Abstract: A robotic ankle system provides an assistive force for the heel-up portion of a user gait. Energy is stored in a spring responsive to a heel-on portion of the gait, and then released as the heel-up portion begins. In this manner, the gait of a user is assisted. The systems and methods are of particular use for those affected by stroke or in connection with rehabilitation activities.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a drug delivery system includes a plunger member configured to engage and move a stopper within a container, with the plunger member having a first position and a second position axially spaced from the first position, a leadscrew configured to move the plunger member from the first position to the second position, and a biasing member configured to bias the leadscrew in a rotational direction, where rotational movement of the leadscrew is configured to move the plunger member from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A gear-driven infusion assembly is provided which has a housing, a gear assembly coupled to the housing, a shuttle assembly slidably coupled to the housing and operably coupled to the gear assembly, and a tube enclosure connected to the housing. The tube enclosure is configured to house a primary drug closure such as a syringe. The gear assembly includes a spool assembly having a pinion gear and a drive spool. When the spring rotates the drive spool, the drive spool drives the pinion gear, and the gear assembly drives the shuttle assembly. When the gear assembly drives the shuttle assembly, the shuttle assembly slides longitudinally along the housing. The gear assembly may be spring driven such that a spring rotates the pinion gear about the drive spool. An overspeed protection device is also provided which has a spool assembly including a drive spool.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a drug delivery system includes a plunger member configured to engage and move a stopper within a container, with the plunger member having a first position and a second position axially spaced from the first position, a leadscrew configured to move the plunger member from the first position to the second position, and a biasing member configured to bias the leadscrew in a rotational direction, where rotational movement of the leadscrew is configured to move the plunger member from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An energy harvester system (EHS) for converting a multiple degree of freedom (MDF) pendulum motion into a rotational motion is provided. The EHS includes a pendulum, a pointing element, and motion control slots (MCSs) enclosed in an external housing. Ambient motion from the external housing generates a MDF pendulum motion in the pendulum. The pointing element is slidably positioned on a rod of the pendulum. The MCSs receive a connector that connects the pointing element to the rod of the pendulum and allow the connector to traverse the MCSs, thereby controlling slidable movement of the pointing element along with the pendulum. When the pendulum moves to first ends of the MCSs, the pointing element slides on the rod to allow a pointer of the pointing element to contact and rotate a gear, thereby converting the MDF pendulum motion into a rotational motion of the gear, which drives an electric generator.

Abstract: A patient side-system includes a column with a rail and a counterbalance subsystem. The patient side-system may further include a braking subsystem. The counterbalance subsystem includes a spring assembly coupled at one end to the column with a spring member, and a housing movably coupled to the rail. The housing includes a drum to receive the spring member and a plurality of roller elements to guide a movement of the spring member winding or unwinding on the drum. If present, the braking subsystem includes a first pulley rotatably coupled to the column, a second pulley with a locking mechanism spaced apart from the first pulley and rotatably coupled to the column, and at least one brake cable wrapped around the first pulley and the second pulley with ends coupled to the housing. The locking mechanism can set a position of the housing along the column.

Abstract: A method of downscaling the travel-time-function of a reference body of mass mt in a spring-mass system with a spring providing a spring force when the spring-mass system is exposed to an acceleration field with an acceleration which moves the reference body against the spring force according to the travel-time-function is provided. In this method, the downscaling is done by coupling the reference body of mass mt to additional masses mr which are kinematically linked together in such a way that they do not react to acceleration field.

Abstract: A spring motor for driving a driving shaft, comprising a spring operating gear; a spring about a rotation axis; a gear train; and a coupling arm connecting the rotation axis to the driving shaft by the gear train to transmit energy released by the spring from the rotation axis to the driving shaft, activating the driving shaft into rotation at a first speed. This spring motor allows storing energy in a spring; transmitting the stored energy to a driving shaft by linking an axis of the spring to the driving shaft by engaging the gear train; and reloading the spring; and reloading the spring by using a motor or transmitting energy from the driving shaft to the spring.

Abstract: A spring-based mechanism for saving labor of a bicycle rider is disclosed and in one embodiment includes an axle operatively connected to a chain wheel and a first set of bearings via a gear assembly; a housing for mounting a shaft therein wherein the first set of bearings is provided at one end of the shaft; a second set of bearings provided at the other end of the shaft; a spring in the housing and having one end attached to one end of the shaft and the other end attached to the other end of the housing; and a clutch provided externally of the other end of the housing, the clutch being operatively connected to the second set of bearings and including a lock lever. The mechanism can store elastic force by counterclockwise pedaling and release the stored energy by disengaging a clutch from the mechanism when riding uphill.

Abstract: A sonically controlled motor has a rotating shaft and an escapement selectively allowing or denying rotation there-of. An acoustic element cooperates with the escapement such that selective operation of the acoustic element selectively allows or denies rotation of, or controls the rotational speed of the shaft. A machine, such as a toy, having one or more moving elements may be controlled by the motor such that selective operation of the acoustic element selectively allows or denies movement of the machine. Alternation of the volume and/or frequency of the acoustic element may be used to alter the operation of the motor, or the motor may be operated according to the beat and qualities of music. The motor may be operated by remote control of the acoustic element.

Abstract: An elastic energy storage device has an energy storage unit which has an axial rod penetrating through a plurality of rotary disks and spiral springs. One side of each rotary disk is protruded with an outer edge buckling post and another side thereof is installed with an inner edge buckling post. Each two rotary disks are installed with a spiral spring. The casing is installed with a unidirectional power output shaft for driving the first rotary disk of the energy storage unit to rotate. The speed change box has an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is connected or engaged to the rotary disk; and one of the rotary disks of the energy storage unit at an innermost side has a function of driving the input shaft to rotate. Thereby, the at least one spiral spring stores energy through a flywheel and then release the energy steadily.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator is mounted with its shaft connected to the rotational operative shaft of a service brake actuator. The spring brake actuator has a clock spring, which is mechanically charged at a rotation of the actuator shaft in a brake release direction. It also has an electric coil for keeping when electrically energized—the clock spring in its charged condition. Further, it has means for transferring the rotative energy of the clock spring to the actuator shaft in a brake applying direction, when the coil is energized, but allowing free rotation of the shaft in either direction, when the coil is energized.

Abstract: An elastic energy storage device has an energy storage unit which has an axial rod penetrating through a plurality of rotary disks and spiral springs. One side of each rotary disk is protruded with an outer edge buckling post and another side thereof is installed with an inner edge buckling post. Each two rotary disks are installed with a spiral spring. The casing is installed with a unidirectional power output shaft for driving the first rotary disk of the energy storage unit to rotate. The speed change box has an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is connected or engaged to the rotary disk; and one of the rotary disks of the energy storage unit at an innermost side has a function of driving the input shaft to rotate. Thereby, the at least one spiral spring stores energy through a flywheel and then release the energy steadily.

Abstract: A spring driven apparatus includes power shafts mounted upon a base, torsion springs mounted about the power shafts, power gears attached to the power shafts, a drive shaft for transferring energy generated by the torsion springs to a drive flywheel and to a rewind flywheel which is connected to a cam which actuates ratchet members which rotates the power shafts to rewind the torsion springs. The spring driven apparatus can run because of the power generated by the torsion springs, which are partially unwound each time, which generates useful power that can be used to propel golf carts, home generators and similar applications and also generates energy which goes back into the rewinding and resetting of the torsion springs.

Abstract: A booster actuator 10 may be positioned between the solenoid 12 and a valve 14, and increases the energy output from the solenoid to activate the valve. The booster actuator 10 may include a force input member 28 and a force output member 30 each linearly movable with respect to a body 20 from an initial position to an activated position. A coil spring 46 biases the input member to the initial input position, while a plurality of disk springs 48 bias the output member 30 to the activated output position. A plurality of linking members 32 each pivotable with respect to the body normally retain the force output member in the initial position, but upon movement of the input member to the activated position release the force output member in response to the disk springs.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating rotative force using spring according to the present invention permits rotative force of an input shaft to be intermitted to an acceleration gear by an intermitting gear, an available time for the rotation of an output shaft to be confirmed by an indicating means, and the operation to be stopped by a stopping means. In addition, the apparatus causes the rotation of the output shaft to be stopped exactly in ‘0’ position of the available time by a setting means. Therefore, since the present invention intermits rotative force only by the intermitting gear, a production cost is reduced by the simple configuration, and thus the apparatus according to the present invention could be provided with low cost. In addition, the convenience in use is increased, since user could confirm the available time of rotation, the operation could be stopped while generating the rotative force, and the apparatus could operate in an inclined or upside down position.

Abstract: A tri-modal—energy storage mode, fail-safe mode, and operating mode—fail-safe actuator with low overall power consumption and specifically low fail-safe power consumption due to energy storage pawling mechanisms. Stored energy is discharged at a controlled rate in fail-safe mode. The actuator's sequencing through its three modes is enabled by a dual-cam/clutch system which is powered separately from the operational (shaft control) system.

Abstract: The escapement (10) includes first (6) and second (7) wheels meshing with each other. One (6) of these wheels is driven by the gear train. First (9) and second (11) rollers secured to a common arbor (1) support a sprung balance. The wheels (6, 7) and the first roller (9) are provided with means allowing said first roller to receive direct impulses supplied alternately by the first and second wheels for the purpose of maintaining the oscillations of the balance. The second roller (11) is provided with means for driving a locking and rocking member arranged to lock said first and second wheels alternately.

Abstract: Speed regulator mechanism and mechanical motor for applications in thermal vacuum on satellites. It comprises an escapement wheel (1) and a detent (5), the escapement wheel (1) being actuated by a spring, if the mechanism acts as a motor, or by the same device whose speed it controls, if the mechanism acts as a regulator, and with which is coupled the shaft (2) for connection to the structure to be deployed, either directly or indirectly through a step-up gear wheel train (3, 4), and the detent (5) carrying a flywheel (7) connected to its shaft (6). The mechanism is suitable for deploying structures such as antennas, panels or any specimen liable to be deployed on satellites placed in orbit or located in any environment.

Abstract: A pair of side-by-side track assemblies are provided and each track assembly has a wheeled, dragster simulating and occupant riding vehicle mounted thereon for guided movement longitudinally therealong. Each track assembly includes bungee cord vehicle accelerating structure for rapidly accelerating the corresponding vehicle along the track assembly toward the other end thereof and each track assembly other end includes bungee cord vehicle decelerating structure operative to engage the corresponding vehicle and to gradually increasingly decelerate the same as the vehicle moves along the track other end portion. In addition, the bungee cord decelerating structure is further operative, after decelerating the corresponding vehicle and terminating its movement toward the track structure other end portion, to accelerate the vehicle back toward the first end of the track assembly.

Abstract: A contact lens cleaning apparatus having a clockwork controlled by a rotary knob to turn a ratchet wheel against a pawl, causing the lens cage to oscillate in the cleaning solution in the container, wherein the lens cage consists of two symmetrical semispherical gratings hinged together and retained in the closed position by a fastener for carrying the left eye contact lens and the right eye contact lens respectively.

Abstract: In a governor of the type which is used for regulating the angular velocity of a toothed gear wheel which is biased to rotate, the improvement which comprises an inertial mass affixed to one end of a spring, the other end of the spring being affixed to a ratchet bar of the governor whereby said end of the spring affixed to the inertial mass moves from an unloaded position just before a change in direction of oscillation, to a loaded position, and then back to an unloaded position just after the direction of oscillation has changed.

Abstract: A spring motor includes a power spring having a plurality of ends, a multiplicity of coils between the ends and a plurality of lobes defined by the coils. Each lobe includes at least some coils which increase and then decrease in radii to define the lobe. The spring is wound through a spool coupled to one end of the spring and engaged with a crankshaft extending through the spring. A lock clutch on the spool prevents the spring from unwinding through the spool. The escapement permits controlled unwinding of the spring to oscillate the carriage. The remaining end of the spring is coupled to a ratchet wheel which is an escape wheel of an escapement. The spring is supported on a mandrel in the form of a tube coupled to the escape wheel. A plurality of coils at one end of the spring forms a slip clutch which engage the tube to prevent overwinding of the spring. A washer mounted on the tube within the spring prevents remaining coils of the spring from engaging coils of the slip clutch.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spiral spring power source for a toy, which can select a method of winding a power spiral spring 7 by a pulling string type winding cord 25 and a method of winding the power spiral spring 7 by a winding key 43 by removing a mechanism relative to the winding yarn 25, can alter the pulling direction of the winding cord 25 at 360.degree. in case of the method with the winding cord 25, can drive the output shaft through a gear set when uncoiling the energized power spiral spring 7, but can produce outputs not at one position but at a plurality of positions to be connected to a plurality of gears selected from the gear set.

Abstract: A braking device is provided to reduce the speed at which a shiftable spring motor runs down. The braking device includes a pallet which is mounted so that it can oscillate, the pallet having a pair or arms which cooperate with the teeth of an escape wheel 13 which rotates as the spring runs down. The pallet is connected to a pendulum weight. The depth of engagement of the arms of the pallet in the teeth of the escape wheel as well as the amplitude of oscillation of the pallet and/or the pendulum weight connected therewith allow the braking action to be changed and hence the speed at which the motor runs down in one of a plurality of selectable shift positions.

Abstract: The two-speed drive mechanism for toys of the present invention comprises, in order to utilize the spiral spring releasing force as the source of driving power, a mechanism element interconnecting through a gear mechanism a spiral spring shaft fixed with one end of the spiral spring and an output shaft for taking out the power; a mechanism element for deciding to change or not to change the rotational speed by acting or not acting on the output shaft of the aforementioned mechanism element; and an interconnecting gear group for interconnecting the spiral spring shaft and the aforementioned elements so that the working time of the latter mechanism element may be effected later by certain rotations than the point of time the spiral spring begins to rotate (when releasing).

Abstract: A mechanical drive system for driving a syringe, or other fluid infusion system, over extended period of times, which drive system also provides manual advance and quick release features. Manual advance and quick release is selectively provided by mechanically decoupling the gear train from the syringe drive mechanism.

Abstract: A high reliability drive arrangement produces a rate-controlled output displacement and is particularly suited for driving a medical infusion apparatus. Energy for producing the output displacement is derived from a wound spring which, in a preferred embodiment, is coupled to an output shaft by a redundant gearing system. First and second drive gears, and their associated pinions on the output shaft, are rotationally displaced with respect to one another to prevent alignment of potentially defective gear teeth and to align the teeth on one gear with the inter-tooth spacings on the other. The output shaft additionally engages a rate-control arrangement which governs the rate of rotation, and consequently, the rate of the displacement. The possibility of uncontrolled rotation is reduced by providing a safety arrangement having a safety gear plate which has fewer teeth than its associated drive gear.

Abstract: An escapement device has a latch plate interposed between an input and output shaft. The latch plate is pivotably connected to the input and output shafts. The latch plate has a shoulder which abuts a coaxially mounted gear ring. The output shaft is spring loaded to rotate in one direction. The input shaft can be rotated to disengage the shoulder of the latch from one of the gear ring teeth to allow the output shaft to rotate under its spring bias until the output shaft repositions the latch shoulder to reengage another one of the gear ring teeth.

Abstract: A spring motor for selectively rotating a drive shaft. The spring motor includes a spiral power spring for causing an axle to rotate, and a flywheel for being rotated by the axle. The power spring-flywheel combination is capable of providing continuous power to a drive shaft even while the power spring is being rewound or recoiled.

Abstract: A timer adapted to toy applications, and in particular for use in conjunction with toy ride-on vehicles is provided. The timer includes a spring-driven mechanical motor manually windable to at least a predetermined time duration state and a manually displaceable mechanical switch for the selective stopping and starting of the mechanical motor for the measurement of elapsed time.

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: A disengageable transmission device is provided in which a driving pinion is used to selectively drive a driven wheel via a wheel train mounted on pivotal lever. The fulcrum of the pivotal lever is positioned so as to minimize the rotational torque effects on the wheel train lever of the contact between the driving pinion and the wheel train and of the contact between the driven wheel and the wheel train. An energy escapement control device is also provided and the torque effects of this device on the wheel train lever are also limited by the positioning of the fulcrum of the lever.

Abstract: A motor operated swing or the like is disclosed which includes a canopy supported by legs which in turn has mounted therein a reciprocable closed carriage which supports a swing seat, cradle or the like and encloses the motor mechanism and the controls therefor. The canopy has outer enclosing end plates and inner end plates which are readily assembled to the canopy, with the inner end plates supporting a spring winding shaft with a spring tube thereon surrounded by the motor spring. A friction free escapement of synthetic plastic is provided which includes a toothed ratchet wheel, a gravity actuated safety pawl, a gravity actuated safety dog and a gravity actuated actuator for successively actuating said pawl and dog, the motor spring being connected at one end to the carriage and at the other end to the ratchet wheel. The escapement has double safety provisions for the pawl and dog, is constructed so as to be readily assembled without extra parts, and has accessible provisions for unwinding, if desired.

Abstract: Stanchions are supported vertically aligned and each carries a vertically adjustable clamp which carries two rollers which support the weight of a rotisserie spit. One clamp has a bracket which supports a clockwork motor. The motor is connected to the spit by a universal joint to compensate for non-parallel alignment of stanchions or non-level clamps. The motor has a rotatable first spool having a winding key, a pawl to permit winding, a shaft connected to the universal joint, and the first gear of a train. A second spool is rotatably mounted in the motor. A constant torque Negator spring is fixed to the first spool and is unwound therefrom onto the second spool. At the end of the train is a pinion having triangular teeth. A reciprocable escapement plate is driven by the end pinion to control the first spool shaft for constant speed, constant torque rotation of the spit.

Abstract: A motion-restraining device for dissipating at a controlled rate the force of a moving body. The device is characterized by a drive shaft adapted to be driven in rotation by a moving body connected thereto through a tape wound about a reel mounted on the drive shaft, oscillatable mass, a crankshaft connected with the drive shaft, and an elongated pitman link having one end pivotally connected to the crankshaft and the opposite end thereof connected with the mass through an energy dissipating linkage including a shuttle disposed within a slot and guided thereby for rectilinear motion between a pair of spaced impact surfaces so configured that reaction forces applied at impact of the shuttle with the impact surfaces include oppositely projected force components angularly related to the direction of the applied impact forces, whereby a cancellation of components of reaction forces is achieved.