Abstract: A bicycle transmission control device comprises a controller configured to control an operating speed of a bicycle derailleur based on a running speed of a bicycle and a gear ratio of the bicycle.

Abstract: Improvements in a rower with articulating footpads. The footpads have first (raised) position that uncovers wheels that allow for easy transportation of the rowing machine from one location to another. In this position the footpads are prevented from dragging on the floor when the rowing machine is being transported. The second position of the footpads rotate over the structural stability frame member. This orientation provides two flat surfaces for the user to stand upon. The footpads have a rear lip to locate the back or heels of the user. A strap is pulled from a loading mechanism and is guided out of the loading system to allow the strap to be pulled out of the loading system from a variety of angles.

Abstract: A belt assembly includes a belt, a plurality of support rollers, and a shaft-end retainer. The belt is formed into an endless loop, entrained about and stretched taut between the plurality of support rollers with a rotary shaft. The plurality of support rollers includes a first support roller and a second support roller. The shaft-end retainer including a first retainer and a second retainer is disposed at each end of the rotary shaft of the plurality of support rollers. The first retainer detachably holds an end of the rotary shaft of the first support roller. The second retainer detachably holds an end of the rotary shaft of the second support roller and includes a second-retainer opening from which the end of the rotary shaft of the second roller is detachable from and attachable to the second retainer in a direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft of the second support roller.

Abstract: A self-correcting conveyor facility has a conveyor belt for transporting flat objects, in particular mail items. The self-conveying correcting conveyor facility has an elastic conveyor belt for transporting flat objects, in particular mail items. The conveyor belt rests on a correction roller, which is supported in a rotatable manner in a roller support. The roller support is supported in a fixed support in such a manner that it can be rotated about a support rotation axis. The fixed support is arranged in such a manner that an angle results between the support rotation axis and the belt axis of the conveyor belt. Displacement of the conveyor belt causes rotation of the correction roller. This rotation stretches the conveyor belt. The rotation produces a restoring force, which displaces the conveyor belt back.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a belt drive system of an agricultural machine, the roller assembly having a shaft, a roller rotatably mounted on the shaft, and adjustment means for adjusting the position of the shaft. The adjustment means includes means for angular adjustment of the position of the shaft in two distinct directions.

Abstract: A tensioning device (32) for tensioning at least two, substantially length-invariant belts (18, 24) includes a first belt (18) guided about a first axis (A), which repeatedly guides an adjusting movement in an adjustment direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the first axis (A). In addition, the first belt (18) and a second belt (24) are guided about a common second axis (B), whereby the tensioning directions (V18, V24) of the first belt (18) and of the second belt (24) in a region of the second axis (B) forms a varying angle of between 0° and 180°.

Abstract: An engine accessory belt drive includes a self-aligning pulley assembly including a relatively stationary outer assembly and a universally pivotable inner assembly supported by the outer assembly and able to be locked in position by tightening of a fastener. During alignment of the self-aligning pulley with the belt, the fastener is maintained in the loose position, allowing limited universal pivoting of the rotational axis of the pulley as a result of belt tension forces which act to align the pulley. After the pulley is aligned, the fastener is tightened to fix the rotational axis of the pulley and the inner assembly in the aligned position of the pulley. Features of the inner and outer assemblies of the pulley assembly are also described.

Abstract: A tensioning device (32) for tensioning at least two, substantially length-invariant belts (18, 24) includes a first belt (18) guided about a first axis (A), which repeatedly guides an adjusting movement in an adjustment direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the first axis (A). In addition, the first belt (18) and a second belt (24) are guided about a common second axis (B), whereby the tensioning directions (V18, V24) of the first belt (18) and of the second belt (24) in a region of the second axis (B) forms a varying angle of between 0° and 180°.

Abstract: An independently steerable tube stock idler pulley for simplifying tracking adjustments of a belt, wherein the pulley is rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft supported at its ends by such as pillow blocks or the like, with a pair of roller bearings for permitting rotational movement of the pulley relative to the shaft and a pair of steering bushings each mounted within a bearing and keyed to the shaft, the steering bushings each having a bore which is offset and non-concentric relative to the outer diameter of the bushing, one bushing being rotated 180.degree. out of phase relative to the other bushing for inducing an angle into the pulley relative to the axis of rotation and locking mechanism for selectively locking the shaft against rotation, with the angle of the pulley being alterable by loosening the locking mechanism and rotating the shaft following which the locking mechanism is secured.

Abstract: A front derailleur for a bicycle has a four-point link mechanism, and a control cable is attached by a screw to an end of a connecting arm fixed to one link of the four-point link mechanism. The connecting arm has an auxiliary projection. The control cable applies a torque to the link at a point of contact between the control cable and the auxiliary projection. The screw on the connecting arm is spaced from a chain guide which contacts a chain, to facilitate an operation to attach the control cable to the connecting arm.

Abstract: A system to support a moving photoreceptor belt in an electrophotographic printing machine while minimizing lateral forces applied thereon. Pairs of idler rolls are located in contact with the inner surface of the belt in an arrangement in which the axes of rotation of the idlers are skewed in substantially equal but opposite angles from a direction perpendicular to the direction of belt motion. As the resultant lateral forces between the belt and rolls act in a direction nearly parallel to the axes of rotation of the idlers, the opposing skew essentially cancels the side force of each pair of idlers which promotes good belt tracking. As the idlers are freely rotating, drag and tensioning forces on the belt are also minimized.

Abstract: An electronic, automatic bicycle transmission that compensates gear ratios according to changes in pedaling pressure and pedaling speed.A drive belt rides upon smooth, cone shaped surfaces at the pedals and rear wheel. Placement of the belt upon the cones is controlled by two roller guides. Speed and pressure sensors located in the front roller guide monitor tension and movement of the drive belt.The belt speed and pressure information is inputed to a central processing unit. If the values of these parameters fall outside predetermined limits, the central processing unit activates reversible electric motors to move the two roller guides. This changes the location of the belt on the cones, thus altering the apparent diameters and resulting in a more desirable gear ratio. The parameters of pedaling pressure and pedaling speed are then restored to within their predetermined comfort ranges.

Abstract: A belt driving system having at least one roller for adjusting creep within a plurality of rollers. Creep detecting means provided at one end of the creep adjusting roller is rotated by torque of a flat belt in contact with the creep detecting means. Biasing means for biasing the flat belt toward the creep detecting means and roller-end displacing means for converting the torque of the creep detecting means to displacement of the end of the creep adjusting roller toward a predetermined direction so that the flat belt is moved to the direction contrary to the creep caused by the biasing means are provided. When the flat belt creeps, the creep contrary to the original creep is caused by the roller-end displacing means, and thus the original creep is compensated. Consequently, stable running of the flat belt is obtained and clear pictures of the electrophotographic machine can be also obtained.

Abstract: The inventive device includes a support shaft having a longitudinal axis with a locus that does not change, including when the shaft is positionally rotated about such axis. A collar is mounted on the shaft for supporting an idler pulley having an axis of rotation. An indexing plate is also mounted on the shaft for maintaining a selected position of the collar, the angular position of which is adjustable. An indexing surface is in position-affecting relationship to the collar and defines a plane oriented at an angle with respect to the shaft axis. This angle is adjustable for selecting the position of the collar. The device permits the locus of the axis of rotation of the idler pulley to be selected to maintain alignment of a belt with a driving pulley, thereby preventing such belt from becoming disengaged from the driving pulley.

Abstract: A roll mill stand comprising a main roll mounted in bearings encompassed by pads, and an auxiliary roll with a strip passed between the rolls. The pads and the auxiliary roll are movable on guides provided on the housing. The stand further includes a mechanism to control the profile and shape of the strip. The mechanism comprises a drive, a crosspiece with a groove, which is movable on the guides of the housing, a wedge received in the groove of the crosspiece and connected to the drive, and two cams installed in channels provided in the walls of the groove of the crosspiece. The wedge is conjugated with a collet which is mechanically coupled to the crosspiece, encompasses the auxiliary roll and has two grooves, and with two inserts, each received in a respective groove of the collet and conjugated with a respective cam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tightening device for cone belts and the like for use in cone belt transmissions, including at least one preferably driven cone belt pulley which is axially or substantially axially displaceable relative to at least one other, preferably driven cone belt pulley, and a cone belt interconnecting said cone belt pulleys, said tightening device engaging one run of the cone belt by means of a rotary member.

Abstract: A system for correcting deflection of a belt from its normal path of movement, the belt being trained over a plurality of rollers for movement in a predetermined direction, including optical sensors for sensing a deflection of the belt in one direction, and a center axis displacing mechanism including a cam for obtaining a displacement of at least one of the rollers.

Abstract: A stationary or bench mounted belt sander is described constructed of a die cast bed or frame rotatably supporting a drive roll or pulley at one end thereof and provided at the other end portion thereof with generally longitudinal ways for slidably supporting a pair of generally parallel spaced apart outwardly extending generally elongated U-shaped stamped metal yoke or support bracket members provided at their inner or proximal end portions with camming surfaces. The distal ends of the yokes carry pins generally perpendicular thereto supporting a shaft for an idler roll or pulley.

Abstract: The flat belt tire tester which permits mounting a wheel and tire to be tested about an axis positioned above a flat belt, and has framework and controls for lowering the tire into contact with the belt under desired loads, using desired adjustments for camber and steering. The belt is powered, and can thus be used for testing the tire under simulated road conditions. The mounting framework and belt mounting construction of the present invention provides substantial rigidity through having the mounting frame geometry properly oriented in relation to the contact surface of the belt and also by providing a stiff frame for the belt mounting drums or pulleys.

Abstract: An apparatus which controls the lateral alignment of a belt arranged to move in a pre-determined path. A pivotably mounted belt support is frictionally driven to move in unison with the belt. Lateral movement of the belt applies a frictional force on the belt support. The frictional force tilts the belt support in a direction so as to restore the belt to the predetermined path of movement.

Abstract: An idler drum mounted for rotation on one end of a swinging arm is arranged to engage opposite sides of a sanding belt and to tension it in opposite directions when the arm is swung oppositely to first and second positions; belt tracking mechanism including spring means acting to tilt the arm laterally in one direction and first and second adjustment screws each positioned and arranged to engage the arm when in one of its first and second positions to adjustably limit the tilting of the arm in the one direction or to adjustably tilt the arm laterally in an opposite direction.