Abstract: An article handling apparatus includes a guide block which is supported on a base frame with freedom of movement in two dimensions. An article gripping attachment is mounted on the guide block which is further provided with a cam slot for defining the intended path of movement for the gripping attachment. A drive shaft, rotatably supported at a fixed position on the base frame, has a cam follower engaged within the cam slot and coacting drive means are provided for moving the guide block relative to the cam follower. A coacting rack and pinion gear on the guide block and drive shaft respectively, are operative for moving the guide block along the path defined by the cam slot. The drive shaft may be rotated by a combination slider crank mechanism and rack and pinion arrangement for producing a harmonic motion of the gripping attachment.

Abstract: A rotor of the transmission is journaled within a stationary housing and is driven by rotatable gear rack components therein. A pinion gear drives the gear rack components by sequentially meshing with spaced apart gear racks on each component. A speed selector assembly positions the pinion gear relative the rotor axis and includes a gear train to couple the gear to a power input shaft. Speed changes between the input shaft and a rotor driven output shaft are effected by positioning of the pinion gear away from the rotor axis resulting in the gear rack components moving eccentrically within the rotor. A cam structure acts on each gear rack component to control meshing of the gear racks on the component with the pinion gear. Each of the pairs of gear racks on a modified form of the transmission are resiliently mounted on their respective gear rack assemblies. Rails of each gear rack assembly rotate about stationary but adjustable cam rings of the transmission.

Abstract: A passive seatbelt system of the type including a guide rail, a truck guided on the guide rail, a seatbelt coupled to the truck and a driving means for causing the truck to move. In the seatbelt system, the guide rail is provided on a vehicle-interior side of a roof side member of a vehicle body in between the roof side member and a headliner of the vehicle such that a slit exists between the roof side member and the headliner through which a portion of the truck projects.

Abstract: A seat adjusting mechanism, arranged to be operated by an electric motor, for use with a motor vehicle seat is disclosed. The seat adjusting mechanism is supported by at least two slide tracks which extend along the length of the seat and which are placed through glide tracks each spaced away from the vehicle floor. The seat adjusting mechanism comprises at least one rack situated on one of said guide tracks and extends along the length of the guide track. The rack has one end connected by means of a connecting body to the slide track lying above it. The rack contains a long slot which has teeth formed on one side thereof for contacting a pinion which is situated to engage the teeth and is connected to an electric motor for movement of the seat adjusting mechanism. The width of the long slot in the rack serves to retain the pinion in engagement with the teeth of the slot.

Abstract: A winding arrangement suitable for sheeting in a sail of a yacht comprising a winch drum and a piston cylinder assembly having a double-acting piston which is reciprocable within a cylinder. A rack member, coupled to the piston, produces unidirectional rotation of the winch drum through a particular clutch and gear system. A manually operated pump is arranged to supply fluid under pressure to the piston-cylinder assembly through supply pipes and a valve which directs the fluid supplied by the pump to opposite ends of the cylinder alternately, thereby to reciprocate the piston and rotate the winch drum.

Abstract: A gear rack pivotally mounted on the ram of a metal working press extends downwardly at an angle to the vertical in driving relation with a laterally offset drive gear on a device for transferring workpieces to successive stations in the press.

Abstract: A driving device for a printing carriage (20) with print head (22) including printing elements (24) which print characters on a data carrier includes a motion converting means (14) with a closed gear path (16) converting the rotational movement of a motor driven pinion (10) to a reciprocating movement of the printing carriage along the data carrier. Two pivotable gear segments (26, 28) which are in engagement with each other and with the motion converting means move the printing carriage in any of two directions parallel with the data carrier when the pinion is in engagement with any one of two straight gear paths (16a) on the motion converting means and permit the displacement of the motion converting means perpendicularly to said directions when the pinion is in engagement with any one of two curved gear paths (16b) which connect said straight paths (16a) on the motion converting means.

Abstract: A semiautomatic rotary razor which comprises a rectangular box-shaped framework, an annular cap detachably secured to one surface of the framework and having a reticulate outer blade, a rotary shaft extending across the framework with one end protruding out of the one surface of the framework, an inner blade assembly detachably mounted at the protruding end of the rotary shaft, a fly wheel and a driven gear mounted on the rotary shaft within the framework, a partition wall extending within the framework along the length thereof, a stub shaft extending within the framework adjacent and in parallel to the rotary shaft and slidably received in the framework and partition wall, a driven gear and a transmission gear mounted on the stub shaft and a slidable rack bar having rack teeth thereon for engaging the driven gear on the stub shaft.

Abstract: A dual legged pedestal extending upwardly from the chest of a gate valve rotatably supports a pinion gear. The pinion gear, including a shaft having one end extending penetrably lateral to a leg of the pedestal, is in mesh with a rack affixed to the top of the rectilinearly translatable gate. A detachable tool is engageable with the extending end of the shaft for imparting rotary motion thereto resulting in translation of the rack. A combined spacer and thrust member adds rigidity to the legs of the pedestal and maintains the rack in mesh with the pinion gear.

Abstract: A universal command signal producing apparatus adapted for use in an electrically operated vehicle. The apparatus includes a rotatable electrical element for use in controlling a drive function of the vehicle, such as a speed control function or a braking function. The apparatus is arranged to act as a transducer between a foot pedal, adapted to be actuated by the user of the vehicle, and the propulsion control to selectively control the electric drive motor of the vehicle or the braking system thereof. The transducer apparatus may include a sprocket associated with the rotatable electrical control device and driven by a chain forming a part of the transducer. The chain may be mounted on a suitable carrier which is adapted to be moved by movement of the foot pedal.

Abstract: A passive seatbelt system which includes a guide rail fastened longitudinally to a roof side of a vehicle, a truck movable along the guide rail, a seatbelt which has one end connected to the truck, a slide rail provided adjacent the guide rail and having one end coupled to the guide rail and the other end fastened to a roof support of the vehicle, a flexible tape provided in the slide rail and having one end coupled to the truck a moving means coupled to the flexible tape for causing movement of the flexible tape whereby the seatbelt is caused to approach or recede from a seated passenger to thereby automatically fasten or unfasten the seatbelt.

Abstract: A passive seatbelt system including a passenger restrictive seatbelt of which an inner end is attached to a roller mechanism fastened to a center of the motor vehicle and an outer end which is fastened to a moving plate, the moving plate is fastened to a roof side of the motor vehicle and constrained to forward and rearward motion, a narrow belt is attached to the moving plate at one end and to a winding roller located to the rear of the roof side for winding up the narrow belt, the narrow belt and winding roller being arranged and configured such that it permits free unwinding to accommodate passengers of different physique except at times of a vehicular emergency wherein the unwinding of the narrow belt is stopped by an emergency locking retractor.

Abstract: A continuously variable mechanical transmission comprised of a crankshaft or similar device driven by a suitable power source such as an internal combustion engine, which drives one or more pivotally mounted levers, pushrods and ratchet mechanisms. The levers drive pushrods which in turn drive the ratchet mechanism through a rack gear mounted on each pushrod. The output of the ratchet gear mechanism drives an output shaft and is varied by varying the position of the pushrod attachment to each pivotally mounted lever. Each pushrod is connected to a slot or guide on each lever so that the connecting point can be varied from close to the pivot point or pivot axis to the opposite end of the lever. By this means it can be continuously varied from low speed to higher speed by adjusting the connecting point of the pushrods to the pivoting levers.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a generally vertically oriented rotatable shaft mounted on a base and a playing object pivotally connected to the top of the shaft for operator controlled movement. A drive mechanism is mounted within the base and includes first and second plates mounted for reciprocal translatory movement. The second plate includes a longitudinal slot surrounding a drive gear or ratchet secured to the shaft. The slot includes opposing ratchet teeth pitched in opposite directions for alternate engagement with the drive gear. The second plate is connected to the first plate for relative movement such that one set of ratchet teeth engages the gear upon reciprocal movement of the first plate in a first direction and the other set of ratchet teeth engages the gear upon movement of the first plate in a second direction to rotate the drive gear in a single selected direction.

Abstract: The window-raiser comprises a window support and a guiding device and an actuating device for this support. The actuating device comprises a U-shaped rack which is pivoted to the window support in the region of the apex of the U by a pin, a drive pinion having a fixed axis and meshed with the rack and a fixed pivot received in a longitudinal slot in the rack.

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

Abstract: A driving device for a print head including printing mechanism actuated at predetermined times for marking characters on a data carrier carried by a print roll, comprising motion converting mechanism comprising a housing including an interior continuous gear path, said housing being coupled to said print head; said gear path comprising a pair of opposing straight path portions substantially parallel to the axis of said print roll; said straight path portions being joined, at each end thereof, by respective curved path portions; rotatable pinion mechanism in continual engagement with said gear path; said pinion mechanism being coupled to the shaft of a motor driving mechanism; said straight path portions being mutually separated by a distance greater than the outside diameter of said pinion mechanism and said curved path portions being mutually separated by a distance substantially greater than the distance separating said straight path portions; rotary motion of said pinion mechanism being converted to recipr

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a plurality of individual floats, each connected to an individual shaft. A pier is provided which supports the shafts in a substantially vertical direction. The shafts are free to move vertically as the floats rise and descend in accordance with the waves and tides at the ocean front. Each shaft is connected to a rotary hydraulic pump which is caused to rotate as the float ascends and descends. The pump in turn charges a tank with oil at high pressure, which in turn is fed to an engine. The engine drives an electric generator.

Abstract: A container-filling machine having a continuously rotating member with an orbiting drive cam thereon which causes reciprocatory piston movement of the piston filler. An adjustment shaft carried by and radially of the rotating member adjusts the radius of the drive cam orbit, and the length of the piston stroke, when the adjustment shaft is rotated about its axis. A toothed rack is movable into the path of a pinion gear fixed to the end of the adjustment shaft so that interengagement of the rack and gear causes adjustment of the radius of the drive cam orbit as the cam moves in such orbit.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for use in conjunction with a time accumulating means adapted to accumulate timer run time on a timer mechanism in response to an outward reciprocation of the slide of a coin-receiving mechanism from a fully inward position. The mechanism is associated with the slide and provides for positively stopping inward movement of a gear rack used to set the timer run time and includes resilient means to take up any deviation in mechanism assembly tolerance thereafter without further inward movement of the gear rack.

Abstract: A high-torque hydraulic wrench useful for tightening and loosening bolts and nuts on heavy machinery is described.

Abstract: A double-sided rack and pinion control element drive mechanism for a nuclear reactor is disclosed wherein scram release is accomplished by the dual action of withdrawing the pinion from its engagement with the rack while at the same time rotating the pinion in a direction consistent with the movement of the rack and the control rod in their downward travel. The pinion is withdrawn from engagement with the rack while remaining in engagement with its stationary driving means. The continuing engagement with the stationary driving means causes the pinion to rotate when the pinion is caused to move away from the rack during disengagement.

Abstract: A motion-transformer suitable for use with a small printing machine utilizes a trigger mechanism in combination with a rotating drum and slidable members to convert the rotation of the drum into linear motion. The linear motion provides for intermittent advancement of paper on which printing is to be carried out.