Abstract: Apparatus for selectively applying tension to a parking brake cable that includes a pulley for coupling to the cable and having a cable groove that is non-circular about an axis of the pulley. A lever is coupled to the pulley for rotating the pulley in one direction about its axis, and thereby winding the cable into the groove to apply tension to the cable. A clutch is coupled to the pulley to prevent reverse rotation of the pulley, and a release mechanism is coupled to the clutch for releasing the clutch and thereby releasing tension in the cable. The non-circular groove has a maximum radius where the cable is wound into the groove upon initial operation of the lever, and a decreasing radius thereafter. In this way, force is applied to the parking brake cable at maximum rate of change upon initial actuation of the lever, increasing at a lower rate as the lever is further depressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Bowden tube window winder with compensation for cable length, which also compensates using simple means for a comparatively high level of cable elongation without excessive twisting of the cable loop. Said Bowden tube window winder is characterised in that a common locking member (10) is associated with the cable sockets and links the force of the two cable sockets (110) with the result that a movement to compensate for play of at least one cable socket can only occur when both cable sockets are substantially unloaded.

Abstract: A cable-type steering device is provided in which a sterring wheel and a gear box are connected to each other by wires, wherein a pulley to which wires are connected can be easily assembled to housings, while maintaining the enire length of the wire at a necessary minimum. A housing is divided into a first housing half and a second housing half. In assembling a pully having inner cables of Bowden wires previously wound therearound into the housing, collars mounted at ends of outer tubes of the Bowden wires are fixed in such a manner that they are sandwiched between a wire supporting groove in the first housing half and a lid portion of the second housing half.

Abstract: A bicycle shift control device includes a first member; a second member rotatably mounted relative to the first member for rotation in first and second directions; a third member rotatably mounted relative to the first member for controlling the pulling and releasing of a transmission control element; and a fourth member disposed between the second member and the third member. If desired, the first member may be structured to immovably fix the shifting device relative to the bicycle handlebar, and the fourth member may function as a takeup element for pulling and releasing a control cable. The fourth member rotates around the first axis integrally with the third member. The fourth member also moves in the direction of the first axis between an engagement position in which the fourth member engages the first member and a disengagement position in which the fourth member is disengaged from the first member.

Abstract: A selectively engageable motor-drive assembly operable for moving a vehicle door or ramp to enable manual operation or motorized operation is provided, having a motor, a pulley drawing a cable attached to the door or ramp, a torque-multiplying arrangement positionable between a fully-engaged position and a partially-disengaged position, and an actuator mechanism for positioning the torque-multiplying arrangement in accordance with a selection of manual or motorized operation. The actuator mechanism may be actuated by a solenoid that is activated by an operator through a control unit. Also, a cam may be provided to define the movement of the actuator mechanism.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) comprising a drive wheel (20) having a plurality of gear teeth (18) and rotatably supported by a drive wheel housing (12) and a driven wheel (16) having a plurality of gear teeth (18) and rotatably supported by a driven wheel housing (14) which is spaced from the drive wheel housing (12). A motion transmitting core element (30), comprising a flexible cable (31) having first and second ends (32 and 34) and a wire (36) wrapped helically about the cable (31) in spaced convolutions, is entrained about the wheels (16 and 20) and is in meshing engagement with the gear teeth (18) for transmitting rotational movement between the wheels (16 and 20). A connector interconnects the first and second ends (32 and 34) of the core element (30) for maintaining the core element (30) entrained about the wheels (16 and 20) regardless of the orientation of the core element (30) as the core element (30) passes through the housings (12 and 14).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the level adjustment and/or arching adjustment of a flexibly resilient support element (4) for the lordosic vertebrae of a sitting person, and which is fitted in the frame (1) of a back rest of a seat, each apparatus comprising a gear mechanism (12) including a worm (14), a worm gear (15), a pinion (16) and a tooth element as well as a drive means. According to the invention the gear mechanism is directly connected to the drive means in such a manner that the rigid drive shaft (13) thereof carries the worm (14) engaging into the worm gear (15), the pinion (16) being fixed axially in the worm gear (15) in tooth engagement with a gear wheel (17) in a plane parallel to the worm gear (15).

Abstract: An integrated drive system for driving one or more elongate flexible members of a displacement apparatus used in a media handling system. The integrated drive system includes an integral housing and a plurality of shafts fixedly secured to the integral housing. A first linkage device is mounted on one of the shafts and includes a capstan, which may be adapted to receive and retain one or more elongate flexible members, and a first gear integrally formed therewith. A second linkage device is mounted on another shaft and includes a second gear which engages the first gear, and a third gear integrally formed therewith. A motor assembly may also be provided which includes a motor operatively connected to a fourth gear which engages the third gear, a motor shaft, and an overload clutch assembly which prevents the fourth gear from being rotatingly driven with the motor shaft at predetermined intervals. Methods for assembling an integrated drive system and a motor assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sliding cable includes a core member, a tooth member wound around the core member and a covering member which is formed by extrusion molding of a foaming material and which covers the core member so as to project out from an outer circumferential surface of the tooth member.

Abstract: A ratchet block comprised of a frame, movable sheave assembly, ratchet assembly, ratchet assembly and cam wherein the ratchet automatically engages under load permitting rotation of the sheave in only one direction, and disengages when the load is removed permitting rotation in both directions. This automatic engagement and disengagement of the ratchet to increase or reduce friction when a rope or wire is run through the sheave does not require the user to disengage the ratchet mechanism with a conventional switch.

Abstract: A cable window lifter with a driving unit includes a drive housing having an internal cavity therein. A cable drum is disposed within the internal cavity and has an internal gear provided along an internal portion of the drum. A pinion gear is disposed within the internal portion of the cable drum and includes teeth that engage the internal gear of the cable drum. The pinion gear is driven manually or by a motor. A support core is disposed between a portion of the internal gear of the cable drum and a portion of the pinion gear teeth. The support core prevents the lateral deflection of the pinion gear teeth out of the internal gear of the cable drum during imposition of an overload force onto the pinion gear, thereby assuring improved running quality of the driving unit and reducing the forces occurring in the driving unit.

Abstract: A mechanical transmission mechanism with rolling unit includes an input member, an output member and a transmission medium for transmitting a mechanical input. The input member includes a driving gear which is enveloped in a casing with a peripheral channel that is confined between a partial circumference of the driving gear and an inner face of the casing. The casing has two openings formed on both ends of the peripheral channel and connected respectively and tangentially to a pair of guide channels so as to form a guide path that extends between the input and output members. The transmission medium is a plurality of rolling bodies which are packed in the guide path and which are disposed alternatingly in juxtaposed lines along the guide path. Each of the rolling bodies is in rolling contact with adjacent rolling bodies.

Abstract: A governor is provided with a pulley comprising a casing, a pulley rotatably supported by the casing and a long member wound around the pulley. The pulley is rotated when the long member is pulled. A spring member is provided for urging the pulley in the direction in which the long member is wound up. A braking device is provided for braking the pulley when the long member is pulled. A long member winding up portion is formed in the pulley so that winding up diameters thereof change as the long member is being pulled out which, in turn, changes the operation of the braking device.

Abstract: A power window mechanism designed to be retrofitted onto the crankshaft of a conventional handcrank operated window opening and closing mechanism includes a motor, a rack with ball-type cogs driven by the motor, a gear driven by the rack, a transmission gear driven by the driven gear, and a separate conversion gear having a central hole shaped to fit onto the shaft and whereby transmit power from the motor to the shaft. The position of the motor is detected by a sensor which generates pulse generated in response to turning of the motor, without the need for an electrical input. The control circuit itself is provided with a processor capable of counting the pulses and controlling the operation of the motor, including its direction, in response to the pulses.

Abstract: A remote control assembly (10) of the type for translating rotational motion from a drive wheel (12) enclosed in a drive wheel housing (27) to a driven wheel (16) enclosed in a driven wheel housing (28) by means of a core element (18) entrained around both wheels (12,16) in a closed all-tension system is disclosed. The assembly (10) includes first and second rigid end members (24,26) attached to respective end portions (20,22) of the core element (18). The assembly is characterized by a connector (38) for interconnecting the rigid end members (24,26) and defining a first plurality of parallel pivot axes (42) and a second plurality of parallel pivot axes (45) perpendicular to said first plurality of parallel pivot axes (42) about which said end members (24,26) pivot.

Abstract: The input axle (1) of an elevator machine transmits a rotational movement to an output axle (13) by means of a conventional worm gear/ring gear device (10), (11) or similar device, the output axle (13) penetrating a sheave (12) which carries the cable that suspends a cabin. The output axle (13) is supported by at only two points (3,4) which are collateral to the sheave (12), and has a projecting end that penetrates and supports the ring gear (11).

Abstract: A ratchet block comprised of a frame, moveable sheave assembly, ratchet assembly and cam wherein the ratchet automatically engages under load permitting rotation of the sheave in only one direction, and disengages when the load is removed permitting rotation in both directions. This automatic engagement and disengagement of the ratchet to increase or reduce friction when a rope or wire is run through the sheave does not require the user to disengage the ratchet mechanism with a conventional switch.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a bicycle speed change operation assembly capable of ensuring stable handlebar operation and immediate braking operation as well as remarkably improved riding safety during the speed change operation, the following technical means are provided: A bicycle speed change operation assembly according to the present invention comprises a cylindrical operation member (11) rotatably supported around a grip end portion of a handlebar (3), a speed change operation mechanism (12) provided in proximity of that grip end portion of the handlebar (3) and capable of winding and unwinding a speed control cable, and a transmission mechanism (13) provided between the cylindrical operation member (11) and the speed change operation mechanism (12) for driving this speed change operation mechanism (12) in response to the rotation of the cylindrical operation member (11), wherein the speed change operation mechanism (12) functions to wind or unwind the control cable in response to rotational reciprocati

Abstract: A bowden-cable window-lifter drive including a cable reel in a covered housing. The reel is provided at its end face with drive pins and a coupling component connected to it so as to rotate jointly with a crank bolt engaging between the drive pins. The drive is characterized in that the crank bolt and the coupling component are two separate parts which, in the fully assembled state, are joined by a serration or the like to rotate together. In a pre-assembled condition, only the cable reel, the coupling component and a braking spring are contained in the cable-reel housing. Following installation of the window lifter in the vehicle door, the crank bolt is inserted from the door inner wall into the drive until the serrations at the crank bolt and at the coupling component are aligned.

Abstract: Apparatus for wringing mops, sheets, strips or other wet commodities has a housing which can be placed on top of a bucket and contains a first roller and a second roller movable radially toward and away from the first roller. The mechanism for moving the second roller toward the first roller comprises a pivotable lever which can turn two sector-shaped collecting elements each connected to the trailing end of a discrete flexible elastic pusher the front end of which engages a bearing for the second roller. The pushers are confined to movement along selected paths while they push the second roller toward the first roller so that the rollers cooperate to expel moisture from a commodity between them at a rate which is determined by the selected position of the lever. The first roller can be driven to move a commodity between the rollers upwardly, and springs are provided to pull the second roller away from the first roller.

Abstract: A gear selector includes a sleeve member which has an annular flange that extends radially and outwardly from the periphery of one end of the sleeve member. The flange has a circumferential groove to receive a curved member which has a plurality of retaining grooves. The flange further has an annular extension with a guide rail that is formed circumferentially on an external surface, an abutting face, a receiving space, and a notch which interconnects the receiving space and the guide rail. A tubular member has a casing with a retractable projection at one end. When the sleeve member is sleeved rotatably on the tubular member, the retractable projection extends into one of the retaining grooves of the curved member so as to retain the sleeve member at a predetermined position relative to the tubular member. A cable has one end fixed in the tubular member and passes through the notch. The cable encircles the guide rail before being led out of the tubular member.

Abstract: A manually operated railroad car handbrake release system in which the release of the handbrake at one end of a car automatically causes release of the brakes at the opposite end of the same car. The system utilizes the standard type handbrake, but has affixed to each of the handbrake units a hydraulic cylinder, with interconnecting hydraulic lines between hydraulic cylinders located at opposite ends of the railcar. Brake releasing actuation at one handbrake unit pressurizes the hydraulic system so that the cylinder affixed to the brake unit at the opposite end of the car is also actuated to operate the release handle and release the brake at that end. When the release handles are actuated and released, return springs disposed about the cylinders piston rods automatically return the release handles and pistons at both ends to their non-actuated positions. The brake release system is operative from either end of the railroad car, and does not include any provision for resetting the brakes.

Abstract: A driving device for a cable type window regulator. The device has a housing, a drum for winding and unwinding cables for actuating a window glass and a balance spring for urging the drum. The device further has a rotatable member which is separated from the drum, and a set of gears for transmitting a torque between the drum and the rotatable member, and the spiral spring is arranged concentrically with the rotatable member so as to directly urge the rotatable member in a rotational direction.

Abstract: A motor drive unit for a cable window regulator of reduced depth dimension. The drive unit includes two subassemblies which include elements which are combined to form integral assembly pieces. In this manner, the housing of the subassembly can be reduced in dimension and provide a motor drive unit of overall reduced dimension.

Abstract: A railway car brake mechanism is comprised of a hand wheel on a shaft and a housing with a rotatable gear wheel and square chain winding disposed within. A ratchet wheel rotatable with the hand wheel shaft and a freely rotatable pinion which engages the gear wheel is also provided. The rotatable pinion has a flange with a disengageable driving connection with the gear wheel and a disengageable connection between flange and ratchet wheel. The main gear wheel and chain winding drum comprise a main gear wheel assembly. The assembly is attached by a chain end link through an interconnection of the main gear wheel and outwardly extending section of the chain winding drum. To prevent kinking or slippage of the chain, a spiral groove is formed in the square chain drum. The groove enables the chain to be wound within the drum with alternate links seated on a concave surface and intermediate links, which rest on the outer surface of the drum, to be at right angles to the aforementioned alternate links.

Abstract: A motor drive unit for a window regulator. The drive unit is divided into two subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a driven worm gear and a bearing pin. The second subassembly includes a worm wheel having an extended sheath on which a cable driving drum is mounted. When the two subassemblies are fitted together, the worm wheel and worm gear mesh and the bearing pin extends through and supports the worm wheel, sheath and cable drum.

Abstract: A window-actuator drive unit includes a driving disk, which is rotatably supported on an axle of the gear housing. The driving disk is placed in a rotational-slave relationship with the worm gear of a reduction gearing which is connected on the load side to an electric drive motor. The driving disk is connected to the worm gear by way of a damping separator and on its unattached end is a shaft collar which has outer teeth used for an interlocking, rotational-slave relationship either with a cable pulley of a cable window actuator or the driving pinion of an arm or scissors-type window-actuator. The inner teeth of both the cable pulley and the driving pinion correspond to the outer teeth of the shaft collar.

Abstract: In a window-lifting actuating drive where two cup-shaped housings enclose a driven worm gear coupled to a cable pulley, a flat seal is configured to seal the worm gear housing from ambient moisture both at the joint between the two housings and between the cable pulley housing and the worm gear. The flat seal is also formed to allow the seal to be prefit to the cable pulley housing and retained to the housing before the housing is assembled to other components of the actuating drive.

Abstract: It is desirable to be able to lift, lower and lock a toilet seat assembly in position without any hands-on interaction with the toilet seat assembly. In order to accomplish this objective the invention incorporates a selection of devices having additional mechanical advantage when pivoting the seat assembly. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a cable-operated foot lever is used in combination with a crank portion on the hinge of the toilet seat. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a system of planetary gears is used in the lever and/or the hinge assembly.

Abstract: An improved single manual brake operating system for connecting the brake equipment of a plurality of wheeled railroad freight car trucks. The system provides for initial rapid takeup of slack in the linkages interconnecting the braking mechanisms for several trucks and thereafter supplies force with a greater mechanical advantage as the brake shoes are forced against the wheels of the railway car. This variably applied take-up force is accomplished using a system of noncircular sheaves to which flexible portions of the handbrake operating linkage are attached in such a manner that initial rotation of the take-up sheave provides a relatively long effective lever arm to take up slack in the interconnecting linkages, and thereafter provides a shorter effective lever arm for application of tension through the interconnecting linkages.

Abstract: An adjusting device for automatically compensating for cable strand elongation in a vehicle parking brake utilizes a rotatable disc cam having a circumferential edge which spirals radially out to effect a displacement of a cable yoke in a cable tensioning direction as slack develops in a cable strand of the parking brake. The disc cam is tensioned by a torsion spring, the entire device having a small number of parts and high operational reliability even when dirty.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick adjusting device for bicycle cables, and especially to a device having a substantially S-shaped base which cooperates with a cam, a worm and a worm gear to adjust a bicycle brake cable. Two plates formed on the bottom of the base to define an area. A wheel is slidably mounted on the cam. The worm gear and the wheel, together, clamp the brake cable. The brake cable is driven and adjusted by the worm gear and the wheel by inserting a hexagon wrench into a hexagonal slotted head of the worm and turning. A pulley is rotatably received in an area of the base for adjusting the relative position of the left side and the right side brake arms.

Abstract: A driving device employed in a window regulator comprising: a driving member including a shaft and an associating member having at least a notch portion; a drum adjacent to said associating member and having an associating projection capable of associating with said notch portion with some play in the rotational direction; and an elastic member urging said associating member in the rotational direction. The shaking of the crank lever can be surely inhibited.

Abstract: A driver unit for a window regulator or winder for use in an automobile door, for example, includes a gear rotatably mounted on a base and having first and second shafts coaxial with each other and projecting from opposite sides of the gear, the first shaft being rotatably supported on said base, the gear having a support coaxial with the first and second shafts and a plurality of angularly spaced arms projecting radially outwardly from the support. A drum is rotatably mounted on the second shaft and has a plurality of angularly spaced cavities opening toward the support. A plurality of integrally joined dampers are disposed as pairs in the cavities, respectively, with one of the arms being interposed between the dampers in each pair. The gear is rotated by a motor mounted on the base to rotate the drum through the arms and the dampers to move a wire wound on the drum and coupled to the window glass for thereby moving the window glass in the automobile door.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically regulating tension of wires employed in a window regulator comprising a drum being provided for rotational movement within said housing, and having a first side surface provided with a first ratchet teeth, a second side surface provided with a first engaging portion for engaging a first wire end, and a peripheral surface as winding surface; a ratchet plate being adjacent to said drum coaxially, and having a surface provided with a second ratchet teeth engaging said first ratchet teeth and a second engaging portion engaging a second wire end; a spiral spring having one end engaged with said ratchet plate and having the other end engaged with said housing, and urging said ratchet plate is such direction that said first ratchet teeth and said second ratchet teeth are moved idly; an elastic member axially urging said drum toward said ratchet plate; and a shaft for operating said drum to rotate by means of engaging with said drum.

Abstract: In a motor saw with an engine unit separated from a handle system by devibration elements, difficulties arise by in the use of a link system of iron plate or lever elements in performing a movement transfer without "backlash" etc. As a consequence thereof there is an involuntary speeding of the engine, great inherent moving play, propagation of vibrations between the carburetor and the finger grip, and sizing of elements adapted to every saw model. The invention eliminates these inconveniences by introducing a gear-driven, flexible shaft, e.g. a tightly wound helical spring which can transfer movements to the throttle by turning. The influence of relative movements between the engine and the handles can thus be eliminated.

Abstract: A window-lifter drive unit for a cable-window lifter which includes a housing in which a worm gear as well as a cable drum taken along by the worm gear are provided between two mutually opposite wall parts. A bearing bolt 40 is supported with one end thereof in one of the two wall parts and at the other end thereof in the other wall part by way of a bearing bushing. The cable drum is retained at the outer circumference of the bearing bushing; a circumferential collar of the bearing bushing forms a securing member against pulling off the cable drum from the bearing bushing. Combined with a simple construction and low manufacturing costs, a partial unit including the worm gear as well as the bearing bolt can be separated without difficulty from a partial unit including the cable drum as well as the bearing bushing which facilitates assembly and repair work.

Abstract: In a hand brake mechanism for railway cars in which a chain drum is rotatable by a manually rotatable shaft connected to the chain drum by a gear train, a centrifugal governor or brake connected to an intermediate gear of the gear train reduces the speed of rotation of the gears only after the force applied to the brakes has been substantially reduced, and hence even though the initial speed of rotation of the drum and the let-out speed of the chain when the brake is first released is substantially unaffected, the governor or brake is effective as the forces are reduced to substantially the forces of inertia of the brake mechanisms, the hand brake parts and the chain, so as to reduce the speeds of rotation of the hand brake parts to a small value and thereby prevent damage to and wear of the parts and increase the life of the hand brake mechanism.

Abstract: Integral accelerator-brake control for motorcycles, characterized in that the handle grip which is rotatable, is provided with an anatomically shaped radial extension to act as a lever aid for the turning of the handle grip, and has a conical end including a section having teeth along approximately one-third of its perimeter, the remainder being smooth, while tangentially and diametrically opposite, there are two additional toothed sectors, carried by corresponding cylinders, having axes of rotation perpendicular to that of the handle grip, to each of which cylinders correspondingly the accelerator operating cable and the brake operating cable, respectively, are attachable so that operation of the handle grip effects, depending on the direction of its rotation, the meshing of the teeth of the conical end of the handle grip alternatively individually with one toothed sector or the other, of the two additional toothed sectors for alternatively individually controlling accelerating or braking operation of the mo

Abstract: A driving device employed in a window regulator comprising: a driving member including a shaft and an associating member having at least a notch portion; a drum adjacent to said associating member and having an associating projection capable of associating with said notch portion with some play in the rotational direction; and an elastic member urging said associating member in the rotational direction. According to the present invention, the shaking of the crank lever can be surely inhibited.

Abstract: An anti-slip apparatus is provided for controlling a slip rate of a drive wheel of a wheeled vehicle to the optimum level. The vehicle has an engine, a fuel control device for controlling a supply of fuel-air mixture to the engine, and an accelerator member operatively connected to the fuel control device by an operating wire. Drive and driven wheel speed sensors sense the rotational speeds of the drive and driven wheels of the vehicle, respectively. A wire control device is operatively connected to the drive and driven wheel speed sensors and is operable to activate the operating wire to reduce the supply of fuel-air mixture from the fuel control device to the engine when the ratio of the rotational speed of the drive wheel to the rotational speed of the driven wheel exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A valve actuating assembly (10) including an input housing (12) and a circular drive wheel (14) rotatably supported by the input housing (12) and having a cylindrical outer periphery with a plurality of parallel teeth (16). A drive gear (22) is rotatably supported by the input housing (12) and is in meshing engagement with the teeth (16) of the drive wheel (14). The input housing (12) has a first pair of cable guide tubes (24) disposed opposite to one another on opposite sides of the drive gear (22). An output housing (28) is identical to the input housing and supports a driven wheel which is identical to the drive wheel (14). A first conduit (30) is connected to and extends between one of the guide tubes (24) of the input housing (12) and one of the guide tubes of the output housing (28). A second conduit (31) is connected to and extends between the other guide tubes (24) of the input housing (12) and the other guide tube of the output housing (28).

Abstract: In a window lifter drive for motor vehicles a base member contains a cable drum to which a manual crank handle drive or a motor drive can be selectively secured. The base member includes a housing enclosing the cable driven with an opening on one side for a pinion on the crank handle drive. The housing has an opening on the opposite side for a driving claw part of the motor drive. Each of the pinion and the driving claw part can act directly on the cable drum.

Abstract: In a driving gear, a wheel is mounted on a supporting plate. The wheel has a rim with teeth on its inside surface and a pinion mounted on the supporting plate is in meshed engagement with the teeth. A housing, attached to the supporting plate, encloses the wheel. Entrainment surfaces on the outside circumference of the wheel engage an elongated power take-off member supported within and extending through the housing.

Abstract: A compact and thin wire-driving device for a window regulator which absorbs elongation of wire automatically, wherein both ends of a driving wire are wound round two pulleys arranged parallel, i.e. a first pulley and a second pulley, in the same direction; a first gear is secured coaxially to the first pulley; a second gear is adjacent coaxially to the second pulley through ratchet teeth; the first gear and second gear are meshed to each other; and, when the wire is wound up round the first pulley, a slack of the wire is wound up round the first pulley and the second pulley remains stopped.

Abstract: A hand brake including a lock-up and release clutch mechanism, a ratchet rotatable by a hand wheel connected thereto through a drive shaft, a nut screw-threadedly arranged on the shaft and effective, upon rotation of the wheel and shaft in one direction, for advancing on the nut on the shaft to cause the ratchet to be clamped between respective friction surfaces of the nut and friction plates carried on the shaft. Rotation of the shaft causes rotation of a pinion which, in turn, rotates a gear associated with a chain drum to effect chain take-up and, therefore, application of the brakes. A holding pawl prevents rotation of the ratchet in a release direction. Rotation of the hand wheel in an opposite direction effects release of the clutch mechanism and consequently relaxation of tension on the chain for effecting a gradual release of the brakes. Quick release of the brakes is effected by a lever which, by rotation, causes disengagement of the collar from the pinion.

Abstract: A gas control grip for the handlebars of a motorcycle having a rotatable tubular handle made of plastic and a sectional housing clamped to the handlebars and surrounding one end of the tubular handle. An annular flange on the housing provided with a semi-circular clip fits into an annular groove in the handle to prohibit axial movement and to permit rotation of the handle.

Abstract: A handbrake arrangement for railroad freight cars is disclosed that will connect a mechanical handbrake operating mechanism to the brake equipment (brake beams and brake shoes) on 2, 3, or more trucks on the same freight car. It is especially useful on articulated freight cars consisting of multiple units in order to satisfy handbrake power requirements required by industry and Federal regulations, but a similar arrangement may be used on special purpose cars having a multiplicity of trucks. On an articulated car, consisting of a number of units, there is a multiplicity of trucks and because of the size and weight characteristics of the car, it is desirable to connect the handbrake mechanism to a number of the trucks in order to provide adequate handbrake power.

Abstract: A hand brake for railroad cars comprising a winding drum journaled within its housing to be in concentric relation with the hand brake operating shaft. A brake chain wind up and let out control mechanism is interposed between the brake drum and the operating shaft, with the winding drum being journaled between a pair of annular bearing plates that are concentric with the shaft and fixed to the housing in spaced apart relation to receive the winding drum. The shaft is coupled to the winding drum by a sun and planetary gear reducer mechanism in which a plurality of planetary gear assemblies are mounted on one or more circular lands concentric with the operating shaft for free rolling non-journaled orbiting movement about the sun gear that is keyed to the operating shaft for rotation by same to effect wind up and let up of the brake chain. The sun and planetary gear mechanism has its parts oriented to provide a central drive input and output with balanced internal force applying and resisting characteristics.

Abstract: An improved single manual brake operating system for connecting the brake equipment of a plurality of wheeled railroad freight car trucks. The system provides for initial rapid takeup of slack in the linkages interconnecting the braking mechanisms for several trucks and thereafter supplies force with a greater mechanical advantage as the brake shoes are forced against the wheels of the railway car. This variably applied take-up force is accomplished using a system of noncircular sheaves to which flexible portions of the handbrake operating linkage are attached in such a manner that initial rotation of the take-up sheave is accomplished through a relatively long effective axis of rotation of the sheave and thereafter through a shorter effective axis of rotation.