Abstract: A transport system for a dot matrix printing mechanism including an improved overall design for the transport system and improved designs for individual elements of the system and combinations of elements. The overall design of the present invention uses snap fits extensively throughout for ease of assembly and disassembly, integrates many previously separate parts into one-piece members, employs common part designs wherever possible, and uses single parts to perform multiple functions wherever possible. For examples, the strike bar and ribbon frame of the present invention are combined into one piece and the ribbon cartridge is releasably mounted to the ribbon frame using one end of a latch member while the other end of the latch member is used to bias a pressure roller against the paper advancing roller. The overall design also includes a common drive train interconnected between the moving parts of the transport system whereby all of the moving parts can be powered by a single motor.

Abstract: Within a housing of a multi-position switch there is arranged a forwardly and backwardly indexible stepping mechanism comprising two actuation elements which can be individually brought into engagement with a pinion of a character support or carrier by accomplishing a linear working movement. Each actuation element comprises a push-button, a switching or indexing element and a preferably hairpin-shaped spring element, or is operatively connected with a coil spring mounted in the housing. By means of each push-button the related actuation element is moved in a first direction, whereby its switching element, guided by a first pin along a cam or equivalent structure, is deflected, and a second pin comes into engagement with the pinion, so that this pinion, which is rotatably mounted upon a shaft, can be moved in a predetermined direction against the restoring force of a latching spring engaging into a tooth gap of the pinion by means of a latching cam or nose.

Abstract: In computerized tomographic apparatus having an intermittent rotational motion the scanning time can be reduced by increasing the rotation speed. However this can result in excessive forces being transmitted to the stationary mainframe of the equipment. The invention reduces that problem by balancing the forces of rotation at least in part by appropriately placed counter masses. In one embodiment the counter masses rotate and properly balance the forces. In another embodiment they move linearly and delay the application of the forces to the mainframe and transmit the delayed forces over a longer period.

Abstract: A rotary torque producing tool having a pistol grip handle with a manually grippable and displaceable part, a rotary tool operating shaft, clutch members mounted for rotation in surrounding relation to the shaft and being operatively connected to the displaceable handle part for rotation of the clutch members upon gripping of the handle and part, the drive means providing rotation of the clutch members in opposite directions about the shaft upon gripping displacement of the handle part, and means selectively engaging the clutch members and shaft for obtaining optional direction of rotation of the shaft. The drive structure includes a barrel member mounted for longitudinal reciprocation coaxially of the shaft and being formed with a pair of reversely configured spiral cams which are operatively connected by cam followers to the clutch members. The clutch members are formed to provide unidirectional driving connections to the shaft, i.e.

Abstract: A wall or table-mounted cream or paste dispensing device which includes a mounting base and a cooperating brush holder and cover and further characterized by a travelling carriage which is fitted with a roller to effect collapse of a toothpaste or other cream-containing tube, which roller is constrained to move downwardly against the tube in discrete increments by activation of a lever and pull chain combination. The carriage travels on the chain responsive to manipulation of the lever, and paste or cream is dispensed in controlled quantities from a nozzle communicating with the compressed tube.

Abstract: A fixture for indexing a work piece, a machine spindle, or the like permits indexing a single rotation of the work piece or other mechanism in any integral number of equal divisions. Stops for the divisions are made to suit the job by assembling a standard roller chain with as many pins and pin spaces as there are to be divisions and mounting the chain about a tapered body, preferably a cone. Fixtures hold the chain at the plane in which the periphery of the cone is the right diameter to receive the chain and other parts adjust the indexing stop to overlie the roller chain at that plane. Adjustments are provided to adjust the indexing stop peripherally of the cone a short distance in order to bring the indexing stop to the required rotational position. This adjustment may also be used to adjust the rotatable part a fraction of an indexing stop.

Abstract: Rotary ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet wheel rotating about a first axis. A dog at one end of a lever engages a tooth of a wheel to rotate it in one direction. The lever is pivoted to a member at a point spaced from its end, the member being movable from first to second positions along a second axis spaced from the first axis and normal to a plane including the same to move the dog in the opposite direction from a first position engaging one tooth to a second position engaging another tooth. The pivot is spaced from the second axis on its side remote from the first axis and in the first position of the member is spaced from the other side of the plane. An anti-reversing dog is provided at one end of a second layer pivoted to a support at a second point spaced from its end, the second pivot being spaced from the other side of the plane and from the second axis on its side toward the first axis.

Abstract: The present invention is a bi-directional valve actuator with a ratchet mechanism for use in combination with a control valve which includes a stem which, when turned, adjusts the flow through the control valve. The bi-directional valve actuator includes a frame which is mechanically coupled to the control valve adjacent to the other end of the stem of the control valve. The valve actuator also includes a shaft which is disposed within the frame and which is rotatably coupled thereto with the shaft being mechanically coupled to the stem of the control valve so it can turn the stem thereof, a first ratchet wheel and a second ratchet wheel. Each ratchet wheel is coaxially aligned with the shaft and is fixedly coupled thereto.

Abstract: A stand for supporting and rotating shafts in fractions of a revolution, for example for assembling armature slot conductors. Conventional arrangements use multiple rollers conforming to the shaft, one of which is motorized by way of gearing. This tends to be cumbersome, expensive and complex. According to this invention a shaft is supported on the walls of a channel between roller stops. A lever within the channel is jacked up to tilt the shaft against one roller and the lever is pushed longitudinally, allowing the shaft to remain in position but rolled around against the stop by an amount corresponding to the linear lever movement. The lever is then lowered and retracted.

Abstract: There is disclosed a torque wrench, including a main body, an actuator including a piston/cylinder arrangement and cooperating spool valve which selectively supplies pressurized fluid to either side of the piston member. The actuator is supported in the main body and adapted to act upon and selectively reciprocate a thrust member relative to the main body, the thrust member being adapted to engage and pivot a torque arm for providing a torque output at an output shaft via a ratchet arrangement incorporated between the torque arm and the output shaft. The torque arm is supported independently of the thrust member and is not physically connected thereto.

Abstract: A stepless speed change gear for bicycles and the like. A device is disclosed wherein a rotary input is converted to reciprocating motion by a rack and pinion, the rack is mounted at the end of a lever which is oscillated; an arm is mounted on the lever, connecting it to a rod which is driven in alternating rotary directions; the rod is connected to the output shaft by two ratchets driven in alternate directions by said rod, said ratches are geared to said output shaft in such a way that the output is a continuous rotary motion. The speed change mechanism being that said arm is slidably mounted on said lever and rod so that the nearer the arm is drawn to the end of the lever on which said rack is mounted the greater is the oscillating motion imparted and the greater is the subsequent angle through which the rod is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for initiating the operation of a device by requiring plural actuations of a coin-controlled reciprocating operating handle. A rail, which includes a pawl affixed thereto, is reciprocated by the operating handle. A ratchet having a plurality of teeth is rotatably mounted on an operating shaft in operative relation to the pawl. An operation-initiating disc member is fixed relative to the shaft and is coaxially mounted relative to the ratchet. The ratchet and the operation initiating disc member are constructed and arranged relative to each other and relative to the pawl so that successive engagements of teeth on the ratchet by the pawl results in eventual rotation of the operation initiating disc member and consequent rotation of the shaft with respect to which it is fixed thereby initiating operation of the device to which the shaft is affixed.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier comprises a circular plate formed with teeth and interchangeably mounted for rotation by an arm longitudinally movable parallel to the plane of the plate. The arm can also rotate about the center of the plate. The arm has at least one pin adjustably fixed relative to the arm and arranged to cooperate alternately with one of the sides of opposite teeth, which side is oblique with respect to the trajectory of the arm. Longitudinal movement of the arm in either direction is effected by hydraulic means, connected with the arm through passage means suitably permitting the rotating of the arm. The longitudinal movement causes the plate to pivot by one step. At the end of the longitudinal travel of the arm, in either direction, the pin is located in the base of the gap between two teeth.

Abstract: An indexing mechanism for the rotatable element of a machine tool wherein a shaft is coaxial with the element and has formed thereon a helicoidal groove. A control member is engaged in said groove and moves alternately therein to transmit an oscillating rotative movement to the shaft to effect go-and-back movements along the groove in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable element. A control cam effects go-and-back movements which are synchronized with the movements of the control member. A driving member is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and is capable also of axial movement between one position in which it is rigid with the element and a second non-rigid position. The axial movement of the driving member is controlled by the cam. Accordingly, during the go movements of the control member and of the cam, the driving member is rigid with the element.

Abstract: A grinding machine for grinding teeth in a saw including saw advancing means having clamp mechanism for engaging a saw. The clamp mechanism is then moved to rotate the saw past an indexing means, which is followed by movement in the opposite direction to position the saw.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for incrementally advancing a shaft by a selected rotational amount. The apparatus includes a belt trained about a pair of space driven pulleys, the belt forming both first and second runs between the pulleys. Each pulley is associated with a shaft and is mounted for rotation in one direction only, with brake means designed to resist rotation of the pulley in the opposite direction. Means are provided for alternately deflecting the first and second runs of the belt to advance each shaft by an incremental amount in the one direction. In this manner, either or both shafts can be used for whatever purposes an incrementally advancing shaft is needed or desired.

Abstract: A device for rapping electrode carriers and supporting same within an electrostatic precipitator whereby dust accumulating upon electrodes extending vertically from the electrode carriers are removed. The rapping assembly and electrode support means are suspended from the roof of an electostatic precipitator wherein the electrode support means includes a rapping shaft drive means at the lower end thereof and electrode carrier means. The rapping shaft drive means is in driving relation with a rapping shaft wherein the rapping shaft rotates at a preselected rate and includes a plurality of rapping members attached thereto, each rapping member being disposed to rap each electrode carrier which in turn sends vibrations through the electrodes which extend vertically downwardly from the electrode carriers thereby removing dust accumulating on the electrodes.

Abstract: A gear is mounted to a turbine shaft and a pin disposed on a vertical link for engaging the gear when the link is pulled up for breaking loose a turbine shaft or other machine shaft which has been at a standstill.

Abstract: A silo unloader is provided, of the bottom unloader type, wherein an auger type conveyor is utilized for cutting silage and delivering it generally radially inwardly, with one or more auxiliary augers being provided. The auger is supported at its radial outermost end and is intermittently driven in a sweeping motion. Particularly novel driving apparatus is provided, for causing such a sweeping motion of the auger, as well as systems for lubricating various components of the apparatus.

Abstract: A winch for automatically taking up slack or looseness in a chain or the like and including a reel element having a ratchet mechanism for normally permitting rotation of the reel in only one direction, together with a power operated actuating unit which advances the reel and ratchet mechanism rotatively through successive steps in a take-up direction and is retractable in an opposite direction relative to the reel after each advancement step and in preparation for the next successive advancement. Automatic control means, desirably an automatic valve arrangement, cause such retraction of the power actuated unit in response to its arrival at a predetermined advanced position.

Abstract: A motion transforming mechanism which comprises a sliding member, a rack lever supported rotatably on the sliding member and engageable with a driving gear, a trigger lever supported rotatably on said sliding member and engaged with said rack lever and a fixed pin engageable with the rack lever so that the rotation of the driving gear may be positively and accurately transformed to a linear motion of a fixed stroke, the sliding member being utilized to intermittently rotate a ratchet wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently turning a turbine shaft wherein a ratchet wheel is secured upon the shaft and is engaged intermittently by a to and fro movement of a ratchet arm actuated by a reciprocating drive mechanism. The ratchet arm has a combined rectilinear and pivotal movement and is provided with a device, operable in the event the ratchet wheel is put into rotation by starting up of the turbine while the ratchet arm is engaged with the ratchet wheel, for detaining the arm against a return pivotal movement towards the ratchet wheel after being hurled outwardly therefrom to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A rotary grain distribution system includes a distributor having a grain filling chute and an air exhausting chute rotatably positioned within a housing and each terminating at one end in an annular cover and indexing ring. The indexing ring is positioned in proximity with the open ends of a plurality of chutes extending from the lower end of the distributor to grain storage bins below for selectively coupling the grain filling and exhaust chutes to one of a plurality of storage bins while sealing off the remaining bins. A ratchet and pawl drive mechanism coupled between the housing and the indexing ring provides a positive drive for accurately aligning the indexing ring and grain and exhaust chutes to the chutes extending to the storage bins. A cyclone precipitator has an intake coupled to the exhausting chute for evacuating air from a grain bin as it is being filled and collecting and returning the particulate matter to the supply of grain.

Abstract: An accumulating control clutch mechanism responsive to reciprocation of the coin slide of a coin receiving mechanism. The control clutch is arranged such that the shaft of a timer mechanism associated therewith is rotated unidirectionally to start the timer in response to a predetermined desired number of reciprocation movements of the coin slide. By this accumulating control clutch mechanism there is provided a means for changing a single slide reciprocation operation to start the timer mechanism to a multiple slide reciprocation operation without changing the coin receiving mechanism.

Abstract: An indexing device has a toothed gear actuated by a reciprocating yoke impinging on a tooth to turn the gear and to hold the gear in a fixed position upon further movement of the yoke in the same direction. The yoke is reciprocated through a cam connection with a pivoted lever which in turn is acted upon alternately by two electromagnets. Each stroke of the yoke rotates the indexing gear one tooth.

Abstract: An escapement mechanism for driving a shaft about an axis in a line printer each time a solenoid is actuated. An armature in the solenoid moves along a second axis which is normal to the axis of rotation and intersects it. An integrally molded escapement arm is pivotally mounted to the armature and also to a frame for rotation about a third axis which is parallel to the axis of shaft rotation and is spaced from the second axis. A resilient spring on the escapement arm engages a ratchet wheel mounted on a shaft. When the solenoid is actuated, the armature withdraws the escapement arm and the spring. When the solenoid is de-energized, a return spring on the solenoid advances the armature so the drive member engages the ratchet wheel and rotates the shaft. A second ratchet wheel oppositely oriented with respect to the first engages a positioning member on the escapement arm thereby to orient properly the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting the power of a reciprocating member to unidirectional rotation of an output shaft. A reciprocator is connected to a coupling shaft so as to rotate the coupling shaft in alternating directions. Gears and clutches driven by the coupling shaft convert the alternating movement of the coupling shaft to unidirectional rotation imparted to the output shaft. In other embodiments, the reciprocator drives coupling shafts which in turn impart alternating movement to clutch assemblies that cooperate to alternately impart unidirectional rotation to the output shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic wrench has a support, and a drive assembly which is mounted thereon and which includes a shaft that is turnable, a pair of sector drive plates which are mounted on the shaft turnable relative to the same and spaced from one another, each drive plate having an arcuate edge face formed with a plurality of slots that are spaced about the axis of the shaft and extend substantially parallel to this axis, and a square drive member which is turnable with the shaft and can be inserted into a mating drive socket. A transmission arrangement transmits motion from the sector drive plates to the shaft in order to turn the latter when the sector drive plates are turned.