Abstract: A control system for a chain carrier-idler assembly which positions and controls the drive chain shifting from one drive sprocket to another drive sprocket of the multiple sprocket cluster of a derailleur drive rear bicycle wheel mechanism. A chain carrier-idler assembly has its inboard or outboard motion controlled by the positioning of a "floating" gear from a neutral position to an inboard-drive or outboard-drive position. A movable lever arm (driven by a DC motor) carries the floating gear, and also carries a series of electrical contacts which connect and disconnect with contacts on a baseplate parallel to the lever arm, thus to energize or de-energize the motor. Another movable contact (representative of the position of the carrier assembly and drive chain) moves across a series of spaced fixed contacts representative of the location of each sprocket gear. A power source, rocker switch, and connecting circuitry are provided to upshift or downshift the drive chain.

Abstract: A continuously variable speedometer drive arrangement including a traction drive arrangement operatively connected between the governor drive shaft driven from the transmission output shaft and a speedometer take-off shaft, wherein the radius from the governor drive shaft axis to the center of the traction drive unit may be readily changed by a simple rotary adjustment made through the speedometer take-off shaft.

Abstract: An automatic transmission using a drive chain having traction members engaging axially opposed pairs of conical discs on parallel input and output shafts. One of each pair of discs is provided with torque responsive elements for varying the chain engagement pitch diameter in response to varying input and output torques. The chain traction members are shaped to collect and wedge a lubricating film at the disc contacts. When starting under load the chain initially is in limited contact with the discs on the output shaft and functions as a gradual engagement clutch.

Abstract: A derailleur gear for a bicycle comprises a chain displacement means having a rigid linkage part movable transversely of the rear wheel in a direction generally along the axis of the rear wheel of the bicycle, the linkage part forming a side link in a support parallelogram linkage that includes vertically movable interconnected link portions connected to the rigid linkage part, the support parallelogram being in a plane generally transverse to the axis of the rear wheel. The chain guide pulley or sprocket is rotatably mounted on a spindle carried by a vertically movable portion of the support parallelogram linkage, as is an elongated cap or arm member that supports a chain tension pulley at a remote end from the spindle-connected end. A coil spring normally resiliently biases the vertically movable portions of the support parallelogram upwardly generally towards the rear wheel axis, and various motion limiting features are included.

Abstract: A pulley is disclosed which comprises a hub, a firmly resilient collar affixed to the hub, and first and second annular sheet metal members surrounding the collar. The first annular sheet metal member has an outwardly flared margin and bushing portion which engages the collar outer surface with an axially extending press fit. The second annular sheet metal member has an outwardly flared margin adapted to oppose the first sheet metal member margin so as to form a groove for accommodating a belt. A bi-ended sleeve extends from this second member margin and is adapted to engage the first member bushing with an extended, nesting fit. A groove section is formed at the free sleeve end for accommodating a second belt. A radially inwardly extending free bushing end is adapted to engage a groove in the collar to further assist in securing the first sheet metal member to the collar.

Abstract: In a variable speed drive in which a driven pulley has at least one movable disc biased axially by means of a compression spring, a compensating device is provided including means for caging the ends of the spring, and centrifugally actuated means operably connected to the caging means to counteract a part of the axial bias of the spring when the disc is rotated.

Abstract: A self cleaning pulley for conveyor belts in which a layer of elastomeric material such as polyurethane is applied to a cylindrical steel member, the layer having a plurality of generally longitudinally positioned resilient ribs extending radially outwardly from the body and spaced uniformly around the periphery thereof. The spaced ribs define generally longitudinally spaced grooves for receiving foreign material carried between the pulley and the belt. The surface of the body between the ribs slopes from a point near the longitudinal center of the pulley inwardly toward the opposite ends to assist in the flow of material dislodged from the belt and pulley to travel to the ends of the pulley where it is discharged. The ribs are resilient but firm and are of such a shape that they will produce a scraping and vibrating action on the belt to dislodge any foreign material between the pulley and belt, causing it to be moved along the grooves of the pulley and to be discharged therefrom.

Abstract: A speed change mechanism for a bicycle having a gear cluster of pinions on which a chain is selectively engaged, such as on a derailleur or the like, comprising a chain-tensioning system including at least one sprocket wheel engaging the chain, a transverse displacing mechanism coupled to the chain-tensioning system to shift the same and the chain on the pinions during speed change, and a cap member preferably including side parts straddling the sprocket wheel. The sprocket wheel is coupled to the transverse displacing mechanism for rotation about an axis and the cap member is connected to the transverse displacing mechanism such that the cap member has a fixed angular position relative to the axis. The cap member has front and rear side parts, the front side part being prolonged longitudinally towards the gear cluster to push and guide the chain proximate the pinions during speed change.

Abstract: An elevating scraper having an elevator device provided with a pair of endless flexible belt members each of which is entrained about a drive sprocket wheel and the idler sprocket wheel. A plurality of equally spaced teeth are secured to the inner surface of each belt member for meshing engagement with both sprocket wheels and each pair of adjacent teeth pivotally supports a flight member at the outer surface of the belt member.

Abstract: A variable speed drive clutch of the type including a drive shaft, a driven or output shaft, a drive sheave on the drive shaft, a driven sheave on the driven shaft, and a drive belt for drivably interconnecting the drive sheave to the driven sheave. The drive sheave includes a fixed half and an axially slideable half. The slideable half defines a housing in which a support or spider for supporting flyweights is mounted. The flyweights move radially outward and inwardly, from a given radius at any given instant, in response to increasing and decreasing rotating speeds, respectively, of the drive shaft. Cam rollers associated with the flyweights ride on cam surfaces on the slideable sheave half and cause the slideable sheave half to move axially away from the fixed sheave half, when the flyweights move radially inwardly, and towards the fixed sheave half when the flyweights move radially outwardly.

Abstract: A sprocket wheel for use with an elevator device that employs endless flexible belts having a plurality of teeth attached to the inner surface thereof. The sprocket wheel includes a disc which has the periphery thereof formed with planar and arcuate surfaces and has driver members spaced outwardly from the opposite sides of the disc for engaging the teeth of the belt.

Abstract: A self-centering variable diameter drive pulley, driven from an engine, receives a first drive belt which is also received on a self-centering variable diameter driven pulley. One or more engine accessories are driven through the variable diameter driven pulley at a relatively constant speed through a wide range of engine speeds by virtue of the variable diameter pulleys, one of which changes diameter in accordance with the speed at which it rotates. Another accessory, or accessories, are driven by pulleys which receive a second drive belt. The second drive belt is received over the first drive belt at the variable diameter drive pulley to transmit power from the drive pulley to said other accessories.

Abstract: A bicycle drive means for bicycles comprising a motor pivotably mounted on the front fork of a bicycle so as to allow a wheel driving rotor on the motor shaft to frictionally drive the front wheel of the bicycle; manually operable toggle means pivoted to the bicycle handle bars; a spring loaded telescopically compressible strut pivotally interconnecting the toggle lever and the motor for actuating the wheel driving rotor into and out of engagement with the tire on the front wheel of the bicycle; the disclosure also relating to a bicycle frame mounted battery box for carrying a battery to energize said motor.

Abstract: A constant speed belt drive system includes a belt connecting a drive V-pulley to a driven V-pulley. Each pulley comprises a pair of axially displaceable half-sheaves. One pulley has a half-sheave which is axially displaceable by biasing spring means; the other pulley has a half-sheave which is axially displaceable by centrifugal movement of balls riding on ramp means between the half-sheaves. In operation, the balls are located at their radially innermost positions when the system is running at a predetermined drive speed. Upon increase of speed of the system above the predetermined speed, the balls are displaced radially outwardly along their ramps under centrifugal force and axially displace the pulley half-sheaves effecting thereby a change in the speed ratio between the driving and driven pulley. Either the ramp means or the spring biasing means or both are arranged to provide a non-linear rate of axial displacement of the half-sheaves and consequent non-linear rate of speed ratio change.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a predetermined alignment of a running web and more particularly maintaining the alignment of the belt of an endless conveyor comprising an idler spool over which the web or belt passes and which is laterally movable relative to its supporting framework. Means are provided for lifting one end of the idler spool and lowering the other in response to the lateral shifting of the belt and spool from a predetermined aligned position to cause the spool and the belt to again seek the predetermined aligned position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a Derailleur block comprising a sleeve adapted to be secured to a bicycle wheel hub, a sprocket carrier mounted on the sleeve with interposed ball races and free wheeling mechanism, and a number of sprockets having different numbers of teeth secured in axially spaced relationship on the carrier. At one end of the block there is a cone for adjusting the ball-race clearances in co-axial screw threaded engagement in the carrier, and in screw-threaded engagement with the protruding end of the cone, there is a lock nut. The lock nut serves not only to secure the cone after adjustment, but as an abutment for the sprocket assembly which is thereby readily removable. Both cone and lock nut are accessible for manipulation externally of the block.

Abstract: A control mechanism adapted for incrementally and positively controlling the displacement of a biassed member or the like associated with a bicycle gear-change transmission between a plurality of predetermined positions for effectuating changes in gear ratios of such transmission in response to unidirectional movement of an operator control lever of the control mechanism. In addition, the control mechanism is also, preferably, provided with an "overshift" arrangement which effectively and effortlessly enables an operator to shift the bicycle sprocket chain from one sprocket to another sprocket of larger diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the control mechanism is directly mounted on and connected to a derailleur type bicycle change-gear mechanism.

Abstract: A variable diameter pulley with centrifugal responsive weight means. Said pulley having means to adjust the wear pattern on the pusher ring thru an angular shiftable carrier block due to the inertial shifting between said carrier block and the input drive plate which frictionally engages said carrier block. Said pulley also having manually selectable negative torque responsive means, which in operation oppose the centrifugal responsive means.

Abstract: A driving mechanism for a day and date calendar device comprising two Maltese crosses from which one activates the display of the days and the other the display of the dates. One of said Maltese crosses includes a magnetic clutch serving as disconnecting-gear when the date indication only is changed.

Abstract: A roller chain including a series of inner links each formed by a plurality of parallel inner link plates connected by a pair of hollow bushes. The inner links are connected by a series of outer links. Each outer link comprises a pair of parallel outer link plates connected adjacent the opposite ends thereof by a pair of pins. The pins on a given outer link extend through the bushes on the adjacent ends of two inner links to pivotally connect same together. The inner link plates and the associated bushes forming the inner links are fused together by a fillerless weld formed by electron beam or laser welding. The pins and the outer link plates can be similarly welded together. The resulting chain has substantially increased tensile and fatigue strength.