Complex sentence: The desired deegree of separation is set and maintained by means a ratchet mechanism on each side of the frame, while in Jennings gags--which are very similar in other respects--there is a ratchet on only one side.
Split into simpler sentences: The desired deegree of separation is set and maintained by means a ratchet mechanism on each side of the frame. In Jennings gags--which are very similar in other respects--there is a ratchet on only one side.