| abstract |
The rack-and-pinion mechanism converts oscillatory into rotary motion or vice versa. It has four similar intermeshing pinions on separate shafts, a rack, gear segments, four driving and two driven discs, and four gears. The rack is divided on both sides into eight rows of teeth, and is moved to and fro so that in its top and bottom halves in 12 or the 16 rows two sets of gear segments engage on each side, while in the remaining two gears engage on each side, these freewheeling in one direction. The rack is driven in both directions by pairs of rotary discs, each pair acting on a disc sliding in a slot in it and supported on a spring. |