Abstract: A compliant overrunning ratchet and pawl clutch mechanism with centrifugal throwout comprising a ratchet wheel and a one-piece pawl wheel. The ratchet wheel has plurality of angled teeth disposed about its perimeter. The pawl wheel comprises a one-piece circular hub concentrically surrounding the ratchet wheel, and has a plurality of elongate compliant biasing members extending from its inside surface toward the ratchet wheel. The biasing members each terminate in a pawl configured for engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel when the pawl wheel rotates in a first engaging direction, and for sliding over the teeth of the ratchet wheel when the pawl wheel rotates in a second overrun direction. The biasing members and clutch pawls are integrally formed as a single piece from the material of the pawl hub, and the pawls may comprise either compression or tension members.

Abstract: A mechanical winch includes a ratchet lever having a single pawl which may be positioned in either one of two orientations in order to preclude clockwise or counterclockwise movement of the winch, drum or reel. In each orientation, the ratchet lever may also be positioned in a free wheeling position for the drum.

Abstract: A hub provided at an end of a roller rotates with the roller. A stationary cap mounted to an axle of the roller is positioned adjacent the hub. A pawl pivots on the cap and is movable to engage gears on the hub. The pawl has two abutment surfaces mounted. The pawl pivots between a first position wherein one of the abutment surfaces engages the geared surface to prevent rotation of the hub in a first direction and a second position wherein the other abutment surfaces engages the geared surface to prevent rotation of the hub in a second direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely opening a manual valve of a gas cylinder from a remote location. The gas cylinder is first connected to a purge system which is purged of oxygen and pressurized with an inert gas to a pressure near that of the gas cylinder. The manual valve is then engaged with a pneumatic stepper mechanism. Pneumatic fluid is supplied to the pneumatic stepper mechanism to rotate the manual valve a predetermined stepped increment. The step of supplying pneumatic fluid to the pneumatic stepper mechanism is repeated, after pausing to let the system settle, to rotate the manual valve another stepped increment. The steps of rotating and pausing are repeated until the manual valve is opened. The purge system is then vented to atmosphere through a diffuser. Both the pneumatic stepper mechanism and the purge system are fully operable from the remote location. The pneumatic stepper mechanism includes a ratchet assembly and an attachment assembly connecting the ratchet assembly to the manual valve.

Abstract: A mechanically driven ratchet assembly which has a pawl gear attached to a rotationally biased shaft, a pawl assembly having a pawl tooth for engagement with a pawl gear, and a ratchet gear which alternately permits movement when driven by the pawl gear of the pawl assembly from a first position to a third position in which full rotation of the shaft, in the direction of the rotational bias, was permitted, and sequentially and alternatively permits rotation of the pawl assembly either from the first position to a second position where the pawl tooth remains engaged with the teeth of the pawl gear or to a third position where the pawl tooth is no longer engaged with the pawl gear.

Abstract: A slack adjuster (1) for a cable operated system, such as a brake assembly operable by a brake lever (2), includes two drive parts (9) and (10) which are engageable to form a drive connection between the brake lever (2) and the cable (29) to enable the lever (2) to impart an actuating force to the cable 929) during movement of the lever (2) between a rest and a fully actuated position. The slack adjuster (1) further includes a pivotal lever (23) which is operable to disengage the drive parts (9) and (10) during a predetermined portion of one of either the applied or release strokes of the brake lever (2), but inoperative during other portions of the strokes, thereby enabling adjustment of slack in the cable (29) by movement of one drive (9, 10) relative to the other drive part (10, 9) to occur only during the one stroke.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch for a torque converter utilizing a housing having an endless inner surface. A plurality of ratchet teeth are located on the endless inner surface of the housing such that each of the ratchet teeth possess a contact surface. A retainer having an endless outer surface fits within the inner surface of the housing. A series of recesses on the endless outer surface of the retainer hold or confine a plurality of spring actuated sprags. Each of the sprags extends from the recesses to bears on the contact surface of a ratchet tooth on the endless inner surface of the housing. Such contact takes place upon the rotation of the housing relative to the retainer.

Abstract: An actuating drive with a spring return feature for valves in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems includes an electric drive (1), a reduction gearing (2) having a return spring tensionable by the actuating movement and serving for the spring return movement, a clutch (3) between the electric drive (1) and the reduction gearing (2) and a brake device (4) actuated during the spring return movement. The brake device (4) takes the form of a centrifugal brake having a fixed brake drum (7) and a rotatably mounted brake shoe carrier (6) on which brake shoes (8) movable radially by centrifugal force are disposed. The brake shoe carrier (6) serves as the clutch member on the gearing side and has a journal (9) having an end pinion (10) engaging in the reduction gearing. The clutch member (5, 11) on the drive side is rotatably mounted on the journal (9) of the brake shoe carrier (6).

Abstract: A park lock arrangement for use in a continuously variable transmission including a housing, an end cover and a casing having one end portion coupled with the housing and the opposite end portion coupled with the end cover. The casing has an inwardly recessed portion to define a reduced container space. A follower shaft supporting a follower pulley has one end portion rotatably supported on the end cover and the opposite end portion extending into the housing. A driver gear is mounted on the opposite end portion of the follower shaft. A parking gear is disposed on the follower shaft between the follower pulley and the driver gear. A control shaft extends through the reduced container space and has one end portion projecting outwardly from the inwardly recessed portion of the casing. The control shaft drivingly supports a park lock mechanism for locking the parking gear. The park lock mechanism is disposed within the reduced container space.

Abstract: A park pawl in a transmission is rotatably supported on a manually rotatable control rod and resiliently biased toward engagement with a toothed output gear by a spring acting between the control rod and the pawl. A lost-motion driving connection provided between the control rod and the pawl function to permit movement of the pawl toward and away from engagement with the toothed output gear under influence of the spring and independent of the control rod position when the control rod is rotated to a Park position. However, when the control rod is rotated to a non-Park position, the driving connection is established to forcibly move the pawl out of engagement with the toothed output gear.

Abstract: A one-way clutch apparatus comprising a driving member having a plurality of recesses, a corresponding plurality of biasing members disposed in the recesses, a corresponding number of keys or struts disposed over the biasing members in the recesses, and a driven member having a plurality of key-engaging notches formed circumferentially about an inside surface. Each of the keys includes a pair of laterally protruding arm portions and each of the arm portions has a ramp formed thereon which acts as a relief to allow the inside surface of the driven member to be placed in close proximate relationship with the inside surface of a driving member and to overlay portions of the recess.

Abstract: There is provided an improved hand throw device of an electric motor driven switch machine having a ratchet mechanism that permits torque to be applied to the hand throw device in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction as desired by an operator. The ratchet mechanism is a self contained module that can be easily installed to either side of the switch machine. The ratchet mechanism also permits the operator to assume a favorable position for application of force to the hand throw device with minimum stress and strain to his or her body. In addition, the ratchet mechanism has a gear system that provides a 2 to 1 mechanical advantage so that less torque is required for movement of the hand throw device.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for telescope devices on toy vehicles comprises a manually drivable driving gearwheel rotatably positioned on a telescope base body, a rack on the telescopic arm, the rack engaging with the driving gearwheel, and a pawl of ratcheting engagement with a tooth gap of the driving gearwheel for the telescopic arm to be fixed in different positions of displacement on the telescopic base body. The pawl consists of elastically flexible plastics material so that on the one hand it ratchets over the teeth of the driving gearwheel upon actuation of the driving gearwheel for the extraction of the telescopic arm and that on the other hand it is elastically deformable upon actuation of the telescopic arm in the direction of retraction. The pawl then ratchets over the teeth of the driving gearwheel while releasing the telescopic arm in the latter's direction of retraction.

Abstract: An automotive door lock apparatus comprises a lock body having a latch for engaging with a striker and a ratchet for preventing the latch from pivoting in reverse direction, the lock body defining a cavity for receiving the latch and the ratchet, a spring arranged between the wall portion of the cavity and the tip end of the ratchet for resiliently contacting the ratchet to the latch, a cover plate mounted on the body for covering the cavity and preventing the spring from jumping out, and holding portions formed in the wall portion and the tip end. The holding portions having slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of the spring for temporarily holding the end of the spring.

Abstract: A locking system for articulated fittings of car seats with a free-swivelling backrest. In particular, a wobble fitting is used with the articulated fitting and is made up of at least one notch, with which a pawl engages in a locking position, and a first clamping surface as the contact surface for an operating and safety element. The operating and safety element can be rotated around a swivel axis so as to increase the clamping force exerted on the pawl and is spring-loaded to secure the pawl in the locking position by using a second clamping surface, which rests without self-locking against the first clamping surface of the pawl. The operating and safety element includes a catch surface such that, when the pawl rests against the first clamping surface, it prevents the pawl from exerting an opening moment on the operating and safety element.

Abstract: Starting device for an internal combustion engine including a rope pulley (10), a freewheel coupling having a driving coupling part on the pulley, and a driven coupling part on a flywheel of the engine. The driving coupling part includes a ratchet wheel (14) and the driven coupling part includes a movable pawl (18) adapted to engage the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel is frusto-conical and has its relatively smaller diameter end facing the flywheel. An outer leg of the pawl is angled to correspond to the taper or cone angle of the ratchet wheel.

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: An improved non-jamming self-adjust pawl and ratchet mechanism for use in an automotive parking brake system or the like, includes cam-out and cam-in devices that are spaced to define an overlap dwell distance to insure suitable engagement between the adjuster pawl and the adjuster ratchet as a foot or hand brake operating lever is pivoted from a brake disengaged position toward a brake fully-engaged position. In the case of the foot-operated lever, the spacing distance between the cam-out and cam-in devices is greater than the bounce-back travel distance of the lever upon the removal of cable tension load thereon.

Abstract: A multi-position ratchet mechanism for holding a surgical retractor blade which permits a retractor blade to be rotated into the wound and retracted at the same time to duplicate the natural "toe-in" method of retraction achieved with the hand. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet holder to which is pivotally attached a ratchet pivot housing. The retractor blade is mounted in an opening projecting through ratchet pivot housing and held in position by a retractor pawl attached to the ratchet pivot housing. The ratchet pivot housing also has a curved ratchet which depends into a cooperating slot in the ratchet holder and engages a ratchet release bar which is mounted on the ratchet holder and spring biased into the ratchet slot. One end of ratchet release bar is positioned under an actuating surface of the retractor pawl. The application of pressure on the actuating surface will release both ratchets to allow adjustment of the retractor blade.

Abstract: A countershaft type power transmission has a plurality of selectively engageable friction clutches for establishing a plurality of forward drive ratios and a reverse drive ratio between meshing gear members on an input shaft, a countershaft and an output shaft. One of the power paths established by the meshing gears includes a gear member rotationally fast on the output shaft. A parking pawl member is selectively engageable with this gear member to prevent output shaft rotation when parking is desired. The pawl has teeth formed thereon having a profile which permit continuous simultaneous engagement between two teeth on the pawl and two teeth on the gear member regardless of the rotational bias imposed on the output shaft during parking.

Abstract: A shift lever apparatus for use in bicycles comprising first and second ratchet wheels and first and second switch levers, all of them being mounted on a main shaft. The first and second switch levers contain first and second ratchet pawls for engaging with the first and second ratchet wheels, respectively. The first and second ratchet wheels are connected to a cam via a gear set so as to cause the cam to rotate in forward and reverse directions, respectively. The outer periphery of the cam consists a plurality of spiral sectors, each of which having monotonically increasing radius, alternated with a plurality of circular sectors, each of which having constant radius.

Abstract: A latchable tilt mechanism for a steering column of a vehicle includes a first bracket attached to a sleeve of the steering column and a second bracket pivotally attached to the first bracket and operatively connected to a rotatable steering wheel of the steering column. The latchable tilt mechanism also includes a plurality of pawls pivotally attached to the second bracket and urged into engagement with a latching member. The latchable tilt mechanism has a lever which rotates the pawls out of engagement with the latching member. The pawls have a plurality of locking slots which are distinct from one another but which are configured to operate in concert to allow a discrete pawl to be restraining the steering column from tilting in one direction and another in an opposite direction.

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: There is disclosed herein a park locking mechanism for a selected gear of a vehicle transmission. The mechanism includes a manually actuatable shift rod, a pivotally mounted pawl lever for selectively engaging the gear, a rod assembly operatively connected to the pawl lever, a rotatable rod operatively connected to the shift rod, an actuating lever secured to the rotatable rod for rotation therewith, "lock" and "unlock" recesses formed in the distal end of the actuating lever, spring-loaded lug means for alternately engaging said recesses, and an opening formed in the actuating lever for connection with the rod assembly for pivoting the pawl lever into engagement with said selected gear when the PARK mode is selected by the operator.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for converting a reciprocating angular movement into one directional angular movement is disclosed for driving a shaft in a submersible cleaning device. In particular, a positive engagement clutch converts an alternating pivotal or angular motion of a shaft to a unidirectional circular motion of a driven gear. The shaft is affixed to a collar formation comprising pockets in which pawl elements are movably placed. The pawl elements engage teeth of a periphery ring that encloses the collar. The driven gear is affixed to the ring. The pawl elements operate in a dense medium such as the water of a pool in which the device is operating. The water imparts a high degree of inertia to the pawl elements and cause them to engage in the peripheral ring during the alternating motion of the shaft. Rotational movement of the driven gear to one direction is accomplished using a second pawl engaging a ratchet affixed to the periphery of the ring.

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 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 pawl for a recoil starters for internal combustion engines wherein the pawl radially extends into a driving relationship with the engine to be started during cranking and retracts during recoiling of the starter mechanism or upon engine starting. The invention utilizes a pawl having a non-linear configuration wherein an increased pawl angle is achieved with respect to the operating mechanism to rapidly position the pawl during the engine cranking operation, and the pawl outer end approaches a tangential relationship to the engine mounted abutment engaged by the pawl end to improve the pawl engagement with the abutment and limit concentric misalignment of the starter with the engine during cranking.

Abstract: A strap tightening device for cinching an elongated strap to firmly hold cargo in place on a carrier is provided. The strap tightening device includes a frame having a drum rotationally mounted thereto. The drum has a longitudinal axis of rotation and three longitudinally extending slots for receiving the strap. A locking means is provided for selectively preventing the drum from rotating in at least one direction. To utilize the device for tightening straps, the elongated strap is threaded into the drum through a first one of the slots, out of the drum through a second one of the slots, back into the drum through a third one of the slots to form a loop (between the second and third slots), and back out of the drum through the first slot. Cranking means are provided to facilitate rotating the drum about its longitudinal axis to wind the strap about the drum.

Abstract: A switching mechanism for driving a self-propelling agricultural machine, particularly a harvester thresher, comprises a switching lever arranged to assume a switching-off position actuated by a spring force and a fixed abutment, and a switching-on position actuated against a spring force, and mechanical means for obtaining a fixed position of the switching lever, the switching lever being arranged so that it is movable both for obtaining the switching-on position and also for unlocking the switching lever from the fixed position in a same direction.

Abstract: A differential clutch comprises a driving member having a plurality of inner circumferentially disposed clutch teeth cooperating with a lesser number of sprags resiliently urged outwardly on an intermediate member. A second set of sprags on the intermediate member cooperates with clutch teeth on a fixed member to prevent retrograde movement. Rocking back and forth of the turnable member acts through the clutch teeth and sprags to turn the intermediate member. The intermediate member is connected to a driven member, for example, for adjusting a brake, or for acting as a part of a ratchet wrench.

Abstract: A seat belt reel has a sprocket at each end and a reel shaft extending through elongated slots in a frame to mount the reel for rotation. A rapid unwinding of the belt from the reel imposes a force on the reel and the reel shifts bodily in the direction of belt unwinding. A pawl is pivotally mounted on the frame by a pivot pin and has first and second legs which extend outwardly from the pivot pin and are angularly disposed with respect to each other so as to straddle the sprocket. The bodily shifting movement of the reel carries the sprocket teeth into engagement with one of the pawl legs to stop the rotary movement of the reel. Further bodily shifting movement of the reel pivots the pawl about its pivot pin and thereby carries the other pawl leg into engagement with the sprocket at a point thereon on the other side of the reel 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: An electric hydraulic control device for controlling hydraulic cylinders of work tools in a construction vehicle, in which control valves of the hydraulic cylinders are controlled in two ways. For some work tools which need not be controlled smoothly and finely, the corresponding control valves are controlled directly by an electric signal outputted according to the position of the operation levers, and for other work tools which must be controlled smoothly and finely, the corresponding control valves are controlled through an electric servo mechanism which is operated by an electric signal representative of the amount by which the operation lever is manipulated. In addition, there is provided a detector for detecting as to whether the transmission lever is in the locked condition, and electric systems of all of the control valves are rendered inoperative when the transmission lever is in the locked condition.

Abstract: A shock and overload relieving pawl structure for driving and indexing operations in which the pawl element is part of a floating carrier structure having simple and complex multi-angular mobility in coaction with a bi-directional normalizing spring arrangement all operative such that the carrier and its pawl element are capable of multiplex yieldability linearly, angularly or in compound linear and angular displacement from a normal operating position responsive to engagement with or by the working load or mechanism in either driving or indexing action, as in ratcheting, advancing, or arresting gears and analogous toothed and notched members, with capability of relieving adjustment in the event the engaged or controlled member becomes immovable due to malfunction or intentional restraint. The pawl structure may take variant forms for adaptation to gears, levers, slides, etc. in rotary, oscillatory, or reciprocatory action.

Abstract: An actuator (150) for an anti-reverse device which is extended through a sleeve in a reel housing and snap-fit thereto. An elongate body (412) with a head (432) and a bifurcated end defines first (415) and second (416) portions which are assembled in the reel from the exterior of the housing. The first portion engages the anti-reverse device. The second portion is fabricated from a resilient material and includes a lip (420) depending from adjacent its inward edge. The second portion is urged toward the first portion as the body is captured within the opening in the reel housing. With the actuator fully seated the lip engages the inside wall (450) and in conjunction with the head (432) captures the wall so as to retain the actuator. A protrusion 428 on the radial outer face of the second portion engages the wall of the opening to resiliently load the respective first and second portions in the opening and engages in one of two detents to position the actuator in one of two setting positions.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a button mounted in the rear portion of the spinning style fishing reel to operate a self-centering bail mechanism. The button includes a cantilever spring arm that cooperates with recesses formed in the button mounting passage. Biasing means are incorporated within the button to prevent it from inadvertently sliding back and forth.

Abstract: A mechanical, seismic-shock-absorbing snubber adapted to accept extremely high impact loads that may be imposed upon it by reason of its interposition between heavy, relatively moveable structures. While permitting essentially unrestricted, slow, relative motion between the structures, such as may be caused by thermal effects (e.g., the expansion or contraction of a high pressure steam pipe yieldably attached by way of hangers or supports to a building structure as in a nuclear power plant), the snubber limits both the velocity and acceleration of relative motion between the structures such as might result from violent seismic shock or vibration. The snubber employs, as its damping mechanism, an escapement wheel, which rotates in response to relative movement of the structures between which the snubber is interposed and employs a cooperating, pivoted, pallet member of predetermined effective mass driven by the escapement wheel into oscillation.

Abstract: A roller shutter or door drum driving mechanism of the kind comprising a pivotally mounted electric motor, a gear train fixedly associated with said motor terminating in a pinion, a ring gear on the drum and manually operable, is furnished with releasable latch means which secure said motor and train in an operative position wherein the pinion meshes with the ring gear but, when released, permit the motor to move to an in-operative position wherein the pinion is clear of the ring gear.

Abstract: A device for operating a parking brake including a pivotable lever for stretching a brake cable and a one-way locking mechanism for the lever having a pawl and ratchet teeth. The pawl is actuated by the balance of a spring force and the reaction force of the cable stretched so that the pawl is driven into engagement with the ratchet teeth by the reaction of the cable against the spring force when the cable is stretched beyond a predetermined tensioned condition.

Abstract: Pawl catch device for two reciprocally-rotating parts, for example for an awning. The first part has a spring-loaded pawl with a tongue to engage with teeth on a toothed sector provided on the second part. The second part also comprises a shaft about which the first part rotates. The teeth on the toothed sector are disposed at successively increasing distances from the shaft, and the pawl is adapted to catch automatically in any of a plurality of angular positions, such that when the two parts are rotated back toward the starting position, the tongue passes clear of the top of that tooth with which it has just been engaged. The pawl is held by spring force against the teeth in each of the catch positions.

Abstract: This invention is for a winch having a drum for receiving a line. There are two species of the winch. In the first specie, the winch comprises a drum gear and a drum ratchet. There is a driving means for driving the drum gear and the drum. Also, there is a locking means cooperating with the drum ratchet for preventing the rotation of the drum and the unwinding of the line from the drum. In the second specie, the winch comprises a drum gear and means for driving the drum gear and the drum. Also, there are means for preventing rotation of the drum and the unwinding of the line off of the drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a click signal device for a fishing reel, said device comprising a toothed wheel, a click signal producing pivotable pawl, a return spring mechanism and a pivotable lever. The pawl is pivotable by the action of the toothed wheel in opposite directions from an intermediate position against the action of the spring mechanism. When pivoted in one directon from its intermediate position, the pawl acts directly against the return spring mechanism and is also returned directly thereby but, when pivoted in opposite direction from said intermediate position, the pawl will act against the spring mechanism through the lever and will be returned by the spring mechanism via the lever, whereby a compact spring mechanism can be used and different click signal characters be produced in one and the other direction of rotation of the toothed wheel.

Abstract: In an electrically operated dispensing machine in which actuation is initiated by pulling a handle, the improvement comprises a device for simulating mechanical actuation by pulling the handle, the device comprising a ratchet member having a toothed surface and a member engaging the toothed surface as the handle is pulled, the engagement simulating a mechanical actuation.

Abstract: A retractor lock and pawl saddle combination for seat belt retractors and particularly inertial retractors in which the saddle supports the pawl or lock and the saddle is deformably installed in the retractor frame dimensionally supporting and journalling the shaft of the retractor drum and having a deflective portion in support of the pawl so that as the pawl engages the ratchet wheel, a portion of the saddle flexes guidably and the pawl is carried to thrust and lock abutment against the retractor frame. The flexing portion of the saddle supports an inertial sensor such as a pendulum and the pendulum upon movement pivots the pawl to engage the ratchet wheel. The saddle pawl and sensor are preassembled and are then sprung into place between the upstanding walls of the retractor frame.

Abstract: An improvement in a safety belt reel in which a pawl is moved when a predetermined acceleration is exceeded to lockably engage a toothed wheel. The improvement includes a flexible member which is moved when the predetermined acceleration is exceeded so as initially to engage a tooth on said toothed wheel before said pawl causes locking of the reel. The flexible member is movable relative to the pawl whereby any impact between said member and said tooth is absorbed without causing a reaction on an acceleration responsive actuator such as a ball and saucer, or suspended mass, so that the pawl is subsequently urged into correctly phased engagement with the toothed wheel to lock the reel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support means for an actuating arm which is pivotally movable into and out of engagement with a stop element of a spring control element of a spring clutch. The support means includes a frame having a suitable opening for slidably receiving the actuating arm and a retaining member resiliently gripping the frame to retain the actuating arm in the opening in the frame.