Abstract: A replaceable bicycle derailleur hanger comprises a plate-like dropout member and a plate-like hanger member. A coupling portion of the hanger member is bifurcated to form legs defining a slot, and a dropout portion of a dropout member is received in the slot with a close fit. One or more removable fasteners join the two members at their overlapping juncture.

Abstract: The rotary axle of the support arm device is adapted to be maintained in position rigidly and in adjustable manner at the free end of the arm and the free end of the arm comprise plane and generally axial bearing surfaces adapted to contact corresponding bearing surfaces directed generally transversally and provided on two rings of a removable bracket piece in order to allow a rigid blocking of this bracket piece on the free end of the arm after adjusting the position and the device is applied when an easy adjusting of the chain tension is required, especially for a rear wheel of a motorcycle.

Abstract: A transmission wheel (12) is shiftable in position radially relative to a driven member such as a bicycle wheel. A driving force is imposed to the transmission wheel (12). This driving force rotates the transmission wheel (12) and the rotational force is transmitted by drive spokes (106) from the transmission wheel (12) to a hub portion of a driven member. The radial adjustment of the transmission wheel (12) relative to the driven member changes the length of a torque arm (106, 130) which in turn changes the drive speed of the driven member. The torque arm length is the radial distance between the rotational axis (40) of the driven member and the location of drive force application onto the transmission wheel (12).

Abstract: A drive wheel control for a walk-behind self-propelled implement, such as a lawn mower. The control activates sequentially a transmission ball clutch and then a V-belt drive to provide positive and gradual drive wheel start up. Disengagement of the ball clutch allows the drive wheels to freewheel and permits the operator to easily move the mower backwardly as when trimming around hedges and bushes. The control includes a pair of links pivotally connected, with one link rigidly mounted to the transmission. Movement of a single control cable connected to one link initially activates the ball clutch and then causes rocking movement of the other link and the transmission to engage the V-belt drive.

Abstract: A dropout member for bicycle frames is designed to cause an easily replaceble part to separate under stresses which would normally be sufficient to cause bending or other damage to the bicycle frame itself. A relatively lightweight piece of material is bolted, riveted, adhesively bonded or otherwise fastened to the main portion of the dropout such that a torque or bending moment placed upon the derailleur plate serves to fracture or bend the derailleur plate or disengage the attaching mechanism.

Abstract: The application discloses a compensating mechanism for vehicles having two or more wheels with one of those driven wheels being pivotally mounted at the rear end of a swingarm. The compensating mechanism is comprised of a eccentric cam arrangement for the forward end of the swingarm to pivot on and a rocker arm with connecting members to interconnect the swingarm and the eccentric cam. A method of controlling the rotation of the eccentric cam with respect to the swingarm is also disclosed to allow the rear driven wheel to remain a fixed distance away from the engine driver sprocket as the swingarm moves with respect to the driver sprocket.

Abstract: The invention provides a caliper body supporting structure for disk brakes in vehicles having two rear wheels, which is characterized by including a pipe member fixed to the rear end of a swing arm supported on a body frame for vertically pivotal movement; a holder member provided on said pipe member, having therethrough an eccentric bore; an axle for the rear wheels rotatably supported within said eccentric bore of said holder member, said axle being driven by way of a drive chain; a driven sprocket and a disk rotor both fitted over said axle; a caliper body of the disk brake attached to a caliper stay rotatably supported on said holder member; a longitudinally elongated hole formed in said caliper stay, and a pin extending from said swing arm and designed to be inserted into said elongated hole so as to support said caliper stay movably with respect to said pin.

Abstract: In manually operated mobile storage apparatus which moves back and forth in guided movement by floor mounted tracks and which includes a manually operable drive wheel accessible by the user and connected to a storage unit drive shaft by a chain there is provided a chain tensioning device to eliminate slack and provide the appropriate tension. The chain tensioning device comprises a bearing block with a roller bearing which is journalled on the shaft and which can be drawn by bolts to deflect the shaft and tighten the chain.

Abstract: A recumbent vehicle comprising a single, bowed tubular member forming a main frame having a front end and a rear end. A rear wheel fork assembly is mounted toward the rear end of the main frame with a rear wheel rotatably mounted in the rear wheel fork assembly. A crank assembly, including crank pedals, is mounted to the front end of the main frame. The crank assembly is adjustable to alter the distance of the crank pedals from the front end. A pair of front steering wheels is rotatably mounted toward the front end of the main frame, rearwardly of the crank assembly. A body seat, substantially conforming, throughout its length, to the bowed shape of a portion of the main frame generally intermediate the front steering wheels and the rear wheel, is mounted in alignment with said portion of the main frame.

Abstract: A rear axle supporting structure in a three-wheeled motor vehicle equipped with a chain drive mechanism. A holder member having an eccentric bore is fitted in a pipe member which is fixed to the rear end of a swing arm, and a rear axle is inserted in the eccentric bore of the holder member. A brake caliper for braking a brake disc is connected to the holder member through a caliper supporting member concentrically rotatably with respect to the eccentric bore of the holder member.Adjustment of the drive chain is effected by turning the holder member, without affecting the positional relation between the vehicle body frame and the swing arm, without any inclination of the rear axle occurring, and while maintaining a constant positional relation between the brake disc and the brake caliper.

Abstract: A rear wheel supporting system for a motorcycle wherein an end portion of a rear axle--which is supported by the rear end portions of a rear fork--on the side opposite to the side where a rear wheel driving means is disposed, is supported so as to be movable resiliently in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A bicycle fork end fitment connector comprising a two- or three-layer lamination press-welded into a unitary part. A base plate is cold-formed from flat, uniform thickness mild steel plate stock and has a slot. One or two face plates are formed from flat, uniform thickness stainless steel sheet stock each having a slot matching the size and shape of the slot in the base plate. A plurality of small diameter convex protuberances are formed on one side of each face plate before assembly. The base and face plates are assembled in an electric press welder with the slots in registration, while current is applied to fuse them into a solid unit. In one embodiment, a single face plate is assembled on one side only of the base plate. In another embodiment, a pair of face plates are assembled on opposite sides of the base plate. The face plate or plates comprise a raised hub portion or portions, the opposite, outer surfaces of the connector being precisely flat and parallel.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle is described having a drive sprocket bound onto the axle fixed to the vehicle and a driven wheel with a sprocket on its axle, with the driven chain connecting the sprocket for transmitting power from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket. The invention comprises a chain tension adjusting device having a means for mounting the driven wheel axle for limited movement thereof toward and away from said drive sprocket axle, a fork frame having its legs rotatably mounted on the driven wheel axle on either side of the said driven sprocket and terminating at its closed end in at least one sleeve, with camming means mounted within said sleeve, and means for manually rotating said camming means within said sleeve so as to move said driven wheel axle by means of the fork frame toward and away from said drive sprocket axle.