Abstract: In a vehicle travelling by use of a travelling drive source such as an engine or a motor, the gear shift ratio of a continuously variable transmission B can be changed by increasing or decreasing the width of a groove in a driving pulley 19 of the continuously variable transmission B by a gear shift ratio changing device 61 using a motor 62 as a drive source. The motor 62 is controlled on the basis of output signals from a throttle opening degree sensor, an engine rotational speed sensor and a vehicle speed sensor, thereby enabling an energy-saving travelling suited to an operational condition of the travelling drive source or a travelling condition of the vehicle. The gear shift ratio changing device 61 is supported in a floating manner within a casing 3, 8 for the continuously variable transmission B.

Abstract: A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission comprising a hydraulic pump having a pump cylinder, a hydraulic motor having a motor cylinder and a hydraulic closed circuit between the pump and motor, wherein the pump cylinder and motor cylinder are connected integrally rotatably to form a transmission member, one of input and output sections of the transmission being formed on the outer periphery of one of the cylinders and the other of the sections being formed by a transmission shaft which relatively rotatably carries the cylinders. The hydraulic closed circuit includes groups of first and second distributor valves for controlling transfer of working oil between the pump and motor through oil passages and first and second valve driving means for driving these groups of valves are arranged such that one is inside and the other is outside of a cylinder block formed of the pump and motor cylinders. This allows a transmission to have a compact size and a high industrial utility.

Abstract: In a motorcycle of the type including a transmission case provided on one side of a body frame, and a transmission and a gear type deceleration unit housed in the case for transmitting a driving force from an engine to an axle of the rear wheel an antilock controlling device for controlling a braking hydraulic pressure for the rear wheel includes a wheel deceleration sensor operatively connected with the rear wheel, and a casing for accommodating the antilock controlling device is attached to the transmission case. The wheel deceleration sensor includes a driving shaft having a pinion coupled thereto, and the pinion meshes with a final gear of the gear type deceleration unit. With this construction, there is no need of providing any exclusive overdrive device for the sensor, and a complication in the structure surrounding the rear wheel is avoided.

Abstract: An air intake system is combined with a power unit cooling system in a motor scooter. An air cleaner is disposed within the power unit casing and an outlet from the power unit is connected directly to the engine.

Abstract: A drive system for an engine-driven light vehicle which transmits the engine rotation to a wheel of the vehicle through a friction roller during normal engine operation, and transmits the wheel rotation to the engine through the friction roller to start the engine. The friction roller has its drive shaft disposed parallel with the crankshaft of the engine, between which shafts is interposed a power transmission means, e.g. a gear train meshing with each other. At least one gear of the gear train is rotatably fitted on the crankshaft, with which engages a one-way clutch for transmitting the drive shaft rotation to the crankshaft with a ratio of speed change preset for the start of the engine. A planetary gear is coupled to the gear train for transmitting the crankshaft rotation to the drive shaft through the gear train with a large reduction ratio.

Abstract: A bicycle has an auxiliary engine, a wheel, and a clutch mechanism disposed between the auxiliary engine and the wheel for enabling and disabling power transmission between the auxiliary engine and the wheel to select one of a pedal-propelled drive mode and an engine-propelled drive mode of the bicycle. The bicycle includes a clutch lever for connecting and disconnecting the clutch mechanism, a throttle lever for controlling a throttle valve of the engine, a switching mechanism for connecting the clutch mechanism in coaction with the throttle lever when the clutch mechanism is disconnected, and an engine starting circuit closable and openable in response to connection and disconnection of the clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism can be connected in response to operation of the throttle lever, the engine can be started when the clutch mechanism is connected, and the engine can be rendered inoperative in response to operation of the clutch lever.

Abstract: A vehicle having a pair of transversely spaced apart wheels, and a driving unit disposed between such wheels; at least the heat generating parts of the driving unit, such as an engine cylinder, being confined within an area defined by and between the contour of such wheels in profile. With such arrangement, protection of the driving unit, compact construction thereof, and effective utilization of the dead space in the vehicle can be attained.

Abstract: A parking lock system for a three-wheeled vehicle having front and rear vehicle bodies interconnected so as to be capable of rolling relative to each other. The parking lock system comprises a first engagement member mounted on one of the vehicle bodies so as to be rollable substantially integrally therewith, and a second engagement member provided for the other of the vehicle bodies so as to be rollable substantially integrally therewith and engageable with the first engagement member in at least one predetermined relative position only, such engagement serving to lock the relative rolling. The system also includes a wheel lock mechanism for locking the rotation of at least one road wheel of the vehicle, a cable member adapted to be pulled to actuate both the second engagement member and the wheel lock mechanism; and an engagement assuring mechanism for assuring the engagement between the first and second engagement members while the cable member is pulled.

Abstract: A breather passage is provided to perform breathing function for both two casings, one being a first casing housing therein a power-transmission means and the other being a second casing housing therein a gear-transmission mechanism. The breather passage is defined between interfacing surfaces of a main body and a cover those providing the second casing. A gasket is interposed between the main body and the cover so as to devide the breather passage into two passages. The breather passage has one end formed with a first breather hole opened to an atmosphere and the other end formed with a second breather hole opened to an interior of said second casing. The breather passage is further formed with a branch passage at the position rearward from said second breather hole to permit liquid communication between an interior of the first casing and the atmosphere.

Abstract: A drive unit for a vehicle having two juxtaposed drive wheels comprises an engine, an axle for supporting on its ends the drive wheels, a final output gear operatively coupled with the engine and mounted on the axle adjacent to one of the drive wheels, and a power transmitting assembly mounted on the axle adjacent to the other drive wheel, the engine being located between the final output gear and the power transmitting assembly. A crankshaft extends parallel to the axle and supports on one end a flywheel for a generator and on the other end a clutch including a speed changing device. The drive unit is unitized, compact in size, simple in structure, and requires a minimum number of parts.

Abstract: An automatic regulator for an internally expanding drum brake capable of automatically controlling the amount of play or ineffective stroke of a brake wire to a predetermined value so that an intended braking effect can be always produced with a definite stroke of the brake wire irrespective of wear on the linings of brake shoes or permanent expansion of the brake wire. A brake lever is operatinely connected with the brake shoes housed in a brake drum so that the brake lever is pivoted by operation of the brake wire to outwardly expand the brake shoes to place the shoe linings into frictional engagement with a brake surface of the brake drum. The return angle of the brake lever upon a brake releasing operation is rendered constant by a stopper mechanism. The brake wire comprises an inner wire member connected to the brake lever, and an outer wire member slidably fitted over the inner member and urged by a compression spring in a direction away from the brake lever.

Abstract: A drive unit for a vehicle having two juxtaposed drive wheels comprises an engine, an axle for supporting on its ends the drive wheels, a final output gear operatively coupled with the engine and mounted on the axle adjacent to one of the drive wheels, and a power transmitting assembly mounted on the axle adjacent to the other drive wheel, the engine being located between the final output gear and the power transmitting assembly. A crankshaft extends parallel to the axle and supports on one end a flywheel for a generator and on the other end a clutch including a speed changing device. The drive unit is unitized, compact in size, simple in structure, and requires a minimum number of parts.

Abstract: A parking apparatus for a three-wheeled motorized vehicle having one front wheel, two rear wheels, and a front body portion which is transversely swingable relative to a rear body portion. The apparatus comprises a locking mechanism provided between the front and rear vehicle body portions for disabling the front body portion from swinging, a parking brake mechanism operatively cooperating with a normal wheel brake, or alternatively being independent thereof, and a common operating member for operating both the locking and parking brake mechanisms simultaneously.

Abstract: A starter device for an internal combustion engine which includes a starter motor, a pinion shaft rotated by the starter motor, a movable cylindrical member fitted on the pinion shaft and coupled thereto by a helical spline coupling, a pinion gear fitted for free rotation on the pinion shaft, a unidirectional clutch provided between the pinion gear and the movable cylindrical member, and the pinion gear and movable cylindrical member being coupled together for axial movement in unison with each other.

Abstract: A chain noise preventing device wherein a cushioning ring, having an outside diameter larger than that of a semicircular inscribed circle of chain formed when the chain meshes with a sprocket, is arranged on at least one side surface of the sprocket.

Abstract: An engine starting device for starting an engine by connecting an output member on the side of a spiral spring and an input member on the side of the engine with each other when the force accumulation by the spring is released. A driving member is driven by the output of the engine. An automatic force accumulating operation for the spiral spring is driven by the driving member. A one-way clutch mechanism connects the automatic force accumulating operation means in a winding pressure accumulating mechanism for the spiral spring with each other.

Abstract: An operating device selectively connects and disconnects a first operating system with a second operating system. The first operating system has a frequently used operating piece, such as a brake lever. The second operating system would conventionally have an infrequently used operating piece, such as a starting lever. Switching means selectively connects and disconnects the first and second operating systems so that the systems may be operated simultaneously or separately by the operation of a single operating piece, such as a brake lever.

Abstract: An engine starting device for starting an engine by connecting an output member on the side of a spiral spring and an input member on the side of the engine with each other when the force accumulation by the spring is released. A driving member is driven by the output of the engine. An automatic force accumulating operation mechanism for the spiral spring is driven by the driving member. A one-way clutch connects the automatic force accumulating operation mechanism in a winding pressure accumulating mechanism for the spiral spring with each other.

Abstract: An improved engine starting device for a motorcycle of the kick pedal type is provided which is easy to operate, does not require any large force of operation and is thus particularly suitable for an unskilled and powerless person such as a woman or girl to operate. To this end, the device includes a spiral spring which is operatively associated with an engine crankshaft and with a pedal arm so that it can rotate the crankshaft for engine cranking by releasing its spring force or energy previously accumulated by several repetitive swing motions of the pedal arm due to the rider's foot operation. The device also provides improved safety in engine starting operation by preventing the motorcycle from starting to run unintendedly even where the engine is started with the engine throttle valve being opened excessively.