Abstract: A telescoping pole comprised of a plurality of tubular sections, one or more electric motors, and a control module. Linear gear arrangements on the tubular sections are engaged with pinions fixed to the next wider tubular sections. Electric motors rotationally drive the pinions, linearly driving the tubular sections, and, thus, causing the telescoping pole to extend or retract. The length of the telescoping pole can be adjusted during audio/video capture. The telescoping pole is operable hand-held, and adjustments can be made using one hand. The telescoping pole may further comprise clamps, an accessory mount, a base mount, and a counterweight.

Abstract: A cargo body of a refuse truck includes a support frame and a bed having a storage volume supported by the support frame. A container handling apparatus includes a primary lift arm for lifting a container lift platform using an actuation system. The primary lift arm is pivotally connected to the support frame at a pivot location between the support frame and the primary lift arm. The actuation system includes a hydraulic cylinder including an actuation rod that is used to move the primary lift arm between raised and lowered positions. A clevis member is connected at an end of the actuation rod. The clevis member has an arm link connection portion that pivotally connects to an arm linkage at a pivot location between the clevis member and the arm linkage and a traveler portion including a traveler member that moves along a guide track as the actuation rod is extended and retracted. The pivot location between the clevis member and the arm linkage is offset from the traveler member.

Abstract: A lift system comprising an elongated rack and a roller pinion drive system. A preferred version has two parallel rack with plurality of rungs extending horizontally between the racks to form a ladder. A plurality of spaced apart mounting brackets are configured for affixing the ladder vertically to a stationary member, the stationary member not forming part of the invention. In this version, a drive unit retained within a carriage is mounted in proximity to the racks. The drive unit interacts with the racks to move the carriage upwardly and downwardly along the racks. A speed limiter is also disclosed that can be retained within the carriage below the drive unit and mounted in proximity to one of the racks. The speed limiter interacts with the rack to produce a breaking action if the drive unit fails, preventing the carriage to drop down quickly. Single rack and inclined rack versions are disclosed as alternatives.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a slide out in an expandable enclosure, the drive assembly comprising a beam attachable to the slide out, the beam having a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth thereon, the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth extending parallel to each other on opposite sides of the beam wherein the teeth in the first row of teeth are offset relative to the teeth in the second row of teeth and a drive gear having a first gear wheel engagable with the first row of teeth and a second gear wheel engagable with the second row of teeth, and an actuator coupled to the beam to selectively extend and retract the beam.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a slide out in an expandable enclosure, the drive assembly comprising a beam attachable to the slide out, the beam having a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth thereon, the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth extending parallel to each other on opposite sides of the beam wherein the teeth in the first row of teeth are offset relative to the teeth in the second row of teeth and a drive gear having a first gear wheel engagable with the first row of teeth and a second gear wheel engagable with the second row of teeth, and an actuator coupled to the beam to selectively extend and retract the beam.

Abstract: A lifting device with a telescopic pole that has a lower module and an upper module which is mounted in vertical sliding relation with respect to the lower module and which is movable along the pole by a crank handle through a rack-and-pinion drive mechanism. A non-return locking device is automatically implemented by friction coupling mechanism with a drive pinion of the drive mechanism driven by rotating the crank handle for more than one complete turn.

Abstract: An automatic extensible telescopic apparatus includes an internal tube inserted in an external tube. A positioning unit includes a ferrule, two fins, an axle, a toothed wheel and a first detent. The ferrule is provided on the external tube. The fins extend from the ferrule. The axle is supported on the fins. The toothed wheel is supported on the axle and includes teeth for insertion in recesses defined in the internal tube. The first detent is supported on the fins for engagement with the toothed wheel. A handle includes two leaves and a second detent. The leaves are placed between the fins and supported on the axle. The second detent is supported on the leaves for engagement with the toothed wheel. An extending unit is connected to the axle so that the extending unit rotates the toothed wheel via the axle, thus extending the internal tube from the external tube.

Abstract: An automatic extensible telescopic apparatus includes an internal tube inserted in an external tube. A positioning unit includes a ferrule, two fins, an axle, a toothed wheel and a first detent. The ferrule is provided on the external tube. The fins extend from the ferrule. The axle is supported on the fins. The toothed wheel is supported on the axle and includes teeth for insertion in recesses defined in the internal tube. The first detent is supported on the fins for engagement with the toothed wheel. A handle includes two leaves and a second detent. The leaves are placed between the fins and supported on the axle. The second detent is supported on the leaves for engagement with the toothed wheel. An extending unit is connected to the axle so that the extending unit rotates the toothed wheel via the axle, thus extending the internal tube from the external tube.

Abstract: An expandable spinal implant device for supporting vertebral bodies can include first and second body members and first and second expansion mechanisms. The body members can each have a first end positionable toward one of the vertebral bodies and can each define a hollow interior. The expansion mechanisms can be spaced apart from each other and can include a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft, respectively. The first and second drive shafts can each have a gear member fixedly coupled thereto. Each drive shaft can be threadably engaged at a first side to the first body member and at a second side to the second body member. The expansion mechanisms can be operable to effect axial displacement of the first body member relative to the second body member by rotationally driving the gear members of the first and second drive shafts.

Abstract: In a ball screw device, a ball screw linear-movement member is screwed with a ball screw rotary member and configured to linearly move in accordance with a relative rotation with the ball screw rotary member. A housing is holding the ball screw rotary member. A motor is disposed in a motor chamber of the housing, and configured to rotate the ball screw rotary member with a rotor coupled to the ball screw rotary member. A stopper is configured to collide with a brake when an amount of a relative linear movement between the ball screw rotary member and the ball screw linear-movement member becomes no less than a prescribed amount. The brake is configured to decelerate rotation of the rotor by the collision of the stopper with respect to the brake.

Abstract: A lifting device with a telescopic pole that has a lower module and an upper module which is mounted in vertical sliding relation with respect to the lower module and which is movable along the pole by a crank handle through a rack-and-pinion drive mechanism. A non-return locking device is automatically implemented by friction coupling mechanism with a drive pinion of the drive mechanism driven by rotating the crank handle for more than one complete turn.

Abstract: A zipper style lift that coils into a box for storage, but extends to form a rigid, self erecting lift part. The lift stores itself in a housing when retracted, by retracting chain parts into a spiral form.

Abstract: A motor drive for camper jacks or screw jacks that rapidly operates the screw jack between a retracted position and an extended no load position. A manual operator then operates the screw jack between the extended no load position and an extended loaded position. The motor drive and manual operator share a right angle gear mechanism.

Abstract: An operating includes a rack cut on both sides, sandwiched between two pinions with horizontal axes and arranged in the same horizontal plane or substantially in the same horizontal plane, driven into opposite directions by the same motorized system. The outlet shaft of the motorized system transmits the driving motion to a primary reducing system whose outlet shaft corresponds to the inlet shaft of a secondary reducing gear of planetary differential type including a solar pinion, satellite pinions and an outer ring. The satellite holder of the secondary differential reducing gear drives one of the pinions on one of the sides of the double rack, and the outer ring of the planetary reducing gear drives, by appropriate mechanical elements, a toothed wheel in charge of driving the second pinion on the other side of the double rack.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable actuator comprises a motor, two screws and an extendible and retractable sleeve assembly. The motor cooperates with the screws to drive the extendible and retractable sleeve assembly to extend and retract simultaneously, so as to reduce the extending and retracting time and to simplify the structure of the extendible and retractable actuator.

Abstract: An operating includes a rack cut on both sides, sandwiched between two pinions with horizontal axes and arranged in the same horizontal plane or substantially in the same horizontal plane, driven into opposite directions by the same motorized system. The outlet shaft of the motorized system transmits the driving motion to a primary reducing system whose outlet shaft corresponds to the inlet shaft of a secondary reducing gear of planetary differential type including a solar pinion, satellite pinions and an outer ring. The satellite holder of the secondary differential reducing gear drives one of the pinions on one of the sides of the double rack, and the outer ring of the planetary reducing gear drives, by appropriate mechanical elements, a toothed wheel in charge of driving the second pinion on the other side of the double rack.

Abstract: A device for leveling an object on uneven or sloping floors. The device is comprised of a housing with a substantially hollow portion having a worm gear, a driven gear, and an elevation shaft with threads on at least a portion of the shaft's external surface. The worm gear operably engages the driven gear, which in turn operably engages the elevation shaft. When the worm gear is rotated in opposite directions, concomitant rotations of the driven gear cause the elevation shaft to move axially up or down, thereby providing leveling motions to an object to which the device is attached. A pad may be attached to one end of the elevation to prevent scratching the surface on which the object rests. The hollow portion of the housing is configured to provide at least one load-bearing surface such that no separate bearings are required with the device.

Abstract: The linear actuator comprises an elongated first band wound in helical form about a central axis and capable of taking a retracted position and an extended position with its turns spaced from one another in the direction of the central axis, and first fasteners carried by the first band and longitudinally disposed therealong. The linear actuator also comprises an elongated second substantially flat band wound on itself, with its turns substantially transversely parallel to the central axis, and capable of taking a retracted, spiral position with its turns nested within one another and an extended position with its turns forming a helix around the central axis and generally equally radially spaced therefrom to form a telescopic column, the first and second bands, when in retracted position, in respective locations so as to clear each other.

Abstract: A stair lift includes a lift assembly arranged to be driven along a rail. The lift assembly includes a chassis supporting a load bearing member such as a seat. The chassis is formed by a main member on which are mounted a drive assembly and a levelling assembly for maintaining the seat horizontal by altering the orientation of the chassis with respect to the rail as the lift assembly moves along the rail. One or both of the drive and levelling assemblies may be pivotally mounted on the chassis to permit rotation about a vertical axis so as to accommodate bends in the rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the operation of a conventional trailer jack. The jack assistance apparatus is attached to a conventional trailer jack having telescoping tubes with a coarse adjustment and a fine adjustment. The apparatus includes a lever arm that engages a locking pin handle on the jack, and a guide tube that contains a chain or other flexible member with one end attached to the jack base and the other attached to a handle. The lever arm and handle are located for convenient access by an operator for coarse vertical adjustment of the jack.

Abstract: A “frozen” rack chock of a jack-up rig is released by a moving force imparted on the rack chock by a worm gear assembly. The worm gear assembly has a tooth wheel with a plurality of teeth and a worm gear member provided with a worm thread that engages the teeth for transmitting rotational force from a drive motor to the tooth wheel. A shaft of the tooth wheel is operationally connected to the rack chock to cause disengagement of the rack chock from the contact surface of a leg chord when the tooth wheel is rotated.

Abstract: A movable work bench used in repairing a transmission of a vehicle is provided, in which it is possible to control a desired height of the work bench, make fine adjustments for keeping the balance of the transmission supported on the work bench, and easily move the work bench due to the conditions of a working area. The movable work bench comprises a moving body installed at a lower portion of the work bench, a housing having one end mounted on a central portion and another end to which a cap is installed, an elevating means installed in the housing, a driving means mounted on a part of the elevating means for lifting and lowering the elevating means, and a supporting body safely supporting the transmission and lifted and lowered through the operation of the elevating means.

Abstract: An elevating unit for a jack-up rig provides a pinion gear that rotates upon a support frame for engaging a toothed rack of each leg of the jack-up rig. Each pinion gear is mounted on a gear shaft that extends in opposite directions from a plane of rotation of the gear. First and second roller bearings are mounted upon the frame for supporting the pinion gear at first and second pinion gear shaft end portions. On one shaft end portion, a planetary gear box engages the shaft, the gear box being motor driven. On the opposite side of the shaft end portion a brake hub is attached to the pinion gear shaft and carries a brake drum. A brake band extends about the drum, the band being operable to frictionally engage the brake drum to retard movement of the drum, hub and pinion gear shaft relative to the frame.

Abstract: A quick release trailer jack comprises a vertical support mast extending through a jack body. Pinion and worm gears housed in the body couple a crank to a rack gear on the mast for vertically raising and lowering the mast relative to the trailer. A plunger coaxial with the pinion gear permits an operator to axially translate the pinion gear lateral the mast axis, thereby decoupling the crank from the rack gear. The pinion gear slides into a cylindrical cavity containing a biasing spring which returns the pinion gear into its normal position, re-coupling the crank and the rack, when the operator releases the plunger.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a surgical instrument is provided. The support structure includes an arm assembly, a leg assembly, a base assembly, and a support bracket. The leg assembly includes a latch mechanism that engages the base assembly. The base assembly includes a gear that engages the leg assembly. An end rail is provided for attachment to the side rails of an operating room bed.

Abstract: A quick-release rack and pinion safety jack assembly for mounting upon the tongue of a conventional trailer. The jack assembly comprises a vertical support stanchion extending upwardly from a rotatable caster, a rigid rack, and a weatherproof box-like gear housing penetrated by the stanchion. A rotatable hand crank is rotated to move the stanchion relative to the gear housing, to elevate or lower the trailer. The internal gear assembly comprises a worm gear driven by the hand crank and a drive gear driven by the worm which selectively meshes or unmeshes with the rack. The drive gear is mounted for rotation upon a rigid axle which penetrates elongated follower slots defined in opposite walls of the gear housing. The drive gear axle is coupled at its ends by rigid links rotatably anchored in a pivotal safety lever. The safety lever is manually deflectable along an arcuate path between a first lock position and a second released position.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to facilitate disengagement of two mechanisms engaged with one another with a high stress therebetween, such as in rack locking arrangements used on offshore platforms. The first mechanism (e.g., a rack) is mobile in relation to the second mechanism (e.g., a pair of locking jaws) which serves as a locking mechanism for the first mechanism. The level of stress between the first and second mechanisms is measured, and the measurement is converted into an electrical control signal. This signal is used to control motor-driven force applying elements (e.g., pinions) in engagement with the first mechanism. The force applying elements are controlled in such a manner as to apply force to the first mechanism sufficient to offset the aforementioned stress between the first and second mechanisms, thereby permitting friction-free disengagement of the mechanisms.

Abstract: A tongue mounted rack and pinion jack for a trailer wherein a pair of die-cast gear box segments are bolted together for supporting a handle driven worm gear and a pinion gear in self-contained bearing surfaces formed in the gear box segments. When the gear box segments are secured together a gear box, a rack receiving passage and a leg receiving passage are formed therein. A common wall formed in the molded gear box segments separates the gear box from the rack receiving passage and has a window formed therein through which teeth on a pinion gear extend into the rack receiving passage and engage teeth on a rack extending longitudinally through the rack receiving passage and secured to a leg extending through the leg receiving passage.

Abstract: An improved trailer jack has a castor structure enabling use of a full size spare trailer wheel and tire on the jack; the jack has a gear box mechanism, a lift post drivable up and down by the gearbox, and a lift element pivotally journaled inside the post; the lift element has an offset structure which raises the spare axle axis up to a level above the bottom of the post and the axle is spaced to one side so that when the full size spare wheel and tire is used, it pulls up into a locked storage position above and alongside on the trailer tongue, when the spare is down, it swivels completely around under the tongue and around the lift post. The trailer is much easier to manually manipulate in a garage or driveway.An improved lift assembly with a unique swiveling lift member having both a trailing offset and transverse offset is utilized.

Abstract: A device for lifting and positioning a heavy object, comprising a base, a pair of arcuate arm moving rack gears, a pair of arms rotatively affixed to the arcuate rack gears, a pair of arm moving pinion gears fixed to an axle rotatively affixed to each arm and in mechanical engagement with one of the pair of arcuate arm moving rack gears adapted when rotated to move the pair of arms up and down, a foot device rotatively affixed to the pair of arms, a foot pinion gear fixed to an axle rotatively fixed to the pair of arms and fixedly attached to the foot to rotate the foot when the foot pinion gear is rotated, a foot control pinion gear fixedly attached to the base, an elongated member having a rack gear on both of its terminal portions, one of such rack gears in mechanical engagement with the foot pinion gear and the other elongated member rack gear in mechanical engagement with the foot control pinion gear so that when the arm moving pinion gears rotate they cause not only the arm to move up and down but also

Abstract: A jacking apparatus having a quick release mechanism for disengaging the main shaft of the jack from the jacking gear to allow the main shaft to be selectively raised and lowered as desired without operating the jacking gear. The main shaft has a plurality of teeth disposed thereon in facing relationship with the jacking gear, which is preferably a worm gear mechanism. A stop bar is disposed between the shaft and the jack housing to hold the shaft in alignment with the worm gear mechanism when it is desired to operate the jacking gear. A spring-biased pin member extends through a diagonal slot disposed in the jack housing to engage the stop bar. When it is desired to disengage the shaft teeth from the jacking gear teeth, the user exerts upward pressure on the pin member to move the pin member and stop bar diagonally upward along the axis of the slot, thereby retracting the stop bar from the shaft and allowing the shaft to be rotated to disengage the shaft teeth from the jacking gear teeth.

Abstract: Equipment for closing conduits comprising a closing lid (1) having two circular disks with a peripheral sealing ring of resilient material. A tightening device connect the two disks at the center thereof causing during tightening to compress the sealing ring radially outwardly. The tightening device is of very stable construction conferring to the disks a parallel movement without mutual rotation. The equipment moreover comprises a mounting device (30) having three parts which are mobile in relation to each other, an attachment yoke (31), a main clamp (39) and a support plate (43). With the aid of a cog gear (40) and racks (42, 44) rotary movements are transformed into either a clamping movement between the closing lid (1) and the support plate (43) or a pulling movement between the closing lid (1) and the main clamp (39).

Abstract: A lifting mechanism (4) operating by means of cogwheels (6) climbing along a toothed rack (3) on the leg (2) of a jack-up platform (1). Lifting mechanisms (4) required for different applications of use, having different capacities of lifting are assembled by using a limited number of different frame modules (5'), climbing pinions (6) and gearings. The torque arms (14) of two gearboxes (7) placed one after the other may be interconnected so that the torques produced by the climbing pinions (6) on the gearboxes compensate for each other.

Abstract: A lifting and depositing device for portable containers comprising a plurality of rack and pinion jacks, some of which are mounted on support legs of the container. Each rack and pinion jack has an accessory gearing which can be pivoted outwardly or removed, so that when accessory gearing is pivoted outwardly, a support leg can be manually moved axially relative to its guide part, if the container, e.g., is offset on the loading surface of a truck. Thus, the gearing operation and time-consuming crank work required until now for two idle strokes per work cycle is avoided.

Abstract: A mobile platform with relatively vertically movable legs, of the off-shore drilling platform type, has a plurality of pairs of opposed racks on each leg, with a row of pinions supported in a pinion carrier for each rack. A link for each pinion carrier is pivoted at one end of the pinion carrier and at the other end to the platform and is disposed in the medial plane of the teeth of the double rack. On the opposite side of the leg from one of these double racks is provided structure for detachably interconnecting the lower end of the leg to the platform for vertical swinging movement of the leg when the leg is in raised position, about an axis parallel to that plane, so that the legs can be swung together at their upper ends when in raised position, into a pyramidal configuration.

Abstract: A starting bar for a flow-through continuous casting mold is curved lengthwise in a vertical plane and has a trailing end for joining to a metal strand issuing from the mold, and a leading end portion provided with a row of rack teeth extending along the bar. A storage housing spaced laterally from the mold has a vertical passage through it for receiving the leading end portion of the bar when the bar is moved lengthwise from a strand-receiving position to the storage housing and up into its passage where a vertical gear will be engaged by the rack teeth.

Abstract: A log splitter of the horizontal track, upstanding blade, reciprocating carriage type is driven by mechanical rather than hydraulic mechanism to reduce cost and weight and breakage. Instead of crank arms, a gear rack and spur gear system is provided, there being a large drive gear meshed with the spur gear, and a small diameter, light weight flywheel on the motor drive shaft, the mechanical advantage being sixteen to one or more. A safety overload kick-off is incorporated into the control mechanism for automatic actuation when a log presents unusual resistance to splitting.

Abstract: An amusement device having a casing provided with a playing surface along which there is defined a path, a body for moving along the path, a magnetic mechanism within the casing on the opposite side of the playing surface from the body for attracting the body, a first control knob operatively connected to move the magnet in one direction, a second control knob operatively connected to move the magnet in a different direction, a timing mechanism operable by the user to select one of several predetermined time intervals to complete the playing of the game and which is provided with an audible sound signalling the end of the game, after which the first and second control knobs and their related mechanisms are rendered inoperative.

Abstract: An automotive jack having a motorized carriage on which is carried a rotatable member engageable with a series of recesses located along a jack standard. The carriage is roller mounted on the jack standard and includes a bumper engaging arm. A reversible motor drives the rotatable member through a gear reduction, worm drive which restricts carriage movement to only motor powered movement. A latch also prevents accidental carriage slippage. A motor power source is disclosed as the vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: Chain link fence straightener apparatus usable to restore bent chain link fence sections or segments without removal thereof from the fence, and including lower and upper tine means arranged on an upright post supported by a ground engageable base member, such upper tine means being movable vertically on a carriage vertically shifted along the post through means of a rack gear on the post and pinion gear means on the carriage, said lower and upper tine means being of substantial horizontal span to engage a plurality of links of the fence at various points along the fence. In preferred form the rack gear on the post is made up of a length of hardened steel chain links and is readily removable and adjustable in tension by means of a threaded anchor bolt at its lower end.

Abstract: An automobile jack having a pivotal center post mounted in a swivel base and a pair of opposed legs which enables the user to move the car after it has been raised by the jack. The legs are caused to translate together in opposing directions by means of a crank and gear mechanism to cause the post leg while the car is raised to pivot and thereby shift the car in the desired direction for balancing purposes in order to secure the car in its raised position.

Abstract: A jack for supporting and adjusting the elevation of a trailer tongue comprises a ground support post, having either a caster wheel or foot plate at its lower end, extending downwardly through a jack mechanism housing which is bolted to the trailer tongue. The post can be raised or lowered either by means of a rotatable crank extending from the housing or, alternately, after manual release of latching means in the housing and tilting of the crank, by manually sliding the post. The post has a toothed rack affixed along one side thereof. The mechanism in the housing comprises a pivotally movable support member on which a crank-driven worm and an intermeshing worm gear are rotatably mounted. The support member is spring biased and releasably latched into an upward position wherein the worm gear engages the rack (and functions as a pinion gear) and manual rotation of the crank is necessary to move the post up or down.

Abstract: A flexible elongated strand-starting member curved lengthwise in a vertical plane has one end formed for temporarily plugging the bottom of a flow-through continuous casting mold. Extending from the opposite end of the starting member along one of its curved sides is a row of rack teeth. Spaced laterally from the mold and at about the same level is a storage housing that has a substantially vertical passage through it for the starting member, while a pair of reversible pinch rolls located about halfway between the mold and storage housing but at a lower level are in a position to grip the lower end portion of the starting member while its upper end is plugging the mold. The rolls withdraw the starting member and a metal strand attached to it from the mold and feed the starting member up into the storage housing passage where a vertical gear engages the rack teeth.