elastic cylindrical body of a diameter gradually increasing from one end thereof to the other with a spiral groove provided in the outer surface thereof, to store a rotary force and a thrust simultaneously.

Abstract: A flash butt welder with an operating lever connected to the movable platen and control mechanism therefor including a rotatable cam member having an arcuate cam surface with a flash portion followed by a radially inwardly extending upset portion, a cam member driving wheel mounted on the operating lever in contact with the flash portion of the cam surface for rotating the cam member and a snubbing device for controlling the rotation of the same member.

Abstract: A kinematic solar heliostat for reflecting solar energy onto a fixed target which uses a single drive to position reflected solar energy onto such target during daytime hours at any latitude and having a capability of automatically returning eastwardly each day to reflect such energy on the target the following day.

Abstract: An operating device for an electric circuit breaker comprises a closing spring and a rotatable spring-controller mounted for rotation between first and second dead-center positions with respect to the spring. The spring is charged by transmitting rotational forces to the spring-controller through a pawl mounted on the spring controller and an abutment on a rotatable driving member. Cam means is provided for releasing the pawl from driven engagement with the abutment at the end of a spring-charging operation. Circuit-breaker closing is effected by allowing the spring quickly to discharge after a charging operation.Discharge of the spring carries the spring-controller into said second dead-center position and produces oscillations of the spring-controller immediately following such discharge. The cam means holds the pawl out of a collision path with respect to said abutment during such oscillations, even if such oscillations should carry the spring-controller through as much as 90.degree.

Abstract: A proportioned resistance exercising apparatus capable of exercising two limbs synchronously or separately with a single resistance mechanism. Two limb-engageable drive input devices are connected through one-way clutches to a single rotary shaft, which is, in turn, drivingly connected to the proportioned isokinetic resistance-producing mechanism.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus has at least one power-driven roller arrangement for a positive engagement and feed of an item in the conveying direction, and an incremental feed device situated downstream of the roller arrangement as viewed in the conveying direction. The incremental feed device includes an incremental feed roller spaced from the roller arrangement; an energy storing device connected to the incremental feed roller; and a mechanism for urging the item against the incremental feed roller for rotating the incremental feed roller by the item advanced by the roller arrangement to arm the energy storing device and for further advancing the item by the incremental feed roller during energy release by the energy storing device.

Abstract: A safety belt reel comprising a coil spring, a shaft on which a safety belt is stored and a variable torque device coupling said spring to said shaft; said variable torque device including at least one spiral body, an element which is drivably engaged with said body and means for enabling translational movement of said body when the spring is wound or unwound by withdrawal and retraction of said belt whereby the output torque of said device is varied to adjust the force exerted on said belt.

Abstract: A spring drive mechanism which is particularly suitable for mobile toys, for example, such as small toy autos. In a spring drive mechanism of the above-mentioned type, in that the axle of the reversing pinion is a portion of a spring wire which is retained in spring drive mechanism plates, whereby a spring portion which is located on the side of the elongate aperture is constructed as an abutment for displacing the axle of the reversing pinion to thereby form the drive connection. The inner hook-shaped constructed end of the drive spring engages behind a projection on the spring core shaft. When the spring is unloaded, this construction allows for the spring core shaft to further rotate, since the now stationary or more slowly rotating inner end of the spring will not hinder the further rotational movement of the spring core shaft.

Abstract: A spring drum including a coil spring for rotation about a shaft is provided with a cone shaped member located within a cylindrical drum. The cone shaped member is disposed in the drum coaxially with the drum and one end of the coil spring is fixed to the cone shaped member. The coil spring is shaped to have a conical form and provided around the cone shaped member. One end of the coil spring is fixed to the drum and the other end to the shaft, or vice versa.

Abstract: A tooth-brush carries its own supply of tooth paste in a removable cartridge inserted into the tooth-brush handle. The tooth paste is discharged through a passage from the cartridge to a flexible nipple located between the tooth-brush bristles. A piston is located in the cartridge to push the tooth paste towards the bristles. The piston has a groove engaging a longitudinal rib of the cartridge to prevent rotation of the piston. A screw is threaded through the piston and has a head urged forwardly by a spring abutting against a cap rigid with the tooth-brush handle. Upon screwing of the screw by a knob at the end of the tooth-brush body, the screw is caused to move rearwardly to a limit position to thereby compress the spring. The cocked spring produces slow and uniform discharge of a measured amount of tooth paste over the bristles by moving the screw and, therefore, the piston forwardly.

Abstract: In a spring or electric motor, or other power means for toys, games or the like, a liquid governor which has gear members disposed for rotation within a closed interior cavity of a housing for the governor. A driven shaft extends from the motor means through the housing into the cavity and is operatively connected to a driven gear disposed within the cavity. An idler gear is disposed in meshed engagement with the driven gear for rotation thereby, and a high viscosity liquid substantially fills the cavity providing resistance to the driving of the gears and thereby a slowing control for the motor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clockwork motor, particularly but not exclusively, for toys, wherein an escapement consisting of a friction memeber that is pressed resiliently against a sliding surface moving with a part of the clockwork motor running down under the action of a mainspring, and wherein the pressure force for the friction member is arranged to be approximately proportional at any given moment to the driving force of the mainspring at the moment. The friction member is mounted on a carrier spaced from and movable relative to the sliding surface, and a stationary end of the mainspring engages with the carrier.

Abstract: A gyroscope rotor is rotated to a very high speed when a pawl is moved to release a ratchet coupled to a coil spring drive and keyed to a drive shaft. The coil spring drive then drives the rotor at a multiplied rate of speed through an arbor, planetary pinions revolved by the arbor and meshing with a fixed ring gear, a sun gear keyed to a drive shaft, the drive shaft, and hooking claw clutch teeth on the drive shaft and the rotor. When the spring reaches an unwound condition, the rotor overruns the drive shaft, the clutch teeth on the rotor cam the drive shaft axially away from the rotor, and a compression spring moves the drive shaft and a pilot pin thereon to retracted positions completely out of engagement with the rotor. A keeper bar on the pawl normally overhangs the ratchet to hold the drive shaft in clutching engagement with the rotor, and, when the pawl is released, it moves the keeper bar to a retracted position permitting axial movement of the drive shaft.