Abstract: A mechanism, e.g. for driving a wheelchair, converting oscillating motion of a lever (15) into rotary motion of an output disc (capstans 34) by means of a flexible member (belt 26). In one direction of the lever (15), the belt (26) drives the output disc (capstans 24). In the other direction, the belt (26) slips. This is achieved by a (rotary) drag element (22) providing a (rotary) resistance force (=counter force) upstream the output disc (34) thereby tensioning the belt (26) such that slip is avoided.

Abstract: A land vehicle or bicycle (110) is disclosed having a front wheel drive which includes an impulse drive mechanism and shock driver. The front wheel drive mechanism (140) includes a handle bar/driver mechanism (151) attached to an impulse drive mechanism (166). The bicycle (110) may be used such that the handle bar/driver mechanism (151) is fixed for use as a conventional bicycle or may be released by a twist grip (159) or thumb release (193) so that the bicycle may be driven by a drive mechanism (140). The shock drive mechanism (FIGS. 14-16) provides forward propulsion force due to the compression (308) and recoil (304) forces of a shock absorber (144) when the bicycle (110) encounters a bump, curb or other obstacle.

Abstract: A step-type training machine in which the exerciser trains using a predetermined load while detecting the pulse of the exerciser, and in accordance with data (e.g. the age, sex and weight) inputted before the training and various data (e.g. the exerciser's pulse) during the training, the step load is varied and controlled during the training so as to impart the optimum exercise load to the exerciser.

Abstract: An arrangement of cables, pulleys and cams has been invented which provides a simple, reliable, flexible and inexpensive method of converting rotary carousel motion in the horizontal plane into vertical motion of animals on the carousel. A cam is attached to the center pole of the carousel. The cam is positioned so as to interact with cables which are routed from the carousel animals to be given subsidiary motion (typically up-down). For up-down motion each cable is routed vertically from its animal to the overhead support structure and then along a radial passing neat the center pole and is fastened to the overhead support radially opposite the animal being moved. As the carousel, with animals and cables, rotate around the center pole the cam sequentially intercepts the cables forcing the overhead table paths to lenghten and drawing the animals upward to accomodate the cable path change.

Abstract: A line-guide advancement mechanism for copyholders of the type for holding a document containing information to be transcribed and containing a linearly moveable line-guide for highlighting individual lines of information. The line-guide advancement unit is structured to be able to fixably attach to an existing copyholder (10) and a line-guide (46). The unit contains a drive mechanism (12) and an operator's foot pedal (20) which provide step-wise movement to the line-guide (46). The drive mechanism (12) can be adjusted via a knob (36) and vernier scale (74) to provide a wide range of spacings in the movement of the line-guide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for converting the reciprocating motion of at least one piston of a combustion engine into an oscillating rotary motion of at least one shaft, the piston being coupled with the shaft via a flexible band connected with a winding on and off area of the shaft. The rotational energy existing in the rotary motion of the shaft is utilized to continue rotation of the shaft in the same direction when the end of the pistons's working stroke is passed, so that the band is then wound onto the winding on and off area of the shaft in the opposite direction, thereby causing the band to pull back the piston. Alternatively, two pistons with opposite working stroke directions are present whose bands are connected to the shaft with opposite directions of winding. Due to a connecting rod between the two pistons, the working stroke of one piston pushes the other piston back to its starting position.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a propulsion and speed change mechanism, the mechanism has a clutch with a cam clutch (21) and a cylindrical fly wheel (23) installed on a hub (24) of the shaft (25) of the main wheel of the chair. The clutch includes roller bearings (14), plate springs (22) and forward and backward regulating device (15). A matched union gear (20) is formed at the center of the cam clutch (21) and matched with a union gear (19) formed on a propulsion and speed change bar (12) so that the cam clutch (21) and the propulsion and speed change bar move as one body. The cam clutch (21) and the bar (12) are installed with a bearing (17) on the axle of the frame (13) of the wheelchair. A connecting rod (2) has one end connected to one of a plurality of holes (10) on the propulsion and speed change bar (12) with a fixing pin. The other end of the rod is connected to the hole (7) of the propulsion and speed change bar with a moveable pin (6).

Abstract: Propulsion and speed change mechanism for lever propelled bicycles having a pair of propulsion levers 4, each of which is built in one piece with a speed change arm 3 and mounted in each side of the main shaft portion 2 at the bottom of the bicycle frame 1. A rear axle 5 and a hub 6 is mounted on the rear shaft portion 2'. A one-way clutch mechanism has roller-type free wheels 11a installed at both ends of the rear axle. Chains 7", the ends of which may be connected together with a see-saw cable 7', are entrained around gears 7 and guide rollers 13. The free ends of the chains are connected by connecting bars 14 having pins to the speed change arm 3. Pivotally mounted members 15 of triangular shape and a cam bar 17 operated by a speed control knob 18 are used to change the effective length of the arm for speed control.

Abstract: A baler for forming round roll bales of agricultural products includes a baling chamber in which a plurality of bale-forming rotatable rolls form a bale which is wrapped with a binding tape supplied into the baling chamber from the tape supply roll positioned outside and above the baling chamber. The baling chamber is formed by two portions of the housing which are hinged away from each other to discharge the formed and wrapped bale from the baling chamber. A pair of tape advancing rollers receive a starting end of the tape from the supply roll and advance it into a gap between two adjacent bale-forming rolls so that the binding tape is taken along by the rotating formed bale in the baling chamber. A counter of the number of revolutions of at least one of the advancing rollers is provided, which causes cutting off a tape portion from the binding tape by a control device after the number of revolutions of the advancing roller has reached an adjusted number.

Abstract: A cycle, such as a bicycle, includes reciprocating pedal levers for applying power to the rear wheel through a pair of chains. The pedal lever includes a forwardly extending section for receiving a person's foot and a rearwardly extending portion for receiving a slider which is connected to one end of the chain which applies the power to the sprocket. The rearwardly extending portion of the pedal lever includes notches with perpendicular sides to engage a pawl on the slider. A release member extends longitudinally along the rearward portion of the pedal lever and also includes a series of notches generally co-extensive with those on the pedal lever, but having slanted surfaces, and being spaced differently from the spacing of the notches in the pedal lever, so that only one of the notches on the elongated release member lines up with a corresponding notch on the pedal lever.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission comprising outer and inner rotatable members mounted for rotation about first and second rotational axes, respectively, at least first and second one-way clutches mounted on the inner rotatable member, and first and second drive elements attached to the first and second clutches, respectively, and to the outer member so that rotation of one of the rotatable members about its rotational axis causes the drive elements to rotate the other of the rotatable members about its rotational axis. The radial spacing between the rotational axes can be adjusted to vary the drive ratio.