Abstract: A drive mechanism comprises a support upon which a drive member is mounted for movement relative to a frame. The drive member comprises first and second elements which are relatively movable, the one of which may be mounted on the other. The elements are interconnected by a resilient member which transmits the drive therethrough, a drive input being coupled to a one element, a drive output to the other element. A detector generates a signal output responsive to relative movement of the elements which may serve to control a drive transmitted through the mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the support is a rotatable screwed shaft and the first element a traveller thereon upon which the second element is slidably mounted, the elements being interconnected by helical springs.

Abstract: A pushrod assembly including a carriage mounted on a shaft for movement therealong and carrying a pushrod engageable with a load to be moved. A magnet is mounted on a supporting bracket for movement along such shaft. Means are provided for adjustably spacing said magnet away from said carriage to obtain a selected magnetic attractive or coupling force therebetween. Movement of the supporting bracket and the magnet carried thereby pulls the carriage along with it until the selected magnetic force is exceeded by a resistance load acting on the carriage.

Abstract: A spindle press of the type in which an inertial mass controls the clutch connecting a continuously rotatable flywheel with the spindle and is effective when the ram is retarded to decouple the spindle from the flywheel. The control unit is provided directly on the ram and the mass is arranged so as to be movable at least with its principal component of movement in the working direction of displacement of the ram, thereby excluding from significance any distortion of the spindle and the spindle nut drive between the ram and the flywheel.

Abstract: A press machine (10) having a slide (18) operable by a clutch controlled rotatable drive system (24, 26, 30, 34) is provided. The press (10) includes a sensor (42) interconnected into the drive system (34) for sensing the rotation of the drive system (34). A timer (64) is provided for generating an elapsed time signal representing the amount of time for the drive system (34) to rotate from a first angular position to a second angular position. Circuitry (64) is provided for comparing the elapsed time signal with a predetermined magnitude to thereby generate a signal representing the speed of the press (10). Circuitry (64) is further provided which is responsive to the speed signal for generating a control signal. The control signal is appolied to the clutch solenoid (40) for deactuating the clutch (24) to thereby enable stoppage of the press at a predetermined position at the top of the slide's (18) cycle.

Abstract: A low power electric motor slowly load to spring, which rapidly operates a two speed axle shift. An electric motor drives a nonreversing worm gear which engages a gear rack on a shaft. The shaft supports a caged spring. The motor moves the shaft, compressing the spring against one end of the cage, storing energy required for shifting. A solenoid piston holds the cage in position. When the shift is desired, the soleniod is tripped, the piston is raised and the spring moves the cage. An arm on the cage moves the shift lever. The solenoid piston engages the opposite detent in the cage and holds the cage in the new position. As the cage arrives at the new position, a lug trips a microswitch which completes a circuit to operate the motor in the reverse direction. The motor worm slowly drives the gear which slowly drives the rack to move the shaft in the reverse direction, compressing the spring against the opposite end of the cage.

Abstract: A mobile storage system includes a safety brake for smoothly stopping a moving carriage. The brake is operated from readily assessible positions in the aisles between carriages, thus minimizing the risk of injury to persons in the aisles if another person starts a carriage. The brake includes a notched plate which normally rotates with a carriage axle. Upon actuation of a safety switch, a toothed lever mounted to the carriage frame engages the plate, thereby preventing it from rotating. Friction discs on either side of the plate dissipate the carriage kinetic energy into heat and thereby stop the carriage. The control circuit includes a timer so that the person may safely leave the aisle before the carriage can again be moved.

Abstract: A press control system for presses fitted with floating platens or tools employs hydraulic cylinders and a spring loaded accumulator to bias the floating element against position change on press closure. The hydraulic pressure in the bias system is compared with floating element position to detect abnormal pressure-position relationships.

Abstract: In a disclosed displacement detecting apparatus, a nut member retains a plurality of balls to circulate therein while in engagement with a helical groove of a screw shaft. The nut member is unrotatable and linearly movable, and the screw shaft is rotatable and linearly immovable. A rotation detector and a brake are attached to the screw shaft. The nut member may act as a piston of a cylinder in which the nut member is mounted, or may be connected to a separately provided piston of the cylinder.

Abstract: A power-operated medical examination table having safety mechanisms for preventing injury or damage should someone or something become entrapped beneath the top of the table as it descends. The table includes a pedestal base having an extendable and retractable column. The top normally rests upon a load-bearing member which may be selectively raised or lowered under power to extend or retract the column. Should the top engage an obstruction during a lowering operation so that a separation occurs between the load-bearing member and the top, a sensor detects such separation and immediately interrupts power to prevent continued retraction of said load-bearing member. The table also includes at least one power-operated outer top section that is hinged to the central top section and is supported by a second load-bearing member and power drive arranged to constitute a secondary safety mechanism.

Abstract: An electrically driven appliance such as a citrus press comprises a drivable tool; a self-starting single-phase synchronous motor including a diametrically magnetized permanent-magnet rotor forming a rotor field and positioned between two stator poles forming a stator field; and a drive mechanism arranged between the motor and the tool, for driving the latter, such mechanism including a plurality of drive elements each engaging the adjacent element or elements. A stalling device coacts with one drive element having a pair of stops, the stalling device including a member alternately engageable with such stops after a specific number of revolutions of the rotor in either direction of rotation, such engagement effecting stalling of the rotor and automatic reversal of the direction of the rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A portable system (10) for abrading the floor of a bathtub (26) to render it slip resistant. The system contains a portable power unit (12) containing an air compressor providing compressed air to abrading unit (14) via compressed air hose (20) and provides a source of electrical power to an abrading unit (14) via a power cable (18). The abrading unit (14) is adapted to direct a high velocity stream of abrasive particles against the floor of a bathtub through perforations in a particle impervious template (24). The unit (14) which is adapted to travel in the forward direction (indicated by the arrow), has a carriage movable in a direction lateral to the direction of forward travel. An abrading head (38) is supported by and reciprocally movable with a carriage to apply the particle stream in a direction lateral to the direction of forward travel and normal to the bathtub surface.

Abstract: In an actuator system (10) having an air motor (12) for supplying a ball-screw actuator (14) with rotary input. The ball screw actuator (12) has a friction clutch mechanism (206) that limits the torque applied to the screw (176) when the ball nut (166) reaches first and second extreme positions. Thus, the maximum output from the air motor (12) can be applied to ball screw actuator (14) without braking before the positions are reached. A torsion bar and a cam 274 act to regulate the clutch (206) slipping torque to narrow limits, thereby easing strength requirements in the actuation mechanism (10).

Abstract: Circuit interrupter switchgear including a drawout unit mounted within an enclosure and operable between engaged and disengaged positions by means of a drive means having a two-way position actuated drive clutch. The position actuated drive clutch has an engaging means that is responsive to a sensing means for selectively engaging and disengaging a torque source with the drive means according to predetermined positions of the drawout unit.

Abstract: A ski binding part with a sole holder for ski boots, which can be automatically adjusted to provide the proper hold-down force for different height ski boot soles or ski boot heels by a torque limiting coupling and a bolt which, when the ski binding is mounted on the ski, stands substantially perpendicular with respect to the upper side of the ski.

Abstract: A valve operator utilizes a disconnectable worm gear arrangement to drive a valve spindle. An hand crank may be used to disengage the power-driven worm gear arrangement and to manually drive the valve spindle, if necessary, by pivoting a bracket holding the end of the worm shaft. The worm gear is self-locking so that reaction forces from the valve cannot move the worm gear. A torque-sensing lever, responsive to axial movement of a highly torqued drive shaft, pivots against the force of a biasing spring to operate a microswitch to cut off electrical power to the drive motor for the valve operator should the torque exceed a predetermined amount. Additional protection against torque overload is provided by an adjustable mechanical clutch which operates in the event of control element failure or misadjustments. One or more microswitches, adjustable in position, are engaged by a traveler which moves along a lead screw driven by a gear arrangement coupled to the valve spindle to control operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A limit switch gauge positioner for a machine ram supporting a forming tool or the like. The ram, supported for reciprocal movement relative to a head, has a lineal distance gauging rod thereon formed with a plurality of longitudinally graduated reference indents. The rod has a body member slidable thereon including a detent coupling plunger adapted for engaging a selected one of the indents allowing an operator to initially locate the body member relative to the ram. A micrometer is supported on the body member with its spindle being settable at graduations along the spindle axis parallel to the path of travel of the ram. The head supports a housing including a microswitch with its actuator aligned on the spindle axis. An operating member is pivoted on the housing intermediate the switch actuator and spindle and gravitationally biases an arm section into arresting contact with the actuator in its extended switch closed position.

Abstract: A switching mechanism can be utilized in conjunction with an electrically driven actuator, for example, either a linear or rotary operated actuator. The switching mechanism can be utilized to either control the extent of operation of the actuator, thereby operating as a limit switch, and also can be used for controlling other electrical devices that are to be operated in dependence upon the position of the driven member of the actuator. For this purpose, the switching mechanism is provided with a plurality of electrical switches, each of which can be controlled so as to be switched at different points in the operation of the actuator. Associated with each of the electrical switches is a separate counting mechanism. All the counting mechanisms are driven by a common drive gear which is coupled to the drive mechanism of the actuator.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a valve drive means for a vertical up-down valve of the type having a valve shaft linearly movable within a cylindrical valve bore between a first, normal, valve position and a second, occasional valve position. The drive means includes a vertical rotatable drive shaft with a threaded portion formed between non-threaded portions and a mateably threaded coupler for engaging the drive shaft and transmitting axial force to the valve shaft. The movement of the valve shaft is precisely limited by disengagement of the coupler from said threaded drive shaft portion irrespective of continued rotation of said drive shaft. Means are included for neutralizing hydraulic pressure which would interfere with re-engagement of the coupler with the threading on the drive shaft. Means are also preferably provided for deriving a torque component for rotating said valve shaft within said bore and thus facilitating any "freezing" of seal rings mounted to said valve shaft within said valve bore.

Abstract: A manufacturing machine such as an automatic assembly machine is disclosed which includes a work station which can include linear motion devices and rotary motion devices. A conveyor system is disclosed for transporting a workpiece to and from the work station, and positioning means are disclosed for precisely positioning the workpiece to the work station.

Abstract: A device for controlling the movements or operating cycles of models, for example, model airplanes, model ships, kites, etc., which are driven by a drive motor is provided which includes a screw spindle which is affixed at about the center of a shaft which is coupled with the motor drive shaft. An internally-threaded element, preferably a nut, is longitudinally guided on the screw spindle for actuating the operating cycle in one or the other direction. At the two protruding ends of the shaft, a spiral spring is disposed which urges a washer against the screw spindle in such a way that when the element becomes unscrewed from either end of the screw spindle, the element is retained in a free-running position, and during the reverse rotation of the motor drive shaft, the element is pushed in a counter direction whereupon it is screwed onto the screw spindle.

Abstract: An end switch for use with a shaft and a drive which drives the shaft through a relatively large number of 360.degree. angular rotations associated with an end position wherein the end switch is provided with a switching member and with a spindle drive means responsive to the drive for causing an end face of the switching member to be brought into engagement with a contact of a stationary switch at the end of the rotation of the shaft. In accordance with the invention, the spindle drive means moves the switching member axially thereto during a first portion of the shaft rotation and tangentially thereto during the remaining portion of the shaft rotation, the former portion being larger than the latter portion.

Abstract: Switch apparatus for the positioning drive of a lowering and pivoting rail for the guiding of blanks into transport containers in a carton filling machine. With the pivoting rail and the aid of a belt running along the pivoting rail, previously imbricated delivered blanks are delivered to loading position in the transport container such as a carton. The lowering rail serves as a counter support so that the pivoting rail and lowering rail cooperate at the loading point of the blanks to guide and control the loading of the blanks as far as possible into their final position in the transport container.

Abstract: A switching bearing assembly for a motor-driven spindle, e.g. a leadscrew adapted to drive a nut axially along the leadscrew, is provided with a bearing housing disposed between two fixed plates and biased centrally thereof by a plurality of compression springs. The housing is positioned to actuate switches which turn off the motor when the spindle bearing is overloaded, e.g. when the nut reaches the end of its travel or is otherwise impeded in its first axial movement. The housing is also provided with a spring-biased pin which bears upon an eccentric carried by the shaft to frictionally retard further rotation thereof once the motor has been turned off.

Abstract: A garage door operator includes a drive screw, rotationally and longitudinally movable in a shuttle track or guide rail, and a screw-driven shuttle mounted on the track and connected to the door. A lever arm is attached to the screw at a rearward end thereof and is pivoted to the operator at one side of the screw. Another end of the lever arm, adjacent an opposite side of the screw, is operatively disposed with respect to control switches and is spring-loaded, whereby door engaged obstructions cause the rotating screw to move longitudinally, against the spring bias, and to actuate, through the lever arm, a switch for stopping or for reversing the operator motor. A sleeve coupling permits longitudinal screw movement with respect to the operator's motor, and is provided with means to permit continued motor operation, drivingly disengaged from the screw, upon control malfunction, in order to prevent damage or injury.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device for protecting a rotatable member of a motor powered machine tool feed mechanism from excessive impact and overload is disclosed. The device includes structure forming a flanged piston concentrically mounted with respect to the rotatable member and axially slidable within a housing in response to axial displacement of the rotatable member, (which is undesirable and thrust and radial bearing structure in which the rotatable member is journaled for rotative displacement. The housing and the flanged piston combine to define a pressure chamber whose volume varies as a function of the axial position of the piston. The pressure chamber is connected to a source of fluid under pressure, to cause the piston to yieldingly resist axial displacement of the rotatable member with respect to the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for driving a transfer beam for handling relatively heavy loads, comprising in the case of a beam having a rack rigidly associated therewith. Said device consists essentially of a transmission incorporating between the driving motor and the pinion in meshing engagement with the rack a clutch and a brake both controlled by electromagnetic means, servo means for supplying electric current to each electromagnetic control of said clutch and brake, and a pair of servo-generators adapted to monitor the one the acceleration phase of the transfer beam from the standstill position of said beam and the other the deceleration phase before stopping the beam.

Abstract: A remote control apparatus for varying engine speeds includes a housing and a reversible constant-speed electric motor mounted on the housing, the motor being adapted to drive a pulley at a substantially lower rotational speed through speed reducing gears disposed in the housing. A pair of stops are adjustably mounted on opposite sides of the pulley for stopping the motor upon contact with a pendulum member after a predetermined rotation of the pulley in either direction. A chain attached at one end to the pulley is attachable at its other end to a spring-biased throttle rod of an engine or the like, the chain being wound around the pulley upon rotation of the motor to exert a pull upon the throttle rod and increase the speed of the engine. Rotation of the pulley sufficiently to cause a stop to actuate the pendulum member causes the motor to stop, thereby maintaining the engine speed at a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: In a copying apparatus having an original carriage and an optical system, a reciprocating movement control device comprises a drive source for driving a photosensitive medium and drive transmission means effective only during forward movement to transmit the drive of the drive source to cause relative movement of the original carriage and the optical system. Righting moment accumulator means is provided for accumulating therein a righting moment with the aid of the drive source during the forward movement to cause backward movement of the original carriage or the optical system. The drive transmission means may be released by a scanning completion signal to thereby permit the righting moment accumulated in the accumulator means during forward movement to backwardly move the original carriage or the optical system and to control the speed of the backward movement.

Abstract: A positioning device has a pneumatic motor for longitudinally translating an arm. Four bars are parallel with the arm and form three guideways along which stopping devices can be lockable in desired positions. The stopping devices have heads that are selectively activatable into positions to form abutments for a head of the arm in order to define stop positions for the arm when the arm is moved by the motor that stalls when the arm is stopped. A shock absorber provides for a gentle stopping of the arm and its distance of operation prior to a stop position varies with the distance of displacement of the arm.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for opening and closing door members and the like such as elevator doors and garage doors, for example, wherein the driver rotatingly drives a driver shaft coupled to a driven shaft via a ball drive assembly, the ball drive assembly not only coupling the driver and the driven shafts so the driven shaft is rotated at a reduced rate of speed, but also cooperating to provide a portion of a torque control for sensing obstructions in the door member path of travel and automatically stopping or reversing the opening or the closing of the door member. The ball drive assembly has a relatively low moment of inertia, which facilitates faster stopping of the door member travel, and the internal friction of the ball drive assembly is greater than a pulley-belt type of coupling, for example, thereby increasing the amount of force required to move the door member from a stopped position.