Abstract: A steering assembly movable between a deployed position and a stowed position in an instrument panel of a vehicle includes a mounting sled assembly configured to mount to a structural portion of the vehicle, a movable sled assembly operably coupled to the mounting sled assembly and movable relative thereto, the movable sled assembly movable between a retracted position where the movable sled assembly is disposed within the instrument panel, and a deployed position where the movable sled assembly is extended away from the instrument panel toward a rear of the vehicle, and a handle assembly configured to move between a stowed position where the handle assembly is at least partially retracted within the movable sled assembly, and a deployed position where at least a portion of the handle assembly extends outward from the movable sled assembly for a driver to manipulate and steer the vehicle.

Abstract: Steering wheels, steering wheel and steering column assemblies, and methods for assembling steering wheels and steering columns for motor vehicles are provided herein. In one example, a steering wheel comprises a hub that is disposed in a central section of the steering wheel. The hub comprises a tubular stem portion that has a channel and that comprises a wall disposed around the channel. The tubular stem portion is configured to operably couple to a steering shaft. A catch and a biasing feature are disposed along the wall and are cooperatively configured such that the biasing feature acts on the catch to allow the catch to move relative to the wall during assembly of the steering wheel to the steering shaft and urges the catch into an engaged position with the steering shaft when the steering shaft is proximate a seated position in the tubular stem portion.

Abstract: A retractable control device for a household electrical appliance includes a knob movable against an elastic member within an aperture or seat of a control interface of the appliance. The knob is configured to assume two working positions including a first position in which the knob is seated in the aperture and a second position in which the knob extends outwardly therefrom. The knob cooperates with a control member for a functional element of the appliance, such as an electrical resistance heater or microwave generator of an oven, or a gas burner of a cooking hob. The device also includes a cylindrical element disposed and fixed in the aperture of the control interface about the knob. The cylindrical element contains the knob when the knob is in its first position and guides its movement within the aperture along a central longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a boat rudder, which can be mounted on a rudder actuating shaft, comprising a substantially circular body (2) with an external peripheral edge (3) for gripping by a user and a central hub (4) defining an axis of rotation (L), characterized in that the body (2) is formed by a plurality of circle portions (5) which are movable with respect to each other, so as to pass selectively from an open operative configuration, where the circle portions (5) are adjacent and contained in a main plane of extension, to a closed rest configuration, where the circle portions (5) are at least partly superimposed so as to limit the volume in the main plane of extension, and vice versa. Owing to this particular arrangement it will be possible to increase the available space on-board the boat when the rudder is not used and, in so doing, facilitate the movements of the crew.

Abstract: A control knob assembly (16) including a housing having a front member (12) and a rear member (32). A control knob (22) is mounted for turning and axial movement in an opening (36) in the front member (12), said turning and axial movements being associated with control settings to be transferred to a control shaft (52) of a control member (18) generating electric control information. The control knob (22) and the control shaft (52) are interconnected so as to allow for excess force applied axially on the control knob (22) towards the control shaft (52) to be taken by the housing (12, 32).

Abstract: A knob for a medical post valve, the post valve having a threaded bonnet with a diameter, and a valve stem, the valve stem having an external end shaped, generally, as a cylinder with two opposing flat sides, the knob comprising a hub having an elongated body with a diameter that is generally the same size as the bonnet diameter, the body having a first end, a second end, and an axial cavity, the first end having a medial slot extending in across the first end in a direction perpendicular to the cavity, an elongated handle, the handle sized to fit within the cavity, the handle movable between a first position and a second position, the handle first position being disposed within such cavity with the axis of the handle generally aligned with the axis of the body, and the handle second position being disposed within the slot with the axis of the handle extending perpendicular to the axis of the body.

Abstract: A child proof handle for a bathtub faucet includes a substantially cylindrical inner handle member having a centrally located bore for receiving the faucet valve stem and a pair of diametrically opposed passageways. The device also includes an outer handle member having an open end in communication with a hollow portion and a substantially centrally disposed bore. Received within the bores on the inner and outer handle members is an elongated bolt that secures the handle members to the valve stem. A spring is disposed between the inner and outer handle members for biasing the outer handle member away from the inner handle member. The outer handle member further includes a pair of diametrically opposed pins received within the hollow portion spaced and dimensioned to be received within the passageways on the inner handle member.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism is configured for receipt on a threaded drive spindle to hold a working tool relative to the drive spindle. The mechanism includes a flange surface disposed to abut against a working tool in an operational mode of the device, and a rotatable member configured with the flange surface and disposed to advance the flange surface upon manual rotation thereof. The rotatable member includes at least one manual tightening device or mechanism for effectively increasing the manual tightening torque.

Abstract: A portable apparatus comprises a housing including a pack receptacle having an insertion port. The pack receptacle has a first connector facing to the insertion port. A circuit board is contained in the housing. The circuit board is positioned between the pack receptacle and a bottom wall of the housing. The pack receptacle contains a pack device to be detachable through the insertion port. The pack device has a second connector to be detachably connected to the first connector. The pack receptacle has an ejector for ejecting the pack device. The ejector has a pressing member for pressing the pack device in a direction away from the first connector and an operation member, positioned at the upper portion of the circuit board to be linked with the pressing member. The operation member has a lever section along the peripheral wall of the housing.

Abstract: A child-resistant handle to be mounted to a valve stem to which is affixed a cogwheel adapter by a shoulder screw. The shoulder screw rotatably mounts the freely rotatable handle to the valve stem. The handle has an inverted cup shape that extends over and covers the cogwheel adapter. A clutch member connected to the handle with a resilient member engaging the clutch to normally keep the clutch member out of engagement with the cogwheel adapter. The clutch member linearly shiftable to engage the cogwheel adapter whereby rotation of the handle will cause a like rotation of the valve stem.

Abstract: A valve safety handle having a handle slidably attached to a valve stem. The handle incorporates a handle female spline sized to engage a valve stem male spline. The handle female spline is urged out of engagement with the valve stem male spline by means of a spring trapped between the handle and valve stem. The valve stem also has a valve stem key sized to slide into a handle lower recess keyway. Thus the handle may engage with the valve stem only after the handle has been rotated relative to the valve stem until the valve stem key aligns with the handle lower recess keyway, and the handle has then been translated relative to the valve stem against the spring until the handle female spline is engaged with the valve stem male spline. An alternate embodiment incorporates an adapter having an adapter female spline sized to engage a standard plumbing valve stem male spline.

Abstract: The present invention entails a safety control knob for actuating a valve stem of a water valve such as typically found in a hot water line. The safety control knob includes a control knob rotatively journaled on a valve stem and movable thereon between an inoperative and an operative position. In the inoperative position the control knob is effective to simply free-wheel around the valve stem without actually turning the valve stem. In an operative position, the control knob assumes a position engaged with a collar or other member that is keyed to the valve stem. In the engaged position, the control knob is operative to turn and actuate the valve stem.

Abstract: A manual device for a valve has: a movable valve opening member sustained rotatably and disposed in a valve body; an opening and closing of the valve for controlling the opening and closing oi a fluid passage; a notch plate connected with one end of a stem which is pivotably sustaining the valve; a notch plate moving freely in axial direction on the stem and which rotates synchronously with the stem; a manual and oprative knob adhered to the notch plate; a casing adhered to the valve body, so that the casing stores the notch plate and guides the movement of the notch plate freely in the axial direction and guides rotation of the notch plate; a notch means preventing the extra rotation of the notch plate by mutual engagement between the notch plate and the casing; and a notch plate which is constantly pressurized to keep the engagement.

Abstract: A push control faucet handle is provided for a sink having a spout which consists of a housing mounted to the sink. A water control valve is connected to bottom of the housing. The water control valve has a first pipe line connected to a water supply and a second pipe line connected to the spout in the sink. A knob rides within the housing and is adjustably coupled to the water control valve. A device is for biasing the knob to a raised position above a top surface of the sink. The knob can be manually rotated to open and close the water control valve to control the flow of water from the water supply to the spout in the sink. A mechanism is for retaining the knob in a lowered position flush with the top surface of the sink, when the knob is pressed down into the housing and for releasing the knob so it will return to the raised position when the knob is pressed again. When the knob is in the lowered position a young child will have difficulty in reaching and operating the knob.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a printer which has a pair of tractors that engage sprocket holes in the paper to adjust for different paper widths or to adjust the lateral position of the paper. The apparatus comprises a pair of coaxial lead screws, one attached to a rotatable shaft and the second rotatable on the shaft adjacent to and relative to the one lead screw. One tractor is coupled to each lead screw. Rotation of the one lead screw is obtained by a knob keyed to an end of the rotatable shaft. Rotation of the second lead screw is prevented during rotation of the knob by spring loaded fingers with detent elements engageable with detention gearing on the end of the second lead screw. Rotation of both screws is obtained by rotation and axial movement of the knob on the shaft so that a cam surface on the knob engages cams of the spring fingers to disengage detent elements from the detention gearing and drive gearing on the knob engages drive gearing on the second lead screw.

Abstract: A control knob assembly to be mounted to a panel for use with an adjustable rotary device of the type having a push and/or pull function comprising a control knob having a first portion dimensioned to be grasped by a user, a second portion which is cylindrical in shape and extends from the first portion and a bore extending into the cylindrical portion aligned along the axis of the cylindrical portion, the bore dimensioned to receive a shaft of the rotary control member. A mounting element for mounting assembly to a panel is provided and includes a plurality of annularly arranged, flexible clamping elements, each having a threaded outer surface and a smooth inner surface. The inner surfaces of the clamping elements generally define a smooth cylindrical bore which is dimensioned to receive the cylindrical portion of the control knob and the outer surfaces of the clamping elements define a threaded surface. A locking ring is provided and dimensioned to be circumferentially mounted on the clamping elements.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column has a shaft in a casing both mounted on a beam which extends alongside the upper part of the shaft. The beam is secured to a bracket fixed to the vehicle structure and the beam remains parallel with the column throughout the range of adjustment of the column.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a retractable handwheel which is always biased toward the outside of the frame by a resilient member. When pushed into the frame against the biasing action of the resilient member, the handwheel is locked in a retracted position in the frame by an actuating member. The handwheel is released in conjunction with operation for opening a cover covering the spool chamber of the sewing machine to allow the handwheel to be projected outwardly of the frame, so that the manual rotation of the handwheel may be effected.

Abstract: A protruding lever is releasably attached to a conventional flush-tank pivoted flush handle, extending toward a locus of the user's convenient arm flexure. The user is thereby enabled to actuate the flush lever without contortion from conventional seated position. The invention swings away from the user when inadvertently contacted, while retaining rigidity in the direction of flush actuation. An elbow-conformal recess facilitates confortable actuation by the user's elbow. The invention is releasably clamped to and wholly supported by the conventional flush handle.

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 tuning shaft for use in switch type pushbutton tuners wherein a clutch shaft portion configured in a regular polygon in its section is formed integrally with the tuning shaft portion as extending from the front end of the tuning shaft portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-line print head for a labeler. The print head includes a plurality of lines of printing members and a selector for each line. Each selector includes a shaft rotatable by a respective knob. The knobs are close to each other in certain axial positions. Each knob can transmit rotation and axial movements to its respective shaft. However, any knob can be shifted axially to a limited extent relative to its respective selector shaft to a position clear of any other knob. Thus, the other knob or knobs do not interfere with manual rotation of the selected knob.

Abstract: Means for displacing elements, such as the rollers of printing machines, located between the upright frames of a pedestal machine. A rotatable drive shaft is supported in each of the frames parallel to the direction in which the displacement is to proceed, and is drive connected to the said elements. Adjusting shafts having hand wheels attached to their free ends and coupled to the drive shafts extend, when in working position, into the space between the upright frames. In rest position, they are displaceable out of said space, which is thereby cleared for access to the equipment.

Abstract: A knob assembly comprising a cup-shaped knob shell having therein a coaxial pair of oppositely wound coil springs disposed for binding engagement with a surrounding wall of a race and having respective terminal end portions engaging an encircled portion of an axially rotatable bushing which is provided with fastening means for rotatably engaging an axially inserted shaft, the springs having other terminal end portions engaged by respective oppositely rotatable lever arms mounted on the bushing and having end portions aligned with axially spaced projections of the knob shell, whereby axial movement of the shell causes the projections to pivot the lever arms in opposite angular directions to release the coil springs windingly from binding engagement with the wall of the race and permit rotation of the bushing and engaged shaft in response to rotary movement of the knob shell.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for selectively engaging a handwheel with a shaft to manually rotate the shaft with the handwheel. The mechanism automatically disengages the handwheel from the shaft when the shaft is rotated by a power source above a predetermined speed. Further, when the shaft is thusly rotated by a power source, the mechanism does not allow an operator to engage the handwheel with the shaft. The mechanism includes a complementary groove system and a cam, one being on the shaft and the other on the handwheel. The groove system comprises at least two laterally-spaced grooves encircling the axis of the shaft, and a third groove spiralling about the axis between the first and second grooves. In one embodiment, the cam is mounted on the handwheel and rides in the grooves in the shaft. When the handwheel is axially depressed, to engage the shaft, the cam rides in the innermost encircling groove.

Abstract: This knob assembly comprises a knob housing slidable on a body contained therein, and fixed to a centrally located control shaft. The body has means controlled by springs, to frictionally engage a disc non-rotatably keyed to a panel for said control shaft. Normally the knob housing can be freely spun, but when it is pushed in, it is lockingly engaged with the body whereby rotation of the pushed in knob housing will rotate the shaft with friction drag imposed on rotation of the shaft to thereby prevent inadvertent rotation of the shaft after setting of the angular position of the shaft. A spring causes the knob housing to pull out to disengage the knob housing from the body, to allow the knob housing to substantially spin freely again. The springs which cause friction between the body and the keyed disc, are stronger than the spring which pulls the knob housing out or returns it to normal when the knob housing is released.

Abstract: A brake lock knob assembly comprising a bushing disposed to bindingly engage an axially inserted shaft end portion and having a first frictional brake surface disposed in releasable resilient engagement with a second frictional brake surface of an adjacent nonrotatable member, and an axially movable knob shell having an inwardly projecting portion disposed to disengage the brake surfaces and having interlocking means for rotatably engaging the bushing.

Abstract: A control knob for permitting the service technician to adjust the operating level of a component in an electrostatic type reproduction machine with locking means effective to prevent unauthorized adjustments by others. To enable the machine user or operator, when training and experience warrants it, to perform service adjustments, the control knob incorporates an internal release mechanism, settable only by the machine service technician, permitting selected adjustment by the operator despite the locking means.

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.