Method and apparatus for converting reciprocating motion to single direction rotational motion

An apparatus for converting reciprocating motion to single direction rotational motion, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a shaft supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame;
• a first one-way clutch mounted on the shaft;
• a first plurality of gear teeth mounted about the first one-way clutch;
• a second one-way clutch mounted on the shaft;
• a second plurality of gear teeth mounted about the second one-way clutch;
• a first rack engaging the first plurality of gear teeth for driving the shaft when moved in a primary direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft;
• a second rack engaging the second plurality of gear teeth for driving the shaft when moved in a reciprocal direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft;
• an actuator in working relation with the racks;
• and
• a mechanism mounted between the first plurality of gear teeth and the second plurality of gear teeth, the mechanism counterbalancing separating forces generated between the first rack and the first plurality of gear teeth and between the second rack and the second plurality of gear teeth, while substantially eliminating frictional forces between the mechanism and the first rack and between the mechanism and the second rack.

A method of converting reciprocating motion to single direction rotational motion, the method comprising:

• rotatably mounting a shaft to a frame;
• mounting a first one-way clutch and a second one-way clutch on the shaft;
• mounting a first pinion on the first one-way clutch and a second pinion on the second one-way clutch;
• mounting a bearing mechanism on the shaft between the first pinion and the second pinion;
• engaging the first pinion with a first rack;
• engaging the second pinion with a second rack;
• and
• alternatively moving the first rack in a primary direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft and the second rack in a reciprocal direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft.

A method for converting reciprocating motion to single direction rotational motion, the method comprising:

• supporting a shaft in a frame for rotation of the shaft relative to the frame;
• mounting a first one-way clutch and a second one-way clutch on the shaft;
• mounting a first plurality of teeth on the first one-way clutch and a second plurality of teeth on the second one-way clutch;
• mounting a first rack in engagement with the first plurality of gear teeth for driving the shaft when the first rack is moved in a primary direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft;
• mounting a second rack in engagement with the second plurality of gear teeth for driving the shaft when the second rack is moved in a reciprocal direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft;
• and
• mounting a mechanism between the first rack and the second rack for counterbalancing separating forces generated between the first rack and the first plurality of gear teeth and between the second rack and the second plurality of gear teeth, while predominantly eliminating frictional forces between the mechanism and the first rack and between the mechanism and the second rack.

A method for converting reciprocating motion to single direction rotational motion, the method comprising:

• mounting a shaft in a frame for rotation of the shaft relative to the frame, the shaft having a longitudinal axis;
• mounting a first one-way clutch and a second one-way clutch on the shaft;
• mounting a first rack for engaging the first one-way clutch and driving the shaft when the first rack is moved in a primary direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft;
• mounting a second rack for engaging the second one-way clutch and driving the shaft when the second rack is moved in a reciprocal direction at a rate of speed sufficiently fast to overtake the shaft;
• and
• positioning a bearing mechanism between the first rack and the second rack to prevent the first rack and the second rack from rotating with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.