Abstract: A bicycle rear derailler shifting controller, which includes a base with a coupling tube, a rotary knob coupled to the coupling tube of the base, a cover plate fastened to the base to guide rotary motion of the rotary knob, and a derailler cable driven by the rotary knob to shift the rear derailler mechanism of the bicycle, wherein the coupling tube has a longitudinal sliding track and a cable hole; the derailler cable has one end inserted through the cable hole at the coupling tube and terminating in an endpiece, which is moved by the rotary knob along the longitudinal sliding track; the rotary knob has a sleeve coupled to the coupling tube of the base, the sleeve has an axial center hole, which receives the coupling tube, and a stepped guide flange inside the axial center hole, the stepped guide flange having radially extended straight edges and axially extended sloping edges alternatively arranged at one end adjacent to the base and moved with the rotary knob against the endpiece of the derailler cable to

Abstract: A water lubricated bearing or water lubricated seal using water as a lubricant. The bearing or seal has: a rotary member secured directly or indirectly to a rotary side, and a stationary member secured directly or indirectly to a stationary side and facing the rotary member for making sliding contact therewith. A substrate of either one of the rotary member and the stationary member is a metallic material and a thin titanium nitride film is formed on the sliding surface thereof. The other member is made of a non-brittle material or a film of hard material is formed on the sliding surface thereof. Thereby, a coefficient of friction of the bearing or seal is reduced and a wear resistance of the same is improved.

Abstract: A plurality of sprockets are coaxially mounted together, wherein a spacing between each pair of adjacent sprockets is less than a thickness of at least one of the plurality of sprockets. In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of sprockets are coaxially mounted together, wherein a spacing between each pair of adjacent sprockets is less than or equal to approximately 2.0 millimeters. In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, at least ten sprockets are coaxially mounted together to form a first free side sprocket surface facing laterally outwardly and a second free side sprocket surface facing laterally inwardly. A spacing between the first free side sprocket surface and the second free side sprocket surface is less than or equal to approximately 50 millimeters.

Abstract: A silent chain and sprocket system for power transmission that includes a toothed sprocket and a chain with multiple links. At each point of engagement between the sprocket teeth and the chain link teeth, the sprocket teeth have a curved surface that makes contact with a curved surface on the chain link teeth.

Abstract: A figure-eight shaped drive belt for use within a pulley system, including a drive belt having a preformed figure-eight configuration. The figure-eight configuration includes a first circular-shaped loop and a second circular-shaped loop, such that the first and second circular-shaped loops are each integrally connected at two curved center sections to form an endless drive belt having the figure-eight shaped configuration. The figure-eight shaped drive belt is made from a non-expandable plastic resin material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyolefins, styrenic, polyesther and other thermoplastic resins. Alternatively, the invention also relates to elliptical and oval shaped drive belts for similar uses.

Abstract: A guide assembly for a bicycle chain is fitted to the crank or front chain ring and remains in position as the chain ring rotates. The assembly has chain guide assemblies to stop the chain from coming off the chain ring. By not having the assembly attached to the frame, but instead to the chain ring or crank, the assembly can be used on a large number of different makes of bicycles.

Abstract: A guide pulley mounting mechanism for use with a bicycle derailleur. A rear take-up pulley is mounted to a plunger rod that travels within a plunger frame in a more or less horizontal arrangement with respect to the bicycle frame. A bias spring mechanism urges the rear take-up pulley in an outboard direction such that tension is maintained on the chain as different main gear sprockets are selected.

Abstract: A gas actuated derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member, a movable member supporting a chain guide, a coupling mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member, and an actuation mechanism responsive to compressed gas for causing the movable member to move relative to the base member.

Abstract: A silent chain link plate that has a plurality of rows of interleaved links or link plates, with each link plate having a pair of apertures. Pivot pins extend through the apertures to connect adjacent rows of links. Each link plate has a pair of teeth for engagement with a sprocket. Each tooth has an inside and outer flank. The outer flank has a flat surface which extends from a first end at the tip of the link plate tooth to a second end adjacent a corresponding aperture. Each tooth has a protruding surface near its corresponding aperture defined as a convex curved surface which protrudes in an outward direction relative from the flat surface on the outer flank of each link tooth adjacent a corresponding aperture and extending to a location on the link surface intersecting a horizontal centerline extending between the apertures.

Abstract: A rotary power source and a continuously variable transmission are coupled together. The continuously variable transmission includes a first shaft, a first pulley coupled to rotate with the first shaft, a second shaft, a second pulley coupled to rotate with the second shaft, and an endless power transfer loop coupled about the first pulley and second pulley. The first pulley is of a variable diameter type to adjust turning ratio relative to the second pulley. This first pulley includes a pulley cage including a number of bars radially spaced apart from one another about the first shaft that are each inclined relative to a rotational axis of the first shaft and define a generally frustoconical shape. The first pulley also includes a disk defining a number of slots each receiving a corresponding one of the bars therethrough. A number of carriers are coupled to the disk to travel along a corresponding one of the slots and a corresponding one of the bars.

Abstract: A gas actuated derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member, a movable member supporting a chain guide, a coupling mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member moves relative to the base member, and an actuation mechanism responsive to compressed gas for causing the movable member to move relative to the base member.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) system for use on snowmobiles, ATV's and similar vehicles. The CVT includes a rotatable drive clutch connected to an input shaft (the input shaft being connectable to an engine), and a roller clutch carried on the input shaft. The CVT also includes a rotatable driven clutch connected to an output shaft, the driven clutch having a laterally stationary sheave and a laterally movable sheave that is normally biased toward the stationary sheave. An endless flexible drive belt is disposed about the drive and driven clutches. The clutches and drive belt are configured so that when the engine is idling the belt firmly engages a drive surface of the roller clutch that is connected to the drive clutch.

Abstract: A support body used in a tensioning device includes a support element and a bottom plate. The support element is attached to the bottom plate in a radially and axially form-fitting and fixed manner through use of a plastic element that is molded into place by extrusion. The plastic element engages a groove formed in the outer surface of the support element and also engages through holes formed in the bottom plate.

Abstract: A variable speed belt drive bearing assembly including an enclosed helical ramp assembly or torque sensing helix (4) which is mounted on the driven or secondary clutch (20). The helix (4) includes a plurality of ramps (10) that include both an upper bearing surface (13) and a lower bearing surface (9). This arrangement ensures that the torque transferring roller or button (18) is always in contact with either one or both of the surfaces. The cover (68) of the driving or primary clutch assembly (65) includes an enlarged opening (61) to permit the mounting of a sleeve (60) which slides over the engine clutch shaft (66).

Abstract: A band adapter is provided for adapting a front derailleur of a bicycle to smaller sized frame tube. The front derailleur has a fixed member or tubular coupling member that is adapted to be coupled to the seat tube of the bicycle, a chain guide for shifting the chain of the bicycle and a linkage assembly coupled between the tubular coupling member and the chain guide. The band adapter is coupled to the tubular coupling member to decrease the effective clamping diameter of the tubular clamping member. In the preferred embodiment, the band adapter includes an adapting member and a band retaining member which are coupled to the tubular clamping member of the front derailleur for easy installation. The adapting member includes a first adapter with a first curved portion and a second adapter with a second curved portion. The band retaining member includes a first retainer with the first adapter coupled thereto and a second retainer with the second adapter coupled thereto.

Abstract: A belt transmission having an adjustable transmission ratio and a drive end and an output end. The belt of the belt transmission establishes an operative mechanical connection where the slip can be influenced between the drive end and the output end, where an influencing device influences the slip of the belt means. At least two sensor units are provided and are arranged in the area of the belt and between the drive end and an output end. The signals of these sensor units are then sent to the influencing device to influence the slip of the belt. With the sensor units arranged in this manner, it is possible in a simple manner to detect the actual slip with a high accuracy and to use this to influence the slip.

Abstract: A multiple speed transmission for connecting an air conditioner compressor of an automobile to a prime mover of the automobile. The transmission includes driving apparatus, driven apparatus, and mounting apparatus. The driving apparatus operatively connects to the prime mover of the automobile. The driven apparatus is operatively connected to the driving apparatus for operatively connecting to the air conditioner compressor of the automobile. The mounting apparatus mounts the driving apparatus and the driven apparatus to the prime mover of the automobile.

Abstract: A sprocket includes a body, and teeth formed on the peripheral edge of the body. The teeth have a thickness greater than that of the body. This design enables the use of an existing chain and brings about a reduction in the weight of the overall sprocket.

Abstract: A link chain for a continuously variable cone pulley gear whose link pins connecting the individual chain links 1,2; 11,12 are formed as pairs of rocker members 25. The end faces of the rocker members 25 transfer the friction forces between the cone pulleys and the link chain. The rocker members are secured at least in part by retaining elements 20,33 against moving sideways out of the recesses in the chain links. One retaining plate 20,33 is allocated to at least the outside chain links of the chain defining the chain width. The retaining plate 20,33 is mounted on the outside of the outer chain link and is fixed on the rocker members associated with the chain link with a clamping seat 28-31; 44-47 which leaves the rocker faces free. The structural unit formed from at least one retaining plate 20,33 and the associated rocker members has a design which allows a change in the spacing of these rocker members in the chain longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A double-meshing-type silent chain includes link plates having the identical side profile. Each link plate has two meshing teeth and a flat back face formed opposite to the meshing teeth. Two kinds of links are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chain, while the adjacent links are connected by pins. In one kind of link, an odd number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In the other kind of link, an even number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In each link, the link plates are oriented such that the meshing teeth of link plates located at widthwise opposite ends project outwardly with respect to the chain and the meshing teeth of the remaining link plates project inwardly with respect to the chain.