Abstract: A universal power operator for shifting a movable barrier, such as a gate, and a circuit control system for operation thereof, is shown that allows the operator to be assembled for both a left-hinged or right-hinged movable barrier. The universal power operator includes generally an actuator arm, a housing assembly, a gear assembly, and a modular drive motor. The housing assembly contains generally symmetrical portions allowing the user to interchangeably assemble the motor in one of two positions for use with a left-hinged or right-hinged movable barrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromotive drive comprising an electric motor, having a driving pinion which meshes with a toothed wheel to form a first gear speed. A worm is connected to an output shaft of the toothed wheel in a fixed manner, enabling a worm wheel to be driven. The worm and the worm wheel form a second gear speed, and the shaft of the worm wheel forms the output shaft of the electromotive drive. The output shaft of the electromotive drive can be rotatably driven between a starting position and an end position. When the electric motor is not fed by a current, the output shaft of the toothed wheel can be rotatably driven by a pull-back spring in the rotational direction towards the starting position. The second gear speed is a non-self-locking gear speed.

Abstract: A scaffolding system has a pair of vertical posts supporting a platform traveling vertically on the posts. A traveler device attaches to and engages each of the vertical posts and supports the platform. Each traveler device has a sprocket gear engaging a complementary track extending up the post so that rotation of the gear moves the traveler device along the vertical post and lifts and lowers the platform. The traveler device has a worm type drive gear configured for receiving a driver and meshing with the sprocket gear. The drive gear is operated with a power drill or a crank drive. The platform includes a foot operated brake device providing a back up system to prevent the platform from accidentally dropping.

Abstract: A gear drive casing apparatus is disclosed for enclosing a gear drive used in a hygienic and sanitary environment. The gear drive casing apparatus includes a member having an external contoured surface, the member enclosing the gear drive. A further member has a further external contoured surface, the surface and the further surface cooperating with each other to define therebetween a smooth uninterrupted intersection such that the contoured surfaces and the intersection therebetween are easily cleaned. The surfaces and intersection present a self-draining configuration which inhibits the entrapment therein of any deleterious materials that would support the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold and other microorganisms.

Abstract: A wiping device for wiping window panes on vehicles includes a wiping motor, a gear mechanism situated on a drive shaft of the wiper motor, a gear housing which surrounds the gear mechanism, a gear housing cover which is situated on the gear housing, a gear output shaft and a crank which is located on the gear output shaft on the side of the gear housing facing away from the gear in a rotationally fixed manner. The connection between the gear output shaft and the crank is a press connection.

Abstract: An electric-motor drive system having a drive motor and a drive train comprising a worm gear, designed such that the overall dimensions are comparatively small and the pivot angle of rotation of the component cooperating with the output member of the drive system is comparatively large. The worm gear is the output member of the drive train. The worm gear has a central shaped hole for positive-fit connection to a rotatable input member of an adjustable device. The worm gear has a further gear step, preferably a worm drive, on the output side.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric drive unit having an electric motor, a gear, a gear housing, and a pole housing. A number of parts of the electric drive unit (1) and the production cost are both reduced by the integral embodiment of the gear housing (5) and pole housing (10) and by injection molding the short-circuit element (36) and magnet (32) into the pole housing (10). Such an electric drive unit (1) is used in windshield wiper motors or control motors in the automotive field.

Abstract: In a drive device, especially for a sunroof of a motor vehicle, with an electric motor (10) which has a pole shaft (16) located in a shaft housing (32), and a magnet (30) which is mounted on the pole shaft so as to rotate with it, and at least one Hall sensor (28) which is located outside the shaft housing for detecting the rotary position of the magnet and thus of the pole shaft, in the area of the Hall sensor (28), the wall (38) of the shaft housing (32) is, at the same time, part of the electronics housing (34) in which there is a board (26) which bears the circuitry of the electronic circuit for triggering the electric motor and at least one Hall sensor, such that the side of the board equipped with the Hall sensor faces the pole shaft (16) and the at least one Hall sensor is located directly adjacent to the magnet (30).

Abstract: There is provided a worm speed change apparatus comprising a worm shaft and a worm wheel meshed therewith. Rolling elements are rotatably disposed between a raceway groove formed directly in at least one of end portions of the worm shaft, and a bearing outer ring held by a housing. The worm shaft is directly supported by the rolling elements.

Abstract: A worm shaft is provided with an intermediate worm thread section between first and second end structures, wherein at least one of the first and second end structures has a coupling structure for a desired extension of a plurality of modular worm shaft extensions. The desired extension and the intermediate worm thread section are both selectable based on the desired application, the desired gearing ratio, and other features. Accordingly, the multi-component worm shaft of the present technique increases flexibility, reduces manufacturing costs, and reduces inventory.

Abstract: An actuator including a rotatable gear wheel reversibly drivable by a motor, the gear wheel being operably connectable to an output element by a drive transfer device, the output element being moveable between a first and second position, in which the drive transfer device is operably disconnectable from the output lever to allow independent movement of the output lever.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator including a plurality of motors for driving an output shaft. The actuator may be incorporated into a window lift mechanism, such as a mechanism including a dual rack and pinion assembly. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a variety of anti-back-drive mechanisms, e.g. clutches. A clutch according to one embodiment includes locking pawls that resist back-drive. In another embodiment, locking cams rotate relative to a carrier to resist back-drive. An actuator consistent with the invention may incorporate an impact mechanism including a flexible carrier. The carrier flexes to prevent impact forces at an output gear train from coupling to an input gear train.

Abstract: A clutch assembly 10 is provided for a motor having a shaft 36, a worm 40 associated with the shaft and an output gear 42 engaged by the worm. The clutch assembly includes a clutch body 12 having a plurality of pockets 22 in a surface thereof. Each pocket has a cam surface 24 defined by a depth of the pocket that gradually increases from a deep end to a shallow end. A ball bearing 18 is disposed in each of the pockets 22. Spring structure 16 maintains the ball bearings in the pockets. A pressure plate 14 is operatively associated with the clutch body and is constructed and arranged to be coupled with the shaft 36 of the motor. Under certain conditions, the ball bearings wedge between the pressure plate and surfaces defining the associated pocket, thereby preventing rotation of the shaft when coupled with the pressure.

Abstract: For a power steering system which has, as a recirculating ball steering, a worm shaft and, enclosing this, a working plunger which is to be actuated by a bead chain axially shiftably with respect to the worm shaft, an axial seal is provided for the annular gap between the working plunger and the worm shaft which has a multi-part arrangement, and which has two support rings and one sealing ring, engaging between the support rings, pointing in opposite directions and guided in an annular grove of the working plunger, the width of the annular groove being greater than the axial width of the axial seal at the support rings arranged adjacent to the sealing ring.

Abstract: A drive device includes an electric drive motor, a housing with a housing cover, at least one shaft that is powered by the drive motor and compensating element(s) for compensating the axial play of the shaft. The compensating elements include at least one axially elastic, deformable elastomer element having at least one contact surface. The contact surface(s) has a PTFE, PET or corresponding coating.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gear motor (1), in particular for driving vehicle equipment, comprising a rotor provided with a rotor shaft (6), a reduction gearbox housing (14) containing a cog wheel engaged in an endless screw of the shaft and capable of driving an output member (12). The invention is characterised in that it comprises means (12) for eliminating, under predetermined axial compression (F), all axial play between one end (6a) of the rotor shaft and the housing wall (13). Said means can comprise a plug (15) housed in the housing (14) end (13) and a piston (18), inserted between the plug (15) and the shaft (6) end (6a); the plug (15) exerts on the piston (18) and the shaft (6) the axial thrust (7) which is adjusted when being mounted, and is axially locked in the corresponding position by melting the housing (14) plastic material in the grooves or recesses (19) of the piston (18) surface, then in solidifying said plastic material.

Abstract: A final control element for superimposed steering engagement of a vehicle steering system with a superposition gear having two input shafts and one output shaft, in order to attain a radial freedom from play, the superposition gear is provided with a two-stage, modified planetary gear, having a planet carrier, at least one stepped planet comprising two axially aligned planet wheels connected to one another fixed against relative rotation, and two sun wheels or ray wheels; the first input shaft is connected to one sun or ray wheel, and the output shaft is connected to the other sun or ray wheel, fixed against relative rotation, while the planet carrier is drivable via the second input shaft, and the at least one stepped planet and the sun wheels are biasing toward provided for suppressing a tooth flank play that occurs between.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the rotatable coupling of two coaxial connection elements, comprising a rotating bearing between the connection elements for accommodating axial and radial loads and tilting moments, as well as a drive coupled to both connection elements to effect their relative rotation, the frame of the drive being secured to a first connection element, while its rotor meshes via a pinion or a worm with a casing-side toothing of the second connection element, comprising one or more housing parts enclosing the toothing of the second connection element in a dust-tight manner.

Abstract: A device to be used with an adjusting element comprising a rod piston (3) displaceable with the aid of a motor (4) in a piston tube (2). The motor (4) is rotatably arranged at the adjusting element (1) through a worm gear (6), either directly or through a motor attachment (5), wherein the motor (4) extends in an extension plane in parallel with the piston tube (2), said worm gear (6) having a throat formation (7) for axial fixation of the position of the motor (4) in the adjusting element (1) while a free rotation of the motor (4) is practicable through 360° in order to make possible, in applications with limited space, an eligble position fixation of the motor (4) in a predetermined angle in relation to the adjusting element (1).

Abstract: An invention consisting of a worm drive system for astronomical telescopes, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems, and other implements which require precision in pointing, motion and tracking about an axis of revolution. The worm drive system consists of a plate assembly supporting in precise fashion: a hub assembly, a worm assembly and a motor assembly. The design and interaction of these assemblies makes the invention relatively immune to variations in ambient temperature during the operation of the invention, thereby preserving said precision during the operation of the invention. The hub assembly supports a worm gear, includes a simple method for attachment of the invention to the axis of revolution of the implement, and includes an adjustable clutch mechanism for the worm gear, with the clutch mechanism so designed as to maintain precise coaxial alignment of the worm gear axis relative to the hub assembly axis and therefore the axis of revolution of the implement.

Abstract: A positioning device without backlash includes a table and at least one gear operatively associated with the table. At least one worm gear is connected to the gear and the gear is driven in a desired direction with a primary motor and a synchronized slave motor. The synchronized slave motor is then reversible to remove the backlash in the positioning device thereby permitting an actual position to correspond with a dialed-in position.

Abstract: An enveloping worm transmission is provided with a unique enveloping worm and worm gear with modified enveloping worm thread surfaces. Enveloping worm has two general arrangements with worm gear: on the top and on the face of worm gear. The enveloping worm gear transmission is more efficient, quite and compact than conventional hypoid gear systems which have typically been used in power applications. The enveloping worm transmission of the present invention is easy manufacturing.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism 20 is provided for a motor 10. The motor has a shaft 12, a worm 14 associated with the shaft, a gear 16 engaged by the worm, and a friction surface 27. The clutch mechanism 20 includes a pressure plate 22 mounted for movement with respect to the shaft toward and away from the friction surface 27. A spring 26 is constructed and arranged to bias the pressure plate towards the friction surface. A stop 30 is constructed and arranged to limit movement of the pressure plate in a direction away from the friction surface. Whereby, under a back drive condition of the motor when the motor is not energized and the gear is moved by an externally applied torque causing an axial force to be exerted on the worm inducing an axial and an angular movement to the shaft, the pressure plate is constructed and arranged to move towards and engage the friction surface thereby impeding rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A control circuit board is received in a circuit board receiving case without being directly joined to the circuit board receiving case and has a circuit board side connector. The circuit board side connector is installed to a main body side connector of a gear housing in an installation direction parallel to a rotatable shaft of the motor main body to supply electric power to the motor main body through the main body side connector. A pin main body of a fixing pin is received into a fixing through hole of the control circuit board through a pin receiving through hole of the gear housing in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction of the circuit board side connector.

Abstract: An automatic transmission apparatus for a vehicle is provided with a control inputting apparatus (2) having a select lever (7), a power assisting apparatus (3) adding an assisting force to a control force input to the control inputting apparatus (2) so as to output to the automatic transmission (1), a first cable (4) for transmitting the control force to the power assisting apparatus (3), and a second cable (5) for transmitting an output force of the power assisting apparatus (3) to the automatic transmission (1). Further, the power assisting apparatus (3) is provided with a torque sensor (29) for detecting the control force, a position detecting means for detecting a rotation position of an output shaft (20) outputting an assisting force in addition to the control force to the automatic transmission (1), and a controller (37) for stopping the output shaft at a stop position of the output shaft in correspondence to each of preset range positions of the automatic transmission (1).

Abstract: A transmission member for a worm gear having a thrust ring placed over the shaft of a motor. The worm gear is slip-fit over the shaft and has a coupling head with a pair of projections facing away from the motor. A coupling washer is press-fit onto the motor shaft and has a pair of projections as well, each of which is fitted with an O-ring. The coupling washer is mated to the worm gear so both sets of projections intermesh and form a torque-transmitting arrangement, with the O-rings acting as a buffer between the two sets of projections and allowing the motor shaft to turn relative to the worm for a fraction of a revolution to gain inertia and speed helpful to break loose a jammed gear train.

Abstract: A device for linearly moving a useful mass is described. Typically, when a large useful mass is moved, relatively large forces are transferred by a spindle or a toothed rack to the corresponding machine or machine frame. These forces can be compensated by moving a compensating mass in the opposite direction of the useful mass.

Abstract: A driving apparatus is disclosed for driving a driven device such as a lifting mechanism (8) for moving up and down a windowpane (9). The driving apparatus comprises a motor (5) including a rotating shaft (13), and an output unit (6; 80) coupled to the motor. The output unit comprises a decelerating mechanism (42, 43, 56; 56, 92) for decelerating the rotation of the rotating shaft. A clutch (21; 71; 81; 200; 300) is located between the rotating shaft and the decelerating mechanism. The clutch allows transmission of rotation from the rotating shaft to the decelerating mechanism, and blocks transmission of rotation from the decelerating mechanism to the rotating shaft. The clutch located between the rotating shaft and the decelerating mechanism is not applied with a large load. For this reason, the strength required for the clutch can be reduced to provide the clutch in a smaller size.

Abstract: A window lifter geared motor assembly includes a housing, an electric motor in the housing, a damper damping the movements of the electric motor in the housing, and a drive shaft driven in rotation about an axis by the electric motor. The electric motor and the drive shaft are able to move in the housing along the axis, and the damper damps the movements of the electric motor and the drive shaft along the axis. The assembly further includes a sensor, the state of which is dependent upon the movements of the electric motor and of the drive shaft along the axis. The driving of the drive shaft is preferably dependent upon the state of the sensor and the drive shaft is stopped when an obstacle impedes movement of the window. The damper occupies a position that is immobile with respect to the housing, allowing the damper not to experience movements likely to cause the characteristics of the damper to vary.

Abstract: A worm/worm gear assembly comprises a worm having teeth defined by at least one thread disposed thereon and a worm gear having teeth protruding from a surface thereof. At least one of the worm and the worm gear is fabricated from a resilient material. The teeth of the worm and the teeth of the worm gear are interengaged and in a compressive relationship with each other to maintain double flank contact therebetween. At low- or no-load conditions, the double flank contact is made at the opposing outer edges of each of the teeth. At moderate-load conditions, the contact extends from the opposing outer edges of each of the teeth toward the center of each of the teeth. A method for delashing a gear system comprises disposing the worm in mechanical communication with the worm gear and loading the worm gear to cause the worm gear to compressively engage the worm.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is interposed between two members to make the members move relatively with respect to each other. At least one of the two members is guided to move linearly. The drive mechanism comprises: cam followers that are rotatably supported on one of the two members, that are arranged in the linear moving direction, and that are spaced from each other; and a cam that is rotatably supported on the other one of the two members and that is provided in its circumference with a cam groove in which the cam followers engage, the rotation axis of the cam being arranged in the direction of the linear moving direction. The two members are made to move relatively with respect to each other by driving the cam to rotate and making the cam followers engage successively in the cam groove and move in the direction of the rotation axis.

Abstract: A self-locking device for a gear set is configured to permit forward-driving an input in either of first and second rotational directions and for substantially preventing an output from being back-driven in either of the rotational directions. The device includes a gear disposed to rotate with a drive shaft. The device further includes first and second releasable couplings coupled to the gear and, respectively, to first and second ratchets. The first ratchet is disposed to prevent rotation in a first direction and to permit rotation in a second direction. The second ratchet is disposed to prevent rotation in the second direction and permit rotation in the first direction. The device may be useful, for example, in a valve gearbox. A gearbox and a method of fabricating a gearbox are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus having a reduction mechanism in which an inner peripheral face of a fitting hole provided to a gear housing is formed into an inclined face inclined with respect to a worm shaft so as to fit with and hold a bearing to which a worm shaft for transmitting rotating force of a steering assisting motor to a steering shaft provided with a worm wheel, an inclined contact surface in contact with the inclined face is provided on an outer periphery of the bearing, and the inclined contact surface of the bearing is moved along the inclined face of the fitting hole to adjust a distance between a shaft center of the worm shaft and a rotation center of the worm wheel.

Abstract: A self-locking device for a gear set is configured to permit forward-driving an input in either of first and second rotational directions and for substantially preventing an output from being back-driven in either of the rotational directions. The device includes a gear disposed to rotate with a drive shaft. The device further includes first and second releasable couplings coupled to the gear and, respectively, to first and second ratchets. The first ratchet is disposed to prevent rotation in a first direction and to permit rotation in a second direction. The second ratchet is disposed to prevent rotation in the second direction and permit rotation in the first direction. The device may be useful, for example, in a valve gearbox. A gearbox and a method of fabricating a gearbox are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved winding wheel includes an anchor dock housing a pulley and a movable base located on a lower side of the anchor dock having two biased holes. The pulley has a slant slot matching the biased holes to allow two ends of a cord to pass through in a separated manner towards two sides so that the cord may be wound on the pulley neatly without entangling. A movable anchor lug is provided on an upper side of the anchor dock. The movable anchor lug and the movable base may be lifted and extended to form an upper and a lower open space for the pulley such that the cord may be wound rapidly without obstruction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromotive drive comprising an electric motor, having a driving pinion which meshes with a toothed wheel to form a first gear speed. A worm is connected to an output shaft of the toothed wheel in a fixed manner, enabling a worm wheel to be driven. The worm and the worm wheel form a second gear speed, and the shaft of the worm wheel forms the output shaft of the electromotive drive. The output shaft of the electromotive drive can be rotatably driven between a starting position and an end position. When the electric motor is not fed by a current, the output shaft of the toothed wheel can be rotatably driven by a pull-back spring in the rotational direction towards the starting position. The second gear speed is a non-self-locking gear speed.

Abstract: A motor includes a motor unit and a speed reducing unit. The speed reducing unit has a gear housing. The gear housing includes a circuit board receiving portion and an opening that faces the motor unit. A control circuit board is received in the circuit board receiving portion through the opening in an axial direction of a rotatable shaft. When the motor unit is assembled to the speed-reducing unit, the control circuit board is clamped between the speed-reducing unit and a cover connected to the motor unit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing worm shafts for a gearbox. The method comprises using a common worm shaft blank to produce worm gears for all of the gear ratios of a family of gearboxes. The common worm shaft blank has a defined outer diameter. The method may comprise establishing an axial pitch to enable the worm shaft to be adapted with a thread to produce a desired gearbox ratio using the common worm shaft blank. The method may comprise adapting the common worm shaft blank to produce the worm shaft thread for the desired gear ratio. The system comprises a family of gearboxes having a plurality of gear ratios. The worm shafts for each of the gearboxes is adapted from a worm shaft produced from a common worm shaft blank. The worm shafts may all have the same outer diameter at the thread.

Abstract: A driving gear, especially a worm gear, includes a drive shaft, an output shaft, a gear housing, a rotating magnetic pole mounted on one of the two shafts, a Hall sensor resting on the gear housing and mounted in the area of the rotating magnetic pole for detecting the rotation of the rotating magnetic pole or the corresponding shaft, and a gear housing cover. The Hall sensor is mounted on a plate that can be inserted in the housing.

Abstract: A transmission device between a primary motor shaft (1) and an output shaft, includes a casing (3) constituted by two half shells, a driving member (4), and a driven member (5) mounted on the output shaft (2). The driving member (4) is held in position by bearings (6A, 6B) provided in each half shell (3A, 3B), these bearings (6A, 6B) being disposed facing each other in the assembled condition of the half shells (3A, 3B).

Abstract: In a drive device, especially for a sliding roof of a motor vehicle, with an electric motor (10), gearing (24) which is driven by the electric motor, and a circuit (22) for triggering the electric motor, the gearing (24) is accommodated in a gear casing (42) with at least one casing wall (50) of high thermal conductivity and at least part of the circuit (22) is located adjacent to this casing wall (50) outside of the gear casing (42). Furthermore, contact (36) is made between the components (44) of the circuit (22) and the casing wall (50) in order to dissipate the heat which forms during operation of the circuit (22) to the casing wall (50).

Abstract: The present invention is a gear motor assembly for use in connection with electromechanical devices. The gear motor assembly provides high torque output, can be utilized in a small physical space and permits backdrive in the output shaft of the motor. The gear motor assembly includes a conventional DC motor having a first helical gear mounted to an output shaft of the DC motor. The first helical gear operably engages a second helical gear generally at a right angle. The second helical gear is linked by a transmission shaft to a third pinion. The third pinion operably engages a first cluster gear, which operably engages a second cluster gear. The second cluster gear then engages an output gear, which mounts a drive shaft. The first and second helical gears, the third pinion, the first and second cluster gear and the output gear form a gear train that wraps around the DC motor. The DC motor and the gear train are mounted within a housing or gearbox.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive device having an actuating drive for driving a displaceable element, in particular a closing device of a motor vehicle door, by means of a gear wheel that has a ring gear and a hub. The ring gear of the gear wheel can be indirectly or directly driven by the actuating drive and the displaceable element can be impinged indirectly or directly by the hub of the gear wheel. The aid of the invention is to provide a drive device that has particularly small space requirements, which at the same time allows the kinetic energy of the actuating device to be reliably intercepted. To achieve this, the ring gear of the gear wheel and the hub of the gear wheel include a predominantly inflexible material and are interconnected by means of an elastic intermediate element.

Abstract: A rotary actuator, in particular for adjustable articles of furniture, including beds or mattress supports, for incorporation in a structure for adjustment of an element in it, e.g.

Abstract: In order to achieve low cost, small size, and light weight, to improve response at the time of transmission of power, and to prevent the occurrence of unusual noise, a power transmission device (10) of an electric power steering device (1) has a motor section (5) comprising a rotational shaft (7), a rotor (51) attached to an inner end side (7a) of the rotational shaft (7), and a stator (52) positioned opposite to the rotor (51), a worm gear (61) attached to a distal end side (7b) from the motor section (5) on the rotational shaft (7), and a worm wheel gear (62) engaged with the gear (61). The rotational shaft (7) is rotatably supported by first and second bearings (81, 82), the first bearing (81) being held by a housing (4) at a distal end side (7b) to the worm gear (61). The second bearing (82) is held by the housing (4) between the worm gear (61) and the rotor (51) so that the worm gear (61) is sandwiched between the first and second bearings (81, 82).

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical steering device for a motor vehicle, comprising an electromotor with a worm gear. Said worm gear consists of a worm and a worm wheel (14) which is coupled to an input shaft and which has a gear rim (23). The worm wheel (14) forms one of the two coupling parts of an elastic compensation coupling (14, 16) that are to be intercoupled, the other coupling part (16) being connected to the input shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. The two coupling parts (14, 16) are intercoupled by one or more elastic spacers (17) only.

Abstract: The motor actuator includes a driving motor, and a motor gear formed on a rotary shaft of the driving motor. The motor actuator further includes an input gear which meshes with the motor gear, and a planet gear revolving around a rotation axis of the input gear when the input gear is rotated. It further includes a stationary gear which is fixed in a coaxial relation with the input gear, and meshes with the planet gear. It further includes an output gear which is disposed rotatably in a coaxial relation with the input gear, has an output shaft and teeth whose number is different from that of the stationary gear, and meshes with the planet gear. With this configuration, the motor actuator is preferably small and reliable, and provides preferable output characteristics in torque and rotational speed.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes an actuator drivingly connected by a transmission path to an output member. The actuator is capable of moving the output member about a pivot point in a first direction from a rest position to an actuated position. The actuator is also capable of moving the output member in a second direction from the actuated position to the rest position. The assembly further includes an energy storing member which provides a force. Movement of the output member by the actuator in the first direction is assisted by the energy storing member and movement of the output member by the actuator in the second direction stores energy in the energy storing means. The energy storing member is positioned relative to the pivot point such that in the rest position, the force acts substantially through the pivot point to not generate any substantial resultant torque on the output member.

Abstract: A reverse drive for a small vehicle includes a primary driven gear through which an external motor imparts a rotary motion to a first shaft. A worm gear is mounted on and rotates with the first shaft. A worm wheel is mounted on and rotates with a second shaft. The worm wheel engages and is rotated by the worm gear with a gear reduction being effected through engagement of the worm gear and the worm wheel so that the second shaft rotates at a slower speed than the first shaft. A clutch is mounted on the second end of the second shaft, which can be moved between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus in which steering assistance is achieved by transmitting a rotary motion of an electric motor for steering assistance to a steering shaft on which a worm wheel is mounted through a worm shaft on which a worm is mounted, wherein the worm shaft is deflectable toward the worm wheel and equipped with a biasing member biasing the worm shaft in the deflective direction thereof, or alternatively, the worm wheel is deflectable toward the worm shaft and equipped with a biasing member biasing the worm wheel in the deflective direction thereof.