Abstract: The coupling (20) for transmitting rotation in a synchronous permanent magnetic rotor motor with a central rotor shaft (21), the load (24) being for instance the impeller of a drain pump, comprises a cavity (27) that receives one end of the rotor shaft (21), a radial cam (22) attached to the rotor shaft (21), and a noise and vibration cushioning member which engages with the cam (22). The elastic cushioning member (25) is housed in said cavity (27) compressed and subjected to a friction force in opposition to the rotation of the rotor shaft (21), limited so that it undergoes a cushioning displacement during motor starting under the impacts of the radial cam (22).

Abstract: A stopper for robot rotary articulation limits the rotation angle of a shaft where a protrusion is formed. The stopper includes a first ring-shaped bush member, a second bush member, having an inner diameter smaller than that of the first bush member, connected to an inner circumference of the first bush member to form a step surface against the first bush member, and rotatably supported by inserting the shaft therein, a first stop protrusion extending from an inner surface of the first bush member in a radial direction thereof and a second stop protrusion protruded from an outer circumferential surface of the second bush member, in which the protrusion of the shaft during rotation of the shaft slides against the step surface and contacts with the first stop protrusion, to thereby rotate the stopper, and the second stop protrusion contacts with a protrusion fixed to a housing of a robot rotary articulation to thereby stop rotation of the shaft and stopper.

Abstract: A scroll compressor has a one-way drive for resisting and impeding objectionable reverse movement of the orbiting scroll member. The one-way drive includes a one-way clutch interconnecting a drive shaft with a stationary member of the compressor through a resilient member. Reverse rotation of the drive shaft causes a loading of the resilient member which then operates to cushion the stopping of the reverse rotation of the drive shaft. The one-way drive is inoperative during forward rotation of the drive shaft thus allowing normal operation of the compressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot with a stand (1) which is rotatably journalled in a base (2) and provided with a mechanical stop for limiting the rotary motion of the stand. The stop comprises at least one radially projecting stop arm (7), which in a certain rotational position makes contact with a stop pin (6) arranged on the base (2). The rotary moment is taken up by deformation of the stop pin (6). The stand (1) is provided with a plurality of recesses (8, 10) arranged around the periphery of the stand, whereas the stop arm (7) is formed with at least one fixing projection (12, 13) which is adapted to the recesses and which, with the aid of a wedge member (14), may be fastened into one of the recesses at an optional location on the periphery of the stand.

Abstract: A mechanical stop mechanism (15 or 15') adapted to be accommodated in a container (29) having at least one fixed stop (18, 19) defining a limit position for the stop mechanism (15 or 15'). The stop mechanism (15 or 15') includes a helical spring member (S) mounted on a hub (20), with the helical spring member (S) having an active spring length (l) dimensioned so as to absorb impacting forces of the stop mechanism (15 or 15') against the at least one fixed stop (18, 19) by compression of the material of the helical spring member (S).

Abstract: An indexing apparatus for a rotary table has a support shaft rotatably supported by a base member in which indexed terminal positions of the rotary table is determined by abutment of a stopper member provided on the rotary table against positioning members provided on the base member. The indexing apparatus comprises a rack-pinion mechanism comprising a rack and a pinion fixed around the support shaft of the rotary table for rotating the same, a feed screw shaft rotatably supported by the base member and extending along the rack in a direction of the movement thereof, a breakable electric motor for driving the feed screw shaft, and a feed nut engaging the feed screw shaft. The rack and the feed nut are arranged so that either one of them has integral portions disposed at both sides of the other with spaces left on both the sides in the direction of the movement of the rack. Annular springs are disposed in each space.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting range of motion of an industrial robot in accordance with the invention includes an indicating section (7) for indicating e.g. angles of rotation provided on a stationary side (1) of the swivel portion of an axis about which swiveling motion is possible. A range limiting member (6) having a dog and a stopper is movably disposed on the indicating section (7). When the industrial robot attempts to rotate beyond a stipulated range of rotation during operation, a limit member (81) provided on a movable side (2) of the axis portion contacts the dog (61) on the stationary side (1) to detect overtravel, whereby a warning is issued to the effect that the stipulated range of rotation has been exceeded. When the robot attempts to rotate further due to inertia, a shock absorber (82) strikes a stopper mechanism (62) to prevent excessive rotation.

Abstract: A manipulator module comprises an arm bearingly mounted on an axle, confined between left and right adjustable stops with a suitably completed fixing surface. On the arm are stationary mounted hard stops with slits, charged with helical cylindric springs. The springs contact the adjustable stops when the arm approaches the respective stop. Onto parallel guideways, formed by the stationary stops with slits, roll the extreme bearings of a three bearing bearings block, the intermediate bearing of which contacts the fixing surface of the respective stop while the mover is at "on" position. When the arm has reached the stop and has deformed the spring, the "fix" mover is actuated, the arm is fixed to the stop and the energy lost during the arm's movement is added.

Abstract: An electrically operated tiltable vehicle steering mechanism includes an electric motor of a reversible type which is adapted to drive through a speed reduction mechanism a screw shaft of a screw-nut mechanism. The screw-nut mechanism includes a nut which is engaged with the screw shaft and connected with a tiltable bracket supporting a steering shaft. Stoppers are provided to limit the stroke of the movement of the nut. The stopper includes a stopper plate made of a metallic material of a low frictional coefficient and a rubber cushion. The stopper is located with the stopper plate faced to the nut for engagement therewith and the rubber cushion maintained in contact with the housing of the screw-nut mechanism. The mechanism is provided with a clutch means for allowing a slip between the motor and the screw nut mechanism when the excessive load is applied to a torque transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A rod actuator which includes a d.c. motor, a reduction gearing, a solenoid assembly which is used to define an intermediate stop position, and rotation stops. The angular extent through which an output shaft of the reduction gearing is rotatable is limited by a pair of limit stops. The solenoid assembly includes a plunger which is located intermediate the limit stops. A rotational stop is rotatably mounted on the output shaft and has a projection which is adapted to abut against the plunger to cease the motion of the rotational stop. The rotational stop is mounted on the output shaft so as to be rotatable relative thereto through a small angle by a lost motion, but is driven for integral rotation with the output shaft when such angle is exceeded. A lost motion connector is used so the angles of rotation where the rotation of the output shaft is stopped by the plunger during its clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations will be substantially equal.

Abstract: A stationary robotic base carries a movable robotic platform and supports a pair of vertical striker plates spaced apart by a central, elastomeric block. The striker plates are confined within a compartment of the stationary base, and extend upward into a pathway defined by a lug depending from the moving platform. The lug contacts the top portion of a given striker plate and, as the plate is struck, it tends to pivot about its bottom edge toward the other plate, compressing the elastomeric block, while the other plate is held from moving away from the block. The assembly is bidirectional, with each striker plate being yieldable toward the other as it is encountered by the moving lug.

Abstract: A spring operated clutch having an input subassembly and an output subassembly. The input subassembly includes a sleeve member fixedly interconnected with an input drive shaft and provided with a double conical resilient frictional member on an outer cylindrical surface thereof. A first brake member is movably disposed within a bore of a second brake member, each of the brake members having frustoconical surfaces cooperating with one of two frustoconical surfaces of the frictional member. An adjusting member is movably interconnected with one of the brake members and a spring is interposed the adjusting member in the first brake member so as to bias the brake members into engagement with the friction member. The output subassembly includes an annular armature member having a first set of teeth extending therefrom and engageable with a second set of teeth which extend from the first brake member.

Abstract: A clutch actuator provides a mechanism by which a wheel may be selectively clutched to an axle for rotation therewith. In a preferred form, the actuator is employed in a wheelchair. An axle flange is fixed to each of a pair of rear axles, and an actuator is fixed to reach rear wheel hub for providing selective operative connection between each rear wheel and respective axle flange. Each actuator includes a housing having a detent. A coupling sleeve is axially movable within the housing and includes a bore registrable with the detent. A spring loaded plunger includes a cam disposed for axial movement within the coupling sleeve, and a ball carried within the bore is releasably retained in the detent by the cam of the plunger. The sleeve includes a transversely extending end disposed for engaging the axle flange for clutching the wheel.

Abstract: A ball screw brake and stop assembly having an elastomeric compression pad or elastomer member circumferentially surrounding the ball screw and received in a counter bore of a non-rotating assembly having a bore receiving the ball screw with the pad confined on its outer diameter and at one axial end. A striker member, dimensioned to be receivable within an open axial end of the counter bore, functions as a stop member limiting axial movement of the ball nut. Upon projection of the striker member into the counter bore, further movement of the ball nut causes axial compression of the elastomer member providing resistance to further axial movement of the ball nut. At the same time, radial expansion of the elastomer member, caused by compression in the axial direction, causes the inner diameter of the elastomer member to frictionally engage the outer diameter of the ball screw to break rotation of the ball screw.

Abstract: A gear motor assembly is disposed in a support structure in such a manner that it may rotate in a plane perpendicular to the output shaft thereof. Stops are provided for preventing the shaft from turning past a predetermined point. The motor assembly is located in the support structure by a resilient leaf spring which deflects when the stops are engaged.

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 safety device for mechanically-operated apparatus, such as a flywheel-driven punch press, consists of a hook-providing coupling member for mounting on the press crank shaft, and a cooperating coupling member for connection to the apparatus body via a power-absorbing member. The coupling members rest in the coupled position and are moved momentarily to the uncoupled position upon initiation of an operation by the operator. If therefore the movable member of the press continues to move after the normal termination of the cycle the coupled members connect the movable member to the power-absorbing member so that the movable member is brought to a stop before the press die parts can close. A third coupling member is provided for engagement with the second coupling member to brake the movement of the operating member if it should move in the opposite direction.

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 safety device for a mechanical cam press having a ram attached to a vertically extending shaft arranged for reciprocating movement and utilizing a brake and clutch for controlling the reciprocating strokes of the cam, the shaft including a stepped edge engageable by a pair of retractable slides arrange for horizontally reciprocating movement to retain the shaft and therefore the ram in the top, dead center position against downward movement toward with switch means actuated by a tripping device responsive to an inadvertent downward movement of the shaft from the top, dead center position to thereby engage the brake and disengage the clutch for avoiding injury to the operator.

Abstract: An anti-overrun device for the slide in a press comprising a rotary member secured to a crankshaft and having a lateral projection extending from the side of the rotary member, a cylinder secured to the framework of the press and receiving a piston for slidable movement therein, a pin supported by the piston for movement toward and away from the projection on the rotary member, an oil pressure chamber defined between one wall of the cylinder and the inner end of the piston to produce an oil pressure as the piston slidably moves within the cylinder, and a plurality of orifices formed in the side wall of the oil pressure chamber and adapted to be in turn closed as the piston slidably moves within the cylinder.

Abstract: A single revolution mechanism is disclosed in which a feed roll is mounted on a print lever which is attached rotatably to a pivot. By rotating the lever, the feed roll can be brought into contact with an external driving shaft. The feed roll is coupled to a ratchet mechanism comprising a pawl and ratchet. The pawl is engaged with a spring urged pressure lever so that when the feed roll is driven, the ratchet pushes itself away from the second lever to latch the print lever and roll in the operative position during a full revolution. After performing the revolution, the print lever reengages the ratchet to unlatch the device from the driving roll in preparation for another actuation.

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.