Abstract: A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator cam which is coupled with the derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur mechanism. Separate actuator cams are associated with the front and rear derailleurs. For the down-shifting direction, at least the rear derailleur cam is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring; so as to substantially compensate for numerous cumulative lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanism and cable system, and for chain gap variations; and so as to overshift the chain a sufficient amount beyond the destination freewheel sprocket so that the chain will approach the destination sprocket in the same direction as it would in the up-shift direction, but not sufficient to cause a double shift, or derailling from the #1 sprocket. A front derailleur cam is configured to provide fine-tuning for "cross-over" riding.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur gear shifting system having a rotatable handgrip actuator cam which is coupled with the derailleur shifting mechanism through a control cable system so as to control the derailleur mechanism. Separate actuator cams are associated with the front and rear derailleurs. For the down-shifting direction, at least the rear derailleur cam is configured so as to substantially compensate for increasing force of the derailleur return spring; so as to substantially compensate for numerous cumulative lost motions in the derailleur shifting mechanism and cable system, and for chain gap variations; and so as to overshift the chain a sufficient amount beyond the destination freewheel sprocket so that the chain will approach the destination sprocket in the same direction as it would in the up-shift direction, but not sufficient to cause a double shift, or derailling from the #1 sprocket. A front derailleur cam is configured to provide fine-tuning for "cross-over" riding.

Abstract: A handlegrip cruise assist device is formed of a single piece of stiff resilient material, having a circular segment which is shaped circularly so as to grip the outer end of the throttle handlegrip, and a lever segment which extends beneath the heel of the palm and adjoining wrist of the operator with his hand in the normal operating position on the throttle handlegrip. The application of downward pressure on the lever segment from the palm and the adjoining wrist of the throttle hand neutralizes the return force of the carburetor return-to-idle springs, permitting the operator to maintain a constant throttle opening without having to grasp the throttle handlegrip. The circular segment is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of a complete circle.

Abstract: A throttle mechanism for a vehicle employing a handle grip for steering where the throttle lever is controlled by manual actuation. A shield plate may be provided on the throttle lever to physically block the air flow against the vehicle from flowing directly over the operator's thumb actuating the throttle. Heating elements may be provided to heat a cover on the throttle lever which in turn heats the driver's hand. Heat controlling circuits to effectively reduce the heating input at high temperatures, multiple circuits for both rapid and slow heating and circuitry associated with the vehicle lighting switches may be employed.

Abstract: A speed-change operating device for a bicycle includes an operating lever for actuating a derailleur, the operating lever being supported rotatably through a lever shaft to a base member attached to the bicycle frame. A friction mechanism applies to the lever an adjustable rotational resistance against a bias force of a return spring associated with the derailleur. A positioning mechanism includes a positioning member having a plurality of engaging portions for precisely setting the respective speed change stages of the derailleur and an engaging member engageable with at least one of the engaging portions. An operating mechanism selects between an operating mode and a non-operating mode of the positioning mechanism so that the positioning mechanism can be placed in a non-operating mode, when desired, with the speed-change operation being performed in such non-operating mode only with the friction mechanism resisting the return spring.

Abstract: A bicycle brake actuating device includes a brake lever (21) hinged in such a way to turn around an axis (X) substantially parallel to the supporting axis (Y) of a cyclist's hand. The brake lever can be supported by two tabs (17) placed on the hand's supporting handle (14). A holding cavity (40) is preferably utilized to receive the transmission of the brake lever and the mechanism (30, 32) that is part of the actuating device.

Abstract: A speed-change operating device for a bicycle includes an operating lever for actuating a derailleur, the operating lever being supported rotatably through a lever shaft to a base member attached to the bicycle frame. A friction mechanism applies to the lever an adjustable rotational resistance against a bias force of a return spring associated with the derailleur. A positioning mechanism includes a positioning member having a plurality of engaging portions for precisely setting the respective speed change stages of the derailleur and an engaging member engageable with at least one of the engaging portions. An operating mechanism selects between an operating mode and a non-operating mode of the positioning mechanism so that the positioning mechanism can be placed in a non-operating mode, when desired, with the speed-change operation being performed in such non-operating mode only with the friction mechanism resisting the return spring.

Abstract: An operating lever for a bicycle is provided with a support means having a lever shaft and supporting a lever body to a fixing member. A resistance applying means is separate from the support means and is tightened radially with respect to the lever shaft to apply resistance to rotation thereof, so that the rotational resistance is not varied when in use, and is capable of fine adjustment.

Abstract: A brake or clutch lever system for a motor cycle or a pedal cycle, the lever system having a lever pivoted to a lever housing. The lever housing is pivoted to a clamping bracket and is biased by a spring into an extended position, stop members holding the lever housing in the extended position. The lever housing pivots upwardly on impact to thus minimize breakage of the lever system.

Abstract: A hydraulic driving system for motorcycle gear shift includes a primary cylinder combination, a secondary cylinder and a set of delivery conduits for handling hydraulic fluid connected therebetween, in which two primary cylinders with different diameters are oppositely formed in a hollow portion of a motorcycle handle and the two primary cylinders are respectively fluidically communicated with the secondary cylinder to reciprocatively and linearly move a gear rack and to drive the shaft of the gear shift by rotating a twist bar, formed on the handle, having an inclined-plane tongue alternatively actuating the two primary cylinders in the handle.

Abstract: An accessory for snowmobiles for safety and increased mobility including a throttle control mounted on each of the handlebars and a grab bar mounted between the handlebars. On hillsides and on sharp turns, throttle control is maintained by either hand while the other hand engages the grab bar for stability. The two throttle controls may be connected by an adjustable tie bar for simultaneous movement of the two controls.

Abstract: An operation device of a clutch master cylinder including a clutch master cylinder slidably incorporating therein a piston and a clutch lever pivotally supported by a pivot on a lever holder and having a piston operating arm. The clutch lever has a bearing hole formed substantially parallel to the pivot and a rotor is turnably fitted into the bearing hole. A push rod which comes into contact with the piston so as to be able to rock is interconnected to the rotor. To adjust the play stroke of the clutch lever, the length of the push rod is adjustable in one embodiment of the invention. In another embodiment, the pivot is fitted to a shaft hole of the clutch lever and the axis of the pivot is eccentrically disposed with respect to the center of the shaft hole.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle in which a vehicle operator in a first location manually turns a twist grip in one direction to exert a force on and displace an oil column in a conduit tracing a long and tortuous path to an engine throttle remotely located from the twist grip to set the throttle valve at an infinite number of positions. When the twist grip is manually turned in an opposite direction, a spring effects return of the throttle valve and the system toward a closed throttle position.

Abstract: A motorcycle throttle gripper having two friction levers with one friction lever positioned below the throttle grip hand control and closely mounted brake lever hand control and with one friction lever positioned above the throttle grip hand control and closely mounted brake lever hand control. On each of the two friction levers a rounded concave offset section seats on and grips the throttle grip hand control roughly similar to an external brake band or segment of a brake band around a brake drum or wheel. Also, on each of the two friction levers a straight section is mounted in sliding contact with the forward brake lever hand control. On the three embodiments of the invention the upper and lower friction levers are held in friction contact to the throttle grip hand control and the brake lever hand control by means of tension producing rubber bands, elastic members, or by means of tension producing springs, bolts, and self locking nuts.

Abstract: An end member positioned against the end of a handle bar is engageable with a throttle sleeve rotatably mounted upon the handle bar. The end member also includes an expansion member residing within the handle. A manually movable expander selectively moves the expansion member into frictional engagement with the inside surface of the handle bar for retaining the throttle sleeve at rotatably selective positions relative the handle bar.

Abstract: A motorcycle throttle control comprised of a housing clamped to the throttle handle grip of a motorcycle having a locking arm adapted to engage a cog section mounted on the handle bar adjacent to the throttle handle grip. The cog section is rigidly fixed on the handle bar while the locking arm and housing rotate with the throttle handle grip. The locking arm has biasing means biasing it into engagement with the teeth of the cog section, locking the throttle handle grip at the position desired. The throttle control is released by disengaging the locking arm from the cog section.

Abstract: A brake switch actuator for an autobicycle or the like is disclosed which includes a brake lever adapted to actuate a brake master cylinder mounted on a steering handle and also to actuate a brake switch so as to turn on and off a brake lamp at the tail of the body. The body of a brake master cylinder arranged frontwardly of a brake switch is disposed below the master cylinder with its longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder bore and also transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pivot, the brake lever having a downwardly extending arm which performs the dual function of operating the switch and also providing a stop which determines the retracted position of the brake lever.

Abstract: A cruise control mounted on an accelerator control sleeve rotatably supported on a handle bar, and stabilized by a connection to the throttle cable. The cruise control has a body in the form of a split ring, with an over-center clamping actuator on one side to bring the body into frictional engagement with the sleeve, and a pivotal link on the opposite side permitting opening of the body for installation. A stabilizing tab is formed on the link to engage the throttle cable or cables, and a second form, without this link, has the tab on the body.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprises a marine propulsion unit including an engine mounted on the marine propulsion unit and a propeller rotatably mounted on the marine propulsion unit and operatively connected with the engine. The engine has a throttle movable between an idle position for operating the engine at an idle speed and an advanced position for operating the engine at a speed above the idle speed. A steering handle is attached to the marine propulsion unit and a throttle grip is attached to the steering handle for rotation relative thereto. A throttle linkage assembly operatively connects the throttle grip with the throttle and is movable axially of the axis of rotation of the throttle grip for moving the throttle between the idle position and the advanced position in response to rotation of the throttle grip.

Abstract: A speed control device for a bicycle, in which a base member is fixed to the upper portion of a handle stem, a mounting member having a rising higher than the upper surface of the handle stem is fixed to the base member, and a speed control lever is pivoted to the rising of the mounting member.

Abstract: A throttle control device for use with a spring-return throttle wherein a rotatable sleeve on a handlebar must be rotated to advance the throttle, the throttle control device including a clamping arrangement receivable over the rotatable sleeve to be just forward of a handgrip normally received over the sleeve, the clamping arrangement having a tab that engages conventional equipment to prevent rotation of the clamping means, and including a lever operated cam for clamping the sleeve to hold the throttle in a pre-set position, the clamping arrangement being held in position by the handgrip.

Abstract: A throttle control device for use with a rotating throttle control member of a type being biased to an idle position such as commonly used on motorcycles. A pair of elongated members having arcuate surfaces thereon adapted to contact the throttle control member are pivotally connected together at one of the ends thereof and an O-ring structure is provided for biasing the opposite ends of the elongated members together, thereby causing the elongated members to be in frictional engagement with the control member. Because of this structure, the throttle control device of this invention in cooperation with a brake lever or other projection can be used to maintain the throttle control member at any desired setting, but allows the person in control of the throttle control device to selectively and instantaneously overcome the frictional engagement of the throttle control device with respect to the throttle control member to turn the throttle back to an idle position when necessary.

Abstract: Cruise control apparatus for releasably holding a hand grip throttle at any given throttle position comprises a fixed position slip ring slidably riding around the outer periphery of a collar securely fastened to a rotatable hand grip throttle control. The slip ring comprises an open section with tabs extending from opposed ends of the slip ring facing the open section. A thumb actuated cam lever is employed to selectively squeeze the tabs of the slip ring together so as to clamp the slip ring on the periphery of the secured collar and hold the throttle in any desired position. The cam lever is easily released to effect immediate release of the cruise control whenever manual control is desired.

Abstract: A throttle control device for use with a spring-return throttle wherein a rotatable sleeve on a handlebar must be rotated to advance the throttle, the throttle control device including a clamping arrangement receivable over the rotatable sleeve to be just forward of a handgrip normally received over the sleeve, the clamping arrangement having a tab that engages conventional equipment to prevent rotation of the clamping means, and including a lever operated cam for clamping the sleeve to hold the throttle in a pre-set position, the clamping arrangement being held in position by the handgrip.