Abstract: A foot cleat includes a foot cleat body with a second engaging major surface adapted for facing toward a first engaging surface of a pedal body. The foot cleat body is formed with an elongate lock slot extending in a transverse direction, and two lock holes in two opposite sides relative to the elongate lock slot and aligned in a longitudinal direction. Two friction members are disposed in two lateral portions of the foot cleat body and extend outwardly of the second major engaging surface to abut against two tread walls of the pedal body to prevent slippage of the foot cleat body relative to the pedal body. Screw fasteners are passed through the elongate lock slot and/or the lock holes in such a manner that the screw fasteners are adjustably positioned at the elongate lock slot which is adapted for registering with the screw holes in the bottom surface of the sole of a cyclist's shoe so as to be engaged selectively and threadedly in the corresponding ones of the screw holes.

Abstract: Handlebars are either attached or integrally formed with to the crosspiece of a conventional handlebar, to allow a cyclist to grip the handlebar with both hands in a lower position relative to the crosspiece and with both hands spaced closely together to the frontal profile of the cyclist. This allows for a reduction in wind resistance and thus, enhances the speed of the bicycle while reducing the amount of effort necessary to maintain the bicycle at a given speed. The handlebars enable a cyclist to have greater control over a bicycle because the hand grip portion of the handlebars turn outward from the centerline of the bicycle. To further enhance comfort, the handlebars may be designed to have a rotatable or extendable upper portion, thus allowing the handlebar to be tailored to an individual's body or preference.

Abstract: In the case of bicycles, the purpose of the new construction is to make maximum use of the momentum produced by pedalling under varying ground conditions, load, and acceleration--thus making bicycling easier. The construction has two variable positions which reduce the time during which the pedals are in a dead position (top and bottom) and prolong the time where the pedals are at right angles (16) whereby maximum effect is gained from the power force. This applies if the direction of force is non-circular, i.e. when there is a rise of the ground, and under acceleration as well as "standing pedalling". New positioning is possible in relation to the pedal arm (18), i.e. when changed ground conditions (rise) cause the center of gravity (pedalling) to shift. The invention differs from existing ones in that there is "increased" angular velocity between the driving shaft (1) and driven shaft (2) when they are on the same level and have the same longitudinal direction, which is the case in this construction.

Abstract: A pedal assembly is characterized by a shipping connection, generally shown at (18), interconnecting the pedal arm (12) and the pedal platform (16) for pivoting the platform (16) to a shipping position (as shown in FIG. 7) generally overlying the pedal arm (12) and for pivoting to and locking the platform (16) in a locked position extending generally in the same direction and as an extension of the pedal arm (12) (as shown in FIGS. 1-3) for the normal operational pivotal movement about the operational axis. A locking pin (22) includes a beveled end (36) projecting into the space between the legs of the pedal platform (16) for engaging the arm (12) and calming the locking pin (22) out of the locked position during movement of the pedal platform (16) from the shipping position to the locked position.

Abstract: Lever device for double-action remote-control, i.e. of rigid tie rods and/or flexible cables, consisting of a lever (12) rotatable in respect of a base element (13), connectable (in 14) to a carrying structure external to an operating machine in which the device (11) is contained into bellows (10) connected-to the base element (13) while the lever (12) is connected to a mobile component (15) from which the elements to fasten the ends of two cables (22) for remote transmission extend and the base element is coupled to two reaction sheaths (21) of the two transmission cables (22), three ball elements (16, 16'), placed at 90.degree.

Abstract: A braking force distribution linkage for a muscular energy-actuated parking brake system of a motor vehicle, in which the braking force is transferred at least via control cables both to one gear of the vehicle's transmission and to the wheels of at least one driven vehicle axle, the wheel brakes on each vehicle axle being respectively articulated via a compensation element. A linkage, lever and balance arm arrangement ensures a sufficient parking-hold effect on a road surface with differing nonskid properties, even in the event of failure of a portion of the braking system.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel having a benign failure mode, the rotor of which is constructed of a brittle, high specific strength, isotropic solid.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a ring core embedded in a gripping ring, a plurality of spokes extending in the ring core, a plurality of spoke cores embedded in the associated spokes. A connecting member connects at least two spoke cores together. A coupling mechanism couples the boss to the connecting member. The coupling mechanism includes an cylindrical support formed on the connecting member, and a pair of spaced ribs formed on the boss for holding the support. The connecting member fits between the ribs when the connecting member is coupled to the boss. A bolt fastens the support to the ribs.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal assembly is provided for attaching a shoe thereto via a cleat. The bicycle pedal has a pedal body rotatably coupled to the second end of the pedal shaft for supporting a cyclist's foot. The pedal body preferably has a pair clamping members pivotally coupled thereto. A biasing member is coupled between the pedal body and each of the clamping members. Adjustment member or screw 231 is threaded into a threaded hole formed in the pedal body such that the free end of the screw contacts a portion of the associated clamping member to rotate the clamping member. The associated biasing member is now placed under tension. This arrangement allows for easy assembly of the bicycle pedal, since clamping members and biasing members can be coupled to pedal body without placing biasing members under tension. Also, this arrangement allows the initial tension to be regulated by utilizing thin washers between the head of the screws and the pedal body.

Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a drive shaft and a sprocket drive assembly. The sprocket drive assembly includes a hub mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, a first side support secured to the hub, a second side support secured to the hub, and a plurality of engagement members each interposed between the first side support and the second side support. Each of the plurality of engagement members is rotatably secured to each of the first side support and the second side support. The drive mechanism further includes a track assembly which has a plurality of shoes which are secured to one another to form a track, and a plurality of drive lugs which are mounted to the plurality of shoes. Each of the plurality of drive lugs has a first grasping notch and a second grasping notch defined therein. The plurality of drive lugs includes a first drive lug and a second drive lug which are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A twin mass flywheel (10) having a friction damper (50) and a friction plate (55) with a shaped radially outer (55a) or radially inner first periphery which cooperates with a similarly shaped first periphery of a further component (54) of the damper to transfer torque between the friction plate (55) and the further component, the first periphery of the friction plate comprising a plurality of drive surfaces (55B), at least one of which is substantially tangential or chordal to the friction plate (55). The friction plate (55) may additionally have a second periphery with second drive surfaces tangential or chordal to the friction plate or it may additionally have drive formations formed as axially projecting lugs on an axially orientated surface of the friction plate. The friction plate (55) may be manufactured by sintering techniques or may have a sintered coating applied to its friction surface.

Abstract: A self-compensating dynamic balancer is coupled to a rotating body to reduce internal vibrations generated due to eccentric mass of the rotating body. The balancer includes a main body having a circular race formed therein and being concentric with a rotation shaft of the rotating body, a plurality of moving members disposed in the race and capable of moving, and a cover member coupled to the main body to cover the race. An outer wall of the race is formed to guide movements of the moving members such that each of the moving members is operative to contact the outer wall of the race during the rotation of the main body. Also, at least one protrusion is formed on the surface of the cover member facing the moving members and/or the bottom of the race to guide movements of the moving members by selectively contacting the moving members, when the rotating body rotates while being oriented vertically.

Abstract: A converter housing of a hydrodynamic torque converter with a driver, is formed with a converter cover which is rotatable about a center axis. The driver is arranged at a side of the cover facing a drive in an area preferably extending substantially radially. The driver is in an operative connection with a receptacle of a drive element which is associated with the drive and having a center axis aligned with that of the converter cover. The driver has a platform which is fastened to the converter cover at a predetermined radial distance to the center axis of the converter cover without consideration of the radial distance of the receptacle of the drive element from the center axis of the drive element. At a side of the driver remote from the converter cover, a driver member projects in the direction of the drive element.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for automotive vehicles has a pedal mounting support which is attached to a brake force booster or a vehicle body wall. A brake pedal used to actuate the brake force booster is pivotally mounted in the pedal mounting support. To eliminate the risk of foot injury in a collision, the points of support for the pivot axle of the brake pedal take the form of coulisse-type guides, in which the pivot axle is retained by a securing element, which, when moved by the action of a force caused during a collision, releases the pivot axle.

Abstract: Winch handles for use in manually operating winches, such as those found on marine vessels. The handles include a grip member, a body member and a lug member. The body member is comprised of continuous fiber reinforced composite material. The handles are lightweight, corrosion resistant, and capable of floating in water if dropped overboard of a marine vessel.

Abstract: A hand wheel cover for a valve on a gas bottle or cylinder provides a better grip for the hand wheel and also has a larger area for indicating opening and closing rotational directions. In another embodiment an indicator hand wheel cover has an indicator that shows whether a hand wheel is open or closed and has a positive lock when the cover is in the open position with a release to fill a top portion of the cover and return it to provide an indication that the valve is closed.

Abstract: A handgrip is provided suitable for installation over, for example, a handlebar of a bicycle. The handgrip generally includes a cap having an inside depending sidewall and an outside depending sidewall defining a circumferential gap therebetween, and an integrally molded hollow tubular plastic body surrounding the inside depending sidewall, extending therefrom to form a sleeve and filling the circumferential gap. The sleeve material may extend into and fill one or several voids defined in the cap such that an end surface of the cap defines a colorful, distinguishable pattern, logo or the like. The handgrip may include a hard inner sleeve including a plurality of longitudinal ribs for enhancing grip.

Abstract: A push-pull control cable assembly having a casing of a predetermined length with a core slidably received therein. A push-through-to-lock anchor fitting is provided at each end of the casing. A fixedly positioned terminal end fitting is secured to the core through an end rod. The fixedly positioned terminal end fitting employs a receiver with a blind bore. A slot in the receiver transversely intersects the blind bore, and a locking tab is received in the slot to be selectively slidable between first and second positions. The locking tab has an aperture. The aperture permits a connecting spur to be inserted therein and withdrawn therefrom when the locking tab is in its first position. The aperture engages the connecting spur to preclude withdrawal thereof when the locking tab is in its second position. A selectively positionable terminal end fitting is secured to the core through another end rod. The selectively positionable terminal end fitting has a housing.

Abstract: A curved, tetrahelix bicycle crank arm composed of a helical array of tetrahedra is disclosed. This design will transmit the propelling force away from the top dead center point providing more efficient use of the propelling energy. With this tetrahelical design a hollow core is possible that will reduce weight and permit lubrication if needed without reducing strength. This design is also applicable to the connecting rod of internal or external combustion engine.

Abstract: A cable lock and release apparatus significantly reduces release efforts in cable lock mechanisms, as used in parking brake systems of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a cable actuator (20) rotatably disposed on a cable actuator shaft (26) and having a cable (22) attached to it. The cable actuator (20) includes a sector (28) having a plurality of sector teeth (30). A pawl member (32) includes a slotted pawl aperture (36) allowing rotation and translation of the pawl member about a pawl member shaft (31). A pawl tooth (34) is disposed on the pawl member for engagement with the plurality of sector teeth. A release means is provided for maintaining the pawl tooth in an engaged relationship with the plurality of sector teeth with the cable in the high tension position and releasing the pawl tooth from the engaged relationship with the plurality of sector teeth allowing the cable to return to the low tension position.