Abstract: Infinitely operating two-way adjusting device having a rive element 1, an output element 2 adjustable in angle by operating the drive element 1, and a stepped switching mechanism mounted between the drive and output elements 1, 2 which contains a fixing device which when the adjusted position is reached by operating the drive element 1 blocks rotation of the output element 2 opposite the direction of rotation of the drive element 1. The infinite stepped switching mechanism has a coupling device 5, 6 which is connected to the output element and during operation of the drive element 1 can be connected in force-locking engagement with same, and has a brake device 3, 7 which when the drive element 1 is resting blocks the coupling element 5, 6 with force-locking engagement. (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A self-adjusting wrap spring clutch has a spring overlying driving and driven arbors and in engagement with each. One end of the spring is loosely connected to a control collar, which surrounds the spring and at least a portion of each of the arbors, while its other end is connected to the driven arbor. The control collar is held against rotation by a spring biased pawl engaging one of a plurality of preferably equiangularly spaced teeth on its circumference. When a solenoid is energized, the pawl is withdrawn from the tooth on the control collar and the spring tightens on the driving arbor to transmit torque to the driven arbor from the driving arbor. The pawl rides on a cam surface on a gear hub, which rotates whenever the driven arbor rotates, until the pawl falls into an opening or low dwell in the cam surface so that the pawl can engage one of the teeth on the control collar.

Abstract: A washing machine with an improved mode shifter comprises a basket for holding an article to be washed, a basket collar coupled to the basket, an agitator disposed within the basket, an agitator collar coupled to the agitator, a brake for reducing a rotational velocity of the basket, a brake collar coupled to the brake, a first spring disposed around the basket collar and the agitator collar, and a second spring disposed around the first spring, the basket collar, and the brake collar. The mode shifter provides a mechanically simple, inexpensive, and reliable mechanism for shifting from the agitation mode to the spin mode to the brake mode in a wash cycle.

Abstract: A friction device for controlling a clamping roller coupling for a drive device or for a back-pedal brake device connected to a bicycle hub can include a driving link with an ascending surface profile, at least one roll, a cage ring with cage arms, and an output link. The output link can be a brake jacket of the brake device. The brake device can be actuated by pedalling backword to tighten a friction spring on the hub axle. The friction spring can be realized as a loop spring, and a freewheel can be connected between the loop spring and the cage ring. The freewheel can include a first notch element non-rotatably connected to the cage ring, and a second notch element non-rotatably connected to the loop spring. When pedaling in the normal direction of rotation, the first and second notch elements are disengaged and torque is not transmitted to the loop spring.

Abstract: A clutch/brake mechanism for a transmission of a washing machine which uses an upwardly moving disc brake activated by a spring clutch dependent on the direction of rotation of an associated motor to provide the agitation and the high speed spin of the washing machine.

Abstract: A transmission for a washing machine which uses an off center gear in combination with a rack and pinion agitation mechanism, a brake clutch, and a drive clutch to provide the agitation and the high speed spin of the washing machine. A lost motion interconnection between the machine's motor and the rack and pinion agitation mechanism allows a measure of relative rotation for actuation of the clutches without movement of the agitator.

Abstract: A transmission for a washing machine which uses an off center gear in combination with a rack and pinion mechanism, a brake clutch, and a drive clutch to provide the agitation and the high speed spin of the washing machine. The input shaft is in line with the agitator shaft.

Abstract: A ratchet wheel, connected to a motor through a worm gear and a worm wheel, is supported on a pedal shaft which pivotally supports a brake pedal. The ratchet wheel engages a ratchet member mounted on the brake pedal. When the brake pedal is depressed, the ratchet member rotates on the pedal shaft so that the brake pedal is turned with the ratchet wheel remaining stationary. When the motor is driven, the ratchet member is brought into engagement, so that the brake pedal is turned along with the ratchet wheel. When the ratchet member is operated by a release arm, the brake pedal is released from the ratchet wheel and returned to an original position.

Abstract: A one-way rotary damper comprising a housing, a rotor consisting of a braking disk accommodated in a cavity of the housing and a shaft unitary with the braking disk and projecting toward the outside of the housing, viscous oil filling the housing cavity for applying shearing resistance against rotation of the rotor, a driven gear rotatably mounted upon the end of the rotor shaft projecting outside the housing so as to be free to rotate with respect thereto and formed on its surface facing the housing with a concentric depression consisting of a shallow circular depression and a deep outer annular groove surrounding the circular depression, a coupling disk which is identical in diameter with the circular depression and is fixed on the end of the rotor shaft projecting outside the housing so as to be disposed upon the circular depression, and a clutch spring disposed so as to extend along a radially outer surface of the coupling disk and a radially inner surface of the outer annular groove for enabling the driv

Abstract: A one-way damper comprising, one forming member for forming an accommodating chamber, other forming member disposed opposite to the one forming member such that the one and other forming members form the accommodating chamber therebetween and the other forming member is rotatable relative to the one forming member, a coil spring wound around the other forming member, and a viscous fluid accommodated in the chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can backdrive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston, there is a spring locking mechanism. The spring locking mechanism has a driver, a driven member and a coil spring with a loop.

Abstract: A pedal parking brake device makes it possible to provide a brake retaining state at the maximum braking position. The pedal parking brake device performs a rotational locking of a brake pedal by a coil spring provided at a rotatably supporting position of the brake pedal and includes a supporting shaft fixedly provided at a base plate, a cylindrical core bar loosely and rotatably inserted into the supporting shaft, a brake pedal rotatably attached to a center of the supporting shaft, a brake plate in which a brake hole is provided, integrally formed with the core bar, and a release plate for the coil spring. An outer coil spring is outwardly inserted to the core bar and an inner coil spring is provided at the inner side of the core bar so that its outer diameter may be separately connected with the inner periphery of the core bar. An operation of the parking brake and brake locking are performed by continuously connecting both coil springs to the brake pedal.

Abstract: Pedal parking brake. This device is provided with a supporting shaft fixed to the side of a car body, a rotary body attached to another end of the supporting shaft, a damper case interposed between the supporting shaft and the rotary body, a lock spring latched to a lock releasing member, a clutch spring ineternally provided to the rotary body and the damper case being bridged thereon, and a viscous material filled in a clearance between the supporting shaft and the damper case.

Abstract: A self-braking electromagnetic wrap spring clutch having a wrap spring control ring and a brake control armature plate at separate locations within a common magnetic circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a movable member, the apparatus comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft and a clutch for engaging and disengaging the driving shaft and the driven shaft. The circumferential surface of a cam fixed around the driven shaft has such a specified angle of an arc whose center is the axis of the driven shaft that the movable member is prevented from shifting the position due to inertia rotation of the cam and the driven shaft.

Abstract: A clutch is provided which comprises a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member provided for rotational movement relative to the first rotatable member, a coil spring wound around the first and second rotatable members, and a one-way brake. Rotation of the second rotatable member in at least one direction causes the coil spring to contract so as to fasten together the first and the second rotatable members to rotate synchronously. The one-way brake is adapted for restricting the coil spring from rotating in the winding direction and allowing it to rotate in the release direction so as to allow independent rotation of the first and second rotatable members. Therefore, power can be transmitted to the first rotatable member from the second rotatable member but not in the other direction.

Abstract: A spring coupler comprises a casing, a drive member rotatably mounted within the casing including a main portion and a core portion fixedly connected thereto by staking manner, a driven member rotatably mounted within the casing including a main portion and a core portion fixedly connected thereto by stacking manner and engageable with the core portion of the drive member upon rotation thereof, and a coil spring disposed between the drive member and the casing so as to be engaged frictionally with the casing in the free state thereof and including a first tang and a second tang.

Abstract: A wrap spring clutch/brake apparatus includes a clutch mechanism for supplying increased frictional torque at low rotational speeds to a load. The clutch mechanism is formed of an inner cylindrical-shaped member, an outer annular member disposed concentrically around the inner cylindrical-shaped member, and a garter spring disposed concentrically around the outer annular member. The outer annular member is formed of a plurality of identical-shaped segmented fly-weights. Each segmented fly-weight has an inner arcuate section and an outer arcuate section disposed in a spaced apart relationship from the inner arcuate section by intermediate section. The inner arcuate section is disposed to be frictionally engaged with the outer circumference of the inner cylindrical-shaped member at lower rotational speeds to add increased frictional torque to the shaft output and is adapted for radial movement away from the frictional engagement with the inner member at relatively high rotational speeds.

Abstract: A damper for damping rotation has a construction in which a rotor having a braking plate immersed in oil disposed within a casing and a gear are coupled together by a means of a clutch spring in the form of a coil spring. When the gear is rotated in one direction, it is coupled with the rotor as a result of diametrical contraction of the spring, and a restoring force is stored within the clutch spring, thus producing a resistance against rotation. When it is rotated in the opposite direction, the restoring force of the clutch spring is released so as to permit free rotation of the gear. The coil spring is coiled about a shouldered portion of the rotor shaft and a lower portion of a gear sleeve, supporting the gear, which have the same diametrical extent. In this manner, projecting end portions of the spring, upon which excessive loads have been impressed within the prior art, are able to be eliminated thereby providing extended service life to the spring and damper assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled spring clutch mechanism for transmitting the rotating forces of an input rotating element adapted to rotate in a predetermined direction and in a direction opposite thereto to an output rotating element. According to one aspect, a first spring clutch mechanism and a second spring clutch mechanism are interposed between the input rotating element and the output rotating element, and the rotating force of the input rotating element in the predetermined direction is transmitted to the output rotating element by the contraction of a coil spring in the first spring clutch mechanism and the rotating force of the input rotating element in the opposite direction is transmitted to the output rotating element by the contraction of a coil spring in the second spring clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A spring clutch includes a driving hub attached to a drive shaft, a driven hub to which a mass to be rotated is attached, and first and second helical clutch springs which are engageable to interconnect the driving hub and the driven hub, the first helical clutch spring including a first portion of smaller diameter which is in preloaded contact with the driven hub and a second portion of larger diameter which has a radially outwardly-extending end, and the second helical clutch spring being in preloaded contact with the driving hub and including a radially outwardly-extending end. A rotatable clutch sleeve is connected to the end of the first helical clutch spring and is movable by a pivot lever to interconnect the end of the first helical clutch spring with the end of the second helical clutch spring so that rotation of the second helical clutch spring will cause rotation of the first helical clutch spring and thus the driven hub.

Abstract: A portable chain saw wherein the motor drives a hub which is coaxial with a cylindrical portion of the shaft for one sprocket wheel of the chain. A coil spring is wound around the hub and the cylindrical portion to normally transmit torque from the hub to the shaft and to brake the shaft in response to its disengagement from the hub as a result of pivoting of a guard for one hand of the operator. The guard is pivoted by the one hand when the chain saw wobbles or performs other undesirable movements. The coil spring, the hub and the cylindrical portion together constitute a so-called wrap spring clutch wherein the spring rotates with the hub until arrested by a pin-shaped decoupling element which is movable radially of the hub by a second spring in response to pivoting of the guard.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the life of a control or drive spring in a wrap spring clutch. The tang of the control spring fits into a control slot of a control collar which rotates when the clutch is actuated. When the clutch is actuated, the control spring "wraps down" on both a rotating input member and the output shaft of the clutch to transfer the rotary motion of the input member to the output shaft. An elastomeric sleeve which is dimensioned to provide an interference fit between the tang and control slot of the control member is positioned on the tang and inserted in the control slot to remove any looseness or play between the tang and the control slot and thereby extend the life of the control spring and clutch.

Abstract: An electromotive control drive mechanism, in particular for industrial sewing machines, comprises a continuously drivable motor and a brake/clutch unit connected therewith. A clutch disk connected in a rotationally fixed manner with a driven shaft can, by axial movement and by overcoming a clutch air gap, be brought into frictional engagement with a clutch support which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the rotor of the motor. A brake disk connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the driven shaft can be brought into frictional engagement with a brake support which is rotationally fixed. A clutch coil and a brake coil are also provided. In order to reduce the expense of the brake/clutch unit without burdensome actuation noises arising, only one clutch/brake disk is provided, and mechanisms are provided for adjusting the clutch air gap and the automatic readjustment of the clutch air gap.

Abstract: A one-way damper has a rotor which is provided with a braking disc at one of its ends. The braking disc is received in a housing of the damper and the housing is filled with oil. The other end of the rotor extends outward from the housing and has a gear loosely mounted thereon. The gear is engaged with a coil spring. When the gear rotates in one direction, the coil spring is reduced in diameter so that it grips the rotor, making it possible for the torque of the gear to be transmitted to the rotor through the coil spring. When the gear rotates in the other direction, the coil spring is expanded in diameter so that it does not grip the rotor, making it possible for the gear to turn freely. The one-way damper is used in association with a lid or door to damp one but not the other of the opening and closing operations.

Abstract: A spring coupler including a drive member, a driven member, a pair of coil springs interconnecting the drive and driven members, and a cylindrical housing providing a unidirectional drive either clockwise or counter-clockwise. The drive member has a pair of recesses in its outer surface and the driven member has a pair of substantially complementary projections, the projections and recesses interacting upon the assembly of the members to form a substantially cylindrical surface. The coil springs are coiled serially about the assembled members and the outer surfaces of the springs are frictionally engaged with the inner surface of the housing in the relaxed condition of the springs. Tangs on one end of each of the springs are inserted into individual ones of clearances between the projections and an edge of the recesses and the tangs on the other ends of the springs are inserted into slots in the projections.

Abstract: A drive unit for adjusting window panes, sunroofs, and seats in a vehicle has a reversible electric motor behind which is inserted a worm gear with a worm shaft. To prevent an undesired or unauthorized adjustment of a motor vehicle part, a brake device is provided. The brake device has a mechanical, one-way brake element with which the worm shaft may be coupled by an axial displacement. In order to reduce the effect of the brake device on the worm shaft when the window pane is adjusted by the electric motor, the brake element is the rotatable part of a rotation limiting device and, in the axial direction, it is supported on a stop.

Abstract: A dependable and reliable one-directional drive apparatus with drive prevention in the other direction is presented wherein a first and second reinforcement ring members are used to protect mechanically fragile tab portions of a coil spring while using a small diameter coil spring. One of the applications of the drive mechanism is a power actuated window-drive apparatus for a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An electromotive control drive mechanism, in particular for industrial sewing machines, comprises a continuously drivable motor and a brake/clutch unit connected therewith. A clutch disk connected in a rotationally fixed manner with a driven shaft can, by axial movement and by overcoming a clutch air gap, be brought into frictional engagement with a clutch support which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the rotor of the motor. A brake disk connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the driven shaft can be brought into frictional engagement with a brake support which is rotationally fixed. A clutch coil and a brake coil are also provided. In order to reduce the expense of the brake/clutch unit without burdensome actuation noises arising, only one clutch/brake disk is provided, and mechanisms are provided for adjusting the clutch air gap and the automatic readjustment of the clutch air gap.

Abstract: A self adjusting device interposed in the lever system of a friction clutch is disclosed. The device operatively connects a threaded adjusting ring and an axially shiftable actuating collar such that wear occurring in the friction surfaces of the clutch is automatically taken up during operation of the clutch. The self adjusting device includes a mounting bracket secured to the clutch cover. The mounting bracket includes a central U-shaped portion and a pair of flange portions, each extending outwardly from an end of the opposing sides of the U-shaped portion. A pin is retained in the opposing sides of the U-shaped portion of the mounting bracket. The pin rotatably carries a pair of hub members which effect the self adjustment of the clutch to compensate for wear of the friction surfaces. The U-shaped portion of the mounting bracket permits visual confirmation of correct installation and function of the self adjusting device.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a member to be driven in one direction is disclosed. The mechanism is incorporated in an electronic typewriter and includes a clutch including a clutch spring which provides a driving connection between a small DC motor and the member to be driven of the typewriter. Means is provided which normally holds a driven member of the clutch to a particular angular position and, when the motor is energized, it releases the driven member to allow the driven member to be rotated by the motor. After a cycle of rotation of the driven member, the holding means positively stops rotation of the second element and hence of the driving member and the motor.A new and efficient ribbon feed mechanism is also disclosed which enables selective use of a carbon ribbon and a fabric ink ribbon depending upon a cassette mounted thereon.

Abstract: A friction brake assembly for stopping the transmission of motion between drive and driven shafts comprising a brake drum, a coiled braking spring having several turns adapted to frictionally contact the inner peripheral surface of the brake drum to exert a braking force, an operating member rigidly mounted on the drive shaft within the brake drum, a hanger member rigidly mounted on the driven shaft within the brake drum, and a pair of guide members for controlling the braking spring according to the rotation of the drive shaft to allow the braking spring to be released from the condition in which it exerts the braking force.

Abstract: A one-rotation clutch for selectively establishing and interrupting transmission of a drive force from a drive source to an object to be driven. A coil spring loosely surrounds the outer peripheries of mutually opposing sprocket member and a cam member. One end of the coil spring is retained by the cam member and the other end by a sleeve, which is rotatable relative to the sprocket member. A locking member is provided to selectively stop the rotation of the sleeve driven by a solenoid. When the sleeve is stopped, the sprocket member idles. When the sleeve is caused to follow the movement of the sprocket member, the coil spring binds the sprocket member and cam member to impart the drive force to the cam member. A pin is studded on the cam member such that when the cam member is rotated in a predetermined direction, the pin immediately abuts against the locking member to urge it away from the sleeve.

Abstract: A spring clutch which has two wrapped springs wound in different directions from each other and which is arranged to transmit the rotation of a drive source to two members to be driven by effecting change-over from one member to another. The transmission of the rotation is arranged to be immediately cut off at any desired point by operating a change-over member.

Abstract: A helical spring loosely surrounds the input hub of a clutch and is adapted to be wrapped down on the input hub to couple the input hub to an output hub. Wrap down torque is applied to the spring through the tang thereof by an operating spring which acts through an axially shiftable actuator adapted to turn the tang as an incident to being shifted axially by the operating spring. If the tang of the helical spring breaks, the spring automatically unwinds and releases the input hub to effect automatic disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A helical spring clutch-brake unit in which the spring is prevented from wrapping down and momentarily engaging the clutch if the output member of the clutch is manually turned while the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bi-directional clutch, particularly useful in window shade applications. The bi-directional clutch includes a first or core member and an unwrap spring, that is, a spring having an inside diameter somewhat smaller than the diameter of the core, the spring being wound around the core. The unwrap spring has a number of helical turns and spring tangs which extend outwardly past the circumference of the spring and generally perpendicular to the axis of the spring. The spring is controlled by a second, control or driving member which, when rotated, applies force to one or the other of the spring tangs to unwrap or loosen the spring, thereby allowing the spring to rotate relative to the core. As the spring rotates, one of the spring tangs abuts a third or driven member. The third or driven member is rotated by the spring, allowing the third member to rotate relative to the first or core member.

Abstract: A brake-type spring coupling for transmission gears for an adjuster comprises a shaft, a transfer cam rigidly secured to the shaft, a pair of follower segments freely rotatable about the shaft on each side of the transfer cam, a coupling cylindrical segment rotatable about the shaft to impinge against one of the follower segments, a brake drum surrounding the shaft and the supported cam, followers and coupling segments, a helical spring having its windings in frictional contact with the inner wall of the brake drum and having its end portions anchored in respective follower segments, an abutment surface formed in a lateral wall of the transfer cam to stop one of the follower segments and an adjustable ring segment secured to the other side of the transfer cam to stop the other follower segment.

Abstract: A hand-held labeller for printing and/or applying self-adhesive labels which adhere as a strip or separately at equal distances on a carrier strip, the apparatus comprising a frame; a supply member mounted with respect to the frame for mounting the carrier strip and labels; a label separation member mounted with respect to the frame; a feed wheel or winding drum mounted with respect to the frame; means for guiding the carrier strip from the supply member by the label separation member and then to the feed wheel; a hand lever so pivotally mounted with respect to the frame that the lever may be pivoted by an operator's hand as the labeller is being held in the hand of an operator; coupling means for coupling the hand lever to the feed wheel to operate the feed wheel each time the hand lever is pivoted and thus advance the carrier strip from the supply member so that the labels are successively separated from the carrier strip at the label separation member and the carrier strip is incrementally wound upon the f

Abstract: An improved clutch assembly is described which includes a safety spring member which is adapted to engage the free end of a broken clutch spring so that the clutch will continue to operate in normal fashion.

Abstract: A railroad hand brake includes a spring clutch interposed between an operating hand wheel and a gear drive for the chain drum. The clutch includes a spring cooperating with a control drum and with an output drum connected to the gear drive. An input element is rotated by the hand wheel in a forward direction to energize the spring so that the input element, the control drum and the output drum rotate as a unit to take up the brake load. A ratchet and pawl prevent reverse movement of the control drum in order to maintain the brake load applied when the hand wheel is released. When the hand wheel is rotated in the reverse direction, the input element tends to deenergize the spring, and the brake load is gradually released with a clutch action characterized by small input force and little wear. A quick release element operable with a small manual force abruptly uncouples the spring from the load drum in order to free the load quickly while the input element and hand wheel are stationary.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed which produces linear motion from a rotating input while preventing the transmission of back forces in either direction. The mechanism includes a housing with an output shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A rotatable input drive means is mounted coaxial with the shaft. The drive means includes a radially extending impelling portion. The output shaft extends axially on both sides of the impelling portion. A tubular hub is fixedly mounted on the housing and extends around the output shaft on each side of the impelling portion of the drive means. A pair of coil springs are wrapped around the output shaft with one spring on each side of the impelling portion of the drive means. Each spring has a release toe at one end which extends axially to the impelling portion and which is capable of being engaged by the impelling portion upon rotation of the drive means. The other end of each spring engages the shaft, so that the spring rotates with the shaft.

Abstract: A coil spring clutch connects a driving hub to a driven sleeve rotatable on the hub and the sleeve drives an output or second driven member through a torque limiting clutch. The spring is readily declutched by arresting rotation of its leading end, as by interposing a stop in the path of an out-turned tang on that end, and is re-engaged by releasing the leading end. Re-engagement is characteristically abrupt and harsh, and the torque-limiting clutch in series with the spring clutch limits torque stress on the spring so that the series assembly is usable in applications which would destroy the spring clutch alone. The torque-limiting clutch may be a spring-biased friction clutch. The driven members are desirably mounted on the driving hub in a compact unitary assembly.

Abstract: A spring clutch device includes a driving side clutch shell, a driven side clutch shell opposed to and coaxial with the driving side clutch shell, a clutch spring disposed in a tight manner over the two clutch shells, a stop member disposed coaxially with the clutch shells and engaged with one end of the clutch spring to control the action of the clutch spring, and a control member for acting on the stop member, there are formed projections on the circumference of the stop member, in an axially and circumferentially staggered relationship, and the control member is selectively displaceable to positions corresponding to the projections for engagement and disengagement with the projections, thereby controlling ON-OFF of the clutch.

Abstract: The actuator assembly is a unitary structure comprising a self-braking rotary power unit and a spring clutch mounted on a frame and interconnected so that the spring clutch transmits the rotary driving force of the power unit to a load to thereby effect its movement in one direction, the power unit and spring clutch co-acting when the power unit is inoperative to hold the load in a selected position. An electro-magnetic device coacts with the spring clutch to cause the spring to disengage and allow the load to move in a direction opposite of the one direction.

Abstract: A clutch device interposed between a driving shaft 1 and a drum 2-4 rotatably mounted thereon to drive frictionally a yarn winding bobbin in a spinning, twisting or doubling frame comprises a cylindrical sleeve 5 carried by shaft 1, a string 6 wound on sleeve 5 and having one end attached to the hub 2 of drum 2-4, a plate 9 slidable on shaft 1 and to which the other end of string 6 is attached, a frictional abutment ring 11 secured to shaft 1, a spring 10 to apply plate 9 against ring 11, and a pusher 14 by means of which plate 14 may be moved apart from abutment 11 to de-clutch drum 2-4 from shaft 1. A frictional lining 13 is disposed on ring 11 to enhance its driving effect on plate 9 to more tightly wind string 6 on sleeve 5. Another frictional lining is provided on pusher 11 to act on plate 9 when the latter is disengaged from ring 11.

Abstract: The unitary spring clutch and actuator assembly has a spring clutch subassembly comprising a shaft for supporting two axially spaced input and output drums which are surrounded by a helically wound spring, one end of which is connected to a control sleeve or collar surrounding the spring. The collar has a stop element which coacts with the actuator subassembly to control rotation of the collar and hence engagement or disengagement of the spring from the input and output drums. The actuator subassembly includes a fixed frame for supporting an electro-magnetic control device which is adapted to engage and disengage from the stop element. The spring clutch and actuator subassemblies are secured together at one end portion of the shaft, which projects through an opening in the frame, and by a retaining member constructed and arranged to engage the tubular shaft and frame. A bearing is interposed between the shaft and frame to facilitate rotation of the shaft relative to the fixed frame.

Abstract: A lawnmower has an improved clutch-brake mechanism interposed between the engine drive shaft and the rotating blade to stop the blade except when an operator tensions a control cable. The clutch-brake includes cylindrical input and output members selectively drivingly coupled by a clutch spring wound around both members. A control sleeve positioned around the clutch spring connects with the input end of the clutch spring. When the control sleeve is braked, the clutch spring releases its grip on the input member and the output is no longer driven. A coiled brake band extends around the control sleeve to selectively effect this braking action. An improved floating mount is provided for the brake band. An improved lost-motion connection is provided between the control sleeve and the output member to limit the twisting of the clutch spring. An optional slip clutch is provided for connecting the output member to the blade.

Abstract: A fast forward drive for a cartridge tape player comprises upper and lower crescents which increase the effective capstan diameter in the fast forward mode. At normal playing speed the crescents index with respect to a received tape cartridge such that the capstan's surface forcibly engages the cartridge's pressure roller.When the fast forward mode is desired a clutch couples the upper crescent to the capstan for rotation therewith. Rotational drive of the upper crescent is coupled to the lower crescent, at a predetermined phasing relationship, through a pin and trough arrangement, whereby fast forward is effected. On return to the normal play speed the upper crescent is fixedly indexed, resulting in a decreased lower crescent rotational drive and thus an increased chance of improper lower crescent alignment. To promote lower crescent indexing a second spring clutch is mounted on the capstan between the lower crescent and the housing which actively drives the lower crescent to its indexed position.

Abstract: A shaft position digitizer has a jump transfer assembly coupling an input shaft to cams for moving magnet-carrying levers to provide discrete step-by-step operation and eliminate least significant digit ambiguity. A magnetically operated reed switch is aligned with the magnet carried by each lever such that the reed switches are opened and closed by movement of the levers to provide an electrical digital output representative of input shaft rotation.