Abstract: In a device with a centrifugal brake, in particular for the automatic winding up of an electrical cable for an electrically driven apparatus on a rotatable drum, that is journalled with its hub on a pivot spindle standing on a base plate and is braked on the base plate, the centrifugal brake is formed as a brake wheel (5) revolving inside a brake collar (6) and supported on a journal pin (4) on the base plate (1) laterally of the pivot spindle (2), the brake wheel being driven from the drum with a high gearing ratio. Preferably, the brake wheel (5) possesses two centrifugal weight segments (12) that are connected through resilient flexible arms (5.3) with its hub as a single piece. Advantageously, the pivot spindle (2) for the drum (3) as well as the journal pin (4) for the brake wheel (5) and the brake collar (6) form a unitary injection molded part (FIG. 1, 2) with the base plate (1).

Abstract: A portable turntable apparatus for use in microwave ovens which is used as a supporting base for a container of food which is cooked within the oven and adapted to gradually rotate the same, the apparatus including a motor including metallic materials which motor is mounted in and enclosed by a metal housing and an outer enclosure comprising a cover and base of non-metallic material to prohibit electrical arcing between the motor and the oven walls. The housing is provided with smooth outer surfaces and a minimal sized aperture opening to allow a driving connection between the motor and the enclosure cover. The motor is a spring motor having an improved centrifugal governor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved safety device for stopping cable payout in an overspeed condition, and particularly to a safety device for securing an object from falling because of failure of a hoisting device. According to the invention, an inertial actuated drum locking mechanism comprises an inertial member mounted on a cable rewind drum. The inertial member is pivotable so that when actuated by inertial force above a predetermined value due to overspeed rotation of the drum, the inertial member moves to engage a fixed member for arresting further motion of the drum. The inertial member is held in place until the outward force exceeds the predetermined value, at which point, the inertial member toggles outward to provide rapid and positive engagement of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for escaping from buildings in case of fires or other emergencies. The device enables persons to be rescued to leave the building by descending vertically along the external building walls. The device is made up of a closed casing provided with a hook to hook the same to an anchorage provided therefor near the upper windows or openings of the building. Inside the closed casing is a steel cable coiled on a reel that is connected, through an overgear, to a dynamic brake. A harness or safety belt is provided for being hooked to the free end of the steel cable that projects outwardly from the closed casing, and by means of this harness or safety belt the persons to be rescued leave the building by descending vertically.

Abstract: Antifrictional screws are used to permit the resetting of safety brakes of the type used in hoists. As in prior brakes, centrifugally operated dogs connect braking members, but in the present brakes the dogs also engage actuating members of the antifrictional screws, the screws being rotatable independently of their respective braking members. The dogs can be disengaged from the actuating members by merely operating the usual controls to raise cages of the hoists. The antifrictional screws in one embodiment are then free to be turned automatically independent of the rate of rotation of a braking member by force of usual spring washers disposed between the screws and respective braking members until the brakes are normally released. In modified types, dogs or pawls for controlling the amount of braking continue to engage respective actuating members for controlling rate of rotation of the screws until the cages have been raised sufficiently to release the brakes.

Abstract: A clutch construction has an improved arrangement for pivotally mounting a pair of centrifugally actuated clutch shoes on the drive rotor assembly of the clutch. A backing plate and drive flange are mounted in a spaced axial relationship with respect to each other on a hub of the rotor assembly for rotation with the hub which is adapted to be mounted on a drive shaft of a prime mover. A clutch housing is rotatably mounted on the hub by a bearing ring and is driven by the clutch shoes upon a predetermined shaft speed being reached. A pair of openings are formed in the backing plate located diametrically opposite of each other and are axially aligned with a pair of similar openings formed in the drive flange. A resilient bushing is telescopically mounted in each of the backing plate and drive flange openings to provide a shock-absorbing effect between the clutch shoes pivot pins and the drive flange to prevent fracture of the drive flange.

Abstract: A speed control device characterized by a reference speed shaft spatially related to a heavy duty shaft, a drive train for driving the reference speed shaft at a constant angular velocity, a drive train for driving the heavy duty shaft at a variable angular velocity and a speed control assembly for continuously comparing the angular velocity of the heavy duty shaft with the angular velocity of the reference speed shaft, and a brake assembly connected to the heavy duty shaft adapted to respond to errors in the angular velocity of the heavy duty shaft for reducing the angular velocity of the heavy duty shaft to that of the reference speed shaft.

Abstract: Centrifugally activated members adapted to project outwardly by centrifugal forces when the rotational speed of a shaft to be braked reaches a predetermined level are brought into contact with a brake shoe to impart a rotational force thereto. When rotated, the brake shoe moves axially of the shaft to be braked so as to force a brake wheel, mounted on the shaft to be braked, against a brake disk, thereby applying the brake to the shaft to be braked.

Abstract: A novel torque exchange coupling for transmitting rotational mechanical power is described. The coupling includes a torque receiving member, a torque transmitting member and means for conveying rotational mechanical power between the torque transmitting and receiving members. Typically, the torque receiving member is a housing, a cam or other suitable structure which has a surface comprising a circuitous track. The linear circumference of the track is undulant with respect to its axis of rotation. The torque transmitting member is any suitable rotatable mounting means such as a rotor which is positioned in a rotational power conveying relationship with the undulant track of the torque receiving member. Alternatively, the function of the torque receiving and torque transmitting members can be reversed.

Abstract: A governor rotor assembly having a one piece rotor with a base portion generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation thereof with a parallel spaced cross member, the base portion having diametrically opposed tangentially extending U-shaped recesses formed therein with the open end thereof facing in the direction of rotation. The cross member is provided with similar diametrically opposed tangentially extending U-shaped recesses in facing relation and in general alignment with the U-shaped recesses of the base portion, with the cross member recesses facing opposite to the direction of rotation. A pair of counterweights have the pivot pins thereof configured for being pivotally received within the recesses by insertion therein by angularly positioning the pivot pin relative to a pair of facing recesses and then rotated until the pivot pin is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A snubber apparatus which is constructed to present a high resistance to acceleration of the end fittings with respect to each other such as might occur due to seismic motion. The snubber apparatus preferably comprises a device which converts linear to rotary motion such as a ball screw and ball nut assembly which drives an inertia mass through a brake set and which when rotating causes braking to occur to increase the resistance force on the ball screw and ball nut assembly thus translating rotational resistance to linear resistance. The snubber apparatus is useful in restraining power plant piping, etc., in locations where earthquakes would be expected to occur.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for vehicle safety belts of the type in which a strap of the belt is automatically retracted into a housing and coiled up on a reel when the belt is not in use, to lock the reel either at rapid extraction of the strap of the belt or at an alteration in the travelling speed or direction of the vehicle. The locking mechanism comprises at lease two latching means which are attached to the reel and arranged to rotate with it and which are mounted so that they can be displaced from a retracted position, in which they do not hinder the rotation of the reel, to an extended position, in which they are in engagement with a stop for locking the reel. The latching means are arranged to be moved out by rapid rotation of the reel due to rapid extraction of the strap of the belt or by an actuating means which is rotatably mounted on the reel and arranged to engage with the latching means.

Abstract: A turnstile construction wherein arms normally block the path of movement of persons passing through the turnstile, the arms being engaged when authorized passage is available resulting in movement of the arms either by the force of the person passing through. A brake is provided so that bi-directional speed control is automatically provided in all modes of use. The brake mechanism is associated with a support for the arms to limit the speed of movement of the arms, particularly at the conclusion of the movement required for the passage of one person through the turnstile. A cam structure is drivingly connected to the support to disable the brake means during a substantial portion of the arm movement. As the arm movement approaches the end of a cycle, the cam structure provides for repositioning of the brake means whereby the brake means are able to slow down arm movement, for example, if the person using the turnstile is attempting to move too fast.

Abstract: A centrifugal braking device of compact design uses at least one centrifugal body pivotally connected to a sprocket to shift from a rest position to a stop position to brake movement of a rotary shaft under certain conditions. Thus, depending upon the rotary speed and/or acceleration of the rotary shaft, the centrifugal body will pivotally shift from a rest position to a stop position to prevent rotation of the shaft. A substantially stationary annular member disposed concentrically around the hub of the sprocket has an inner bore which defines a stop for the centrifugal body when said body is shifted outwardly. Said outer bore also defines a cam surface to aid displacement of the centrifugal body from the stop position to the rest position when the shaft is rotated in a specified direction.

Abstract: Apparatus which may be preliminarily attached to the outside elevated place of a hotel, department store or any other building or structure, whereby in case of an emergency such as a fire or earthquake a person suitably attaches his or her body to a rope and descends to escape to a safe place.