Patent ID: 6722222
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: B67B,Y10T

Abstract:
A machine for continuously varying mechanical advantage of an oscillating crank rotating less than 360Â° (2&pgr; radians) in one direction for linearly reciprocating a driver, comprising in combination,a) a gear rack coupled to the driver inclined at an angle &PHgr; with respect to a desired translation direction of the driver; b) a rotatable pinion gear having a spiral radius mechanically coupled to a stationary member for rotation about a polar axis engaging the gear rack; and c) means mechanically coupling the crank to the rotatable pinion gear for rotating the pinion gear; whereby, mechanical advantage of the crank rotating the pinion gear engaging the gear rack increases as engagement between the rack and pinion gears spirally inwardly toward the polar axis and decreases as engagement between the rack and pinion gears spirally outwardly from the polar axis.