Reciprocating To Reciprocating Patents (Class 74/110)
  • Patent number: 5059159
    Abstract: A linear wave gear drive has a car with oppsoite walls on which pluralities of apertures carrying reciprocating roller assemblies are arrayed. The car is located between inwardly-facing cam surfaces on a track and a belt housing outwardly-facing cam surfaces is passed through the car, with the assemblies contacting facing ones of the surfaces to move the car linearly in response to lineal movement through the car of the belt. The assemblies preferably have three rollers contrally mounted in axially-spaced locations for free, independent rotation about common shaft pins. The apertures are shaped to accommodate the pins in orientations perpendicular to the directions of movement of the belt and car, and parallel to the apertured car sides. Upper and lower rollers have identical larger diameters than central rollers to capture the belt edge in order to inhibit axial displacement of the pins. Assemblies are eliminated from a usual "one more" or "one less" wave gear construction to provide a stronger car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Consulier Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5055643
    Abstract: An emergency push-button comprises a housing and a support rigidly connected to a movable actuation knob and axially movable therewith. The support acts on a releasing mechanism, operated by rotation of the knob about an axis parallel to the movement direction of the movable slider. The button further includes an axially movable member provided with at least one retaining tooth, which, upon lowering of the movable knob, rotates about an axis parallel to the moving direction of the knob, compelling the retaining tooth to release at least one protrusion provided on the housing and, once the movable member has cleared through a tripping action, it also rotates in a tripping manner carrying the retaining tooth to the position under the protrusion, preventing the movable member from moving back to a raised position thereof. The release of the retaining tooth may be obtained just through a rotating movement of the knob in a reversed direction with respect to the retaining movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: CGE Compagnia Generale Elettromeccanica SpA
    Inventors: Franco Pardini, Falchi Fiorino
  • Patent number: 5048357
    Abstract: Translation/rotation conversion apparatus includes a rotatable follower shaft having an oval follower slant mounted thereon at an oblique angle with respect thereto. A rotatable drive shaft is disposed parallel to the follower shaft and has an oval drive slant mounted on it at the same oblique angle with respect to it that the follower slant makes with respect to the follower shaft. Planar faces of the two slants are engaged together in flat overlapping relationship. At least one shaft, preferably the drive shaft, is free to translate back and forth as it rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Inventor: Eric O. Siperko
  • Patent number: 5038920
    Abstract: A lightweight, high speed, quick change transfer for a press has plural slide assemblies. Each slide assembly has an elongated rectangular base plate, two U-shaped end support plates, and parallel guide shafts extending between the support plates. Linear bearings on the guide shaft and pillow blocks on the linear bearings support a reciprocating transfer slide with parallel sides and a central opening. A finger lift bar extends within the central opening. Sloped slots in the lift bars engage cam rollers held on shafts between the parallel sides of the transfer slides. Any number of slide assemblies and repeater slide assemblies may be used. Transfer bars with workpiece-engaging fingers connect ends of the finger lift bars in the slide assemblies, driving the finger lift bars in the repeater assemblies while moving the product-engaging fingers. Parallel lift drive bars move the transfer slides in repeater slide assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: M.S. Willett, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Nelson
  • Patent number: 5022311
    Abstract: A compact fluid actuated working cylinder is disclosed having a cam driven by a piston via a flexible tension member. At the ends of the cylinder housing there are deflection pulleys for providing continuous tension for the tension member. The pulleys are each mounted on pulley supports which extend from secondary bores in the main cylinder housing. The pulley supports are spring loaded and urge the two pulleys away from the cylinder housing and each other. The pulley supports are preferably rectangular in cross-section to protect against torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Norbert Fortmann, Helmut Gottling, Hans F. Meyer, Rudolf Moller, Gerhard Scharnowski
  • Patent number: 5022278
    Abstract: In a wedge ring mechanism for providing a collet clamping force in a machine tool spindle, a sleeve member retains a plurality of steel balls. A mechanical advantage is realized as the balls are wedged between obliquely inclined surfaces. The sleeve member is provided with a plurality of cylindrical passageways so that positive control over the motion of the balls is maintained at all times during both engagement and release of the collet clamping force, thereby obviating the need to pinch out the balls during release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Fadal Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David E. DeCaussin
  • Patent number: 5018350
    Abstract: A long stroke deep well pumping unit which employs a fluid motor connected with a polish rod by using a plurality of belts, fixed at either end, to reciprocate the sucker rod through repeated long strokes with a minimum of stress and shock to the sucker rod during directional change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: E. A. Bender
  • Patent number: 5018916
    Abstract: The actuating arrangement for a tool clamping device (1) has a clamping bar (3) which is axially displaceable in a clamping direction in a machine tool spindle (2) under the effect of a spring arrangement (11) and a firsst wedge transmission assembly (9) which is operable between the spindle and the clamping bar, with freely movable balls which bear respectively against three cone surfaces. They are disposed on a clamping sleeve (13) which is axially displaceable on the clamping bar, on a clamping ring (14) connected to the clamping bar (3), and on a support ring (15) which is arranged stationarily with respect to the spindle. The spring arrangement (11) acts by way of a pressure sleeve (12) which is axially displaceable on the clamping bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Ott Maschinentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Bauch, Alfred Raff, Helmut Heel, Norbert Leege
  • Patent number: 5018399
    Abstract: A wedge-type mechanical servomotor has a primary member (1) with wedge faces (10) on which roll bodies (7) may move. The roll bodies (7) also engage faces (8) on abutment (9). Further roll bodies (17) engage cooperating wedge faces (16) on abutment (9) and (18) on secondary output member (19), and other roll bodies (5) engage cooperating faces (13) on abutment (9) and (14) on bushing (26), so that the device achieves essentially pure rolling movement of the roll bodies (5,7,17) which move between all faces on abutment (9) and faces (10, 14, 18) opposite to these faces (8, 13, 16) and supporting the roll bodies (5, 7, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Firma Saurer-Allma GmbH
    Inventors: Harry L. Sawatzki, Harald Feistenauer
  • Patent number: 5000654
    Abstract: A reciprocating drive apparatus for an automatic molding removing machine designed to remove a molded product from a molding machine by moving a chuck member, at least, in the longitudinal direction with a traveling member which is supported on a machine frame so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Star Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Shiotani
  • Patent number: 4986394
    Abstract: A brake actuator has a body containing a pair of brake-applying members which may be actuated hydraulically to separate the friction elements of a brake into engagement with a rotatable braking surface. The members are interconnected by a mechanism in the form of a shaft of which respective end portions are provided with reversible threaded portions of opposite hand which engage corresponding threads within the members, the shaft being constrained against axial movement between bearings. Any excess movement of one of the members relative to the other is transmitted to that other member such as to cause an opposite and proportional force on the other member to substantially equalize the wear rates on the friction elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: Philip A. Taft, Michael D. Knight
  • Patent number: 4977817
    Abstract: A displacement apparatus for allowing relative displacement between two reciprocating members such that a predetermined output motion profile of one of the members may be obtained relative to the motion of the other of the reciprocating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: David G. Doman
  • Patent number: 4968214
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically taking out a molded product, includes an elongated main frame, a laterally movable body supported on the main frame and movable in the longitudinal direction of the main frame, a first drive device for reciprocally moving the laterally movable body relative to the main frame. A frontward-backward movable body is supported on a frontward-backward frame which is connected to the laterally movable body, the frontward-backward movable body being movable in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main frame. A lifting device is provided, which includes a drive member connected to the frontward-backward movable body and having a vertically directed axis, a first driven member connected to the frontward-backward movable body and also connected to a rotary member which is rotatably supported on the movable frame. An attachment frame is supported on the movable frame and is movable in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Star Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Shiotani
  • Patent number: 4964311
    Abstract: A linear actuator having an actuator member driven in a linear direction by a lever mechanism pivotally coupled thereto which is in turn driven by a plurality of on/off linear drivers. Driving the linear drivers through varying stroke distances provides a sequence of discrete actuator steps. By providing an interconnected simple lever mechanism a discrete set of 2.sup.n steps may be provided for n drive positions and n on/off linear drivers. The linear actuator thus provides simple integration with a digital control system and precise positive discrete steps of linear actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Measurex Corporation
    Inventor: Mathew G. Boissevain
  • Patent number: 4957193
    Abstract: An actuating cylinder having a fluid pressure operated piston member connected by a friction member to a push rod to which a brake shoe, or the like, may be attached as the output member. A force transfer lever is arranged between the piston and push rod to transmit the piston force to the output member with mechanical advantage only after the friction connection is overcome by resistance at the push rod, such as occurs by engagement of the brake shoe with the wheel of a railway vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Nippon Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Hideo Tamamori
  • Patent number: 4951516
    Abstract: A force transfer mechanism including a force lever through which an input force is transmitted to an output member with mechanical advantage only after the output member encounters sufficient resistance to overcome a friction connection between an input member and the output member indicative of the input member having moved from a retracted position to an operative position. The resultant movement of the input member relative to the output member in the absence of the frictional connection therebetween allows the input member to engage the end of force lever that is normally spaced-apart therefrom and to accordingly drive the output member with a force corresponding to the input force multiplied by the ratio of the force lever only in the operative position of the input member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Nippon Air Brake Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Tamamori
  • Patent number: 4932276
    Abstract: Presented is a fluid-operated control device that may be operated by pressurized gas or liquid. A housing contains a double-acting piston assembly that is moveable in a longitudinal bore in the housing. A gear rack connects the two pistons. A rotor assembly in the housing includes a pinion gear meshing with the gear rack, and a second pinion gear meshes with a second gear rack attached to a slide member moveably supported on the housing. Thus, injection of fluid under pressure behind one or the other of the pistons causes axial translation of the pistons and connecting gear rack. Translation of the gear rack effects rotation of the rotor assembly, which in turn effects axial translation of the second gear rack to which is attached the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Rotoslide Co.
    Inventors: Donald R. Treadwell, Boris Dushine
  • Patent number: 4925154
    Abstract: An improved gate valve having a body with a chamber and an inlet and an outlet extending therethrough into said chamber, a gate mounted for reciprocation in said chamber between open and closed positions, a pressure responsive actuator having a housing, a piston, a connection to the gate and an actuating stem extending from the housing, a supplemental actuator having a connection to the actuator housing, an operating stem connected to the actuating stem, the operating stem having a shoulder facing in the direction opposite to the direction of closing movement of the gate, roller levers pivotally mounted to be in engagement with the exterior of the operating stem and a spring urging the roller levers into tight engagement with the operating stem, the roller levers pivoting on engagement with the stem shoulder to exert a closing force on the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald S. Baker
  • Patent number: 4916276
    Abstract: A push lock mechanism including a heart-shaped cam groove, a driving pin adapted to trace in the heart-shaped cam groove, and an axially reciprocatable operation shaft adapted to be locked in a depressed position thereof by cooperation of the heart-shaped cam groove and the driving pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co.,
    Inventor: Shiniji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 4901589
    Abstract: Device for transforming a rotary movement of a drive element eccentrically arranged about a rotary spindle into a linear movement of a slide means with an assured guidance during the linear movement and fixed end positions, whereby for the linear guidance of the slide means the drive element constructed as a guide pulley or the like engages in a guide slot, but leaves the latter on reaching the slide means end position, characterized in that on the slide means (3) are provided two rollers (14,15) or similar stops, which in the end positions of slide means (3) in each case slide onto and engage on a bar (32,33) or similar reference edge, the bars (32,33) freeing the rollers (14,15) during the linear guidance of slide means (3) and while maintaining a spacing (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Karl-Josef Gaigl
  • Patent number: 4893980
    Abstract: A sample transfer device (110) for manipulating a sample in a sealed vacuum chamber comprises a tubular housing (112) made from magnetically permeable material. The housing has one end (114) closed and another attached to the vacuum chamber. Located inside the housing is a shaft (116) which is connected to a sample holder. One end of this shaft is connected to a hollow body (140) which is made from a magnetically-permeable and air-tight material. This hollow body (140) forms a sealed cavity which contains an inner permanent magnet (142). The magnet (142) is held in place by two cup-shaped members (152 and 154) and two aluminum blocks (156 and 158). The inner magnet (142) interacts with an outer permanent magnet (166) which slides over the surface of cylindrical housing (112) and moves, through magnetic force, the inner magnet and hence the shaft (116) and the sample holder with the sample in the axial direction of the housing, i.e., into a required position in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Huntington Mechanical Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Valentin Balter
  • Patent number: 4890541
    Abstract: A fluid-operated actuator for collets, vises, chucks and other workpiece engagement devices, for example, the actuator having a piston which moves the engagement device toward the workpiece with a force equal to product of the area of the face of the piston times the pressure of a fluid applied to the face. When the engagement device has engaged the workpiece, additional, relatively slight movement of the piston causes a force multiplying mechanism to provide increased engagement force without increasing the pressure of the actuating fluid. The overall travel of the actuator mechanism is not limited by the force-mulitplying mechanism which begins to function only after the unrelated distance of travel of the engagement device to the workpiece. Thus, for example, compressed air at ordinary shop pressures may be used to actuate collets or chucks on automatic lathes or the like to provide relatively high clamping forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Richard C. Spooner
  • Patent number: 4887697
    Abstract: A wedge and roller brake actuator comprises a wedge disposed between opposed tappets with interposed rollers acting to transmit thrust from the wedge to the tappets for brake actuation, a fixed inclined surface engaged by one roller to restrain the wedge for linear movement, and to ensure that one of the tappets normally associated, in use, with the brake trailing shoe, applies its associated shoe in advance of the other tappet, either the roller-engaging surfaces of the wedge and opposed tappet at either side of the wedge are inclined at different angles to the wedge longitudinal axis, or respective adjusters of the tappets are provided with different clearances between threadedly interengaged components thereof so that one tappet is adjusted to maintain its associated shoe nearer to the drum than the shoe associated with other tappet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Sigmar Micke
  • Patent number: 4881765
    Abstract: The vertical slide in the latch linkage of an exit device is coupled for vertical movement together with a channel inside the door stile. The channel holds a pair of blocks having inclined surfaces held in touching relation and relatively slideable. The vertical latch-operating rod is attached to the first of the blocks and the other block is secured to the channel by a horizontally disposed threaded adjusting element. The side walls of the channel restrict the first of the blocks from lateral but not vertical movement. The other block is restricted from lateral movement only by the threaded element, and turning the threaded element moves that block from side to side in the channel to raise or lower the first block as the inclined surfaces slide. This changes the effective length of the rod. The turning of the threaded element may be done from the outside of the door through an access hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventor: George E. Heid
  • Patent number: 4881745
    Abstract: A clamp for supporting a plate such as a memory disk which comprises a housing with a supporting surface in contact with one side of the plate surface and a mechanism for applying a segmented ring to the second side of the plate surface and a fluid pressure means within said housing to apply a large clamping pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: Roger D. Peters
  • Patent number: 4875612
    Abstract: An improved impact apparatus of the type in which an impact member delivers an impact to a work piece, an elongated guide confines the motion of the impact member to within a predetermined path, an input handle receives the input movement, and a speed multiplying mechanism transmits the input movement to the impact member. The input movement is received as an input force along an input axis causing the input handle to move at an input velocity. This input is transformed by the speed multiplying mechanism into an output force along an output axis, causing the impact member to move at an output velocity which is faster than the input velocity. For apparatus in which the speed multiplying mechanisms are not axially symmetric, thus having output axis laterally displaced from the input axis, the present invention provides improved positioning of the input and output axes along lines that pass near the center of gravity of the impact member, thus minimizing the unwanted torque on the moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Lee
  • Patent number: 4875404
    Abstract: A fluid actuator having a piston, a pair of springs, a pair of cams, and a pair of cam followers mounted in a housing. A normally open valve is coupled to the actuator output shaft for actuation. When fluid pressure is applied to the piston, the springs are compressed, and the cam followers are moved down to permit the cams to rotate away from each other, thereby reducing the force on the actuator output shaft and permitting the valve to open. When fluid pressure is removed from the piston, the springs expand pushing the piston and the cam followers up, thereby rotating the cams toward each other and forcing the actuator output shaft against the valve stem to close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Ewal Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis L. Aldridge
  • Patent number: 4872360
    Abstract: The actuator of the present invention comprises a cylinder with a circular cylindrical cavity slidably engaged by a stationary piston secured to the frame of the actuator by at least one rod extending through one end wall of the circular cylindrical cavity in a leak-proof manner, wherein the stationary piston divides the circular cylindrical cavity into two compartments in a leak-proof manner. Pressurizing one and venting the other of the two compartments moves the cylinder relative to the stationary piston. The outer cylindrical surface of the cylinder includes fastening device for securing an object to be linearly actuated thereto or rack engaging a pinion gear that converts the linear motion of the cylinder to a linear motion of a sliding member with another rack or to a rotary motion of the pinion gear shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventors: Hyok S. Lew, Hyon S. Lew
  • Patent number: 4871143
    Abstract: An improved gate valve having a body with a chamber and an inlet and an outlet extending therethrough into said chamber, a gate mounted for reciprocation in said chamber between open and closed positions, a pressure responsive actuator having a housing, a piston, a connection to the gate and an actuating stem extending from the housing, a supplemental actuator having a connection to the actuator housing, an operating stem connected to the actuating stem, the operating stem having a shoulder facing in the direction opposite to the direction of closing movement of the gate, roller levers pivotally mounted to be in engagement with the exterior of the operating stem and a spring urging the roller levers into tight engagement with the operating stem, the roller levers pivoting on engagement with the stem shoulder to exert a closing force on the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald S. Baker
  • Patent number: 4864880
    Abstract: A manipulator drive mechanism employing splined shafts in both a vertical and a horizontal axes. The horizontal splined shaft is rotatably driven by a rack assembly and a pinion gear rotatably fixed with respect to the horizontal splined shaft and which is also slidable along the horizontal splined shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Nu-Tec Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel W. Grant, Walter Bell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4858482
    Abstract: A scissor mechanism is provided with two scissor arms (1,2) and a hydraulic cylinder (12) which extends between engagement points on the scissor arms (1,2) which are offset from the common bearing (3) of the scissor arms. Between the scissor arms there is provided a wedge mechanism (18,19) comprising a pressure roller (18) and a pressure wedge (19). The pressure roller (18) is mounted on a displaceable sleeve (15) which serves as the engagement point for the hydraulic cylinder at one of the scissor arms (1). By displacement of the sleeve (15) the scissor arms (1,2) are wedged out of their originally parallel position (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Erik Knudsen
  • Patent number: 4856359
    Abstract: A mechanical servo unit comprises a primary element (9) having a wedge portion (10,11), a single pair of pressure rollers (1,2) and members (7,8) each having a pair of substantially even counter surfaces (2, 5 and 4, 6) formed thereon, one of the members (8) abutting a secondary element (19) and all being arranged within a cylindrical housing (12) the pairs of the counter surfaces (3, 4 and 5, 6) defining a narrowing aperture (15,16) therebetween and pressure rollers (1,2) being supported directly on the counter surfaces (3, 4, 5, 6) wherein action or movement of primary element (9) toward secondary element (19) is transmitted via wedge portion (10, 11), rollers (1, 2) and counter surfaces (3, 4, 5, 6) to secondary element (19) for transmission of amplified action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Ludwig Krause
  • Patent number: 4843900
    Abstract: A machine that takes screws out of a hopper and delivers them to a screw driving station where they are driven by motor operated screw driver members to secure a hinge to a door and a jamb. Inside the hopper, a screw lifting member engages, lifts, aligns and delivers individual screws to a hopper discharge station. Pressurized air blows the screws from their respective discharge stations onto tracks, there being one track associated with each discharge station. Elongate transfer tubes positioned at the discharge end of the tracks deliver the screws to a movable head member which upon receiving a charge of screw members moves downwardly and inwardly to a fixed position screw driving station where a door and jamb are positioned. Screw driver members are brought into driving relation to associated screws by horizontally inward movement of a motor that rotates the screw driver members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Ruvo Automation Corp.
    Inventor: Erling S. Jangaard
  • Patent number: 4842476
    Abstract: A manipulator for moving a workpiece to a given position includes a supporting member, a driving member, a rotary member, a moving member, a speed change mechanism and a chuck member. The supporting member is so supported on a frame as to be movable in the moving direction of the workpiece. The driving member causes the supporting member to reciprocate. The rotary member makes a pair of first pulleys rotate with movement of the supporting member, the first pulleys being rotatably supported with a predetermined spacing on said supporting member. The moving member is connected to a pair of second pulleys rotatably supported with a predetermined spacing on the supporting member. The speed change mechanism is connected at least between one of the first pulleys and one of the second pulleys and moves the moving member by rotating the second pulleys at a given rotational frequency with respect to the first pulleys which rotate with movement of the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Star Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Shiotani
  • Patent number: 4842233
    Abstract: A lifting mechanism provides double action movement of a ram member supported on a platform along a particular axis between a first lower position and a second higher position. The lifting mechanism includes the following: A motor having a drive shaft extending along an axis. At least one axial drive member is coupled to the platform to provide axial movement of the platform along the particular axis. Gear means is coupled to the drive shaft and the axial drive member to translate the rotary motion of the drive shaft about the perpendicular axis to motion of the axial drive member along the particular axis to provide the axial movement of the platform. A movable ram member is supported on the platfrom and is moveable relative to the platform along the particular axis so that axial movement of the platfrom provides simultaneous movement of the ram member along the particular axis to produce the double action movement of the ram member upon rotation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Dexta Corporation
    Inventor: Mark M. Rusin
  • Patent number: 4840366
    Abstract: An in-mold labeling apparatus includes a label transfer assembly carrying a number of label carriages each with a number of label transfer heads. A continuously rotating drive arm raises and lowers the assembly in simple harmonic motion to move the label transfer heads between label magazines for pickup of labels and mold halves of a blow molding machine. Lost motion connections are provided at the top and bottom of the stroke to facilitate pickup of labels and placement of labels in the mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Johnston, Paul W. Klinedinst
  • Patent number: 4838515
    Abstract: An X, Y, Z (and .theta.) article positioner and method are disclosed in which two axial elements, one inclined at an angle .alpha. and the other inclined at an angle -.alpha., are utilized in conjunction with each other to accomplish moves in a pure X or pure Z direction or a combination thereof. Each axial element is driven by a lead screw, which in turn is driven by a motor. Pure X movement is achieved by driving the lead screws the same amount, at the same rate, in the same direction. Conversely, to achieve a pure Z movement, the two lead screws are driven the same amount, at the same rate, but in opposite directions. In the preferred embodiment, three superposed and independently driven wedges are used to provide the desired single axis or combinational axis movement to position a workpiece in X, Y and Z with rotational movement of the three wedges providing .theta. axis positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Teledyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Prentice
  • Patent number: 4838112
    Abstract: The inwardly facing portions of annular springs adjacent the inner edge thereof are formed into two or more regions of predetermined angular or curved slopes and radial extent. When the peak of a shaft cam passes an annular set of ball bearings between the springs, the loaded springs unload at a rate determined by each region slope and the radial extent of the regions to consecutively drive the shaft at corresponding rates and forces. To precisely obtain the desired spring characteristics, a composite spring can be used formed from a steel spring sandwiched together with a plastic member (e.g., nylon).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Inotek-Westmoreland Joint Venture
    Inventor: William H. Barner
  • Patent number: 4833972
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking an wheeled table into a fixed location is disclosed. The base of the table is provided with both an electric motor coupled to a hydraulic pump and a manually operated hydraulic pump either of which may provide a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. Extendable and retractable legs are provided on the base of the surgical table. Hydraulic cylinders disposed adjacent to each of the legs are provided with upper link members pivotally attached to the table's base and lower link members which are pivotally attached to the deployable legs. When pressurized hydraulic fluid is provided by the electrically driven or manually powered hydraulic pumps, the hydraulic cylinders disposed adjacent to the deployable legs are extended. Such extension is translated by means of the respective upper and lower link members into a vertical movement which lowers the supporting legs to fix the table in a specified location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Glen D. Bohusch, George D. Hall, Edward M. Shostek
  • Patent number: 4825741
    Abstract: A power driven reciprocatory machine tool employs an endless belt trained in tension around spaced end pulleys to transmit reciprocatory movement of a drive attached to one run of the belt to a tool carrier clamped to the opposite run of the belt. The moving elements attached to the opposite runs of the belt counterbalance each other to minimize vibration generated by stroke reversal. In one application, the tool carrier mounts a relatively thin saw blade between spaced upper and lower arms which is employed to saw finely detailed edges on a workpiece manually guided to the blade on a stationary horizontal work table. Clamp means which are tightened by the tension of the blade couple the blade to upper and lower arms of the tool carrier, one of the clamp means being mounted on its arm by a manually adjustable blade tensioning device.The saw, tool carrier and drive may be rotatively adjusted about a horizontal axis to cut inclined or beveled edges on a workpiece supported on the stationary horizontal table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Rio Grande-Albuquerque, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wellington, Louis Bell
  • Patent number: 4824087
    Abstract: The invention is a clamp. In detail, the clamp comprises a base having a vertical disposed first jaw rising from the base. A second jaw is movably mounted to the base, the second jaw being movable in a horizontal direction to and from the first jaw. An actuation system is mounted to the base and is coupled to the second jaw such that upon the application of a vertically directed actuation force the second jaw can be either moved toward or away from the first jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford L. Hannel
  • Patent number: 4818830
    Abstract: The pushpiece mechanism for a timepiece comprises pushpiece return means arranged so that the force applied to the pushpiece passes through a maximum at an intermediate position thereof between a rest position and the pushed-in position of the pushpiece.To this end the return means are provided with two bearing elements arranged to cooperate with one another and comprising respectively a beak and a heel coupled by an elastic member, such bearing elements and elastic member being formed as a single piece.The mechanism may be applied in particular to electronic timepieces including a chronograph function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: ETA SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventor: Alphonse Bron
  • Patent number: 4801053
    Abstract: The present invention describes a valved dispensing spout for a fuel can or similar article including an outlet at one end and an inlet at the other end. At the inlet end of the spout is a valve housing having a valve such as a poppet valve slideably mounted therein and yieldably biased to a closed position by means of a spring. The valve is connected to a horizontal plunger via a link and the plunger extends through one wall of the valve housing and is pivoted at its outer end to a valve operating lever which can be moved up or down by finger pressure to open or close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Inventor: Eugene J. Kaster
  • Patent number: 4800992
    Abstract: Anti-skid device of a kind that includes a chain-provided pulley that on use if brought to contact with the side of the vehicle wheel so that when the vehicle wheel is rotated the chain pieces (2) are successively thrown in between wheel and ground in order to improve the traction. The anti-skid device is rotatably journaled in an arm (7) that in turn is fastened to a housing (8) that is turnably journaled on a stub axle (9). The turning movement of the arm and the housing is achieved in one direction by a bowden wire (20) and in the other dirction by a return spring (23). The stub axle (9) of the housing (8) is fastened to a plate (10) that in turn is fastened to a tube (11) by means of welding. The tube (11) is in turn arranged in clamps (12 and 13), that in turn are fastened to the bolts holding together the vehicle axle and its spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Onspot AB
    Inventors: Olle Andersson, Lennart Carlsson
  • Patent number: 4798334
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a closed vessel having a retraction mechanism for extending or retracting a spray mechanism within the vessel. The apparatus includes a housing and door assembly for separating the spraying mechanism from the interior to the vessel when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: New West Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventor: Max G. Harrington
  • Patent number: 4793198
    Abstract: A fluid flow motion reduction apparatus capable of a very small and reduced movement in one and two dimensions. The motion reduction apparatus applies the principles of Couette flow to a set of stacked plates, the plates being separated from one another by a Newtonian fluid. In the preferred embodiment, a top plate moves causing the fluid upon which it resides to flow. This fluid presses against an interleaved driven plate, which imparts a force on a lower fluid of greater viscosity than the top plate fluid. The resulting linear displacement of the driven plate is substantially reduced when compared to the distance traversed by the top plate, thus resulting in substantial motion reduction.An alternative embodiment discloses a joystick-driven, two dimensional motion reduction apparatus having a joystick with a double ball bearing assembly at one end seated in a conical aperture of the top plate. This embodiment is capable of both X and Y axis motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Jon H. Myer
  • Patent number: 4791824
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism and a process by which hydraulic pressure principles may be applied to any reciprocating or rotational means, for instance a piston or a motor, to make the energy output thereof more efficient per unit of energy input into these machines. The unitary hydraulic unit comprises a first larger reservoir cylinder and a second smaller reservoir cylinder which is fluidly connected to the first larger cylinder. Energy is input onto the force receiving surface of the first larger reservoir cylinder and force is hydraulically transferred from the first larger hydraulic cylinder to the force transferring surface of the second smaller hydraulic reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, this two-reservoir system can be applied to any machine with a rotational output by means of a disclosed power conversion means. An efficient power takeoff means for converting reciprocal energy into rotational energy for use in connection wiht the unitary hydraulic unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Delphin Corporation
    Inventor: Neculai A. Nicolau
  • Patent number: 4790426
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus which is designed to transfer workpieces at different pitches by a plurality of transfer bars. The apparatus has a horizontal guide provided on a frame which supports first and second transfer bars in such a manner that these transfer bars are movable axially in the horizontal direction, and at least one slider block is slidably guided in parallel to the transfer bars through the guide. This slider block is provided with a driving motor and further provided with a mechanism which is arranged to allow the slider block to slide along the guide by the rotational force derived from the motor. An arm which is pivoted by the rotational force from the motor is pivotally supported on the slider block. Further, a first and second transmission are provided for transmitting the movements of the slider block and the arm to the first and second transfer bars, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadaaki Tsuzuki, Satoru Uemura
  • Patent number: 4779474
    Abstract: A power unit of the type varying its length comprises three members movable in relation to each other. The power unit is used for transferring load from a first load carrier to a second one. In order to make this transfer possible in a satisfying manner, the power unit has to be constructed so that it can be extended to at least two times its length in the contracted state. For this reason it is a necessity that transmissions comprising wheels (13) and a loop (15) laid around these are so arranged, that when the third member (3) is displaced with respect to the first member (1) fixed in the room, at the same time the second member (2) is displaced in the same direction and the same distance with respect to the third member (3). In order to solve this problem in an appropriate manner the invention proposes to design the first member (1) with at least partly the character of a housing for the power unit, with an elongated shape in cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Sten Lovgren
  • Patent number: 4774850
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism for preconditioning a gearshift mechanism for movement into a selected gear such as low, reverse, or park. The actuator mechanism is in cartridge form so as to fit a wide variety of gearshift knob designs and sizes and the mechanism is arranged such that the pushbutton plunger assembly for preconditioning the transmission is moved to its retracted position by the spring of the actuator mechanism and is maintained in its extended position by the shift link of the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Regal Plastics Company
    Inventor: William D. Shovlin