Abstract: A hinge mechanism for hingeably connecting a lid to a housing comprising at least one pair of pivotably interconnected links coupled to the lid and the housing, respectively, and a connecting link provided with a pin slideable in a curved slot provided in a guide link pivotable simultaneously in a fixed relationship with the interconnected link coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A postage meter attachment or conversion apparatus is disclosed that will convert a manually lever settable postage meter into an electrically controlled postage meter. The conversion apparatus is easily assembled to and disassembled from a standard lever operated postage meter. Each lever of the meter is settable simultaneously. The motion of the drive mechanism of the conversion apparatus conforms to the arcuate motion of the meter levers, thus eliminating the need for precise alignment between the levers and the drive mechanism. The conversion apparatus can be used to make the mechanical meter compatible in an electrical environment containing equipment such as a computer, a digital scale, and other postage system processing devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element of a vehicle which is part of a continuously moving train of similar vehicles, the element consisting, on the one hand, of two axles carrying wheels with solid tires and inner tubes and, on the other, of an on-board shunting device essentially consisting of a bistable rocking assembly operated by fixed ramps in relation to the track. The element of the vehicle also comprises pivoting bearings (6,6') which are part of the bistable rocking assembly (7) and are located in the vicinity of the axles (3,3'). The bistable rocking assembly (7) is operated and locked through an eccentric (13). Shunting wheels (8,8') are carried by the bistable rocking assembly (7) and cooperate with the external surfaces of the rails along which the element of the vehicle travels or with counter-rails arranged against the external surfaces.

Abstract: In a lifting and tipping mechanism a lever drive unit includes two pairs of scissors arms with each pair pivotally mounted on an oppositely disposed leg of a U-shaped undercarriage, a swing mechanism is provided for guiding the movement of the scissors arms from a folded position on the undercarriage to an extended lifting and tipping position upwardly from the undercarriage. The swing mechanism consists of an elongated sliding guide in which a guide member, fixed to one end of one of the scissors arm of each pair is slidably displaced by a hydraulic linear motor. The sliding guide has a first part which extends parallel to the legs of the undercarriage in the folded position of the scissors arms and a second part which extends angularly upwardly from the first part. As the scissors arms open from the folded position, the guide member moves from the first part into the second part. The sliding guide can be formed in a single member or it can be made up of two separate members.

Abstract: A device comprising horizontal and vertical shafts wherein the horizontal one is connected to a handle while the vertical shaft is operatively connected to a movable member of the clutch. Geometrical axes of said shafts are lying in a common plane, whereas shafts for transmitting rotation from the horizontal shaft to the vertical one are interconnected through a Geneva mechanism with a driving member of said mechanism being fixed to the horizontal shaft while a driven member thereof is fixed to the vertical shaft. It is possible with such an arrangement of the device to reduce the force applied by an operator of the machine tool to the clutch control handle.

Abstract: A four-bar kinematic chain has an input member which includes a portion formed with a guide channel, an elongated output member that is pivoted intermediate its end portions, and a link member having one end pivoted to one end portion of the output member and another end portion provided with a sliding block received in the guide channel. A crank drive is connected with the input member for oscillating the same and the guide channel, to thereby effect oscillatory movement of the other end portion of the output member and concomitant movement of an element to which the other end portion is coupled. An arrangement is provided for arresting the sliding block at selected locations in the guide channel, to thereby permit a variation in the stroke and frequency of the movements of the other end portion of the output member.

Abstract: A mechanical sequencer having a rotatable drive shaft. The drive shaft has a spline formed thereon. A freely rotatable shaft contains a plurality of rollers positioned thereon, the axis of the freely rotatable shaft having an axis parallel to and offset from the axis of the drive shaft. A drive fitting has an opening therein, the drive fitting being positioned on the drive shaft spline for rotating the fitting with the shaft. A finger is formed integral with the drive fitting for enabling the fitting to move the rollers and the freely rotatable shaft. A crank structure is positioned in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drive shaft and the freely rotatable shaft. The crank structure has a drive shaft opening through which the drive shaft passes. The crank structure further contains a slot into which the freely rotatable shaft and one of the rollers extends for driving the crank structure during movement of the freely rotatable shaft. A sequencer housing has a track formed therein.

Abstract: In adjusting turbine vanes to control the nozzle area, the unison ring actuates a lever that has one end fixed to the vane casing ring and the vane actuating arm is connected to the lever at a point between the ends to reduce actuating forces required by the unison ring and to permit close tolerance control on the vane angle position.

Abstract: A support system for a boom mounted on a truck includes four outriggers mounted to the boom pedestal which can be folded against the pedestal or extended to provide a wide base for supporting the boom. Each outrigger has an inboard leg member pivotally mounted to the truck and driven by a hydraulic cylinder. An outboard leg member is pivotally mounted to the outer end of the inboard leg member and is caused to pivot relative to the inboard leg member at approximately twice the pivot rate thereof and in the opposite direction. The outriggers may be extended by a single operation of the hydraulic cylinder. The means for rotating the outboard leg member causes the outrigger not to drag along the ground until it is finally placed. Means are provided for preventing pivotal motion of the legs beyond predetermined positions.

Abstract: An articulated master slave manipulator has a lower arm pivoted at a main idler pulley at one end of an upper arm, and a counter-balance mass pivoted at an idler pulley at the other end of the upper arm. A coupling system maintains the angle between the axis of the upper arm and the axes defined by the centers of gravity and the respective main pulleys of the counter-balance mass and the lower arm equal. A flexible, non-stretchable cable or so called tape extends from an actuator pulley on the counter-balance mass, around an auxiliary idler pulley on the counter-balance mass, thence around the main idler pulley and an auxiliary pulley on the lower arm to an output pulley on the lower arm. The actuating pulley, auxiliary pulleys, and output pulley are mounted to have a constant distance between their axes and the axes of the respective main idler pulleys.

Abstract: A system is provided for maintaining a permanent reciprocatory movement of a mechanical arrangement, particularly a pump unit. A main driving wheel is coupled to the mechanical arrangement and fastened on the shaft of a hydraulic motor which is supplied by a variable delivery pump provided with control means. The control means is coupled to the wheel by a drive mechanism which comprises a rocking lever coupled to the control means and a cam carrier wheel rotationally fixed to the wheel. As the mechanical arrangement moves in one direction, the rotation of the driving wheel causes the cam wheel to change the position of the rocking lever thus permitting the control means to direct the flow of fluid from the variable delivery pump to the hydraulic motor to reverse the direction of travel of the mechanical arrangement.