Abstract: In the indexing mechanism, for producing rotary indexing of a primary sprocket or pulley, a locking bracket is operable to alternately lock or unlock the primary sprocket or pulley. At the same time, the locking bracket alternately unlocks or locks an endless chain or synchronous belt at a locking location. The chain or synchronous belt passes around the primary sprocket or pulley and past the chain or synchronous belt locking location. The chain or synchronous belt has first and second loops between the primary sprocket or pulley and the chain or synchronous belt locking location, on opposite sides thereof. First and second secondary sprockets or pulleys are mounted on the ends of first and second cylinder rods respectively, each secondary sprocket having one of the loops passing over it. The locking bracket is moved between two positions, to lock either the sprocket or pulley, or the chain or synchronous belt at the locking location.

Abstract: A unidirectional power drive mechanism operated by a plurality of crank arms and associated one-way clutches connecting the crank arms independently to a crankshaft arranged to provide a unidirectional power output. The crank arms are able to rotate through full revolution to drive the crankshaft in a forward direction with either one of the crank arms separately applying torque to the crankshaft, or with both crank arms together applying torque in a forward direction, but each crank arm is free to rotate rearwardly with respect to the crankshaft. This arrangement of and inclusion of the various components substantially improves many aspects of energy throughput of human powered machines.

Abstract: A balance shaft for rotating machinery such as a vehicle engine which minimizes the mass or weight of the balance shaft by optimizing the material usage in accordance with the standards and parameters established for the balance shaft. For rotating couple-type shafts, the two balance weights each have surfaces substantially forming hyperbolic curves. In addition, the connector portion between the balance weights has a cross-section with recessed sides in order to reduce the mass or weight of the balance shaft. For single unbalance-type shafts, the connector portion also has a cross-section with recessed sides.

Abstract: Nubbed grips for hand-rotatable bicycle gear shifters have longitudinally elongated groups of nubs (50) that are angularly spaced apart by valley regions (44). Preferably, the elastomeric nubs are formed both on a cylindrical portion and an adjacent flanged portion of the grip.

Abstract: In a vehicle control pedal unit comprising a mounting structure having a U-shaped mounting end with spaced parallel leg walls between which one end of a pedal lever having an eyepiece with an opening is pivotally supported, a bearing sleeve is disposed between the leg walls and extends through the eyepiece opening and a slide hub extends through the bearing openings in the leg walls and through the bearing sleeve and is interlocked with the bearing sleeve for retaining the bearing sleeve and the lever arm in position between the leg walls of the mounting structure.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal apparatus allows the adjustment of a first end of a pedal lever (18) to accommodate operators having varying anatomical characteristics. The apparatus includes an adjuster link (28) having a first end pivotally connected to a second end of the pedal lever and a first end pivotally connected to a first ground point (32). A bell crank (38) is pivotally connected to a second ground point at one end and a push rod (48) at the opposite end. A drag link (54) interconnects the bell crank between its ends and the pedal lever (18) between its ends. The interconnection of the adjuster link the pedal lever form a virtual ground point (58) so as to form an adjustable ground link with the second ground point. The adjustable ground link allows the first end of the pedal lever (18) to be adjusted between first and second pedal positions.

Abstract: A crankshaft drive in an internal combustion engine, which comprises at least one cylinder having a cylinder head, and a crankcase housing a crankshaft rotating at a predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed, and a balance shaft extending parallel to the crankshaft and rotating at the predetermined speed of the crankshaft in a direction opposite to the predetermined rotating direction of the crankshaft, the crankshaft and the balance shaft carrying balance weight means for balancing a mass of first order. An auxiliary shaft extends parallel to the crankshaft and rotates at the predetermined speed of the crankshaft in the predetermined rotating direction of the crankshaft, the auxiliary shaft carrying a counterweight for balancing a residual moment resulting from the rotating balance shaft with respect to the rotating crankshaft.

Abstract: A steering wheel cover for massaging hands of a driver is provided including a tubular body formed of an elastomeric material and positioned on a steering wheel. A plurality of rigid wires are sidably situated within a plurality of conduits formed in the tubular body along a length thereof. The wires are in frictional relationship with the tubular body for allowing the vibration thereof upon reciprocation of the wires within the conduits. Further included is a vibration assembly connected to the rigid wires and adapted to effect the reciprocation thereof.

Abstract: A pedal support structure for a vehicle which can control the displacement of the pad of a vehicle pedal when an external force greater than a predetermined value acts on the vehicle from the front side thereof. The support structure includes a link support for supporting a swing-center shaft of a swing link connected to a brake booster, and a pedal support for supporting a rotation-center shaft of a brake pedal. The link support is connected to the pedal support in a separable manner. The swing link and the brake pedal are connected with each other via a connecting link such that a first connecting pin is located on the front side with respect to a line connecting the rotation-center shaft and the swing-center shaft. Accordingly, when an external force greater than the predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the link support separates from the pedal support while turning, so that the distance between the rotation-center shaft and the swing-center shaft is increased.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal and shoe plate arrangement including a bicycle pedal having a pedal frame and a shoe plate clamp mounted on the pedal frame for securing a shoe plate to the pedal frame, and a shoe plate fixedly fastened to a sole of a shoe and adapted for securing to the shoe to the bicycle pedal, wherein the shoe plate clamp has one end of its front side pivoted to the pedal frame and an opposite end of its front front side connected to a screw tube on a screw rod inside the pedal frame by a spring.

Abstract: The control cable self-adjusting device has an extended cylindrically shaped hollow base body (5) open at one of its ends (9) and a regulating stem (6) held inside the interior of the base body (5) by a retaining device. The closed end (10) of the base body (5) and the front end (15) of the regulating stem (6) are connected to respective intermediate ends (13,14) of the sheath (4) of a control cable (2). The retaining device (7) includes a saw-toothed threaded section (25) in the interior of the base body (5) and a retaining coil (26) connected to the stem (6) and engaged with the threaded section (25). The control cable length adjustment is made by pulling apart the intermediate ends (14,15) of the sheath (4) to deform the retaining coil (26) and move it from the inside to the outside of the base body (5) or by screwing the base body (5) on the stem (6) in either direction via the retaining coil (26).

Abstract: An apparatus attaches to an automobile brake pedal lever in such a way as to allow a statuesquely small automobile operator the ability to adjustably control the total brake pedal length so that he can comfortably remain a safe distance from the steering wheel while still reaching the brake. This control apparatus has a leaf spring element that provides temporary self-supporting capability so that the optimum arrangement can be found before the controller is more stably connected to the existing brake pedal.

Abstract: A choke cover includes an inflexible housing having a chamber formed therein, an inflexible collar member which is securable to the housing and which has a slot formed therein which radially extends from a longitudinally extending aperture in the collar, and an engaging member engageable with at least one of the collar and the housing so as to secure the collar to the housing and to house the knob within the chamber in the housing. A method of forming the collar includes the steps of positioning the radially slotted inflexible collar on the slide member, positioning the inflexible housing over the knob, and enclosing the knob cover within the chamber formed in the housing and securing the collar to the housing.

Abstract: A wind shield for each hand upon the hand grips of a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle is provided by a formed transparent acrylic plate attached to a bracket which is attached to the handlebar of the machine using an existing nut forward of the hand grip on the posterior of the handlebar which is associated with the attachment of the control lever.

Abstract: A kinetic energy driving unit comprises a flywheel (1) attached to a shaft (3) of an operating machine (4). Driving units (2) are attached to a circumference of the flywheel (1). A rotatable arm is disposed at a shaft of each driving unit. Rotatable devices are attached on the rotatable arm of the drive unit. An arm is fixedly attached to each one of the rotatable devices. A weight body is disposed at an end of the arm.

Abstract: A drive system includes a hollow axle with a jackshaft that extends therethrough and is mounted to extend parallel thereto. Bearings rotatably connect both the hollow axle and the jackshaft to first and second chassis portions. A first end of the jackshaft extends beyond the hollow axle and is connected to a motor by a pair of clutches interconnected by a drive belt. A second end of the jackshaft extends beyond the opposite end of the axle and has a drive sprocket attached thereto that is interconnected to a first idler sprocket on an idler shaft by a first drive chain. A second idler sprocket is connected to a driven sprocket, which is affixed to the axle, by a second inboard drive chain.

Abstract: A parking brake control for operating a parking brake cable between a release position and a brake engagement position comprises a mounting plate assembly, an input lever assembly which translates and rotates with respect to the mounting plate assembly, and a sector which is slidably attached to the mounting plate assembly and rotatable in response to movement of the input lever assembly, wherein rotation of the sector towards the brake engagement position produces a tension force on a cable. The parking brake control can further comprise a first rivet extending into a slot in the input lever assembly; preferably the sector rotates around the first rivet. In addition, a second rivet may be attached to the input lever assembly and received by both a cam slot in the mounting plate assembly and a slot in the sector. The parking brake control produces an output tension force on the cable, pulling the cable away from the parking brake to actuate the parking brake.

Abstract: Actuation apparatus for linearly engage and disengage pins respectively disposed along two predetermined (orthogonal) axes using a single actuator. The actuation apparatus comprises a housing and the actuator, which may comprise a DC torquer motor disposed in the housing. The actuator or motor has a threaded rotary shaft. A common plunger is coupled to the threaded rotary shaft that has an elevation ramp formed therein. Azimuth and elevation actuation pins are disposed along the predetermined axes within the housing that are moveable and extend outside the housing and retract into the housing when selectively actuated. Azimuth and elevation springs are disposed around the azimuth and elevation actuation pin. In a preferred embodiment, the pins are extendable into and removable from slots disposed in a moveable gimbal of a missile seeker, and locks an antenna disposed on the gimbal.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, controlling the torsional damping frequency of a torsional damper using a magneto-rheological fluid disposed between a relatively rotating inertia ring and a surrounding chamber. A coil is continuously wrapped around the chamber and provides at least two slip rings for conducting electricity through the coil from outside the chamber. At least two corresponding wiper contacts electrically connect said slip rings to a source of DC voltage which in turn is controlled by a controller to continuously adjust the damping torsional resistance of the magneto-rheological fluid. A vibration sensor can be associated with the damper and can be signal connected to the controller to continuously adjust the magnetic field through the magneto-rheological fluid to continuously adjust the torsional shear resistance of the fluid, and thereby fine tune damping of the damper.

Abstract: A unitary brake pedal spacer for use in a brake pedal assembly. The brake pedal assembly includes a brake pedal having a tubular section which is attached between two opposing side walls of a brake pedal bracket. The brake pedal spacer is inserted within the interior of the tubular section, and the tubular section is then inserted between a pair of opposing apertures formed in the sidewalls of the brake pedal bracket. A shoulder bolt is inserted through the brake pedal spacer and a nut is threaded onto an end of the shoulder bolt to secure the assembly. The brake pedal spacer is a unitary apparatus which provides both spacer and bushing functionality for the assembly.