b19bal,
the bernie is a syncro gears, there not star shape cogs, the actually cogs run at a angle compared to standard cog ( ie cycle or watch), the gleeb it straight cut and a star shape, standard looking cog ( as in a cylce cog or a watch cog )
aha your getting mixed up with bernies box which has helical cut gears ,and the likes of the glebe which has straight cut gears
the bit about synchro and dog is the system used to engage the gears !!