Abstract: A crankshaft damper and a method of crankshaft damper assembly using interlocking beads. A crankshaft damper having a hub portion and pulley ring and an elastomeric member disposed in an annular space between them is clamped in a tool after initial assembly. A tool having jaw teeth on oppositely disposed, cooperating jaws engages the crankshaft damper hub portion and pulley ring on either side of the elastomeric member. The tool jaws press on the hub portion and pulley ring to create beads or crimps on the hub portion and the pulley ring. The beads or crimps are formed in cooperating groups or sets. They press the elastomeric member into the form of a curve or wave. The curve or wave mechanically locks the hub portion and pulley ring together, thereby locking the elastomeric member in place between them.

Abstract: A drive system that includes a drive shaft, which is or can be brought into torque-transmitting connection with a drive train, a secondary drive system for transmitting torque between the drive shaft and at least one auxiliary unit, and at least one vibration-damping device including a deflection mass carrier with freedom to rotate around a rotational axis and at least one deflection mass, which can shift position relative to the deflection mass carrier in at least one deflection plane. Upon deflection of the at least one deflection mass from the home position relative to the deflection mass carrier, the radial position of the deflection mass changes relative to the rotational axis. At least part of the vibration-damping device can be integrated into part of the secondary drive system.

Abstract: A power transmission device for suppressing oxidation and degradation of dampers for improved damper life has dampers with contact surfaces for making contact with a pulley inner periphery and a hub outer periphery, and non-contact surfaces out of contact with the pulley inner periphery and the hub outer periphery. The non-contact surfaces have oxygen permeance suppression layers made of, for example, acrylic rubber, having an oxygen permeability less than that of the contact surfaces. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the permeance of oxygen into the dampers through the oxygen permeance suppression layers. Thus, even when the dampers rise in temperature, the outer peripheries thereof exposed directly to the air can be prevented from oxidizing and degradation.

Abstract: A torsionally flexible coupling having a rotational axis (1), including a first ring (2) and a second ring (3, 4), which enclose each other [one enclosing the other] at a radial distance, at least one ring-shaped first spring element (5) made of elastomeric material being positioned in the annular clearance (13) formed by the radial distance; and a belt pulley (7) being fastened, relatively having torsional flexibility, to at least one of the rings (2; 3, 4) with the aid of a second spring element (6) made of an elastomeric material, and being supported on at least one of the rings (2; 3, 4) at least in the radial direction with the aid of a sliding bearing (8, 9); the sliding bearing (8, 9) being formed by a rubber layer (9) having at least two embedded sliding rings (8).

Abstract: A torsionally flexible coupling has a hub ring (1) and a vibrationally isolated pulley (2) surrounding the hub ring (1) at a radial distance, a spring body (4) made of a rubber-elastic material being situated in the gap (3) formed by the distance, and comprises a sliding-contact bearing (5) for mutual support of the hub ring (1) and the pulley (2), the sliding-contact bearing (5) having a sliding-contact surface (6) on the side facing the hub ring (1) or the pulley (2), the sliding-contact surface having at least one elastically flexible projection (7) in the radial direction which comes in contact with the surface (8, 9) of the hub ring (1) or the pulley (2) under elastic prestress.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tensioning idler. An outer belt bearing ring is resiliently engaged to an inner ring. The belt bearing ring and inner ring each rotate about an axis of rotation. The belt bearing ring is connected to the inner ring with the resilient material whereby the belt bearing ring rotates about an axis of rotation that is eccentrically moveable in a plane with respect to an inner ring axis of rotation. The resilient material imparts a belt tension as the belt bearing ring rotates. The resilient material may comprise springs, compressible fluids, incompressible fluids, or elastomers or a combination of the foregoing. The tensioner is mounted on an engine, bracket, or other device.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes a driving rotary member, a driven rotary member fixed to one end of a rotary shaft of a driven device, a first intermediate friction member disposed between the driving rotary member and the driven rotary member, and a spring for pressing the driving rotary member against the first intermediate friction member, thereby pressing the first intermediate friction member against the driven rotary member. The driving rotary member is provided with at least one first concave segment, the driven rotary member is provided with at least one convex segment and at least one second concave segment, and the first intermediate friction member is provided with at least one lug. The at least one lug is adapted to engage the at least one first concave segment and to simultaneously abut the at least one convex segment.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism includes a first rotary body having an engagement recess, and a second rotary body, which is coaxial to the first rotary body, and an engagement projection. The position of at least one of the engagement recess and the engagement projection changes with respect to the associated rotary body. An elastic member elastically deforms in accordance with force based on a transmission torque during power transmission between the first rotary body and the second rotary body. The elastic deformation of the elastic member permits the position of at least one of the engagement recess and the engagement projection to be changed. Sliding of the engagement projection in the engagement recess permits relative rotation of the rotary bodies within a predetermined angle range.

Abstract: A split sprocket (2) for use with power transmission chains (3), with a spring (33) rotationally biasing the halves (16)(17) of the sprocket, in which the relative rotation of the two halves under the influence of the spring caused an effective increase in diameter of the saddles (25) between the teeth of the sprocket, thereby automatically taking up tension in a chain.

Abstract: The invention comprises a dual ring damper. The damper comprises an inner ring for connecting the damper to a crankshaft. It also comprises an outer inertial ring for contacting a belt or the like. A flexible elastomeric material is mechanically contained in an annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring each describe a complex, non-arcuate cooperating, profile or cross-section that mechanically fixes the elastomeric between them. The elastomeric does not use chemical adhesives to bond with either the inner or the outer ring, instead relying on mechanical containment between the rings. The elastomeric in the preferred embodiment comprises EPDM.

Abstract: A chainwheel (1) of a control mechanism of an internal combustion engine, said chainwheel being formed in one part or a plurality of parts from at least one hub (1a), a toothed rim (1c) and a wall (1a) connecting the hub (1a) to the toothed rim (1c), provided with at least one means for the damping of vibrations and noises which consists of a noise-damping material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a torsionally compliant sprocket system which absorbs crankshaft torsional vibrations and minimizes their transfer to other components in the engine system. In particular, the present invention includes a sprocket formed with an elastomeric member located between hub and rim portions. The hub has splines which cooperatively engage with keyways formed in the rim portion through the elastomeric member. A method of forming the compliant sprocket includes forming the hub and rim portions and injection molding an elastomeric material into a gap between the hub and rim portions. While in the mold, heat is applied to the sprocket assembly. The elastomeric member is thus vulcanized in place, creating a one-piece compliant sprocket.

Abstract: A mechanical device for transmitting power includes a power-transmission pulley rotatably mounted on a housing of an automotive accessory, a drive plate fixedly connected to a shaft end of a rotating shaft of the automotive accessory, and a plurality of shear pins via which the pulley and the drive plate are joined to each other. Each of the shear pins has a notched portion between opposing faces of the pulley and the drive plate, and a flanged portion formed at a position being offset from the notched portion toward the drive plate and interleaved between the pulley and the drive plate so that the notched portion adjoins the flanged portion and that both side walls of the flanged portion abut the opposing faces of the pulley and the drive plate. An inside diameter of each of a plurality of shear-pin insertion holes formed in the drive plate, is dimensioned to be larger than an outside diameter of each of the shear pins fixedly connected to the pulley, for easy assembling.

Abstract: A chain roller for supporting a chain when a rear wheel is lowered a given distance or more is mounted to a body frame. The chain roller is elastically deformable. The chain roller includes a hard rubber or hard resin roller having a plurality of axial holes like a lotus root. When a depression load of the chain acts on the roller, the roller is elastically deformed with the axial holes being depressed, thereby relaxing tension of the chain. In a modification, a shock absorber is provided between the body frame and a roller supporting member to relax the tension, or a roller supporting member having elasticity is mounted to the body frame to relax the tension. The absorptivity of displacement and shock can be easily improved with a simple structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sprocket system having an internal torsional damper which absorbs crankshaft torsional vibrations and minimizes their transfer to other components in the engine system. In particular, the present system interposes uses friction plates in the various embodiments to absorb the dissipated torsional and vibrational energy.

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: The present invention relates to a torsionally compliant sprocket assembly which reduces the transfer of the crankshaft torsional oscillations to other components in the engine such as the balance shaft drives. The assembly comprises a first sprocket, second sprocket and a planar torsion spring located between the two sprockets and the shaft.

Abstract: An uncoupled belt pulley having a hub ring and a flyring, the hub ring and flyring being associated together, concentrically adjacent to one another and radially spaced apart, with a first spring body that is disposed in a gap formed by the interposed space. A belt pulley is connected to the hub ring in a rotationally elastic manner via a second spring body. The belt pulley and the second spring body are axially adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A refrigerant compressor having a drive shaft rotatable to cause compression of a refrigerant gas, and a drive power transmission unit for transmitting a drive power from an external drive power source to the drive shaft, the drive power transmission unit having a pulley freely rotatably mounted around the drive shaft, a power transmitting element fixed to the drive shaft, and a shock absorbent rubber element arranged between the pulley and the power transmitting element for providing a positive engagement between the rubber element and the pulley, and between the rubber element and the power transmitting element.

Abstract: A device for damping crankshaft oscillation including a ring-shaped housing filled with viscous or elasticoviscous fluid and fixedly mounted on the hub, a flywheel located in the ring-shaped housing, and a torsionally elastic coupling for connecting a torque-transmitting member with the hub and arranged parallel with the flywheel.

Abstract: A belt drive device is constructed by looping a timing belt 14 about a driving sprocket 9, a cam sprocket 11, and a driven sprocket 12 for transmitting a driving force from the driving sprocket 9 to the sprockets 11, 12. A dynamic damper 15, comprising a ring mass 153 and an elastic ring 152 for holding the ring mass 153, is mounted on the driven sprocket 12 that has the largest amplitde of torque fluctuation among the sprockets 11, 12. The dynamic damper 15 absorbs revolution fluctuations of the driven sprocket 12 that has the largest amplitude of torque fluctuation. Thus, at the time of resonance during which the belt load on the timing belt 15 sharply increases, the sharp increase in the timing belt load can be minimized, and maximum load on the timing belt 15 can be decreased, whereby the durability of the timing belt 15 can be secured.

Abstract: A device for driving a piece of equipment from a driving shaft has a torsional vibration damper and comprises a primary element for connection to the driving shaft and a secondary element for connection to the piece of equipment. A first elastic member surrounds the primary element and an inertia ring surrounds the first elastic member. The secondary element has a rim extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, and the rim partly covers the inertia ring. A cylindrical ring is located between the rim and the inertia ring for providing friction and a radial guide bearing. The secondary element has a transverse covering integral with the rim extending radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the driving shaft. A second elastic member is located between the transverse covering and the primary element.

Abstract: A belt tensioner of the Zed type with a pivot-arm, a pulley attached to the pivot-arm for receiving a belt load, a pivot, a base, and a torsion spring operatively connected between the pivot-arm and base and wherein damping of the pivot-arm is primarily provided by a pivot bushing in response to the belt load and a force generated by the spring.

Abstract: A hub is spun rolled formed of a portion of metal radially displaced from a side of a disc of sheet metal. An annular collar formed of an annular part of the disc extends inward of the hub and creates a blind bore. The collar is integral with the hub and is formed of the same sheet metal. The so formed hub that is integral to a web formed of the disc, and the collar; the web may be connected to a rim, or the extremity of the disc may be shaped into a rim to form a pulley.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vibration insulating assembly including a rubber vibration insulator and metallic members bonded thereto. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing the same, by which the quality of the resulting assembly is improved by providing a high bonding strength between the vibration insulator and metallic members. Retainers are provided about the peripheries of the bonding surfaces of the rubber vibration insulator in order to restrict displacement and deformation of the rubber vibration insulator across the bonding surfaces or at the bonding interface with the metallic members and to facilitate its positioning. The presence of the retainers allows for the application of a predetermined pressure on the bonding surfaces to enhance the bonding strength while preventing an undesirable strain from forming in the bonding surface of the rubber vibration insulator.

Abstract: A roller arrangement for use in a conveyance system includes a generally cylindrical roller body which has a pre-determined diameter, an outer surface, and a central passage. A shaft extends through the central passage, the roller body is rotatable about the shaft. An expander circumscribes the roller body. An impact shell is connected outwardly to the expander. The impact shell includes a cover made of low modulus elastomeric material and a backing layer made of high modulus elastomeric material. A first compression plate, a second compression plate, and a compression ring are mounted to the roller so that the compression ring is mounted between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A belt tensioner has a tensioner and a tensioner arm. The tensioner cup has an opening, and the tensioner arm has a lid portion formed at one end. The lid portion is rotatably connected to the cup and extends so as to close the opening thereof. The tensioner also has a torsion spring provided in the cup to act between the cup and the arm so as to elastically urge the arm in a rotational direction. A damping member is secured to the lid portion of the arm such that an outer circumferential surface of the damping member is in sliding contact with an inner circumferential surface of the cup. Further, the tensioner has a ring-like spring provided in the damping member so as to elastically urge the damping member against the inner circumferential surface of the cup. The lid portion of the arm has at least two columnar pin-like elements protruding therefrom parallel with a swing axis of the lid portion of the arm, and the columnar pin-like elements are inserted in holes formed in the damping member.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive pulley of the type employed in snowmobiles to transmit a drive from the snowmobile engine to a variable ratio belt drive transmission has a fixed flange and an opposed movable flange which cooperate to drive the belt. The drive pulley is coupled to rotate with the engine crankshaft and the movable flange incorporates a centrifugal means that operates to advance it towards the fixed flange, with a force that increases with speed of rotation, to grip the transmission belt between the flanges and apply a driving torque thereto, this torque being applied by both the flanges. To reduce the effects of engine induced vibrations on the centrifugal means and on the movable flange, a damping structure is incorporated in the torque path between the engine crankshaft and the centrifugal means and movable flange.

Abstract: An assembly (12) for moving air through a heat exchanger (10) comprising a shroud (14) for mating with a heat exchanger (10) and a fan (20) disposed in the rear opening (18) of the shroud (14). The fan (20) comprises a hub (22) having an axis (A) and blades (24) extending radially from the hub (22) to distal ends for moving air through the shroud (14). The assembly is characterized by a floating drive assembly (52, 54, 56) including an inner drive member (64), an outer drive member (68, 70), and a flexible transmission (74, 75) interconnecting the members for rotating the drive members together while allowing relative radial movement between the drive members as the drive members rotate the fan (20). A bearing ring mechanism (28, 30) interconnects the distal ends of the blades (24) and the shroud (14) for rotatably supporting the fan (20) solely by the shroud (14).

Abstract: A drive system, especially a belt drive for a multi-axial vehicle running gear, has a drive drum about which the belt is looped and provided with a ring with entrainers which engage teeth on the belt when there is slip between the belt and the drum. Limited rotation of the ring relative to the drum may be effected by elliptical spring elements coupling the ring and the drum or by clutches on the drum which frequently lock the ring to the drum so as to effect control engagement of the entrainers with the belt teeth and positive drive of the belt by the drum.

Abstract: An impact pulley apparatus and method are provided for use with a high-speed media processing apparatus by driven attachment to the rotatable shaft of a motor associated therewith to absorb impact energy caused by the high-speed media processing apparatus encountering media to be conveyed. The impact pulley apparatus includes a base plate for mounting on the rotatable shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes identical and simultaneous rotation of the base plate. A pulley member is operatively connected to the base plate by biasing members which are springs in the preferred embodiment such that the pulley member is substantially identically rotatable with rotation of the base plate in one direction in a non-actuated position until an amount of impact energy is encountered by the pulley member sufficient for the pulley member to biasedly rotate in the same direction less than the base plate in an actuated position of the impact pulley apparatus in order to absorb the impact energy.

Abstract: A pivoting member for rotatably supporting a pulley contacting a belt is pivotally fitted with a fixing shaft via a bushing while a frictional member including a slidable surface being at a right angle to the axis of the fixing shaft is forced, by an elastic force of a resilient member, into contact with a frictional surface disposed either on the pivoting member side or the fixing side, whereby a pivotal resistance is imparted to the pivoting member. The resilient member is disposed at least one place on the circumference of a circle whose center is the fixing shaft so as to inhibit the pivoting member from being inclined by a load from the belt while the frictional member is locally disposed correspondingly to the resilient member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tensioner for traction drives which includes a base element and a tension roller support arranged partly concentric with each other, and further including a torsion spring which is guided on a bush and braces these two elements against each other. According to the invention, a tension bush (20) which includes a longitudinal slot (21) is inserted between the bush (6) and the inner diameter of the torsion spring (13) so as to bear against the inner periphery of the torsion spring (13).

Abstract: An autotensioner for use in applying a tension to a moving belt, includes a bracket secured to an engine body and having a projection, a rocking member rockingly mounted to the bracket through a first axle and having an arm, a pulley rotatably mounted to the rocking member through a second axle for applying the tension to the moving belt, and a damper device provided between the projection of the bracket and the arm of the rocking member.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive pulley of the type employed in snowmobiles to transmit a drive from the snowmobile engine to a variable ratio belt drive transmission has a fixed flange and an opposed movable flange which cooperate to drive the belt. The drive pulley is coupled to rotate with the engine crankshaft and the movable flange incorporates centrifugal weights that operate to advance it towards the fixed flange, with a force that increases with speed of rotation to grip the transmission belt between the flanges and apply a driving torque thereto, this torque being applied by both the flanges. To reduce the effects of engine induced vibrations on the centrifugal weights and on the movable flange, a damping structure is incorporated in the torque path between the engine crankshaft and the centrifugal weights and movable flange.

Abstract: A torsionally flexible coupling having an axis of rotation, comprising a first ring and a second ring that surround one another with radial spacing, such that at least one annularly configured first resilient element made of elastomeric material is arranged in the annular gap formed by the spacing, and such that a belt pulley is mounted, with relative torsional elasticity, on at least one of the rings by a second resilient element made of elastomeric material, the belt pulley being braced at least in the radial direction against at least one of the rings by a sliding bearing. The sliding bearing is made of elastomeric material and is configured integrally and continuously with the first or second resilient element, and the sliding bearing and the first or second resilient element with which it is integrally formed are made of different materials, the materials being adapted to the respective application.

Abstract: A drive-end gear wheel is engaged by a drive disc through an intermediate cushion that accepts slave bars of the driving disc and reinforcement ribs of the drive-end gear wheel. The reinforcement ribs couple an inner hub with an outer ring gear flange of the drive-end gear wheel. The reinforcement ribs are formed with transition curves that uniformly transmit tangential and radial deformation stresses to the outer ring gear flange, ensuring reliable and durable operation of the drive gear.

Abstract: A lightweight damper pulley is provided which can be produced in a simple manner. The damper pulley includes a central portion, including a cylindrical boss portion to be fixed onto a rotary shaft, a main portion extending radially outwardly from the larger diameter part of the cylindrical boss portion and a central flange bent to extend horizontally from an outer periphery of the main portion. This forms a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile. The pulley also includes a belt retaining portion made of metal plate that also has a substantially U-shaped cross section profile. This space is determined between an outer belt supporting wall, an inner belt portion flange and a radially extending connecting wall. The pulley is constructed by reversing the two U-shaped profiles or dissecting the belt retaining flange to the interior of the central flange, with an elastic, damping ring forcefit therebetween. The belt retaining flange can also be moved radially outwardly to compress the elastic.

Abstract: A lightweight damper pulley is provided which can be produced in a simple manner. The damper pulley includes a central portion, a belt retaining portion made of metal plate, and a ring-shaped rubber or elastic member placed therebetween. The central portion includes a cylindrical boss portion to be fixed onto a rotary shaft, a main portion extending radially outwardly from the larger diameter area of the cylindrical boss portion, and a flange bent horizontally from an outer periphery of the main portion. The central portion is integrally formed from a metal plate by press-forming or the like. The flange and the belt retaining portion can have projections which compress the rubber or elastic member to hold it securely in place.

Abstract: A belt pulley with a substantially cup-shaped profile that is delimited on one side, in at least the axial direction, by an integrally shaped-on rim flange is disclosed. The rim flange is configured as the hub ring of a torsional vibration damper, the hub ring being connected, by means of a damping ring made of elastomeric material, to an inertial ring.

Abstract: A lightweight pulley is provided which can be produced in a simple manner at low cost. The pulley has a cylindrical boss portion, an annular main portion which extends radially outwardly from the cylindrical boss portion, and a ring-shaped belt retaining portion. The boss portion and the main portion are integrally formed from a thin metal plate by press-forming, thereby reducing the weight of the pulley, and facilitating the production thereof. The peripheral wall of the boss portion is alternately bent inwardly and outwardly in its peripheral direction to form a plurality of ribs, thus increasing the strength of the boss portion. A method of manufacturing the pulley is also provided.

Abstract: Vibrations of the camshaft or crankshaft of a combustion engine are damped between a composite pulley which receives torque from the engine and one or more sheaves which are driven by an endless flexible member and serve to transmit torque to a pump, a blower, a compressor, a steering wheel mechanism and/or an alternator. The endless flexible member exhibits a certain amount of elasticity and the composite pulley comprises a rotary input device which is driven by the engine and a hollow rotary wheel which has a circular radially inner portion in rolling contact with the periphery of the input device. The outer diameter of the input device is smaller than the inner diameter of the wheel. The latter performs pendulum movements in response to changes in the length of the elastic flexible member.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to reduce the cost of an autotensioner for keeping constant the tension of a belt.A pulley 13 is mounted on the pulley support 6 eccentrically supported by the support shaft 3. A tension imparting member is provided which rocks the pulley support in a direction in which the pulley stretches a belt. The pulley support 6 has a cylindrical portion 8a which is concentrical with the support shaft. Damper 20 is provided between the cylindrical portion 8a and the support shaft 3 to impart a rocking resistance to the pulley support. The pulley support 6 has an eccentric ring 7 and a rocking shaft 8. The rocking shaft has at one end the cylindrical portion 8a and at the other end a cylindrical small-diameter portion 8b which is inserted in the eccentric ring. The pulley support 6 is comprised of two members which are simple in shape and easy to manufacture.

Abstract: A belt drive of an electrical machine has a belt pulley arranged on a driving end of a machine shaft, a coupling connecting the drive pulley with the machine shaft, the coupling having at least one elastic coupling part provided between a driving side and a driven side of the coupling, a mounting part having a bearing pin and mountable on a machine aggregate which is connected with the electrical machine, a drive belt connecting the mounting part with the machine aggregate, and an inner bearing. The belt pulley in order to take up belt pull forces, is mounted through the inner bearing on the bearing pin of the mounting part which is mountable on the machine aggregate through the drive belt.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a damper pulley that exhibits a good damping effect and has a preferable resonance ratio. An annular damper-mass member is joined to an annular surface of a plate portion of a pulley through a first resilient rubber member. Two fan-like concave portions are formed in the surface of the annular damper-mass member, which faces the annular surface of the plate portion, at symmetrical positions with respect to the center of rotation of the pulley. Two projections are formed on the annular surface of the plate portion so as to perpendicularly project into the fan-like concave portions. A second resilient rubber member is interposed between each concave portion and projection. When torsional vibrations are exerted, each second resilient rubber member produces compression deformation, thereby generating a large spring force, whereby the resonance frequency against the torsional vibrations sufficiently increases even when the inertia moment of the mass member is increased.

Abstract: A belt tension adjusting device having a pulley arm having a bore formed with threads, a fixed member and a support shaft extending upwardly from the fixed member into the bore in the pulley arm. A bolt made of a synthetic resin is axially movably mounted on the support shaft and held in thread engagement with the threads formed on the bore. An elastic member is mounted in the bore between the bolt and the support shaft or a member integrally mounted on the support shaft for biasing the bolt in an axial direction. A coil spring is mounted on the pulley arm and having one end thereof in engagement with the pulley arm and the other end with the fixed member.

Abstract: A tensioner with a pulley rotatably mounted to a pivot arm that is biased with a compression spring. The tensioner has a damping system with damping spring carried by a pin attached to the pivot arm. The damping spring is in the form of a compression spring and it presses a layer of friction material against a flat surface of the tensioner.

Abstract: A connection system is provided for mounting apertured components such as gears, pulleys, rollers and the like on shafts. In preferred form, the system of the invention provides connections that are releasable so that shaft-mounted components can be repositioned, removed, serviced and/or replaced. A component that is to be mounted on a shaft is provided with a mounting hole that has an inner diameter that loosely receives the outer diameter of a shaft onto which the component is to be mounted. A ring of elastomeric material is inserted into an annular space that is defined at a location between the inner diameter of the mounting hole and the outer diameter of the shaft; and, the elastomeric material is tightly clamped between a pair of relatively axially movable clamping members that extend into opposed end regions of the annular space.

Abstract: A speed changer pulley comprises two annular flanges one of which is movable axially on a hub under the control of elastic return member constituted by at least one diaphragm encased with a covering of resilient material. The peripheral part of the diaphragm is prolonged radially outwardly by a rim of resilient material fitted into a housing in the movable flange.

Abstract: A vibration damper assembly operatively connecting a driving pulley with an automotive engine output shaft which drives a serpentine belt system with an automatic belt tensioner. The vibration damper assembly serves to dampen torsional, bending, and transitional vibrations transmitted from the output shaft through the poly-V belt and engine frame to the belt tensioner. The vibration damper assembly .?.comprises.!. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.a mounting element, fixed to the output shaft, in torsional transmitting relation therewith, bearing member operatively disposed between the driving pulley and the mounting element to restrict relative movement therebetween to torsional relative movement, and a resilient member operatively connected between the driving pulley and the mounting element in resilient torsional transmitting relation therebetween.