Abstract: A system includes a float including a drivetrain, a reaction structure coupled to the drivetrain by a tendon, and an extension spring having a first end coupled to a fixed point on the tendon and a second end configured to be disposed at a fixed location relative to the drivetrain. The extension spring is configured to experience an elastic force in response to tension on the first end of the extension spring away from the drivetrain.

Abstract: A latch travel mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting a latch, the latch for retaining the closure panel; a support plate coupled to the mounting plate by a pair of linkages, the support plate for connecting to a body of the vehicle, the pair of linkages including a pair of arms and a pair of meshed gears coupled to one another; and an actuation mechanism for mounting on at least one of the support plate or the body for extending the pair of linkages in order to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from a home position to an extended position; wherein the mounting plate is moved from the home position to the extended position during operation of the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main assembly, a controller provided in the apparatus main assembly, an operating portion mounted to the apparatus main assembly, a cable configured to electrically connect the controller and the operating portion, the cable having a connectable length with the operating portion mounted at a predetermined position, and an accommodating portion provided in the apparatus main assembly and configured to accommodate an excessive length portion of the cable connected with the operating portion mounted to the apparatus main assembly, the accommodating portion including a space for accommodating the cable in a wound state.

Abstract: A draft apparatus for a motor grader comprises a draft frame, a circle, a moldboard, a circle drive, a guard, and a seal. The circle comprises a circle gear. The circle is connected to the draft frame for rotation relative to the draft frame about an axis of the circle gear. The moldboard is mounted to the circle for rotation therewith about the axis. The circle drive is mounted to the draft frame and comprises a pinion engaging the circle gear to rotate the circle and the moldboard about the axis. The guard depends from the draft frame so as to provide radial cover of the circle gear and the pinion relative to the axis. The seal establishes a sealed connection between the guard and the circle.

Abstract: An actuating device includes a first actuating device mounted to a second actuating device. Each of the first and second actuating devices includes a base link, a first link, a second link, a translating link, a shaft, and a drive. The base link includes a first joint, a second joint, and a base plate extending between them. The first link is mounted for rotation to the first joint, and the second link is mounted for rotation to the second joint. The translating link includes a third joint, a fourth joint, and a translating plate extending between them. The drive includes an arc surface and is mounted to the translating link such that, when operating the actuating device, a position of the arc surface is fixed relative to the translating plate. The shaft is mounted to the arc surface to cause translation of the translating link as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: A durable gear strap couples components in an imaging device to a driving force. The gear strap includes a strip having a plurality of rigid sections and a plurality of flexible sections. Gear teeth on the strip enable rotation of a gear to move the gear strap in a track. At least one engagement member extends from one of the rigid sections to couple a component to the gear strap for movement.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main assembly; a rotatable unit; a first gear, provided in one of the rotatable unit and the main assembly, including a gear portion at an arcuate portion having a center substantially aligned with a rotation center of the rotatable unit; a second gear, provided rotatably in another one of the rotatable unit and the main assembly, engageable with the first gear in a first rotation region of the rotatable unit; a third gear provided at a position different from a position of the second gear with respect to a circumferential direction of the arcuate portion, wherein the third gear is engageable with the first gear when the rotatable unit is rotated in a second rotation region thereof; and a damper mechanism for imparting rotational resistance to the second and third gears when each of the second and third gears is rotated.

Abstract: An actuating device includes a base link, a first link, a second link, a translating link, a shaft, and a drive. The base link includes a base plate, a first joint, and a second joint. The base plate extends between the first joint and the second joint. The first link is mounted to the first joint to allow rotation of the first link relative to the base plate at the first joint. The second link is mounted to the second joint to allow rotation of the second link relative to the base plate at the second joint. The drive includes an arc surface and is mounted to the translating link such that, when operating the actuating device, a position of the arc surface is fixed relative to the translating plate. The shaft is mounted to the arc surface to cause translation of the translating link as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: A baby stroller for transporting a child is disclosed. This baby stroller has a folding mechanism to facilitate folding for easier stowing and transporting. The folding mechanism, a unique feature of the design is directed toward compactness, ease of use, reliability, and reduction in manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A system for laterally transporting a load. The system uses a sprocket and an integrally formed rack combination. The crowns of the teeth of the rack are rounded so as to engage the lower most troughs of the space between the teeth of the sprocket so that a vertical load may be placed on the system and yet allow lateral translating of the load as the sprocket is rotated.

Abstract: A recording apparatus including a stacker which is configured to be displaced between a first posture for stacking a recording medium in an inclined state that a first end part which is distant from a recording position in a transport direction is located above a second end part which is near thereto, and a second posture for forming a transporting path of a straight line along which the recording medium is able to be transported toward the recording position; a first support unit which supports the first end part of the stacker to be able to rotate; and a second support unit which moves the second end part of the stacker upward and downward while supporting the second end part of the stacker to rotate the stacker centering around the first end part when the stacker is displaced between the first posture and the second posture.

Abstract: A joint assembly is provided which includes a drive assembly and a swivel mechanism. The drive assembly features a motor operatively associated with a plurality of drive shafts for driving auxiliary elements, and a plurality of swivel shafts for pivoting the drive assembly. The swivel mechanism engages the swivel shafts and has a fixable element that may be attached to a foundation. The swivel mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the swivel shafts to pivot the drive assembly with at least two degrees of freedom relative to the foundation. The joint assembly allows for all components to remain encased in a tight, compact, and sealed package, making it ideal for space, exploratory, and commercial applications.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system including an up receive/down send customer terminal having a pivot assembly for vertically and pivotally displacing a pneumatic carrier between a vertical position and an angularly disposed presentation position. The customer terminal includes a movable carrier cradle assembly to absorb relatively small impact forces from a vehicle mirror or other moving object. The carrier cradle assembly also includes a break away feature for limiting damage to the customer terminal from greater impact forces. A blower in the customer terminal is operative in pressure and vacuum modes to supply pressure differentials to selectively move the carrier. An up receive/down send operator terminal includes a rotatable door for opening and closing a carrier access opening. A component panel assembly is movable to allow access to terminal components of the operator terminal.

Abstract: An actuator assembly (10) including a motor (1) having a body portion (14) and a drive shaft (16), the drive shaft being drivably connected to a pinion (18), the pinion drivingly engaging an array of gear teeth (20) of a gear rack (22) the array of gear teeth having a first side (21) adjacent the motor, in which the gear rack is pivotally mounted via a pivot about a pivot axis (25A) on said first side (21) of the array of gear teeth (20).

Abstract: The axis of a gear is to follow a trajectory having a salient point. To this end, the gear rolls along two stationary toothed racks. A change-over toothing is provided between these two toothed racks. This change-over toothing extends non-smoothly with respect to the toothed racks. Such change-over toothing permits the gear to roll, without jamming, from one of the toothed racks to the other one, with its axis following a trajectory having a salient point.

Abstract: The axis of a gear is to follow a trajectory having a salient point. To this end, the gear rolls along two stationary toothed racks. A change-over toothing is provided between these two toothed racks. This change-over toothing extends non-smoothly with respect to the toothed racks. Such change-over toothing permits the gear to roll, without jamming, from one of the toothed racks to the other one, with its axis following a trajectory having a salient point.

Abstract: An operator suitable for opening and closing casement windows includes a housing (e.g., a base and a cover), and an operator arm subassembly driven by a worm. The operator arm subassembly may include at least one operator arm pivotally disposed in the housing via a flanged bearing. The operator arm may define a gear. If a plurality of operator arms are present, a sun gear may be used. The flanged bearing properly aligns the components to reduce stresses encountered during use. The flanged bearing may have a base portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion in a stepped configuration. The base may engage the base of the housing. The upper portion of the bearing may engage a cover of the housing. A middle portion of the bearing pivotally joins the arm and/or sun gear. The instant flanged bearing provides a smoother, more efficient operation and increases the useful life of the operator.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a drive gear capable of mating with a mating gear smoothly and a disc drive equipped with the drive gear. A pinion gear 610 is a drive gear to be arranged on an axis for transmitting rotational force to a large gear 631 of a first gear 630 as the mating gear arranged on another axis, the pinion gear 610 being adapted to be mated with the large gear 631 by moving the large gear 631 as one of these gears in a state where the pinion gear 610 as the other gear of these gears is being fixed on the axis thereof.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is provided that minimizes back drive effort by de-coupling the internal drive train of the actuator from the actuator output using a clutch. The clutch facilitates transfer of power to an output gear stage when the actuator motor is energized, but disengages the output gear stage when the actuator motor is de-energized. When the actuator output is manually operated, the clutch disengages the output gear stage, thereby reducing the number of gears that must be back driven by the manual actuation.

Abstract: An actuator unit comprises a worm wheel rotated by a motor and having an output gear, a rotational lever having a toothed portion engaged with the output gear. The output gear has one first motor side gear tooth, two second motor side gear teeth, and two third motor side gear teeth which are shifted in three stages in an axial direction of a wheel shaft. The toothed portion has two first lever side gear teeth engageable only with the first motor side gear tooth, one second lever side gear tooth engageable only with the second motor side gear teeth, and one third lever side gear tooth engageable only with the third motor side gear teeth. The toothed portion does not rotate the output gear when the rotational lever is rotated while the worm wheel is located in a neutral position.

Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a drive gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the drive gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the drive gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the drive gear 110 is in reverse rotation.

Abstract: An electronic equipment for vehicle use which can be properly protected from theft is provided. When an eject key is pressed down, a process controller operates a panel drive part to rotate an operation panel into the horizontal position (step S12). When the process controller determines that no CD is housed (step S13), it determines whether the removal of the operation panel has been detected (step S16). When the removal of the operation panel has been detected, the process controller rotates panel holder into the front-face position (step S17). When the process controller determines at step S13 that any CD has been housed, it ejects the housed CD and starts a timekeeping operation (step S18). When the process controller determines that a predetermined time has elapsed (step S21), it rotates the panel holder into the back-face position (step S22).

Abstract: A gear unit in which a cable, band or similar device is fitted between the drive and the output in order to transform a fast rotational movement at the drive end, which is limited in both directions, into a slow rotational movement at the output end. The cable is fastened at both ends to an oscillating intermediary single-piece divided into two segments, and rests against the outer walls of the intermediary piece and is wound around the shaft of the drive so as to transfer a driving torque. A position sensor is assigned to the inner segment of the intermediary piece, and/or a torque sensor is mounted between both segments of the intermediary piece. A fast rotational movement of the drive is transformed into a slow rotational movement without play, and provides a good synchronization characteristic.

Abstract: A mechanism for driving a plurality of door plates of an air conditioning system for an automobile. An actuator generates a rotating force and has an output shaft. A main gear plate is secured to the output shaft of the actuator for being integrally rotated therewith. The main gear plate has a plurality of first toothed portions and a plurality of non-meshed rotation guide arms. The first toothed portions are formed on a circumferential outer surface of the main gear plate such that they are circumferentially spaced apart one from another. The non-meshed rotation guide arms are formed on a one surface of the main gear plate such that they are circumferentially spaced apart one from another and extend radially. A plurality of driving levers are fixed to the plurality of door plates, respectively.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner having manually operated operation members of an air-conditioning operation panel, rotation shafts of an air mixing door and a mode switching rotary door are disposed in a vehicle front-rear direction, so that an axial direction of the rotation shafts of the doors is made the same as that of rotation shafts of the operation members of the air-conditioning operation panel. Accordingly, operation force of the operation members can be directly transmitted to the rotation shafts of the doors by a simple structure.

Abstract: For driving a slide type air mix door, a driving mechanism is employed. The air mix door has a rack connected thereto. A gear unit is provided which includes an input gear, an output gear and a flexible structure through which the input gear and the output gear are integrally and coaxially connected. The output gear is operatively meshed with the rack. An electric actuator is provided for driving the gear unit through the input gear. Due to provision of the flexible structure, the electric actuator is prevented from being attached by an excessive load even when ill-matching occurs between de-energization of the electric actuator and arrival of the air mix door at a terminal stop position.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a four-wheeled vehicle transmits a steering force through a steering shaft, a reduction gear, a steering lever and right and left tie rods to right and left knuckles. The reduction gear includes a pinion gear turned by the steering shaft, a steering gear engaged with the pinion gear and fixedly mounted on a lever shaft, which is combined with the steering lever, and a gear case housing the pinion gear and the steering gear. The lever shaft has a first end portion supported in a bearing held on the gear case. The bearing permits the lever shaft to be turned therein. The lever has a second end portion supported in a bearing hole that permits the second end portion to be shifted in the back-and-forth direction. The second end portion of the lever shaft is biased by a spring so as to press the steering gear against the pinion gear so that no backlash is formed between the pinion gear and the steering gear.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a motor vehicle, wherein a first element can be fastened to a vehicle; and a second element, which is connected to the first element so as to swivel around at least one axis of rotation, exhibits a mounting for a manipulatable member. The second element is connected to at least one adjustable element, which can be actuated by a drive between the first and the second element, and to at least one friction element, which rests against the first element. The actuating mechanism may be used with a rearview mirror to provide an especially high controlling torque and a frictional force that is as constant as possible over its life time, whereby the number of parts is kept to a minimum and the assembly is especially simple. At least one friction element and one adjustable element form a one piece friction-adjustable element, which serves as the connecting element between the first and the second elements, and the friction-adjustable element is under a tensile load.

Abstract: An opening and closing type interior device includes a fixed member, a movable member which is capable of being opened and closed and is movable relative to the fixed member, an actuator including a driving source and a gear mechanism, and a damper coupled to one of the movable member and the fixed member. The opening and closing type interior device includes, for example, a display device for an automobile.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for articulating a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The liftgate is mounted to a body of the motor vehicle for articulation about a pivot axis. The drive arrangement includes a mounting member for attachment to the body of the motor vehicle. A drive motor is attached to the mounting member. A crank arm is pivotally interconnected to the mounting member. The crank arm includes a driven gear. A linkage includes a first end attached to the crank arm and a second end attached to the liftgate. A drive gear is driven by the drive motor. A clutching mechanism is operative for selectively coupling and decoupling the driven gear to the drive gear.

Abstract: A gear unit in which a cable, band or similar device is fitted between the drive and the output in order to transform a fast rotational movement at the drive end, which is limited in both directions, into a slow rotational movement at the output end. The cable is fastened at both ends to an oscillating intermediary single-piece divided into two segments, and rests against the outer walls of the intermediary piece and is wound around the shaft of the drive so as to transfer a driving torque. A position sensor is assigned to the inner segment of the intermediary piece, and/or a torque sensor is mounted between both segments of the intermediary piece. A fast rotational movement of the drive is transformed into a slow rotational movement without play, and provides a good synchronization characteristic.

Abstract: A drive for a tracked door which utilises a drive pinion which engages a tracked rack that in turn moves the door as it is moved track-wise under the action of the pinion. A flexible rack able to travel on a curved locus is preferred.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gear unit in which a cable, band or similar (2) is fitted between the drive and the output in order to transform a fast rotational movement at the drive end, which is limited in both directions, into a slow rotational movement at the output end. The cable (2) is fastened at both ends (21, 22) to an oscillating intermediary single-piece (3) divided into two segments (31, 32). The cable rests against the outer walls of the intermediary (2) and is wound around the shaft (41) of the drive (4) so as to transfer a driving torque. A position sensor is assigned to the inner segment (31) of the intermediary piece (3), and a torque sensor (6) is mounted between both segments (31, 21) of the intermediary piece (3). In the inventive gear unit, a fast rotational movement of the drive is transformed into a slow rotational movement. This takes place without play and provides a good synchronization characteristic.

Abstract: A rack and pinion with a rack (20) and a gear wheel (30) in operative engagement with each other, whereby movement of the rack (20) causes rotation of the gear wheel (30) and vice versa, and wherein an end stop is provided in the form of there being after the outermost gap (25) between teeth (21) at the end of the row of teeth (21) of the rack, instead of a gap, a “filled” gap or a plateau (26) which prevents a tooth (31b) on the gear wheel from getting into engagement. The bearing (11) of the gear wheel allows movement of the gear wheel relative to the rack in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rack, and by movement beyond the end stop the gear wheel will be pressed out of its bearing, and the mechanism is thereby protected against overloading.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a manually rotatable input member (15), an input gear (20), an output gear (40), a drive link (60), a first planar link (80), and a second planar link (90). The input gear (20) is operatively connected to the input member (15) to rotate with the input member (15). The input gear (20) includes a smooth portion (26, 28) and a toothed portion (22, 24). The output gear (40) has teeth (42, 43) which are operatively engageable with the toothed portion (22, 24) of the input gear (20) such that the toothed portion (22, 24) of the input gear (20) imparts rotation to the output gear (40). The smooth portion (22, 24) of the input gear (20) allows rotation of the input member (15) without imparting rotation to the output gear (40). The drive link (60) is connected to the output gear (40) such that rotation of the output gear (40) imparts rotation to the drive link (60). The drive link (60) has an engagement pin (62) which is rotatable with the drive link (60).

Abstract: A gear drive system for a printer designed to print upon a continuous roll of paper and having a blade used to cut off printed portions of paper from the paper roll is implemented. The gear drive system consists of a drive shaft 330, a slip clutch 401, a clutch gear 116, a drive gear 110, and a staggered gear 112 which controls the paper cutter blade 106. During printing, clutch 401 allows the drive shaft 330 shaft to slip relative to the clutch gear 116. When printing stops, clutch 401 locks clutch gear 116 which is engaged with the first portion of staggered gear 112 and causes staggered gear 112 to rotate until the second portion of staggered gear 112 engages the drive gear 110. Staggered gear 112 is then driven by the drive gear 110. A cutter blade is controlled by staggered gear 112, with the blade cutting off the paper as the drive gear 110 is in reverse rotation.