Abstract: A drive mechanism which is suitable for long strokes of motion (4 feet to over 100 feet) and is capable of carrying heavy loads (500 pounds to over 20,000 pounds) at very high speeds (over 5 feet per second) operates without substantial use of electronics or hydraulics. To produce these desirable characteristics a special index drive unit has two separate output drive gears (43, 45) which are driven by the same motor. The first output drive gear engages a first rack to produce rapid acceleration. The second output drive gear which is directly connected to the input drive shaft from the motor to the index drive unit then engages a second rack to produce high velocity movement. At the end of the desired movement the first gear engages a further rack to produce rapid deceleration of the load carrier of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: The coupling between a sub-sea pipeline valve and its actuator is brought about by the adoption of a device (4) associated rigidly with the housing of the valve and provided with a hollow shaft (6) into which the valve shaft is keyed. The top of the hollow shaft affords a ring of dogs (7) designed to engage matching dogs (8) carried by a sleeve (9) driven by the pistons of the hydraulic actuator through a mechanical linkage, so that the movement which opens and closes the valve is transmitted through an easily coupled and decoupled dog-clutch; the stationary part of the device (4) is provided with torque reaction lugs (20, 21) which occupy sockets (22) formed in the casing of the actuator.

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.

Abstract: A multiple-step cyclical ram advancing apparatus. In a three step configuration linear motion is imparted to a moving axis as revolution therearound translates said axis to provide a first linear push to a slide ram to abut articles, then a partial retraction of the slide ram during a period of dwell, followed by a second linear push to discharge the assembled articles. In other configurations, the ram is alternately advanced and retracted a varying number of times depending on the integer ratio of the number of revolutions of the pinion gear in half revolutions to the number of revolutions of the flywheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanical storage of energy derived from the rotation of a first shaft and for driving a rotatable main shaft associated with a power generator comprising, in combination, means for rotating the first shaft, connecting means for communicating the rotation of the first shaft to a first sprocketed sheave, and gear train means connecting the rotatable main shaft to a second sprocketed sheave and adapted to cause a rate of rotation of the rotatable main shaft greater than the rate of rotation of the second sprocketed sheave, the first and second sprocketed sheaves being in communication with one another by means of continuous, flexible connecting means disposed on the first and second sprocketed sheaves in non-sliding relationship therewith, the continuous, flexible connecting means having disposed thereon a weight which is raised by the rotation of the first sprocketed sheave, the second sprocketed sheave being capable of being rotated by the descent of the weight to cause rotation of the rotatabl

Abstract: A drive means for a photographic film developing tank and a developing tank for use therewith, including magnetic coupling means connecting an agitator in the tank with the reciprocating-type drive means, such as a rack and pinion, and an electric motor.

Abstract: A stroke enlarging mechanism comprises a stationary rack, a saddle member driven by an actuator relative to the stationary rack, an operating arm movable relative to the saddle member, and a movable rack secured to the operating arm. A first pinion and a second pinion are rotatably mounted in the saddle member to be engageable with the stationary rack and the movable rack, respectively. A coupling device couples the two pinions with each other. Upon driving the saddle member relative to the stationary rack, the two pinions are rotated thus displacing the operating arm for a distance larger than the driving stroke of the saddle member.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear housing mounting structure for an automotive vehicle comprises a housing mounting portion which is cylindrical and rotatably supported on a support bracket, and whose cylindrical portion includes a positioning protrusion, flat portion or recess which is adapted to engage a hole, flat portion or protrusion formed in a clamp plate for clamping the cylindrical housing mounting portion to the support bracket, thereby accommodating changes in the mounted angle of the steering gear housing.

Abstract: A passive seatbelt system for a vehicle including a tape having a plurality of holes formed therein at regular intervals, a passenger restraining seatbelt coupled at one end to the thick tape, a sprocket wheel which is engaged with the holes in the thick tape and a motor means which is coupled to a power source of the motor vehicle for driving the sprocket wheel. With such a system, the sprocket wheel causes the thick tape to move back and forth to thereby cause the seatbelt to move back and forth along the length of the vehicle. In this way, the seatbelt is automatically fastened or unfastened from the passenger.

Abstract: A reciprocating indexing mechanism for linear and rotary outputs which has an output member which inherently reaches a zero velocity at each end of a stroke independent of the input velocity and which utilizes an angular input mechanism, commercially available, which has a rotative movement greater than 180.degree. but less than 360.degree.. The resulting mechanism has versatile kinematic characteristics during the stroke with a smaller acceleration discontinuity at the ends of the stroke than comparable harmonic mechanisms.

Abstract: A postage meter attachment or conversion apparatus is disclosed that will effectively convert a manually lever settable postage meter into an electrically controlled postage meter. The conversion apparatus is easily assembled to and disassembled from a standard lever settable postage meter. Each lever of the meter is settable simultaneously. The motion of the drive mechanism of the conversion apparatus conforms to the arcuate motion of the meter setting levers, thus eliminating the need for precise alignment between the levers and the drive mechanism. The conversion apparatus can be used to make the mechanical meter compatible in an electrical environment containing equipment such as a computer, a digital scale, and other postage system processing devices.

Abstract: A linear type of compressor wherein a housing section, for enclosing a crankshaft and pinions of a counterbalancing synchronizer, has axially extending support means for the pinions formed integrally therewith through an inner flange also integral with the housing section, so that the holes for the pinion shafts may be formed in the support means when the hole in the housing for the crankshaft is formed. This assures the making of all of the holes exactly parallel and avoids time-consuming assembly work, experienced in prior art compressor manufacturing, when the housing sections are put together. By providing a large opening through the upper portion of the support means or through the bottom of the housing an axial bore may be made to receive a piston type of crosshead.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an automotive window regulator and drive mechanism which includes a rotatable flexible drive shaft to transmit rotational forces from the regulator arm to a worm gear supported on a lower edge of the window. The worm gear engages a rack secured to a portion of the vehicle so as to vary the position of the window. In one embodiment, both electric motor drive and manual crank drive means are provided either of which may be selectively engaged to drive the rotatable flexible shaft. The regulator end of the flexible drive shaft may be supported in meshing engagement with a portion of the regulator drive gear by means of a pinion pivot arm which arm includes indexing gears to enable the flexible cable to track the worm gear thereby reducing the flexing of the flexible drive shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle window regulator employing a guide track and flexible rack rotary-to-linear motion converter, in which the track is bendable but rigid operationally and of T-shaped cross-section and the flexible rack comprises a strip with laterally offset, inwardly extending, longitudinally spaced integral flange portions at its opposite edges embracing the edges of the cross portion of the T-shaped track.

Abstract: A tube push bench is provided having an elongated guide bed, a toothed rack mounted in the guide bed for longitudinal displacement thereon, a mandrel rod at one end of said toothed rack driven thereby for longitudinal displacement with said rack for moving a tubular bloom, at least three drive pinions engaging said toothed rack in close packed succession and drive means driving said pinions.

Abstract: A rotary actuator for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion including a housing having spaced-apart end plates connected by guide rods. A bellows is provided having opposite sides one of which is connected to one of the end plates, the bellows being adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure so that the bellows expands from a collapsed to an expanded position. A guide plate is provided movably mounted on the guide rods with the other bellows side being connected thereto. A rack and pinion assembly is provided mounted on the other end plate, the rack being connected to the guide plate so that expansion and contraction of the bellows causes linear movement of the rack thereby imparting rotary movement to the pinion. A spring acts between the guide plate and the other end plate thus resisting expansion of the bellows and returning it to the collapsed position upon the release of fluid pressure.

Abstract: A sliding means for precision machinery comprising a rack mounted to a moving part and a pinion mounted to a fixed part and meshing with the rack. The sliding means for precision machinery has contact surfaces provided to both of the rack and pinion and arranged to be always kept in contact with each other so that intermeshing of the rack and pinion can be adjusted quite easily.

Abstract: A lever-operated feed device is provided, in which a rotational sleeve, having a lever handle at one end thereof, is supported within a slide block for adjustably sliding the same along a guide way of a base through a rack-pinion mechanism. A rod, which operates a clamper to fix the block upon the base at an adjusted position, is extended through the rotational sleeve in co-axial alignment therewith. A clamp handle is secured upon one end of the rod near the lever handle of the sleeve so that the rotational manipulations of the lever handle and the clamp handle can be concentrically performed from a given place.

Abstract: The wire pointing machine comprises two grooved rolls which are supported in a gear ring pivotable about a horizontal axis. Teeth are provided on end trunnions of the grooved rolls which mesh with a common gear rack which is directly powerdriven.

Abstract: A cyclic motion generator comprising a mechanism capable of providing from a constant speed input a cyclic motion output, either linear or rotary depending on the application, which can be sinusoidal. The new mechanism has the further capability of being conveniently manually infinitely adjustable in amplitude from zero to maximum without requiring stoppage or disconnection of the input or the output.

Abstract: A vertical lift assembly includes a framework having top, bottom, side and back plates. An upright air cylinder is mounted upon the framework and includes a reciprocal piston rod supporting a lift arm at one end and parallel to the bottom plate. A pair of upright guide rods extend between the top and bottom plates. A vertically reciprocal carriage is mounted upon said guide rods and is adapted to support a horizontally disposed workpiece gripper. An upright movable rack gear is mounted upon the carriage and an upright stationary rack gear is spaced therefrom and mounted upon said framework. A vertically reciprocal carrier includes a series of vertically spaced pinions which are in meshing engagement with said stationary rack gear and with at least a pair of said pinions at all times in meshing engagement with both of said rack gears.

Abstract: A locking device for a lift having a base and a lifting platform which may be variably elevated above the base of the lift. The locking device comprises an elongated gear rack secured at one end to the lifting platform of the lift and slidably received within a housing secured to the base of the lift. A first gear, having its axle secured to the housing, is positioned within the housing so that the first gear continually meshes with the gear rack. A second gear is also disposed in the housing and is movable between a first and a second position. In the first position the second gear meshes only with the gear rack thus permitting longitudinal movement of the gear rack whereas in the second position the second gear meshes with both the gear rack and the first gear thus forming a three point gearing system and preventing further longitudinal movement of the gear rack.

Abstract: A machine drive mechanism between a power unit and an energy absorbing unit, such as a compressor unit. The power unit may be connected to a crosshead carrying a pair of spaced and inwardly facing racks or to a double rack member and the compressor unit may be connected to one end of a piston-like guide and seal member which, in turn, is pivotally connected to one end of the double rack or the pair of spaced racks. The double rack extends between a pair of pinion gears mounted on fixed shafts and operably engaging the spaced racks and the double rack. When the power unit is directly connected to the energy absorbing device, the spaced racks merely serve as counterbalancing means. The power unit may also be connected by a relatively long unpivoted shaft to the energy absorbing unit either directly or through the racks by a connection providing transverse flexing movement between the double rack and the shaft.

Abstract: A linear motion device intended particularly as the elevating mechanism of a medical examination table consists of four parallel rack members on one relatively movable part each engaged by a respective pinion carried by the second relatively movable part. The pinions are mounted in pairs on two parallel shafts, the two adjacent pinions on the two shafts being adjacent the same support member mounting the shafts. Stabilizing means comprise two meshed pinions each of which meshes with a respective rack rigidly mounted on the second movable part as far as possible from the first-mentioned pinions. A pair of rollers spaced from the meshed rollers engage another rack member for stabilizing action at right angles to that provided by the meshed pinions.

Abstract: A template follower mechanism for use in automatic sewing machines in which a driven pinion means is borne against a template consisting of at least two gear racks slidable against one another in two planes. The pinion means consists of a first driven pinion capable of meshing with the teeth of one of said gear racks, and a second pinion coaxial with the first pinion, capable of meshing with the other gear rack. Means for arresting and resetting the second pinion in a normal position are provided. The teeth of the second pinion are in alignment with the teeth of the first pinion. Stop means for limiting the rotary motion of the second gear rack about one tooth pitch, one half in clockwise direction and one half in counter-clock direction relating to the normal position.

Abstract: The mast of a lift truck has upper and lower pinions cooperating with upper and lower racks respectively. The upper pinion has more teeth than the lower pinion for causing the mast to tilt and thereby compensate for the deflection effect of the load on the lifting arms.

Abstract: A flat strip of metal forms the surface on which the friction wheel of a distance measuring device travels. The angle of the strip relative to the path of movement of the friction wheel is made adjustable. By making the perimeter surface of the friction wheel with striations extending along a skewed angle relative to the axis of rotation and forming the imprint of the friction wheel along the strip by rolling the wheel along the length of the strip. Subsequent slight changes in the angle of the strip relative to the path of movement of the wheel; causes the reading of the distance measuring device to change slightly for a given amount of movement of the device along its path to travel.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear for automotive vehicles includes a housing having a longitudinal bore in which the rack reciprocates and a cross bore in which the pinion which meshes with the rack is rotatably mounted. The rack is slidably mounted in the bore by an annular bearing, a portion of which is cut away to receive the pinion. A leaf spring is disposed in a groove provided in the wall of the bore and extending parallel thereto. The leaf spring bears against the side of the annular bearing member opposite the cut-away portion to thereby maintain the rack into meshing engagement with the pinion. The pinion is rotatably supported in the cross bore by a bearing arrangement which is designed so that substantially the same components may be used in either manual or power assisted steering gears.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for turning longitudinal rows of french toast. The turning operation is performed by a flipper positioned between the two cooking zones which pushes spatula means under the product with a movement against the movement of the conveyor. The spatula is then swung about an axis transverse to the movement of the conveyor and directly above the cooking surface, and the product is turned or "flipped" along an arcuate path progressively with respect to the movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: A longitudinal-reciprocation transmission component for multi-component toy assembly kits includes a transmission housing provided with a guide slot, a rack member received in and guided in said guide slot for longitudinal movement, a multi-gear transmission arranged inside the transmission housing and including a drive pinion projecting into the guide slot and meshing in the guide slot with teeth on the rack member, and connecting portions on the transmission housing for connecting the transmission housing to other components of a toy assembly kit.

Abstract: A method of converting non-harmonic acceleration of linear reciprocal motion into generally sinusoidal acceleration. In this method, non-harmonic acceleration of the linear reciprocal motion of a driving means is transformed into complementary rotary motion, and the complementary rotary motion is translated into generally sinusoidal accelerations by conjointly moving an articulated means and drivingly interconnecting it with a linear reciprocating driven means.Apparatus for converting non-harmonic acceleration for linear reciprocal motion into generally sinusoidal acceleration is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved motion translation mechanism for use in transferring workpieces from one station to the next in a multi-station forming press. Essentially, the improved mechanism converts a continuous rotary motion into a reciprocating motion with a dwell period at each of the two extreme limits of the reciprocatory motion.

Abstract: The motor tube carrying the trolling motor at one end and a steering motor at the other end is mounted on a plate detachably supported on the bow or deck of a boat. A gear driven by an electric motor is mounted on the mounting plate and meshes with a rack on the motor tube to raise and lower it in vertical position, and raising the motor tube a predetermined amount trips a latch on the plate to allow the motor tube to rotate bodily with the gear to a horizontal stowed position on the boat. An electronic control box on the mounting plate has a receiver for remote control operation of all three motors.

Abstract: A mechanism for moving a cross slide in a multiple-spindle automatic machine has a rotary face cam which is driven by a gear and is angularly adjustable with respect to the gear, a first lever which is pivotable on a first shaft parallel to the axis of the cam and which has a first arm carrying a roller follower for the cam and a second arm having a slot for a sliding block which is mounted on a pin-shaped carrier. The carrier extends through one or more slots of a second lever which is rigid with a second shaft, and the carrier can be fixed to the second shaft in a selected position by means of washers and nuts. The second shaft is rigid with a gear segment which meshes with a toothed rack affixed to and adjustable lengthwise of the slide. The first lever may be a bell crank lever or a straight two-armed lever, and the second lever may have a single arm with a single slot for the carrier of the sliding block or a bifurcated arm with two aligned slots for the carrier.

Abstract: Leg apparatus for an offshore drilling unit of the self-elevating type having a floatable hull and a plurality of legs movable from a raised position, in which the legs are supported by the hull in a body of water, to a lowered position, in which the hull is supported by the legs on the floor of the body of water. The legs may comprise a plurality of mutually parallel tubular chord members rigidly interconnected by structural bracing members. The tubular chord members may comprise an elongated tubular body and an elongated plate member, whose longitudinal axis coincides with the axis of the tubular body, rigidly connected to and spanning the interior of the tubular body.

Abstract: An improved actuator assembly of the type for use in a boat to convert rotary motion to rectilinear motion for moving a motion transmitting core element to rotate an outboard motor or the like for steering the boat. The improved actuator includes a rack and pinion assembly with a housing surrounding the rack and pinion. The housing supports the pinion for rotation about an axis and supports the rack for movement tangentially of the pinion. The housing extends from the axis farther in one direction than in the other direction. There is also included a shaft housing adapted to be mounted on a bulkhead in a boat and the housing may be disposed with either of its sides connected to the shaft housing whereby the housing may be disposed so that the short end extends in either direction from the axis of rotation of the pinion without dismantling the housing and rack and pinion assembly.

Abstract: In a machine tool a bed-slide movable on a guide-way is driven by a motor mounted on the bed-slide and driving a pair of pinions journalled on the bed-slide and engaging racks provided on the bed of the machine tool in a stationary relationship thereto. Imbalance of the torques driving the pinions might interfere with proper guidance of the bed-slide on the bed. Therefore, the driving torques are perfectly balanced by the provision of a differential transmission connecting the motor to the pinions. Preferably, the differential transmission includes a shaft mounted on the bed-slide for axial displacement and a pair of helical gears of opposite hand fixed to said shaft, each helical gear driving one of said pinions.

Abstract: A door lock actuator for locking and unlocking a vehicle door includes a rack and pinion drive assembly which is laterally movable to move the door lock control member between locking and unlocking positions as driven by a passenger controlled permanent magnet electric motor.

Abstract: A control device which, as a result of the alternative movement of one of two operating elements, moves a control element connected to a member to be controlled by the device, is described. The device comprises a first and second saddle mobile axially on a frame, and between which is disposed a rolling body arranged to cooperate with a part of each of said saddles to rotate said body on said part of one saddle when the other saddle is moved axially, said control element being connected to the rotation axle of said rolling body so as to move axially with it.

Abstract: Dial gauge for measuring length in two different units, characterized in that a first gear and a second gear are mounted to rotate with a pinion which meshes with a spindle rack; a center pinion fixed to a first pointer meshes with said first gear; a pinion fixed to a second pointer meshes with said second gear; and the gear ratio between said center pinion fitted with the first pointer and said first gear is different from the gear ratio between said pinion fitted with the second pointer and said second gear.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for producing translational movement over a long distance having two jack cylinders with pistons mounted for reciprocal movement and connected to a worm wheel through a worm gear. When a piston is driving, the worm gear acts as a rack to turn the worm wheel and when a piston is being returned to its starting position the worm gear rotates. Means are provided to alternately switch from one cylinder to the other.