Abstract: A control lever for an automobile which is used to replace original equipment levers without requiring the removal of the dashboard. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a fork-shaped insert member slidable within a lever body, the insert having a pair of tines which are passed through a slot in the dashboard to engage a rotor plate behind the dashboard. By passing a screw through the lever body and threading it into the insert member from the front of the dashboard, the lever body and insert members are drawn together to clamp onto the rotor plate, securing the lever in place. Lateral movement of the lever within the slot will rotate the rotor plate, in order to select a desired function. Also disclosed is a method of replacing a climate control lever without removing the dashboard.

Abstract: A cylindrical knob for installation on a shaft and a method for fastening a decorative disc shaped end cap to a tubular knob body to make the cylindrical knob. The cylindrical knob includes a plastic tubular body having an outer sleeve and an inner core. The inner core is spaced from the outer sleeve at the cap receiving end of the body to form an annular slot. The inner core has a cap supporting surface located adjacent the inner slot and a shaft receiving socket located at the opposite end of the tubular body. An undercut surface is formed in the inner core adjacent to the cap supporting surface and accessible from the annular slot. Passages extend from the socket end of the tubular body to the annular slot. Recesses are formed in the inner core beneath the undercut surface and are spaced generally uniformly around the inner core and open into the annular slot. A disc shaped end cap having a depending skirt is positioned on the cap supporting surface with the skirt located in the annular slot.

Abstract: The valve is particularly designed compatible for use with toxic or highly flammable fluids. It has a hard valve stem tip, such as tungsten carbide which is pushed longitudinally against the valve seat and not rotated into sealing position. The valve is provided with a backseat threaded to the valve body so that if the bonnet or packing nut is very seriously abused by the operator even to the extent of twisting or breaking, the valve will not blow out toxic or flammable fluid. Most of the parts of the valve are made of stainless steel and provisions are made for lubricating the working parts of the valve. Notches in the valve stem and packing nut provide for a safe clean break of these parts in the event they are over stressed.

Abstract: A handle arrangement for a hot water tap or faucet which requires an axial and rotational movement of the handle in order to turn the tap "on" or a rotational movement only, in order to turn the tap "off". When applied to a hot water tap the handle arrangement provides a safety device against rotation by young children as the combination of movements is difficult or impossible for young children to overcome. The arrangement comprises a spindle member 11 which is attached to an existing tap spindle 18 by grub screws 19 and co-operates with a drive member 13 fixed to the handle to provide a ratchet arrangement between a drive member 13 and spindle member 11. The ratchet arrangement allows the tap to be turned off merely by rotation of the handle but does not engage when the tap is rotated in the direction to turn the tap on. A hexagonal protrusion 14 inside the handle co-operates with the handle member 11 to cause rotation of the handle when the handle is depressed axially inwardly.

Abstract: A concealed mounting arrangement for attaching a handle to a rotatable stem without the need for using an exposed attachment screw is disclosed. In one embodiment, there is an adapter element fixedly mountable on the stem, and a handle element mountable on the adapter with a fit that allows relative rotational and axial movement therebetween. One of these elements is provided with a connecting pin that extends towards the other element and has an enlarged head near its outer end. The other of these elements is provided with a mounting slot comprising an access opening that faces said one element and receives the head therethrough when the elements are moved axially toward one another, an intermediate portion leading from the access opening in a direction of relative rotation between the elements and the intermediate portion has a shoulder engageable with the underside of the head during such rotation to prevent the elements from moving axially apart.

Abstract: A bushing is disclosed for protecting a printed circuit board mounted potentiometer or the like from transverse and axial loads which are applied to the potentiometer during adjustment thereof. The potentiometer or other control device has a control shaft which protrudes through a panel opening and which has a knob mounted on the distal end thereof. The bushing fits over the control shaft between the panel and the knob such that axial and radial forces applied to the knob are transmitted to the panel by the bushing. These forces are therefore absorbed by the panel rather than the attachments between the printed circuit board and the potentiometer.

Abstract: A replaceable handle assembly for coupling a handle to a valve stem comprising a connector for gripping the spline of a valve stem, a base member positioned over the connector and nonrotatably engaging the connector through a rectangular-shaped fitting, and a screw securing the base and connector to a valve stem. A post fits into an upwardly-opening recess in the base through a rectangular fitting and a small set screw secures the post to the base. A handle threads onto the post above the set screw to at least partially conceal the set screw.

Abstract: An adjusting system comprising two pivot device 6 and 7 which are symmetrical and have extending therethrough means defining a stepped central aperture whose dimension increases from the interior of the seat structure to the exterior of the latter. A rod 10 which is extended at each end by a square-sectioned bar 23 is slidably mounted in the apertures of the two pivot devices and is fitted at one end in a sleeve rigid with a control element 30. A locking hairpin element locks the control member to the rod but may be withdrawn at any time so as to permit reversing the direction in which the seat structure is positioned.

Abstract: A handle preferably in the shape of an inverted frusto-pyramid is attached to the extremity of a control rod which is received in a longitudinal bore in the handle. The control rod has a transverse opening in its extremity that can be aligned with a transverse bore in the handle that intersects with the longitudinal bore. A bolt is insertable through the transverse bore and aligned transverse opening. The bolt has a bolthead portion and a threaded end portion. The threaded end of the bolt may be placed in mating engagement with internal threads of a nut to secure the handle to the control rod.

Abstract: A control device which comprises a slidable shaft provided with a knob. The slidable shaft is gripped by two partitions in the knob, at least one of which is flexible in a plane transversely of the sliding direction of the sliding shaft. Relative displacement of the shaft and the knob is prevented by a fixing ridge in the knob which engages a detent groove in the sliding shaft.

Abstract: A method of retaining Mortise Lock knobs and levers wherein a threaded male journal is provided on the knob or lever which co-acts with a female threaded nut whose outer diameter becomes a journal bearing surface permitting rotation of the knob or lever. A shoulder is provided at one end of the female threaded nut which becomes the retainer for the lock rose bushing. The shoulder end of the female threaded nut is perforated at its center line with an internal star-shaped hole which in turn accepts a standard square spindle which also co-acts with a square hole provided in the knob or lever.The center of the star hole being concentric to the centerline of the bushing, the centerline of the square spindle and the centerline of rotation of the knob or lever. The female threaded nut provides continuous clearance adjustment while the interaction between the star-shaped hole, the square spindle and the square hole in the knob or lever provides secure rotation of the knob or handle within the rose bushing.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for securing a wheel and shaft which comprises a collar rigidly mounted to the shaft having an annular peripheral surface formed with radially spaced recesses, and a ring having an annular inner surface formed with radially spaced projections keyed for removable placement within the collar recesses. The apparatus further comprises means for releasibly coupling the ring with the wheel when positioned about the collar.

Abstract: A handle assembly for attaching a decorative handle to a turning stem is disclosed. In one embodiment, a stem cap having outer and inner spline surfaces, a stop surface, and carrying surface is placed over a turning stem, and the stem cap is secured to the turning stem using an attachment screw. A handle knob having interior mating splines is then brought down upon the top of the stem cap and an assembly ring is brought up from under the stem cap thereby sandwiching the stem cap. The handle knob and assembly ring are then connected, thereby completing the construction.

Abstract: A steering wheel for vehicles, comprising a steering wheel rim to which is firmly connected a steering wheel hub which is arranged for attaching the steering wheel to the upper portion of a steering shaft installed in a vehicle, the steering wheel hub mainly comprising a spoke hub and an inner hub which are concentric and engage with each other, being mutually displaceable in an axial direction. The spoke hub is firmly connected to the steering wheel rim, and the inner hub is intended to be rigidly mounted on the steering shaft. The spoke hub and the inner hub are connected to each other via a locking means which locks the respective hubs radially and allows mutual axial adjustment of the hubs, whereby the steering wheel can be caused to assume alternative positions in height relative to the steering shaft.

Abstract: A means for preventing the bypassing of the timer protective mechanisms in an automatic washing machine is provided by a shield freely rotatable on the timer shaft fully covering the indicator dial across its face and over its edges and being transparent so as to allow the indicator to be seen, while preventing manual access to the control components associated with the timer shaft.

Abstract: A valve assembly for regulating the amount or pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to a hydraulically operated machine system comprises a progressively movable valve member, especially a rectilinearly-moving valve spool controlling ports in a ported valve sleeve, a motive power unit, such as an electric stepper motor, disengageable speed-reducing coupling means, including a worm and worm wheel, to convert the rotary output motion of the motor into valve motion, a valve member position feedback transducer, and an electrical controller controlling the motor in response to input command signals and the feedback signal. A manual override control lever is provided for moving the valve member when the power drive is disengaged.

Abstract: Manually rotatable control or selector knob member adapted to be connected to an operating shaft for an electrical or electronic device, such as a rotary switch, a volume control, etc., said operating shaft having a forward end portion fluted in the longitudinal direction thereof, which has a locking hole formed centrally therein and an annular lining of resilient material provided inside the wall of the locking hole. With this construction, the knob member can be fastly coupled to the operating shaft, while being locked in place at any desired angular position with respect to the forward end portion of the shaft.

Abstract: To secure an operating handle or crank to an operating shaft while inhibiting undesired axial removal of the handle from the shaft, yet permitting controlled removal, for example for repair, a coupling element made of a yielding plastic material, for example of a polyamide resin, is slipped on the shaft, the shaft and the coupling element being formed with interengaging projections and recesses, for example a groove in the shaft and inwardly projecting shoulders on the coupling element. The coupling element itself is slit radially, so that it can be expanded and removed from the shaft by release of the interengaging projections and recesses. The operating handle is formed with recesses to receive axially projecting extensions of the coupling element which engage in the recesses to lock the handle to the coupling element and thus prevent axial removal. Rotation is transmitted between the handle and the shaft by direct engagement of splines and flutes formed on the shaft and the handle, respectively.

Abstract: A patient transfer device comprises a belt connected at its ends to first and second reels and in its extension from the first reel to the second reel defines in turn an upper patient supporting portion and a lower ground engaging portion. Each of said reels is selectively rotatable so that in a first mode of operation of the transfer device with said first reel driven the belt is taken-up by the first reel and let out by the second reel and in a second mode of operation the belt is taken up by the second reel and let out by the first reel. An auxiliary belt take-up and let-out device is connected to the belt at a position between its upper patient supporting portion and its lower ground engaging portion and is selectively lockable to enable the first and second modes of operation to be performed.

Abstract: A potentiometer has a disc mounted on the shaft. A knob embraces the end of the shaft and is biased away from the disc. The knob is slidable along the shaft into engagement with the disc so that rotation of the knob operates the potentiometer.

Abstract: A detent positioning device comprising a housing with a shaft rotatably mounted therein, said housing having a longitudinally extending portion with at least one recess therein so sized to accommodate a roller, a circular spring member disposed on said longitudnally extending portion engaging said roller and applying a biasing force thereto, said roller in engagement with the outer surface of said shaft, at least one longitudinally extending detent on the outer surface of said shaft in the region of said recess to accommodate a portion of said roller; said shaft being positioned relative to said housing when said detent is in alignment with said recess and said roller is biased into said detent by said spring member.

Abstract: A faucet handle assembly has a skirt attached to an insert which is in turn secured to a faucet stem. The skirt has a plurality of ribs each of which has a shoulder portion positioned so the top part of the rib extends over the lower part of the rib. The insert has two sets of different size notches. Each set of notches can be aligned in registry with the ribs. The shoulder portion of the rib engages the top surface of the flange adjacent the edge of one size notches. Another size notches are sufficiently large to fit the top part of the ribs within the notches. When the large notches engage the plurality of ribs, the top section of the skirt is supported by the flange abutting thereto. The skirt height can be adjusted through a choice of notches which engage the plurality of ribs.

Abstract: A push-to-turn knob design for a rotary switch to prevent accidental actuation of the switch by requiring a two-step operation sequence. This operating function is obtained without modifying the design of the rotary switch. Hence, a standard rotary switch can be easily converted to a push-to-turn operating sequence.

Abstract: A handle mechanism adapted for mounting on a manually rotatable shaft of a machine tool. A spring-biased index pin mounted in the handle mechanism is extensible and retractable by movement of an associated handle member to selectively engage and disengage an index plate fixedly attached to the shaft of the machine tool, thereby permitting the handle mechanism to be coupled to the shaft for manual rotation thereof and decoupled from the shaft for independent rotation thereabout. The index pin and its surrounding bias spring are retained within the handle mechanism by a single threaded fastener permitting their ready removal for replacement or repair.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly for rotating an axle comprises means for actuating said axle and means for fixing said actuating means together in which the axle comprises an end adapted to receive said actuating means. On this end, are at least one flat and at least one groove extending over a circular arc situated at right angles with respect to the flat. The actuating means is constituted by a knob or crankhead including a central recess adapted to receive said axle end and at least two flexible parts mounted in the recess and arranged at right angles to one another. One of these parts is adapted to bear on said flat and the other provided with a pin adapted to be engaged in said groove. The fixing means is constituted by a ring adapted to encircle and grip the two parts of the actuating means respectively against and in the flat and the groove of the axle end. The ring comprises means adapted to render it itself fast to the actuating means.

Abstract: An insulated coupling usable with a television tuner shaft or the like for electrically isolating the tuner shaft from the chassis of the television receiver includes a pair of flanged insulating bushings pressed into axially extending chambers formed in the ends of two coupled sections of the tuner shaft. A knurled pin fabricated from hardened steel or other strong material is pressed into the two bushings to hold the two sections of the shaft together with the two flanges of the bushings abutting to form an insulated section between the two coupled sections of the shaft.

Abstract: The rotating shaft manipulating member comprises at least one body having a boss provided with elements for driving the shaft, for fixing the body onto the shaft, and a turning knob. The boss comprises a bush slotted parallel to its axis and the above-mentioned body has two spaced parts joined at one of their ends to the bush on either side of the slot and carrying at their other end a half-journal whose axis is parallel to that of the bush, while the turning knob comprises a ring which grips the two half-journals and maintains them in a close together position.

Abstract: A push-to-engage device comprising a hollow knob having axially disposed therein an independent bushing provided with a fastener for bindingly engaging an inserted end portion of a rotatable shaft and with a plurality of recesses disposed for engagement with keys protruding inwardly from the knob, and an external resilient device coupled to the knob for positioning the keys in spaced relationship with the recesses in the bushing.

Abstract: A shift control device adapted for installation on a conventional pneumatic transmission control switch for trucks to convert its lever action to an easily controllable twisting or turning action and one that prevents inadvertent "down-shifting." The device includes a ball-like knob adapted for connection to the head of a standard pneumatic transmission control with a radially extending fork portion that fits over the lever for the control. The knob is rotatably supported on a central pin attached to the control head so that turning it will move the control level, its travel being limited so that downward force must be applied on the knob before the control lever can be moved to its low range position.

Abstract: A window lifter of a motor vehicle actuated by an auxiliary force whose drive is adapted to be engaged electrically; the actuating member for engaging or closing the electric switches for the up and down movement of the window is thereby constructed at the same time as crank arm for the mechanical manual actuation of the window lifter in case of emergency.

Abstract: A current limiting circuit breaker having for each pole, a pair of main contacts separable upon operation of a thermally and electromagnetically operable tripping device and a pair of auxiliary contacts for current limiting in series with the main contacts and in parallel with a transformable resistor having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance. The auxiliary contacts are separable when an electromagnet is energized by a fault current which simultaneously energizes a field magnet to produce a transverse magnetic field across the auxiliary contacts and the arc formed between them when separating. This simultaneous action of electromagnet and field magnet coacting for rapid contact separation and lengthening of the arc upon flow of a fault current serves to increase arc voltage almost instantaneously to that of the source, about which time the fault current is totally shunted into the resistor. One of the main contacts of each pole is carried by a movable contact blade.

Abstract: A safety handle is provided for manually rotating a motor shaft for a stone grinding mill. One end of the handle is curved to encompass a portion of the shaft periphery. A hook at the end of the curved portion fits into the keyway of the shaft. The handle arm extends radially from the shaft with a hand grip at the end opposite the curved portion. When torque is applied to the handle in the direction of normal motor rotation, the curved portion and hook grip the shaft by rotational leverage and transmit the torque to the shaft. If the motor is inadvertently started with the handle on the shaft, inertia and gravity will cause the handle to disengage and roll off from the shaft to prevent damage and injury. The hand grip is attached to the handle so as to allow only manual rotation of the shaft in the normal motor direction. Alternately, the handle is bent transverse to its longitudinal axis to extend outward from the motor and thus enable rotation only when mounted properly on the shaft.