Abstract: A ratchet assembly for a medical instrument having a handle and a trigger member for operating the medical instrument, the trigger member being movable relative to the handle between a first position and a second position and being biased by a biasing member toward the first position, the ratchet assembly comprising a rack disposed in the handle, an engagement member for engaging the rack, slidably disposed in the handle relative to the rack and connected to the trigger member so that displacement of the trigger member slides the engagement member relative to the rack, the engagement member being biased into engagement with the rack so that, as the trigger is displaced from the first position to the second position, the engagement member engages the rack in a plurality of positions so as to hold the trigger member at a desired point between the first position and the second position against the biasing member, and a cam member, arranged in the handle, for disengaging the engagement member from the rack when t

Abstract: A vehicle parking brake cable actuating structure is provided. The structure includes a support member having a manually operable brake lever pivotally mounted thereon. A brake cable is connected to the brake lever. The brake lever is pivotable between a cable released position and a cable tensioned position. A pawl and ratchet are provided for maintaining the brake lever in the cable tensioned position. The ratchet includes a single ratchet tooth to thereby result in only one possible cable tensioned positioned maintained by the ratchet.

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: A toggle type parking brake lever apparatus capable of surely holding a brake lever at a brake application position is provided. Attached to the brake lever is a pivotable stopper pawl, with which a stopper surface formed on a stopper plate is adapted to be engaged in a brake application condition so as to inhibit the brake lever from being turned in a brake releasing direction. A stopper releasing rod with a push button is provided longitudinally of the brake lever to pivot the stopper pawl, thereby to disengage the stopper pawl from the stopper face. The invention is also applicable to a brake lever which is supported to a lever bracket, tiltably back and forth, and left and right, by means of a universal joint.

Abstract: A hand brake for a motor vehicle includes a hand lever pivotably supported on a support bracket fixed to the vehicle body, and an adjusting disc likewise supported on the support bracket and connecting the hand lever with a pull member leading to a wheel brake shoe. A detent pawl supported on the hand lever cooperates with a toothed segment formed integrally with the support bracket and is released with an actuation rod longitudinally displaceable in the hand lever. The hand lever is connectable with the adjusting disc by a coupling pawl supported on the hand lever and slidably engaging a guide pin secured to a side surface of the support bracket. The adjusting disc is springbiased in the rotational direction so that it provides for progressive pull member displacement/force ratio.

Abstract: The actuating device for a hand brake of a motor vehicle includes a hand lever pivotably supported on a support bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle body and displaceable against a bias of a return spring, and a traction lever that connects the hand lever with the drive element for actuating means of at least one wheel brake assembly of the motor vehicle. The actuating device further includes an automatically locking latching mechanism which is associated with the traction lever and is not connected with the hand lever. The latching mechanism provides for predetermined positioning of the drive element necessary for application of the brake. The latching mechanism is released with an auxiliary rod displaceable within the hand lever against a spring bias.

Abstract: In an unloaded state, by pulling the pressing drive member apart from the pressure bearing member by moving to the operation wheel side, the load sheave is allowed to rotate freely without disengaging the pinion of the drive shaft and the load sheave. In this lever operated hoist, at this time, since the conical friction member to be engaged with the pressing drive member in the rotating direction, and the intermediate member spline-coupled on the drive shaft adjacently to this conical friction member respectively have engaging parts to be engaged with each other in the rotating direction, disposed at their confronting ends, these engaging parts are engaged with each other when the load sheave rotates freely, and the contact of the torque transmitting member and other constituent members is effectively prevented, so that the load sheave is permitted to idle continously and smoothly.

Abstract: The locking device (100) includes a pivoting ratchete (10) and a component (30) that is movable between two extreme stop positions. The pivoting ratchet (10) is symmetrical about a plane including its pivot axis (35), and it includes first and second locking fingers (15, 25) each of which is designed to engage in stable manner and under the action of a load (F) acting on the moving component (30) in a corresponding one of symmetrical notches (50a, 50b) formed in the moving component. A spring (20) is mounted in a prestressed state so that for a given resilient reaction (R1) thereof, the distance of said reaction from the pivot axis (35) of the ratchet (10) in either of the two stable locking positions is such that the ratchet (10) is unlocked by applying the smallest load that is likely to be applied to the moving component (30) in the direction that tends to switch it from one extreme stop position to the other.

Abstract: A ratchet wheel having a locking device, includes a housing, a ratchet wheel disposed pivotally in the housing in such a manner that one end of its axle couples with an external rotating object, a braking member having a shank provided at one end thereof with a wedge angle and at other end thereof with a pivot, and a lock. The pivot is coupled pivotally with the housing in such a way that it moves between a first position and a second position. When the braking member is at the first position, its wedge angle meshes with ratchet wheel. When the braking member is at the second position, its wedge angle disengages from the ratchet wheel. The lock has a lock core capable of moving between a locking position and an unlocking position. The locking position of the lock core corresponds to the first position of the braking member, while the unlocking position of the lock core corresponds to the second position of the braking member.

Abstract: Releasable ratchet mechanism for medical instruments such as endoscopic instruments are disclosed. The ratchet mechanism includes: a leaf spring with a locking barb which is located on a handle of the medical instrument; a ratchet on a lever arm of the medical instrument which lever arm is pivotally engaged to the handle; and a latch on the handle of the medical instrument. The latch on the handle engages and resiliently deforms the leaf spring to cause engagement of the locking barb in a groove of the ratchet when the latch is in a first position. When in a second position, the latch releases the locking barb from the ratchet groove. Preferably, the locking barb has an extending edge surface on an axis which is substantially parallel to the pivoting axis of the handle and lever arm, and the teeth of the ratchet have extending edge surfaces on axes substantially parallel to the extending edge surface of the locking barb.

Abstract: A parking-brake operating device comprises a braking-force holding mechanism including a plate-like bracket having a ratchet wheel and mounted at a location adjacent a seat on a body floor, a swing arm mounted to the bracket for angular movement, and a ratchet pawl supported on the swing arm for angular movement and engageable with and disengageable from the ratchet wheel so as to hold the swing arm onto the bracket; an operating lever supported by the bracket coaxially with the swing arm and for angular movement, and having at least one opening; a support shaft mounted on the swing arm and loosely fitted in the opening so as to permit a predetermined quantity of relative movement between the swing arm and the operating lever; a link mechanism including a bell crank supported on the operating lever for angular movement, and a link element having its both ends which are connected respectively to one end of the bell crank and the ratchet pawl for angular movement; a release element mounted to the operating leve

Abstract: A releasably lockable hinge device comprises a pair of hingably connected hinge members rotatable about a common pivot and mutually positionable in an at least one mutually releasably locked position by a locking pawl selectively movable between locking and unlocking positions. First and second longitudinally spaced toothed portions of the locking pawl, when biased into a locking position, are interferingly wedgingly engaged with respective corresponding surfaces of the pair of hinge members, in rigidly, bridging interlocking relation therebetween.

Abstract: A park brake assembly (20) provides a hand or foot operated park brake actuator (30) connected to a drive reel (48) via a flexible motion transmitting core element (68). The drive reel (48) is connected to an isolator crank (56) via a lost motion connection (46). The isolator crank (56) is operatively connected to a control crank (76) which, in turn, directly actuates the park brake (26). The control crank (76) includes a lock sector (102) which coacts with a pawl (104) to selectively maintain the park brake (26) in a brake applied condition. When in the brake applied condition, the lost motion connection (46) allows the drive reel (48) to return to an unactuated position thereby eliminating all stresses from the actuator (30). The pawl (104) includes an elongated slot (108) and a trip spring (110) which coact to alternatively ratchet the pawl (104) against the lock sector (102) and then to disengage the pawl (104) from the lock sector (102) without requiring an independent release mechanism.

Abstract: A lever type hoist the lower hook of which can be positionally adjusted with a continuous lowering of the load chain on the end side under the no-load condition.

Abstract: Improved pawl assembly for starting mechanisms of small engines mounted on the engine flywheel provided with a bore therein and includes an integrally molded, polymeric pawl, a U-shaped torsion spring and retaining means disposed in the bore of the flywheel. The pawl has a depending shank rotatably fitted into the bore of the flywheel and oppositely extending end portions. The outer end portion, or spur, is adapted to engage a fin or vane of the flywheel to orient the inner end portion, or toe, of the pawl to engage the teeth of the ratchet surface of a pulley type starter. The closed end of the torsion spring is fitted over the shank and urges the pawl to its ratchet engaging position. The spring includes leg portions fitted into the bore of the flywheel and each leg terminates in a laterally extending hook portion adpated to interfit within the retaining means disposed at the end of the bore opposite the end into which the shank is fitted.

Abstract: The valve comprises a rotating operating wheel (32) acting on a closing element (20) inside the body (10) of the valve. In order to enable the wheel (32) to be operated easily and at the same time to prevent accidental opening, the wheel (32) is connected to the closing element via a ratchet system (34) with sawteeth which are oriented so as to prevent the closing element (20) from opening without prior axial displacement of the wheel (32) counter to the action of a spring (44).

Abstract: A locking device for use with a gas flow distribution device to be connected to a source of gas under pressure. The device has a yoke for securement to the source and a fastening screw threaded in the yoke for securing the device to the gas source. The locking screw has a tee-shaped handle. The locking device has a collar including a sleeve defining opposed openings for engagement of the yoke to permit longitudinal movement relative to the yoke but substantially prevents rotation of the sleeve relative to the yoke. The collar has a yoke-remote portion including a plurality of handle-engaging recesses. A spring biases the collar outwardly from the yoke into locking engagement with the handle for preventing unintended unfastening of the screw.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism comprising a rotatable member incorporating a toothed periphery, the rotatable member being suitably mounted to allow free rotation thereof, a pawl incorporating apparatus for engaging the toothed periphery, the pawl being suitably mounted to permit movement thereof from a position in which the pawl allows said rotatable member to rotate freely in either direction of rotation to a position in which the pawl prevents said rotatable member from rotating in one direction, and selectively operable apparatus to move the pawl between said positions, said selectively operable apparatus incorporating an over-dead-center spring arrangement to bias the pawl into the selected position.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver contains a magnetic clutch assembly which is accessible by external switching means. The switching means can alternately switch the clutch assembly from a first position to a second position and vice-versa. When the clutch assembly is in the first position the handle will be in a fixed relationship with the shaft and head when the handle is turned in a clockwise direction but will rotate relative to the shaft and head when the handle is turned in a counterclockwise direction. ALternatively, when the clutch assembly is in the second position, the handle will be in a fixed position relative to the shaft and head when the handle is turned in a counterclockwise direction but will rotate relative to the shaft and head when the handle is turned in a clockwise direction. Previous ratchet drivers do not operate smoothly or they are much too complex.

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: An anchoring apparatus for anchoring and tensioning a sheet material on a panel structure, such as a billboard. A preferred channel-shaped base member is secured to the rear of the panel structure and includes a ratcheted clip member slidably connected to the base member. The clip member is conveniently ratcheted to tension the sheet material, or disengaged to release or relax the sheet material, using a screwdriver or other common lever-type tool, thus greatly facilitating the ease and speed of erection, anchoring, tensioning and removal of the sheet material.

Abstract: A soft-release lever-operated control system for parking brake cables is disclosed including a helical main clutch spring arrangement permitting movement of the operating lever only toward the brake-engaged position, and a release device for releasing the main clutch spring to permit return of the operating lever toward the brake-released position. According to another embodiment of the invention, a second helical clutch spring arrangement is provided that is activated when the operating cable is returned to the brake-released position, thereby to activate a cable tension adjusting device that removes slack contained in the inner brake cable operating member. According to a further embodiment, a push-to-release arrangement including a toggle pawl and spring device is operable upon tapping of the operating lever to place the system in a brake-released condition.

Abstract: A device for driving the axial movement of a photographic lens barrel of a camera including a distance adjusting ring having a number of cam portions of similar shape arranged successively on the front end of the ring to cooperate with a follower on the barrel, a ratchet mechanism for turning the ring from the initial or first to the terminal or second position of each cam portion, a rotor arranged in a magnetic field to drive the ratchet mechanism, and a circuit for controlling the current supply to the rotor. After an exposure has been completed, as the ring is further turned in the same direction, when the terminal end of the cam portion moves away from the follower, the lens barrel is set in the initial position of the next cam portion. The rotor control circuit is provided with a switch arranged to open after the lens barrel has moved some distance from the initial position, whereby the circuit is rendered responsive to the closure of the switch for stopping the current supply to the rotor.

Abstract: A rapid acting gas valve for inflated structures employs a slider-crank drive mechanism driven by a pawl and ratchet motor to produce a high closing force in the valve while opening and closing the valve in a partial revolution of the ratchet motor shaft.

Abstract: A device for regulating the direction of rotation of a slot machine handle is disclosed, which ensures reliable forward and return motions of the handle. A rack member is moved through a guide member in an interlocked relation to the handle. A rachet pawl is rotatably mounted in the guide member. The rack member has a series of teeth thereon, with a recess at each end of the series. Only when the pawl is in one of those recesses, can the direction of movement of the rack be reversed. As a result, only when the handle has been fully pulled, or fully returned, can its direction of rotation be reversed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sorter of the type in which a distributor moves relative to a plurality of bins arranged fixedly along the inlets of bins to thereby distribute sheets into the bins individually, and is constituted by a pair of belts for transporting the sheet received from the copying machine toward the distributor and a tensioner for tensing the belts. Another arrangement of the invention has a device for preventing the movement of the distributor in both forward and reverse direction while the distributor is at a stop. Further another arrangement of the sorter includes structure for successfully guiding the leading edge of the sheet into a pair of rollers provided the distributor.

Abstract: A power transfer pipe, surrounded by an elastomeric, self lubricating seal assembly, transfers rotational power in one direction from a prime mover, at the upper end of the power transfer pipe, to a threadedly secured, hollow, drill pipe at the lower end, the seal assembly directs fluid from the sleeve into the drill pipe. A ratchet assembly at the upper end of the power transfer pipe, facilitates the disengagement of the power transfer pipe from the drill pipe.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical switch having a simplified structure.In one aspect of the invention, each of the pushers of the mechanism for driving the wheel is brought back to a rest position by the same return means made from a flexible material, this return means having substantially the shape of an X.The return means is advantageously integrally formed with said two pushers.

Abstract: 1. A decoder mechanism comprising a code wheel assembly includinga first wheel element and a second wheel element,a main code post means normally positioned for locking the first and second wheel elements in driving relation,selectively operable means for actuating the main code post means in a predetermined sense for unlocking the first and second wheel elements,auxiliary code post means effective upon the first and second wheel elements being in an unlocked relation,said auxiliary code post means being operable by said selectively operable means in one sense for locking said first and second wheel elements and in another sense to retain said first and second wheel elements in said unlocked relation,and means actuated by one of the wheel elements for performing a control function upon the first element being retained in said unlocked relation with the second element.

Abstract: A control device for a coin operated mechanism wherein the device includes a ratchet wheel formed having a plurality of teeth each having a front and a back face defining a tooth apex. The back face of each tooth and the front face of the next adjacent tooth define a well therebetween. The front face of each tooth is formed having a step which receives a ratchet follower to displace a normally open switch to its closed state at the end of each stepping operation of the ratchet wheel to operate the mechanism. A star wheel is operatively driven by a timing mechanism when the switch is in its closed state and is disposed to engage the ratchet wheel to cause rotation of the ratchet wheel conjointly upon rotation of the star wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for rotating a shaft of a turbine is disclosed. This apparatus includes a ratchet wheel which is connected to the shaft, and a pawl which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel. The teeth of the ratchet wheel have bearing surfaces with convex curvatures, while the pawl has a contact surface which also has a convex curvature.

Abstract: A winch for tightening lines and webbing on the lashing of cargos, the winch having a frame which consists of two preferably oval plates which are spaced from each other by means of cross-pieces, of which the one is used as an anchorage for the winch and the other for securing one end of the webbing, and a winding roller located between the cross-pieces and connectible to the other webbing end and having a ratchet mechanism in the form of two disks abutting against each other under the action of a spring, the disks having radial locking surfaces on their sides in abutment with each other and being movable apart for canceling the locking action by means of a clutch ring located between the disks.

Abstract: An operative member for a quick shut-off apparatus for steam turbines formed of a non-arcing solid material having a predetermined characteristic value determined by the breaking elongation, breaking stress, modulus of elasticity and specific weight, such as an extruded polyamide.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tool for rotating elements, such as nuts, bolts, screws or like fasteners, and includes a ring having ratchet teeth, the ring being driven by a lever, a pawl carried by the lever for engaging the ratchet teeth, a flexible tension-applying member in at least partial surrounding relationship to the ring, means for supporting the pawl, and the tension-applying member being disposed between the supporting means and the lever whereby upon movement of the lever in a first direction the pawl rotates the ring through the engagement of a tooth of the ring and the tension-applying member deforms slightly to frictionally grip the ring.

Abstract: A tape cassette case comprises a pair of locking members disposed for engagement with a pair of tape hubs contained within the cassette, means for rotatably supporting at least one of the locking members, and means for constraining rotation of the locking member in a forward tape feeding direction. The locking member can be externally operated to drive the tape in its forward feeding direction in order to remove a slackened condition or unreeling in the forward feeding direction of the tape contained in the cassette.

Abstract: A coupling means coupling a motor to a series of teeth coupled to a cam means includes a no-back pawl mounted in and carried by a plate, a drive pawl slideably carried by the no-back pawl, aligned apertures in each of the pawls, and a gear means coupled to the motor and having a hub portion extending through the apertures with a drive portion eccentric to the rotational axis of the hub and engaging the drive pawl.

Abstract: The synthetic resin ratchet winch has separate pawl plates which are easily and economically mass-producible, and which may be quickly replaced if broken. Each pawl plate comprises at least one pawl and an associated body. It is held against rotation, relative to an adjacent cap or base, by upper or lower bosses. The post for the drum is not formed integrally with the synthetic resin base, being instead inserted therein after molding. The bottom portion of the post is integral with an outwardly-extending flange or protuberant region.

Abstract: A push-button rotary switch having a switching mechanism including a pair of independent actuators having linear movement into contact with the teeth of a switch position selector ratchet wheel mounted at the center of a rotatable switch-positioning indicator, with the actuators adapted to alternately engage certain of the ratchet teeth so as to rotate the switch-positioning indicator step by step in either direction into different switching positions.

Abstract: A blocking device for vehicle reel-type safety belts with a ratchet wheel to be connected to the reel of the safety belt, a pair of pivotal pawls engageable with the ratchet wheel to prevent rotation of the ratchet wheel and thus the reel in one direction of rotation of the reel, a mechanism operable by an abnormal change of speed of the vehicle, capable of pivoting one of the pawls into engagement with the ratchet wheel and then said one pawl pivots the other of the pawls into engagement with the ratchet wheel stopping the unwinding of the safety belt.

Abstract: An armature winding machine having an indexing mechanism for indexing the armature. The indexing mechanism includes an indexing clutch driven by an electric motor. A gear drive connects the clutch to the holding structure for the armature. The indexing clutch has a control collar that is selectively engaged with a plurality of pawls operable to stop the control collar at predetermined precise rotational positions. The positions of the pawls relative to the control collar are individually adjustable on a support providing for selective adjustment of the indexing positions of the clutch.

Abstract: A pilgrim step indexing mechanism provided with oppositely facing toothed ratchet wheels of the same pitch is associated with a single indexing pawl and an associated detent spring which not only detentably holds the ratchet wheels but also biases the indexing pawl to engage the ratchet wheels. The indexing pawl has two teeth one of which engages one of the ratchet wheels during a reverse stroke of the pawl to reverse feed both ratchets one increment and during a forward stroke of the pawl to advance both ratchets two increments. The ratchet wheels may be connected with a platen of a printer whereby a line of printwork, after printing, will be positioned two line spaces above the printing line for easy viewing.

Abstract: An actuation device for use in connection with safety belts for vehicles includes a body of inertia sensing acceleration and/or retardation and positioned between a frame and a transmission element, which is movable away from and in a direction towards the frame. The body forms part of a spacer element assembly extending between the frame and the transmission element. The ends of the spacer element assembly pivotably bear against the transmission element and the frame. The spacer element assembly comprises at least two parts which, actuated by the body of inertia, can perform toggle-joint-like pivoting movement relative to each other.

Abstract: A toothed wheel is fixed to the control shaft of a television channel selector. A second class lever is mounted to freely rotate about a fulcrum colinear with the axis of the control shaft. A remotely operable cord is attached to the lever at an end thereof opposite the fulcrum to rotate the lever about the fulcrum. A pawl is mounted on the lever and has a hook end which engages the teeth of the toothed wheel. When the lever rotates, the pawl rotates the toothed wheel and thus the control shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an improvement in a double-acting ratchet and pawl for controlling the operation of a hand winch. The pawl is pivotally mounted and engageable in two different positions with a driving gear which in turn is engaged with a driven gear operably connected to a winch reel. The improvement of this invention is primarily related to the pawl design and mounting and operation means therefor. With the design of the present invention, the pawl may be pivoted into any one of three principal locations corresponding to forward winch drive, reverse winch drive, and free-running winch drive. A latch plate holds the pawl fixedly in the desired position. A handle is provided for operating the pawl and a spring compressed against the handle operably holds the pawl against the latch plate. The pawl and the handle are pivotally connected on a shaft and mounted pivotally with respect to one another. A coiled spring connects the handle to the pawl for moving the pawl when the handle is operated.