Abstract: A bicycle pedal having relative height variability between a clipless binding designed to engage a cleat recessed within a shoe sole, and a shoe supporting surface surrounding this binding, on both sides of the pedal. The relative height is sufficiently variable to allow the pedal to be used in either clipless binding operation or in unbound operation, on one or both sides of the pedal, respectively. The setting of the relative height between the bindings and the shoe supporting surfaces is effected on both sides of the pedal simultaneously, upon a single actuation by the cyclist. In addition, the cyclist may set the pedal to automatically change to unbound mode upon the release of the shoe cleat from the binding.

Abstract: A gear shift mechanism has a displacement device, which can be operated by an actuator, for the axial displacing of a sliding sleeve. The actuator is connected with the displacement device by way of at least one joint. Such an articulated connection between the actuator and the displacement device permits a greater freedom with respect to the spatial arrangement of the actuator and thus a very compact construction.

Abstract: A balance shaft unit for internal combustion engines consists of at least one balance shaft (6, 7) supported in a balance casing (5) and counterweights (8) connected onto it. In order to achieve maximum precision, reliable fastening and minimum external dimensions at minimum manufacturing costs, the counterweight (8) is essentially a cylindrical ring with two end surfaces (61) normal to the axis and with a cutout (55) in the longitudinally central region, so that the counterweight consists of two ring parts (60, 61) abutting the two end surfaces (61) and an intermediate segmental part (62). One of the end surfaces (61) of the counterweight (8) forms, jointly with a machined surface (33) of the balance casing (5), a thrust bearing (32).

Abstract: A positioning unit (1) includes an accelerating nanodrive (2), which has a resolution of at least ±10 nm, a slider (5) and a module (6, 7), which has a stationary component (6) and a component (7) movable for this purpose. The component (7) has a mass of less than 500 g and is movably supported relative to the drive (2). The slider (5) and the movable component (7) of the module (6, 7) are securely connected one to the other and the drive (2) can exert accelerations higher than 10 G.

Abstract: A cam follower with roller of the present invention includes a cam follower body having a roller supporting portion integrated therein, a roller supporting shaft having both ends fixed to the roller supporting portion and a roller rotatably supported on the roller supporting shaft with a plurality of needle rollers interposed. At least one of the supporting shaft and the needle roller has a nitride layer on the surface thereof, and has a surface hardness of at least HV 650 and an amount of retained austenite of at least 25% by volume and at most 50% by volume. Thus, a cam follower with roller having excellent durability and fatigue life can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gear motor (1), in particular for driving vehicle equipment, comprising a rotor provided with a rotor shaft (6), a reduction gearbox housing (14) containing a cog wheel engaged in an endless screw of the shaft and capable of driving an output member (12). The invention is characterised in that it comprises means (12) for eliminating, under predetermined axial compression (F), all axial play between one end (6a) of the rotor shaft and the housing wall (13). Said means can comprise a plug (15) housed in the housing (14) end (13) and a piston (18), inserted between the plug (15) and the shaft (6) end (6a); the plug (15) exerts on the piston (18) and the shaft (6) the axial thrust (7) which is adjusted when being mounted, and is axially locked in the corresponding position by melting the housing (14) plastic material in the grooves or recesses (19) of the piston (18) surface, then in solidifying said plastic material.

Abstract: Energy absorbing steering devices may include an outer cylindrical member (OU) that is press-fited around an inner shaft member (IN). The outer shape of the inner shaft member and the inner shape of the outer cylindrical member have a circular cross-section and the diameter of the inner shape of the outer cylinder member is larger than the diameter of the outer shape of the inner shaft member. A plurality of fine members (W) is disposed along the axial direction between the circular cross-sectional outer shape and the circular cross-sectional inner shape in order to provide a clearance (G) between the inner shaft member and the outer cylindrical member. The arrangement of the fine members may be modified in order to adjust the rigidity of relative movement along the axial direction of the outer cylindrical member and the inner shaft member.

Abstract: The release mechanism includes a hollow abutment member fastened to one end of the flexible outer conduit of the cable. The abutment member is mounted for sliding movement in a housing, but is normally prevented from sliding by a stop member associated with the housing for engaging a shoulder on the abutment member. The stop member establishes a reaction surface against which the abutment member and outer conduit bear when the cable is tensioned. An actuating mechanism is provided to selectively move the stop member so that the stop member is out of engagement with the shoulder of the abutment member, for example by a rotary movement, to permit axial movement of the abutment member in the housing when it is desired to release tension in the cable.

Abstract: A bicycle safety pedal including a toe element for receiving a front end of the cleat and a rear fastening device, which is suitable for engaging the rear end of the cleat when the rear end of the cleat is pressed over the rear fastening device. The cleat is released by moving the rear end laterally. The resting surface of the cleat on the pedal includes a cam surface for lifting the side of the cleat, which is moved away from the centre of the pedal when the releasing rotation is imposed on the cleat. The cam surface is only arranged on the side of the pedal facing outwards (with reference to the fitting condition of the bicycle), so to be operative only when the rear end of the cleat is moved laterally outwards, i.e., distanced with respect to the bicycle, starting from the engaged position.

Abstract: Several embodiments of various non-involute gear tooth profiles incorporate relief areas formed across the area of the tooth face generally symmetrically to each side of the pitch circle of the gear. The relief area serves to preclude contact across the areas of meshing or mating gear teeth where convex-to-convex contact would otherwise occur, thus precluding high pressure contact between the two gear teeth at the area of the relief. The remainder of the contact of such non-involute gear tooth profiles provides conformal contact, i. e., convex-to-concave mating faces with correspondingly low pressures developed between the tooth portions. The present invention enables a given gear set to absorb considerably greater torque and force than would otherwise be they case, or alternatively allows gear sets to be made considerably smaller and lighter for a given torque transmission, than would otherwise be the case.

Abstract: The invention provides a low modulus drive belt for an automotive accessory drive system that allows for relatively high elongation during installation and that maintains a relatively high percentage of its install tension throughout the useful life of the belt. The invention also provides an automotive accessory drive system that utilizes such a belt and a method for constructing such a belt. One embodiment of the invention is directed to an accessory drive system for an automobile that includes: (a) a drive pulley; (b) an accessory pulley operatively coupled to an accessory drive shaft; and (c) an endless drive belt engaged between the drive pulley and the accessory pulley, where the drive belt includes an endless band of rubber composite material having a plurality of circumferentially extending an axially aligned polyamide 6.6 twisted cords formed therewithin.

Abstract: A gear wheel comprises a first gear wheel portion, including first half-teeth, which can be coupled to a second gear wheel portion, including second half-teeth, by adjustable coupling means, so that the first and second half-teeth form by pairs the teeth of the gear wheel. The second gear wheel portion can be turned with respect to the first gear wheel portion about the rotary axis of the gear wheel, and can be locked by the adjustable coupling, so as to change the distance of the first and second half-teeth in each pair.

Abstract: A prescribed volume of lubricant is transferred from a lubricant discharge port 8 of a liquid volume discharge device to a rolling element 703 of a rolling bearing 700 when the lubricant discharge port 8 is positioned directly above and close to the rolling element 703, whereby the lubricant is applied to the interior of the rolling bearing 700. Further the application system inspects whether or not a prescribed volume of lubricant is injected from the discharge device for injecting a lubricant into the interior of a rolling bearing 700.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator system for use in a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a battery. The system includes a starter-generator electrically coupled to the battery to generate a current and to start the internal combustion engine. A drive mechanism connects the starter-generator machine and the internal combustion engine. The starter-generator machine generates the current by receiving a charging torque from one side of the drive mechanism and starts the internal combustion engine by imparting a starting torque to a different side of the drive mechanism. The charging torque or the starting torque is a greater torque. A passive tensioning system cooperates with the drive mechanism to tension the drive mechanism only at the side of the greater torque.

Abstract: A monolever operating device that inclines in a two-dimensional manner including at least a front and rear direction and a right and left direction. A drive signal generating unit contained within a drive signal generating body for outputting two drive signals to components in the front and rear direction and in the right and left direction in accordance with an orientation and an amount of inclination of the monolever. The device further includes a universal joint mounted to support the monolever in an inclinable manner, a mount plate for mounting the drive signal generating body mounted thereto to a vehicle body, and a monolever bearing member provided on an upper surface of the mount plate and provided with lever bearing portions and boot holding portions alternately arranged adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A method of improving performance of an existing lubrication system by use of one or more lubricant injector having a measuring chamber, venting of the injector involving transmission of lubricant from its inlet to the measuring chamber. A method of operation of the injector involves such transmission. Systems embodying one or more of such injectors may include an injector/connector assembly, and an injector sealing assembly.

Abstract: A torque transmission device for providing steplessly variable torque conversion. The torque transmission device has a set of unidirectionally-rotatable, slotted levers radiating from a first axis, capable of engaging a torque output ring which is also rotatable on the first axis. An abaxial ring, which has studs that operate in the slots of the levers, is rotatable on a parallel second axis which can orbit the first axis. Torque input induces the second axis to orbit the first, and the force of orbital motion bears, through the abaxial ring, on at least one lever in a direction opposite its rotatable direction, holding it fixed, and also bears on at least one other lever in a direction that coincides with its rotatable direction, causing it to rotate. The fastest-rotating lever engages and drives the torque output ring. Varying the distance between the first and second axes varies the torque conversion ratio.

Abstract: In a V-belt type transmission having a V-belt entrained on a pulley, the pulley includes a fixed pulley half fixed to an end portion of a crankshaft and a movable pulley half supported on the crankshaft but axially slidable in opposition to the fixed pulley half. The fixed pulley half is secured with a bolt that is threaded and engaged with a female screw formed inside an end portion of the crankshaft. The V-belt type transmission is capable of securely clamping a fixed pulley half and is capable of preventing the entry of dust and water into a fixed pulley half threaded portion formed in an end portion of the crankshaft. This arrangement protects against the formation of rust and corrosion.

Abstract: In a double-sided meshing type silent chain, guide plates each having a flat back face formed on one side thereof and a pair of pin-accommodation holes formed therein are disposed at opposite widthwise ends of the chain with the pin-accommodation holes press-fit with connecting pins which are each adapted to articulately connect two adjacent rows of link plates with each other in an interleaved fashion. The guide plates do not take part in meshing engagement with a sprocket but operate to guide the travel of the chain stably without causing flattering or vibration. The guide plates further serves as a strengthening member of the chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure member for an opening in an assembly on a housing for a bicycle gear box. Said closure member, consisting of a rubber elastic material, is captively connected to the housing by an extension and can be swung open and closed in a similar manner to a hinge. The confirmation can be optically improved by the formation of an upper lip.