Abstract: A locking unit for a motor which is to be locked in which a plurality of fingers at the ends of flexible arms, coupled to a locking motor, move into and out from engagement with a plurality of spaces bounded by ridges in a member which is connected to the shaft of the motor to be locked.

Abstract: A parking lock includes a support structure with steerable and rotatable wheels operatively mounted on the support structure. A locking wheel is operatively mounted on at least one of the steerable and rotatable wheel. A locking lever is pivotally mounted on the support structure. Receiving members are positioned on the locking wheel for operatively receiving the locking lever. A linkage is provided for operatively connecting the locking lever to the receiving members positioned on the locking wheel independently of the rotational and steering angle of the wheel.

Abstract: In a wheel and brake assembly for a wheeled cart, such as a shopping cart or a luggage cart, a horn is mountable to the cart so as to extend downwardly from the cart. A wheel defining a wheel axis and including a hub is journalled to the horn at the hub. A pin projects from the hub but clears the horn when the wheel is rotated. A bracket is mounted pivotably to the horn so as to be pivotable over a limited range, between an inoperative position and an operative position, with a tang projecting axially from the bracket. The tang is arranged to engage the pin so as to brake the wheel against further rotation in one rotational sense, once the bracket has been pivoted to the operative position, if the wheel is rotated by less than one full revolution in the same rotational sense. The pin is arranged to engage the tang so as to pivot the bracket from the operative position, and so as to release the wheel, if the wheel is rotated by less than one full revolution in the opposite rotational sense.

Abstract: A motorcycle disk brake lock comprises a main body, a lock bolt and a locking member. The main body has a base portion, a first arm, a second arm, and an insertion slot formed between the first arm and the second arm for receiving therein a motorcycle disk brake. The lock bolt is disposed on the first arm such that the lock bolt can be moved back and forth in a direction parallel to an open end of the insertion slot. The lock bolt has a retaining portion corresponding in location to the open end of the insertion slot. The lock bolt is provided along the edge thereof with at least one first locating portion. The locking member has a second locating portion capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the lock bolt to engage the first locating portion. The distance between the retaining portion and the insertion slot of the main body can be adjusted so as to disable the motorcycle disk brakes of various outer diameters.

Abstract: A motorcycle disk brake lock comprises a main body, a locking member, a firs stopping member, a second stopping member, and a third stopping member. The main body is composed of a slot, a receiving space, and a through hole located between the slot and the receiving space in which the locking member is disposed. The locking member is provided with a press portion and a locating rod capable of moving along with the press portion. The first stopping member is located on the locking member. The second stopping portion is located on the inner edge of the receiving space such that the second stopping portion is capable making contact with the first stopping portion so as to prevent the locking member from being driven to move outwards. The third stopping portion is located on the inner edge of the receiving space such that the third stopping portion is parallel to the second stopping portion and is also able to prevent the locking member from being driven to move outwards.

Abstract: An improved collet lock arrangement for a hand-held power tool having a housing is provided. The collet lock arrangement includes a powered rotatable shaft including a base portion and distal end portion defining a collet for adaptably connecting a driver tool attachment thereto and a locking structure for securely locking the shaft to the housing to selectively prevent the shaft from rotating when in a locked position while allowing the shaft to freely rotate in an unlocked position. The locking structure has a locking sleeve coaxially coupled around the shaft for axial movement relative thereto between the locked and unlocked positions, a clamp nut fixedly connected to the housing, and a sleeve guide non-rotatably coupling the locking sleeve to the clamp nut. The clamp nut and sleeve guide are coaxially arranged for coaxially receiving therethrough the shaft and the locking sleeve.

Abstract: A stand, in particular a stand for a musical instrument keyboard, comprises two double-T stand segments which are connected with one another so as to be swivelable out of a rest position into a working position in the manner of a pair of scissors. A locking gear mechanism is included for determining the swivel angle and, accordingly, the working height of the stand segment associated with the swivel axis of the stand segments. The locking gear mechanism has a catch member which is associated with one stand segment. The other stand segment has an associated locking member of the locking gear mechanism acting against the force of a spring. The locking gear mechanism is a directional locking gear having a locking disk with a plurality of catch notches for determining the working positions. The locking member is in the form of a catch lever which is arranged tangentially to the locking disk and engages in the catch notches in the radial direction.

Abstract: A security device for a cart wheel utilizing a housing which is mounted to the cart in the vicinity of the wheel. A locking element supported to the housing and is selectively movable into positions engaging the cart wheel or being disengaged from the cart wheel. A motor is employed to move the element in such reciprocal motion and is operated by a controller. The controller includes a counter to determine the number of revolutions completed by the wheel, and a trigger for starting the motor upon receipt of a signal from the counter representing a preselected number of revolutions completed by the wheel.

Abstract: A parking lock mechanism for use in a vehicle drivetrain subassembly having an electric motor coupled to a reduction gear set with the gear set including a rotatable output member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking holes. The mechanism comprises a locking pin movably mounted in an end cover structure of the drivetrain subassembly and a cam rotatably mounted in the end cover structure and having an inner portion in contacting engagement with the locking pin. An actuator assembly is provided for applying a torsional load to the cam which urges the locking pin into contacting engagement with the output member when the locking holes are circumferentially misaligned with the locking pin and causes a predetermined rotation of the cam about its longitudinal axis from a released position to an actuated position when one of the locking holes is circumferentially aligned with the pin.

Abstract: A wheel includes a hub having a number of teeth formed on one end. A cam is rotatably supported on one end of the hub. An axle is rotatably engaged in the hub and has one end engaged with the cam. A spring biases the axle to engage with the cam. A coupler is rotatably engaged on the axle and includes a key for engaging with the teeth of the hub when the spring biases the axle toward the cam, and the key is disengaged from the teeth when the axle is moved against the spring by the cam. The wheel can be applied to push carts or applied to motor vehicles.

Abstract: A tripod head comprises a panning braking device having a plurality of braking units with different braking forces which is supported on a panning shaft, and a torque switchover mechanism allowing to freely switch over torque on the side of said braking units; a weight balancer having a plurality of spring units, in which one or a plurality of spiral springs with different elastic forces are incorporated, supported on a tilting shaft and a righting moment switchover mechanism allowing to freely switch over a righting moment against the tilting on the sides of the spring units; a tilting braking device having a plurality of braking units with different braking forces which is supported on said tilting shaft, and a torque switchover mechanism allowing to freely switch over torque on the sides of the braking units; and a sliding plate device having a set spring capable of freely floating and sinking, said set spring being in contact with one of the side end surfaces of the sliding plate for securing a device suc

Abstract: A two-stage brake device of a tape measure, comprising a locking brake mechanism and a pull brake mechanism, wherein the locking brake mechanism includes a pivotable driving button for urging a brake plate to brake the tape and the pull brake mechanism includes an elastic pressing button having an integrally formed pressing plate, whereby when the pressing button is free from any pressing force, the pressing plate is elastically urged to press against the tape and substantially fix the tape at a desired extending length. While when the pressing button is pressed, the pressing plate is released and disengaged from the tape, permitting the tape to elastically retract into a housing of the tape measure.

Abstract: A motorcycle disk brake lock comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a lock main body. A gap is located between the first and the second arms. A lock bolt is provided with a straight leg portion and a curved portion. The straight leg portion is disposed slidably in the first arm while the curved portion of the lock bolt extends toward the second arm and across the gap. A lock bolt fastening pin is disposed in a base portion of the lock main body such that the lock bolt fastening pin can be moved between a first position and a second position, and that the lock bolt fastening pin restrains the lock bolt when located at the first position. A lock having a lock cylinder and a lock core is disposed in the base portion of the lock main body such that the lock core of the lock is coupled with the lock bolt fastening pin, which can be caused to move to the first position from the second position when the lock core is located at a locking position.

Abstract: A lightweight wheel assembly intended primarily for use on wheelchairs including an injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic push rim, injection-moldable fiber-reinforced plastic wedge-bottom spokes, and a lockable static in-hub brake. Important advantages of the invention include very light weight compared to prior art wheel assemblies while achieving the high component strength desired, shock absorption qualities beneficial to wheelchair users not provided by other wheel assemblies, a convenient and easy-to-operate positive-engaging static brake, and components which may be made from the inexpensive injection molding process.

Abstract: A brake system for roller casters includes a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to respective sides of a main unit by means of a shaft, a brake assembly mounted within the main unit. The brake assembly includes a brake lever which will extend into a gear tooth of each wheel and jams the free movement of the wheel.

Abstract: A countershaft type power transmission has a plurality of selectively engageable friction clutches for establishing a plurality of forward drive ratios and a reverse drive ratio between meshing gear members on an input shaft, a countershaft and an output shaft. One of the power paths established by the meshing gears includes a gear member rotationally fast on the output shaft. A parking pawl member is selectively engageable with this gear member to prevent output shaft rotation when parking is desired. The pawl has teeth formed thereon having a profile which permit continuous simultaneous engagement between two teeth on the pawl and two teeth on the gear member regardless of the rotational bias imposed on the output shaft during parking.

Abstract: A dolly for carrying sheet material is provided which consists of an elongated substantially U-shaped frame having a pair of spaced side walls projecting upwardly from a base, so as to receive part of one edge of the sheet material therein. A boss is integrally formed with the base of the frame and depends centrally therefrom. A shaft is mounted in the boss with its ends projecting on opposite sides of the boss. A pair of wheels are provided, with each journalled for rotation on each end of the shaft, so that a person can grip and push the sheet material to transport it along a flat surface.

Abstract: In a vehicle park lock mechanism having a rotatable lock arm (5) for locking a gear (3) which is fixedly mounted on a transmission shaft (2), a pawl device integral with the lock arm is comprised of first and second locking pawls (6F, 6R) which are operable to engage the gear so as to prevent forward and backward directional rotations of the gear. The first and second pawls are arranged such that they may project into one and another toothe spaces (3b) of the gear which are spaced circumferentially of the gear with at least one tooth space therebetween. Gear having a relatively large pressure angle such as a transmission gear may satisfactorily be used as the gear for the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A drum-type washing machine includes a horizontal shaft type drum which is rotatably supported by a supporting shaft within a frame and rotated by a motor, and a reduction mechanism transmits a rotation of a rotation shaft of the motor to a rotation shaft of the drum. The reduction mechanism includes a small pulley with gear secured to the rotation shaft of the motor, an intermediate large pulley, a V belt wound on the small pulley with gear and the intermediate large pulley, an intermediate small pulley secured to the intermediate large pulley to be rotated together with the intermediate large pulley, a large pulley secured to the rotation shaft of the drum, and a V belt wound on the intermediate small pulley and the large pulley. In the vicinity of the small pulley with gear, a claw which is normally biased toward a direction that the same is kept away from the gear is arranged. A solenoid or a torque motor engages the claw with a root of the gear against the spring when the drum is to be locked.

Abstract: In a wheel and brake device for a transportation vehicle with pivotal wheels, a particularly simple brake operation may be achieved by placing a brake activating structure at each end of the vehicle and connecting it to a brake lever. The device comprises only one pedal at opposite ends. The pedals are arranged to be activated in only one direction irrespective of whether a braking or a releasing operation is to be performed. Each pedal is connected to a swinglebar by brake levers, the swinglebar also being connected to a cam follower. The cam follower runs along a cam track defining two fixed resting positions for the cam follower. In one of the resting positions, tabs on a brake block will engage with teeth firmly connected to the wheels.

Abstract: A single wheel-type caster includes a frame having a body portion and a pair of parallel side walls extending downwardly from the body portion. A wheel is disposed between and rotatably supported on the pair of side walls of the frame. A mechanism for locking the wheel includes a group of engagement portions which are provided at the wheel, and are arranged on a circle having its center aligned with the axis of rotation of the wheel. This wheel lock mechanism further includes a push button and a slide member. The push button is disposed in opposed relation to the outer peripheral surface of the wheel, and is supported on the body portion of the frame so as to move radially of the wheel. The slide member has an engagement portion, and is supported on one of the side walls of the frame so as to slide radially of the wheel. The slide member is moved in response to the movement of the push button.

Abstract: An automatic braking wheelchair having an automatic braking assembly which automatically locks one or both wheels of a wheelchair when the patient attempts to rise. The automatic braking assembly includes a movable seat, a locking bar connected to the movable seat having a cavity therein for receipt of the axle, and a locking member rigidly connected to the hub of the wheel which is received in the cavity of the locking bar to selectively lock the hub and wheel in a stationary position.

Abstract: A canoe toting apparatus which enables an individual to manually mount and transport a canoe or similar marine craft over reasonable distances includes a pair of large diameter wheels rotatably mounted on opposite ends of an adjustable length axle. Wheel stabilizers, coupled to the axle, may be pivoted into interfering engagement with the wheels to prevent the wheels from rotating while the marine craft is positioned on the toting apparatus. A pair of resilient guide members are slidably mounted over the axle and adapted to receive the underside of the marine craft. An adjustable length strap, coupled to the axle, is securable about the gunwales of the craft to secure the craft against the toting apparatus.

Abstract: A hand brake mechanism for a central processing unit cabinet comprising a base and a handle, wherein the base is fixed on the bottom of the cabinet and located between two wheels provided on the cabinet. A pair of engaging rods, each engaging rod having a guide pin at one end, are provided on both sides of the base. The handle is combined with the base, and is slidable thereon. There are a pair of guide plates provided on the handle at a location corresponding respectively to each of the engaging rods. The guide pin of the engaging rod comes into contact with the edge of the guide plate. When pushing or pulling the handle, the guide pin slides along the guide plate, and the engaging rod moves axially, to engage or disengage the wheels of the CPU cabinet.

Abstract: A carriage lock selectively enables and prevents a mobile carriage from moving along rails embedded in a building floor. The mobile carriage includes a shaft on which are rotatably mounted a driver sprocket, a hub, and a handwheel. The hub mates with the driver sprocket. A chain and sprocket mechanism connects the driver sprocket with the carriage wheels such that rotation of the handwheel and hub causes the carriage to move along the rails. A locking knob is loosely captured between the hub and handwheel for being manually rotated through a predetermined angle relative to the hub and handwheel. A pin is translatable within the hub parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis. The pin has a head that is received within a selected one of two angularly spaced depressions in a cam formed on the locking knob. The depressions are also spaced apart in the direction of the shaft longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a caster (1), in particular a steering roller having a wheel (5, 6) and a locking device, the locking device having a setting element (7) and engagement element (9) which cooperates with the setting element so as to block the travel of the wheel (5, 6) in which a linear setting movement of the setting part (7) can be transmitted via a wedge transmission (10) to the engagement element (9). In order to achieve a development which is as simple as possible from a design standpoint and also has advantageous kinematics, the invention proposes that the engagement element 9 be arranged guided for linear movement in order to effect a linear engagement movement with respect to the wheel (5, 6).

Abstract: A mobile carriage is movable along rails by manual rotation of a handwheel. The mobile carriage comprises a visual indicator that instantly informs a person of the locked or unlocked status of the mobile carriage. The visual indicator comprises at least one ridge on the handwheel and another ridge on a locking knob. The locking knob is loosely captured between the handwheel and a hub for selective rotation relative thereto between first and second end positions. The locking knob has a cam that slides a pin within the hub between first and second positions whereat the pin disengages and engages a stationary lock plate. When the locking knob is manually rotated to the first end position thereof, the pin disengages from the lock plate to enable handwheel rotation and carriage movement. Manually rotating the locking knob to the second end position thereof causes the pin to engage the lock plate and prevent handwheel rotation and carriage movement.

Abstract: An improved parking brake is provided for use on a movable machine, in particular a lift truck with an elevating platform. A pin-type brake is provided with a buffered slide mechanism which engages and disengages a slotted disc mounted on a wheel to brake the machine while not in use. The buffered slide mechanism provides a delay for the slide mechanism when the slide and apertures in the slotted disc are not in precise alignment, and automatically engages or disengages the brake when the slide and disc apertures are in alignment. The brake also reduces wear on the internal cylinder components by providing a slide supported at its ends by guides and pivotally linked to the cylinder mechanism.

Abstract: A weaving machine of the type in which a main shaft is braked by an electromagnetic brake has, in addition to the brake, a lock for locking the main shaft against rotation. The lock includes a locking element which meshes into gear teeth of a wheel coupled to the main shaft. The lock is automatically activated when power to the weaving machine fails, and may be deactivated by turning a hand wheel.

Abstract: Wheel-locking device, in particular for a pram, which includes at least one wheel unit (4) and a wheel-locking member capable of being displaced substantially parallel to the axle of the wheel and of coming into contact with the wheel rim in order to lock its rotational position, wherein the wheel unit (4) is linked to the frame of the pram by means of a vertical linking sleeve (12) and in that the locking member includes a movable finger (14a, 14b) actuated by a control shaft (15) which moves vertically inside the linking sleeve. A single action on the flexible rod 18 therefore simultaneously locks the two pivoting wheel units of the axle beam 3 in terms of rotation. In one embodiment, the same wheel units may be locked in a fixed direction by means of locking parts (32, 33) interacting with the notches (30) of the linking sleeve (12).

Abstract: The wheel braking device comprises a chassis mounted by a suspension on an axle common to a pair of wheels and a brake member operated by a brake pedal and adapted to brake the rotation of at least one wheel. The brake pedal is mounted for rotation with the axle. The suspension member is mounted near the wheel, about an eccentric fastened to the axle, and is provided with a brake member. The wheel is provided with a brake drum fastened to the wheel and adapted to cooperate by its periphery with the corresponding brake member when the axle is turned in a first direction through action on the brake pedal, thus bringing the brake member towards and into contact with the periphery of the brake drum. The same action is controlled simultaneously on the other wheel on the axle.

Abstract: A twin wheel caster with a brake assembly formed as an integral part of the caster housing. The housing has a central body defining a notch therein and a resilient braking arm integrally formed with and extending downwardly from the central body movable between an unlocked position, whereby the caster wheels are permitted to rotate, and a locked position, whereby the wheels are prevented from rotating.

Abstract: A shaft lock assembly has a stator and a plurality of radially disposed, reciprocating lock vanes that are moved on the stator to lock and release a shaft. The vanes are held in their locked position by a rotatable cam ring. A rotatable cam scroll lifts the vanes from their locked position and positions the vanes in their released position. The vanes and shaft have coacting surfaces to produce a regenerative separating force on the vanes from a locked shaft which is under torque as the shaft is unlocked.

Abstract: A gear lock is moved between a free movement position, at which the gear is freely rotatable, and a locking position, at which the gear and gear lock become self-locking. The gear lock has two locking faces facing one another which fit around one or more teeth with the locking faces adjacent the sides of the gear teeth. The locking faces and the gear sides define tangent contact planes at the positions of contact. The tangent of the angle between the direction of movement of the gear tooth at the contact region and the contact plane is less than the coefficient of friction between the gear and the gear lock. Doing so makes the gear lock self-locking since the component of the gear force parallel to the contact plane does not exceed the frictional force between the two surfaces. The gear lock also provides any final positioning of the gear as it moves into the locking position with the gear teeth opposite the locking faces.

Abstract: There is disclosed a releasable locking mechanism for holding a rotating device in place. The mechanism is particularly adapted for use with an electrophoresis device comprising a support for mounting at least one gel plate assembly in a generally vertical orientation, a pair of buffer tanks for each gel plate assembly, means for mounting the pair of tanks at opposite ends of each gel plate assembly, and means for applying a current at the opposite ends of each plate assembly.The locking mechanism preferably features a two-position push latch and either a lock plate provided with teeth or a disk brake, the latch being positioned to directly or indirectly cause engagement of the teeth of the plate or brake when in one of its two positions.

Abstract: A wheelchair is provided including a forward transversely extending support mounted at one forward corner of the wheelchair for angular displacement about a horizontal axis for movement between a closed position extending between opposite side forward corner positions of the wheelchair and an open position projecting forwardly of the aforementioned one forward corner portion of the wheelchair, the other forward corner portion of the wheelchair and the support including coacting structure for releasably latching the support in the closed position and supporting the adjacent portion of the support against downward deflection relative to the wheelchair as a result of a load being supported by the support.

Abstract: A parking device for an automatic transmission wherein a parking gear provided in a transmission for the automatic transmission comprising the transmission disposed at a rear stage of a torque converter is locked at the time of parking; characterized by that a leaf spring, which urges a locking arm apart from a parking gear when a driving mode is selected to a range other than P-range, is provided on a push rod moving the locking arm which locks the parking gear toward the parking gear; a pin serving as a fulcrum of the leaf spring is held to a housing of the transmission at a position where a spring force of said leaf spring functions so as to part the locking arm from the parking gear when the driving mode is selected to a range other than P-range; and the leaf spring is formed into such a shape that the leaf spring does not contact with the pin as the driving mode is shifted from R-range to P-range.

Abstract: A locking device is disclosed to prevent a rotatably journalled part of a portable tool from rotating. The locking device includes a blocking element which coacts with the rotatably journalled part for blocking the rotation thereof. The blocking element is disposed on the tool and can be shifted from a clear position permitting rotation into a blocking position preventing rotation. In the latter position, the blocking element is braced against the tool. Thus, the blocking element is always present on the tool and is available for use at any time. The blocking element does not need to be held manually in the blocking position because it is supported on the tool.

Abstract: A parking lock system for a vehicle having an automatic transmission, a cover being secured to a case of the automatic transmission. The system comprises a shaft bridging to the case and the cover, a parking pawl rotatably mounted on the shaft, a cam for rotating the parking pawl to engage it with a parking gear secured to an output shaft of the transmission, and a spring for biasing the parking pawl to disengage it from the parking gear. A guide plate is engaged with the shaft at an end thereof and engaged with the case of the transmission at the other end. The spring is so arranged to bias the parking pawl toward a stopper of the guide plate to hold the parking pawl in disengagement from the parking gear.

Abstract: A caster is provided which makes use of a wheel that has discrete notches and that is rotatably mounted to a housing, a locking pin that is movably mounted to the housing to engage (or to disengage from) any one of the notches, and an actuator for use by a user in moving the locking pin into engagement (or disengagement). The housing also has a distinct notch into which the locking pin moves when it engages any of the wheel notches, so that locking force is borne by the housing rather than by the actuator. The notches are preferably defined in an internal surface of the wheel. Advantageously two identical wheels are used in opposition, for optimum strength and appearance.

Abstract: A twin-wheel castor incorporates brake means comprising an externally-operable brake member which is rockably mounted in a body of the castor for engagement with the wheels of the castor to lock the wheels against rotation. The brake member has a detent projection engageable with a formation of the body to retain the brake member in the braking position, and projecting locking stubs which are engageable between internally projecting webs of the wheels to lock the latter against rotation. The locking stubs are resiliently mounted so that their connection to the main body of the locking member on which the detent projection is mounted will yield, should locking movement of the locking stubs be blocked by engagement with the edge of one of the webs, thus allowing the detent projection to engage the body formation and retain the locking member in the locking position. Thus, as soon as the wheel concerned turns, the resilient mounting of the locking stubs causes the latter to move into a wheel-locking position.

Abstract: Theft-prevention apparatus for a shopping cart of the type having a carriage body, a plurality of wheels and a plurality of wheel support yokes secured to the carriage body for rotatably supporting the plurality of wheels, including a pin extending from one of the wheels; a ball movable between a first inoperative position and a second operative position at which the ball is engageable with the pin; a plate secured to the respective wheel support yoke and having a cut-out section defining an aperture; a ball support cage having an inclined surface for supporting the ball at the first inoperative position out of alignment with the aperture such that said ball rests against the plate; and a solenoid secured to the plate for moving the ball support cage to a position adjacent the aperture in response to movement of the shopping cart in the proximity of a predetermined magnetic field to cause the ball to move from the first inoperative position through the aperture to the second operative position, such that the

Abstract: An article handling device which is particularly well suited for loading articles into a reactor furnace for processing and subsequently unloading the processed articles. The article handling device is supported and vertically movable into alignment with the reactor furnace and includes an article moving device which is reciprocally vertically elevatable and reciprocally horizontally extensible for loading the articles into the reactor furnace and subsequent unloading thereof with minimal disturbing of the reactor process residue which is inherently deposited in the interior of the reactor furnace.

Abstract: A locking device for a manually movable wheeled storage rack is described, which storage rack is provided with a manually operated rotatable handwheel, and power transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotational power imparted to the rotatable handwheel to drive wheels, thus causing the storage rack to be moved. The locking device is movable forward and backward in the axial direction thereof by manual operation at the rotatable center section of the rotatable handwheel. This locking device is capable of restricting the action of the power transmission mechanism, rendering the transmission of the motive force impossible, thus making the storage rack incapable of motion. This device can subsequently be released, thus rendering the movable rack once again capable of motion.

Abstract: A replaceable spindle locking system for a power tool enables an operator to replace a lock member without disassembling the tool. An externally-accessible retaining member, such as a washer, is trapped between a ledge located in a housing recess and a shoulder formed on the lock member, which is normally spring-biased out of engagement with a driven member. The coaction of these elements simultaneously and releasably normally retains both the lock member and the retaining member connected to the housing. When it is desired to replace the lock member, the operator depresses the lock member against the urging of the spring until the lock member is out of retaining engagement with the retaining member. Then the retaining member is slideably moved out of engagement with the lock member, thereby allowing the operator to quickly remove it.

Abstract: A stopper for a caster which has a push-button slidably inserted into a mounting hole radially perforated at a frame for journaling wheels, and a stopper rotor so mounted rotatably in parallel with an axle at the push-button as to be elastically urged by a spring in an outward direction and for stoppers formed at the ends thereof on the peripheries of the wheels. An actuator is formed at the stopper rotor, and a cam groove is formed in the mounting hole of the push-button for stepwisely engaging the actuator by the pressing operation of the push-button and the recoiling operation of the spring. Thus, the wheels can be readily locked and unlocked effectively with only one push-button repeatedly operated in pressing the push-button.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a rotary power machine, such as a hand-held power tool, includes a housing-mounted locking pin manually actuatable from a retracted position to an extended, operative position in which the lock pin is received within a pin-receiving bore formed in one of the power transmitting components of the machine. A wedge-like cam or ramp is positioned adjacent to the pin-receiving bore to engage the extended end of the lock pin when the rotating components of the machine are in motion to lift the lock pin away from the pin-receiving bore to prevent accidental engagement of the locking mechanism while machine components are moving. In the preferred embodiment, an output gear is provided with a plurality of ramps and associated pin-receiving bores and is formed as a unitary part using powdered metal fabricating techniques.

Abstract: An electric motor having an improved braking arrangement is disclosed. The braking arrangement includes a stop pawl armature assembly disposed coaxially upon the rotor shaft of the motor for axial movement with respect thereto in response to the magnetic field created by the stator assembly of the motor. The braking arrangement further includes a stop member disposed on the rotor shaft arranged to normally rotate therewith. The stop member functions in the nature of a slip clutch, and is adapted to cooperate with the armature assembly for effecting braking of the motor. During motor operation, the armature assembly is shifted by the magnetic field of the motor stator assembly so that a pawl portion of the armature assembly is moved out of the rotational path of a lobe portion of the stop member. When the motor is switched off, the pawl portion of the armature assembly is moved into the path of the lobe portion, and is engaged thereby.

Abstract: A braking mechanism for a rotating shaft includes a corrugated wheel keyed to the shaft. A polyurethane pad mounted on a spring-biased plunger contacts the wheel corrugations creating non-permanent mating formations in the pad. Thus, upon contact between the two, the wheel and pad mesh thereby preventing wheel rotation until the pad is withdrawn.

Abstract: A traction jockey wheel having a drive mechanism of a pawl and ratchet wheel type with a braking interlock operable when a lever arm used for drive and steering of the traction wheels is lowered or raised past a select range of operating positions. The improvement can apply to either a single wheel or a dual wheel traction wheel assembly.