Abstract: A method is disclosed for constructing and adjusting a plurality of release levers of a friction disc clutch. The method ensures that the inner or nose ends of the release levers lie in a common plane upon final clutch assembly. In a preferred embodiment, a rivet is secured to the nose end of each release lever. The resulting lever unit is heat treated in a manner wherein the attached rivet is hardened throughout its entirety, while the lever per se is case hardened to a specified depth.Next, a clutch cover, pressure plate, pressure means for urging the plate, and the plurality of heat treated lever units are installed together to form a clutch cover sub-assembly. Relative movement between the clutch cover and pressure plate is effected against the bias of the pressure means until the levers are in an extreme position relative to the clutch cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for positively engaging and releasing a roller clutch actuator in a two-way overrunning roller clutch system 10 includes an actuator ring 54 having a plurality of detents 58 for receiving a radially extending, reciprocably moveable plunger 60. In a preferred form, the roller clutch drive system includes an axle case 38 containing a complimentary pair of drive and driven rotary members. The drive member 46 includes an axially extending bore, and the driven member 48 has one end thereof disposed within the bore. The drive and driven members together define an axially extending annulus 51 which contains a plurality of axially oriented rollers 42 circumferentially contained therein by a cage 50. The cage maintains the rollers in uniformly spaced relationship, and includes a friction ring 52 preferably integral therewith. The actuator ring surrounds the friction ring in constant, resilient, frictional engagement therewith.

Abstract: A contact heater mounting assembly includes a single rolled flexible sheet which both supports a plurality of heating elements and provides protection for a high cohesion level adhesive on the elements. The assembly thus provides for convenient installation of the elements to a vehicular window glass or other surface to be heated without the need for removal of a separate cover member otherwise utilized for protection of the high level adhesive. In a preferred embodiment, the contact heater mounting assembly is elongate and capable of being rolled into a coiled form. The flexible sheet defines opposed top and bottom surfaces, the top surface carrying a low cohesion level adhesive for supporting a plurality of heating elements, each of which carries a high level adhesive thereon.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket 10 includes a variable thickness fire ring 12 affixed to a cylinder aperture8 therein. The ring counteracts the tendency for load distribution in cylinder head areas to vary as a function of bolt spacing and the amount of load or clamping force applied to the cylinder head of an engine. The ring incorporates a thickness gradient determined by desirable unit load around the cylinder head areas. In a preferred embodiment, the ring has a minimum thickness "b" at a point most proximal to a bolt apertures 14, while having a maximum thickness "a" at a point equidistant from two adjacent bolt apertures 14. Also, in a preferred embodiment the variable thickness ring is chemically bonded to the cylinder aperture.

Abstract: A normally engaged electromagnetic brake assembly includes an auxiliary cam release device. In a preferred form, the electromagnetic brake assembly includes interleaved and axially moveable sets of friction rotors and rings, normally urged together into frictional engagement by means of compression springs. The brake assembly includes an armature ring and coil assembly, wherein the armature ring is normally spaced from the energizable coil by the springs during brake engagement. Upon energization of the coil, the ring is pulled toward the coil against the bias of the springs, whereby the rotors and rings are released from frictional engagement with each other. The armature ring is fixed to an axially moveable shaft; the cam release mechanism is fixed to an opposite end of the same shaft.

Abstract: A plate locating apparatus for a multiple disc clutch provides a mechanism for axially locating a plurality of intermediate plates relative to the discs interleaved therebetween, and thus insures that the respective intermediate plates and discs will be separated whenever the clutch is disengaged, for example, during the idling of an associated vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is defined by an axially extending rod affixed to the clutch cover, the rod extending through concentrically aligned apertures in the intermediate plates. A plurality of cylindrical sleeves are piloted on the rod, each sleeve extending through the aperture of one intermediate plate. Each sleeve contains abutment means at opposite ends thereof which are disposed for contacting the respective sides of an associated intermediate plate.

Abstract: A steering ball seal includes a rigid annular outer case having a radially extending elastomeric sealing member bonded thereto. The sealing member includes a pair of sealing lips which extend radially inwardly of the case. The sealing member further includes an integral annular protective assembly tab which extends axially thereof and which contains a radially protruding retention ridge. The sealing member also includes an integral retention bead radially outwardly of the ridge. The lip and bead cooperate to provide for resilient insertion and removal of an inner case which is retained against the radial body of the sealing member to provide rigidity of the member during operation of the seal. In a preferred form, the inner case is of resilient polyethelene material, and includes a split body construction to facilitate its installation over the steering ball.

Abstract: A method of securing a metallic gear on a metallic shaft provides an improved axial retention of the gear on the shaft in particularly severe applications, as encountered in gear pumps. The method involves plastic deformation of the annular interface regions defined at the external junctions of a gear and shaft by the application of compressive forces over same, after the gear has been secured onto the shaft by conventional methods. The preferred practice of the method first includes the steps of radially retaining the gear on the shaft via shrink fit procedures which include heating the gear, cooling the shaft, inserting the shaft into the bore of the gear, and allowing the temperatures of the gear and shaft to equalize.

Abstract: A speed change mechanism of the type incorporating a gear change yoke actuated by a travelling nut on a screw shaft has a driven member rotatably mounted on the screw shaft. In juxtaposition with the driven member is a slip clutch also mounted on the shaft, and bearing against the driven member in an axially thrusting relationship. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism is a two-speed axle shifter which includes a rotatably mounted driven spur gear on a screw shaft, with a slip clutch defined by a Belleville spring positioned in an axially thrusting frictional engagement with the gear. A reversible electric motor having a drive pinion engaged with the rotatably mounted driven spur gear, rotates the screw shaft, whereby a travelling nut is reciprocally moved along the shaft. The screw shaft includes stops thereon for instantaneously arresting the travelling nut at each end of the shaft. The impact load created thereby is absorbed by the slip clutch, thus greatly enhancing the life of the screw shaft.

Abstract: An oil seal assembly 10 of the type including a structural metallic outer casing 12 includes a resilient guard 30 for protection of a sealing element 18 bonded to the structural casing. In a preferred form the guard is formed of a resilient, non-metallic inert material, preferably polypropylene, and is supported axially within the outer casing by mechanical interference. Also in the preferred form the sealing element includes both particulate and fluid shaft contact lips 20,22.

Abstract: A speed change mechanism, which includes a housing enclosing a travelling nut on a rotatable screw shaft, incorporates a device for limiting torsional impact loads on the shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the torque limiting device is comprised of two groups of annular members at each end of the shaft for frictionally absorbing impact loads created by sudden stoppage of the nut at respective ends of the shaft. Each group is comprised of at least one friction disc rotatably fixed but axially slidable with respect to the nut, and at least one torque reaction member non-rotatable within the housing against which an associated friction disc is urged via spring. Inertial loads created at ends of nut travel are thereby transferred to the housing instead of the screw shaft. In addition, the two groups of annular members cooperate with the spring to provide a pre-load shifter function for the speed change mechanism.

Abstract: A method of case hardening surfaces of steel parts insures the presence of a relatively high percentage of untempered martensite within a case hardened depth of at least ten thousandths of an inch. The untempered martensite provides for a Rockwell C surface hardness in the range of 59 to 68, and promotes greater resistance to abrasion and deformation. The method also creates compressive stresses in the surface case hardened depth, and thus measurably enhances the fatigue life of the latter surface as a contact bearing member. The method includes the completion of all conventional metal removal operations on the part including finish machining steps prior to heat treatment thereof.

Abstract: A compound transmission defining main and auxiliary gearboxes includes an auxiliary shift rail extending into both gearboxes for effecting joint interlock of the two units. The auxiliary shift rail includes an interlock bracket for actuation of a shift interlock element contained within the main gearbox. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket contains a pair of recesses disposed for engaging an interlock plunger, the recess having an angularly offset axis, perpendicular to but not intersecting the axis of the auxiliary shift rail. In another preferred embodiment, the bracket couples the auxiliary shift rail with a second axially spaced shift rail whereby axial movement of the auxiliary shift rail effects like movement of the second shift rail, the latter rail containing a pair of interlock plunger-receiving recesses.

Abstract: A vehicular lever control apparatus includes two relatively movable levers, a first being constrained to pivotal movement about a first axis and having a multiple position switch affixed thereto. A second lever is pivotally connected to the first lever and moves axially therewith as well as transversely about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Transverse movement of the second lever actuates the switch on the first lever. In a preferred embodiment, the switch is a three-position electric toggle switch for selection of reverse, neutral and forward modes of a transmission. Movement of the second lever about the first axis thus causes like movement of the first lever, which effects changes of gear ratios in a continuously variable speed transmission. The second lever thus acts as a dual function control lever for (1) varying speed ratios when moved about the first axis, and (2) selection of transmission directional modes when moved about the second axis.

Abstract: An improved method of making a collector ring enhances the cyclic engagement and disengagement of a spring clutch of the type having an annular spring compressed between a clutch cover and plurality of externally located release levers. The preferred method is applicable to a collector ring which defines a radially extending annular base member having an integral axially extending rim on its outer perimeter. The rim abuts and encircles the outer circumference of the annular spring, while the base member is positioned interjacent the spring and levers for transfering reaction loads therebetween.

Abstract: A bearing race seal for universal joints has an improved coating member which retards intrusion of contaminants, and thus resists corrosion and early failure. The seal includes a metallic backbone with a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and further includes an elastomeric coating member bonded to portions of the backbone. A preferred embodiment of the coating member includes an integral external sealing lip disposed for engagement with a trunnion or similar cross member of a universal joint, and an external body portion disposed for engagement with a journal yoke member.

Abstract: An elastomeric energizer for a sprag clutch provides an improved mechanism for engaging the circumferentially spaced sprags thereof with the inner and outer races of the clutch. The energizer also dampens sprag oscillations, thereby cutting clutch chatter, and avoiding localized stresses on the energizing surfaces of the sprags. In a preferred embodiment, the sprag energizer is an O-ring contained within an annular recess formed by grooves in the sides of the individual sprags.

Abstract: A torque limiting mechanism provides for a spring loaded coupling of driver and driven friction discs for simultaneous and uniform rotation. A spring retainer system is incorporated which provides restraint against expansion of the spring beyond a predetermined limit. In a preferred embodiment the spring becomes inoperative to urge the discs together after friction linings on the discs have worn to a predetermined design limit. A condition of zero torque is thereby created, thus signalling need for replacement of friction linings.

Abstract: An actuator system for a two-way overrunning roller clutch system includes a resilient torque transfer element which couples a wheel spindle and an aactuator ring. The torque transfer element minimizes potential damage due to misalignment between actuator and spindle parts. The actuator ring is banded by coiled garter springs to provide for frictional resilient engagement thereof with a clutch friction ring, the latter having its external circumference in mating contact with the internal circumference of the actuator ring. The degree of friction between the actuator and friction rings is controlled by garter spring tension to produce desired clutch actuation response.

Abstract: An impeller lubrication system provides lubrication oil flow to a transmission pocket bearing. Splash and spray lubrication oil is directed from the transmission casing to a collector region along a shaft adjacent the pocket bearing. As the shaft rotates, oil is forced axially along the shaft by an impeller fixed to the shaft. The impeller forces the oil from the collector region to the pocket bearing through a lubrication port in the shaft.