Abstract: An air spring of the type with a sleeve having a first rolling lobe connected at an end to a first piston, a second rolling lobe connected to an end to a second piston, and where the first piston is substantially frustoconical and the second piston is substantially cylindrical and where the minimum effective area of the first piston is less than the minimum effective area of the second piston and where the maximum effective area of the first piston is greater than the maximum effective area of the second piston. The frustoconical first piston allows the air spring to accommodate large angular suspension motion without degrading durability.

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: The invention comprise a continuously variable transmission pulley. The pulley comprises at least one axially moveable sheave section which is coaxial with a second sheave section. Each sheave section has a series of radial grooves which are axially and radially aligned. The radial grooves are arranged in pairs between each sheave section. The belt blocks span between the sheave sections, each having opposing arcuate ends that slidingly engaging a pair of grooves. The belt blocks are arranged circumferentially about an axial sheave centerline. Each belt block also has a surface for receiving a multi-ribbed belt. At least one elastic member encircles the belt blocks so as to control their relative positions, keeping them in contact with the sheave grooves as the pulley rotates. As the movable sheave is moved axially, each belt block moves radially within its respective grooves so as to increase or decrease the effective diameter of the pulley.

Abstract: An independent suspension and drive system comprising a transverse power shaft mounted on a vehicle frame and having a differential connection with a power source; at least one pivot shaft mounted on the vehicle frame; at least one cantilevered swing- or trailing- or pivot arms mounted on each of the at least one pivot shafts; at least one drive wheel, one each mounted on each of the respective at least one pivot arms via respective axles; and at least one chain or belt or equivalent member operatively connecting power shaft driver sprockets to respective wheel driven sprockets; wherein the centerline of the power shaft is substantially coincident with the centerline of each of the at least one pivot shafts, and wherein the pivot shafts are independent of the power shaft.

Abstract: The invention comprises a self-contained mechanical belt tensioner that produces damping which is a function of the applied hubload through the effect of frictional forces derived from the sliding action of mutually opposing wedges. A first wedge or conical piston is contained within a housing. The conical piston cooperates with a second or conical wedge. A surface of the conical wedge slides on the inner surface of the housing. The conical wedge is expandable in a direction normal to the inner surface of the housing. A spring urges the conical wedge into engagement with the conical piston. As the pulley is loaded, as with an impulse load, the piston will move into the conical wedge. This, in turn, will cause the conical wedge to expand against the inner surface of the housing. The expansion of the conical wedge in the housing will increase the frictional force between the conical wedge and the housing. This will have the effect of damping movements of the conical piston and, in turn, of the pulley.

Abstract: A power transmission belt with a good balance of high temperature resistance, good belt durability and low temperature flexibility, and a service range of about −40° C. to about 140° C. The main belt body portion of the power transmission belt is manufactured from an elastomeric material comprising 100 parts by weight of an at least partially hydrogenated nitrile group-containing copolymer rubber, and from about 0.5 to about 50 parts per hundred weight of said rubber of a fiber reinforcement having a length to diameter ratio of greater than 10:1.

Abstract: The invention comprises a drive ring CVT belt. In a CVT transmission, each variable diameter pulley has a drive ring trained around the sheaves. Each drive ring may comprise any high modulus material such as plastic or metal. An endless flexible tensile member or belt is trained between the drive rings. Each drive ring further comprises a sleeve that is trained around an outer surface of each drive ring. Each sleeve slides in a bushing on its respective drive ring. The belt has a tensile load that presses each of the drive rings together on the sleeves. The relative arrangement of the axis of rotation of each drive ring is maintained by the contact between the sleeves and the drive rings. The effective diameter or radius of each pulley is adjusted by movement of each drive ring in each pulley. Movement of the pulley sheaves causes the axis of rotation of each drive ring to move eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the pulley.

Abstract: A hub having a bore, in accordance with the present invention, is spun-roll formed of a portion of an annular sheet metal disc. The hub is formed by radially displacing a portion of the annular sheet disc outward from the bore. The so formed hub that is integral to the annular sheet metal disc forms a web having a thickness equivalent to or not less than a thickness of the annular sheet metal disc before formation of the hub. The web may be used to spun-roll form a rim having a belt receiving portion and as such a one-piece spun roll formed pulley. The web may also be used to interconnect to a rim having a belt receiving portion as a separate piece from the hub and web. During the spinning process, a shaping roller is pressed against a bore of an annular sheet metal disc which is being rotated simultaneously.

Abstract: Material handling hose having an abrasion-resistant cover element is disclosed. The hose comprises an inner tube, a reinforcement member, an intermediate layer and the abrasion-resistant cover element. The cover element does not cover the entire surface of the intermediate layer, but includes apertures or gaps through which a portion of the underlying intermediate layer is exposed to the outside environment. The apertures allow for venting of high volatility materials through the hose body, and provide regions of relatively high coefficient of friction, to facilitate handling of the hose.

Abstract: Molded hose joint assemblies, e.g., connections, branched hoses and bleeding devices for fluid circuits, and especially such assemblies for use in automotive and industrial coolant circuit assemblies, which assemblies comprise a reduced amount of molded outer covering element over prior art designs, said covering element substantially encapsulating the connection points of generally flexible hose ends to generally rigid inner connection members. The outer covering element forms a unitary mass or interconnecting rings about at least two such hose connection points. Flexible manufacturing techniques for producing such assemblies are provided.

Abstract: The invention comprises a plurality of clips arranged about a tensile member or core belt. The tensile member comprises a multi-ribbed belt. The multi-ribbed belt may comprise any standard multi-ribbed belt readily available in the art. The clips are generally u-shaped and have opposing inclined sides that cooperate with the sides of a CVT pulley. The opposing inclined sides of each clip can have a thermoset, thermoplastic or phenolic coating to provide a predetermined coefficient of friction. Each clip has a multi-ribbed profile bearing surface that cooperates with the multi-ribbed portion of the core belt. The clips are held in proper orientation to the multi-ribbed belt by elastomeric bands. The elastomeric bands are routed through a slot in each clip which then compresses the clips together.

Abstract: Endless belts having driving surfaces comprising a high temperature flexible thermoplastic composite. More particularly, an endless toothed belt having a high temperature-, abrasion- and noise resistant cover element, and which comprises from about 60 percent to about 100 percent by weight of the composite of a high temperature flexible thermoplastic material and from about 0 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the composite of a frictional modifier system, and methods for constructing such belts. Such belts include elastomeric body portions which may preferably be formed from suitable polyurethane materials.

Abstract: The invention comprises an idler pulley, having a web and a belt bearing surface connected to the web. The web is aligned with and affixed to an inner race outer surface of a bearing by a fastener. The pulley is stamped, formed or spun out of sheet metal and may have a central hole described by a lip for alignment with a central axis of the bearing. The outer race of the bearing may be affixed to a mounting surface.

Abstract: A flexible shaft coupling element comprising a sleeve shaped body having a central annular portion and a coupling receiving portion at each of two opposing sleeve ends. The coupling receiving portions include axially extending teeth on their inner surfaces. The flexible shaft coupling element is characterized in that the annular portion possesses a torsional shear capacity and the area defining the axially extending teeth possesses a shear capacity, and the tooth shear capacity exceeds the annular portion torsional shear capacity.

Abstract: Assemblies of packaged band-shaped articles, such as industrial- or automotive belts, and a method for their manufacture are provided. The assembly comprises at least one such band-shaped article, each said article having an inner periphery and an outer periphery; and a pliable container having a first aperture or gap at a first end and a second aperture or gap at a second end, the second end being preferably in generally opposing relation to the first with respect to its location on the container. At least a significant number of the band-shaped articles are aligned with one another, and are aligned with at least one of the two pliable container apertures.

Abstract: A method for producing a pulley assembly intended primarily for use with the endless drive belt of a vehicle accessories drive system is provided. The method involves placing a circular metal insert having an axis and an outer substantially flat circumferential surface extending radially from the axis on a locating means, located inside a mold cavity and positioned around the outside circumference of the metal insert, for positioning the metal insert inside the mold cavity before molding and for maintaining the roundness of the metal insert during molding, and molding a plastic annular body about the metal insert. A pulley assembly produced by this method is also provided. The method of producing the pulley assembly may include modifying the outer flat circumferential surface of the metal insert prior to molding the plastic annular body about the metal insert, for clamping, structurally bonding, and resisting relative rotation between the plastic body and the metal insert.

Abstract: A die finger and a crimping die comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced die fingers used in a crimping apparatus, wherein the die finger has an inner forming surface and an oppositely facing camming surface, and wherein at least one die finger having the inner forming surface includes at least one slot formed therein oriented along the longitudinal axis. Also included is a crimping apparatus utilizing the inventive die fingers, a method of crimping a ferrule with the inventive die fingers and a ferrule crimped by the inventive method.

Abstract: The invention is a device for providing a clamping force about a connection end of elastomeric hose or tubing. The device includes an at-least-twice-oriented polymer having a shrinkage response to each of at least two diameter reducing release temperatures, which is sized and formed into a band. The clamp is self-adjusting over a substantial working life. The band may be installed onto connection ends of hose or tubing and fixtures such as couplings, inserts or stems without the external application of heat, preferably preselecting the first diameter reducing release temperature to be at roughly room temperature. The clamp displays improved constrictive forces over prior art polymer clamps.

Abstract: An improved electrically powered vehicle and associated method of the type having a mobile electrical storage device for providing electrical power electrically connected to a switching device, for selectively controlling the flow of electric power. The switching device is electrically connected to an electric motor. It selectively allows the flow of electrical power to the motor. The motor is mechanically connected to a belt type continuously variable transmission with the transmission mechanically connected to a drive wheel of the vehicle. It is improved by the motor, being of the direct current type, that is electrically connected to a continuously variable power supply control device responsive to an operator input. Further, the motor is mechanically connected to the continuously variable transmission, with the transmission adapted to respond to the rotational speed of the motor by varying in speed ratio.

Abstract: A method for making a hub/pulley by spin forming from a disc including forming an annular collar extending radially inward of the hub and defining a blind bore of the hub.