Abstract: A photosensitive drum unit for an image forming device includes a tubular member having two openings at the opposite ends thereof, two flange members pressed into the openings of the tubular member, and an electroconductive ground plate attached to one or both of the flange members. The ground plate is provided with a plurality of projections formed integrally with the ground plate. The projections engage with the tubular member in order to create an electrical connection between the photosensitive drum and the body of the image forming device.

Abstract: A stator blade 13 has a blade tip 14, a blade trailing edge 15, a back 16 and a face 17. The blade tip 14 is an edge of the peripheral surface of the stator blade 13 near the turbine. The blade trailing edge 15 is an edge of the peripheral surface of the stator blade 13 near the impeller. The back 16 is a portion of the peripheral surface of the stator blade 13 extending between the blade tip 14 and the blade trailing edge 15 and opposed to the impeller 4, and has a streamline section. The face 17 is a portion of the peripheral surface of the stator blade 13 extending between the blade tip 14 and the blade trailing edge 15 and opposed to the turbine 5, and is formed of a streamline portion 17a and a plane portion 17b located near the blade tip 14. The shape of the stator blade 13 is such that a capacity coefficient (Cf) of a torque converter is lower when a speed ratio (e) is 0, and thereby improving fuel consumption during idling.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pair of spring seats (32) are intended for use at opposite ends of a small coil spring (6) disposed between a power input rotary member and a power output rotary member. Each spring seat (32) includes a receiving side surface for receiving a respective end of the small coil spring and a contacting surface (36). The contacting surface (36) is formed with slanting portions (37, 38) with V-shaped cross section, mutually perpendicular to one another. The power input rotary member and the power output rotary member contact a respective slanting section of one of the slanting portions (37, 38). In another embodiment, a spring seat (40) is provided with a first support portion (43) and a second support portion (44) such that the orientation of the spring seat (40) determines a phase or orientation of the power input rotary member with respect to the power output rotary member. In a third embodiment, a friction element is formed of resin and includes a friction adjusting element (20).

Abstract: A frictional resistance between a spring seat and a retaining plate is suppressed to provide stable damper characteristics. A lockup damper mechanism 2 of a torque converter 1 is operable to transmit a torque from a front cover 3 to a turbine 5 and, at the same time, damp a vibration, and includes a piston 17, a driven plate 20, torsion springs 21, a retaining plate 19, spring seats 32 and balls 30. The torsion springs 21 elastically couples, in a rotating direction, the piston 17 and the driven plate 20 together. The retaining plate 19 restricts radially outward movement of the torsion springs 21. The spring seats 32 supports ends of the torsion springs 21. The balls 30 are contactable with the retaining plate 21, and are disposed between the retaining plate 21 and the spring seat 32.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a press working process whereby a front cover and an impeller shell are deformed such that corner portions are formed on a blank material whereby the corner portions undergo minimal reductions in thickness. In the press working method, compressive force is applied parallel to the thickness of the blank to circumvent reduction in thickness during the deforming process.

Abstract: A power coupling mechanism having fluid dampening device with interfitting members which assist in the absorption and transmittance of stress due to torsion and thrust loads, thus reducing the size of a bearing supporting relatively rotatable parts.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly (1) is provided for transmitting torque from a crankshaft (2) to a main drive shaft (3), and includes a first flywheel (4), a second flywheel (5) and a damper mechanism (6). The damper mechanism (6) is mechanically couples the second flywheel and the first flywheel together, however, the second flywheel is physically disposed between the first flywheel and the damper mechanism such that the damper mechanism may be replaced without removal of the second flywheel from the first flywheel.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided with both a lock-up clutch and a disengaging clutch for use with a manual transmission. When the disengaging clutch is engaged, torque is transmittable through a torque converter impeller and turbine fluid coupling. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, torque is mechanically transmitted through the lock-up clutch to a manual transmission input shaft. A single control mechanism effects selective engagement and disengagement of both the lock-up clutch and the disengaging clutch. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a weight may be engaged and disengaged from various components within the torque converter to change the ratio of a moment of inertia of a power input mechanism and a power output mechanism defined by portions of the torque converter. A lock-up clutch in the alternate embodiment and the weight are also engaged and disengaged by a single control mechanism.

Abstract: In a clutch apparatus, a clutch cover assembly can be reused after replacement of a clutch disk assembly. The clutch apparatus includes an input flywheel and a clutch cover assembly. The input flywheel is provided at its outer peripheral surface with a plurality of engagement portions which are circumferentially spaced from each other and project radially outwardly. The clutch cover assembly has a clutch cover, a fixing member, a pressure plate and a biasing member. The clutch cover is provided at its outer periphery with a bent engagement portion which is circumferentially engageable with the engagement portion of the flywheel for preventing axial movement relative to the flywheel. The fixing member is removable, and fixes the flywheel and the clutch cover for integral rotation. The pressure plate is disposed between the clutch cover and the flywheel. The biasing member is supported by the inner peripheral portion of the clutch cover, and biases the pressure plate toward the flywheel.

Abstract: Reduced-dimension configuration for retaining a diaphragm spring release-load compensating conical spring in a push-type clutch. The clutch diaphragm spring is retained by a support mechanism that includes axially extending, circularly spaced supports, fixed to the clutch cover, that pass through holes formed at the inter-digital vertices of the diaphragm spring fingers. A diaphragm spring annular pivot is provided on the supports, on the clutch cover side of the diaphragm spring. One edge of the conical spring is supported on an engagement surface of the clutch cover, and the other edge is seated on the diaphragm spring. Engagement tabs project from the edge of the conical spring that is supported on the clutch cover. The engagement tabs are engaged into conical spring engagement holes formed in the clutch cover, or in an alternative embodiment, into inter-digital holes of the diaphragm spring not penetrated by the circularly spaced supports.

Abstract: A lockup damper has a drive plate 3 and a driven plate 5 and a first coil spring 7 disposed between the plates 3 and 5, a second coil spring 8 disposed between the two plates 3 and 5 and the first coil spring 7, and an intermediate plate 4 having a support portion 21 and first and second intermediate limit portions 22a and 22b. The intermediate support portion 21 is disposed between the two coil springs 7 and 8 for supporting the springs in the circumferential direction. The first and second intermediate limit portions 22a and 22b extend in interiors of the first and second coil springs 7 and 8 from the intermediate support portion 21 for limiting the radially outward movement of the first and second coil springs 7 and 8.

Abstract: To make a reel body compact, a fishing reel is mounted on a fishing rod with a cylindrical portion 30, and is provided with a rotatable rotor 3, a reel body 2, a spool shaft 20, a spool 4, a handle shaft 7, a pinion gear 14, and a oscilating mechanism 6. The reel body 2 has a rotor support portion 10c for rotatably supporting the rotor, and a flange portion 10d formed so as to cover a rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 30 outside the rotor support portion 10c. A housing of the reel body 2, has a lateral width rearward of the flange portion 10d that is in the range of 20 to 60% of a diameter of the flange portion 10d. The spool shaft 20 is reciprocatingly rotatably supported for back and forth movement within the housing of the reel body 2. The spool 4 is fixed to an end of the spool shaft 20 such that the fishing line may be guided by a fishing line guiding portion and wound around an outer circumference of the spool.

Abstract: A flexible plate is formed with a first rigidity about a first axis and a second rigidity about a second axis where the first and second axis are each perpendicular to a central axia about which the flexible plate is rotatable. The first rigidity is greater than the second rigidity such that the flexible plate may flex more easily about the second axis than the first axis, thus providing the flexible plate with an anisotropic flexural rigidity. In one embodiment, the flexible plate is formed with an eliptical intermediate portion. In another embodiment, the flexible plate includes first and second plates. Each plate has a central portion. The first plate has first foot portions and the second plate has second foot portions. The first and second foot portions have differing circumferential widths.

Abstract: A configuration and method are disclosed for recyclably using a fixing roller cleaning device in an electrostatographic fixing station. In a principal embodiment, the cleaning device includes a cleaning web unit 13 installable in cassette fashion into a corresponding unit loading receptacle 14(15) disposed axially adjacent either fixing roller in the top and bottom ends of the fixing station. On the heating roller 3 end, the cleaning web unit 13 contains an unused disposable cleaning web 12. Therein side A of the cleaning web 12 winding between feed and take-up sections 16 and 17 of a web winding mechanism 18 serves in heavy-duty cleaning of, and application of sheet-parting agent to, the surface of the heating roller 3. Afterwards, the cleaning web unit 13 is withdrawn from location on the heating roller 3 end, turned round horizontally, and installed in location beneath the pressure roller 4 end of the fixing station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-plate clutch mechanism that includes a pressure plate mechanism is fixed to a first cylindrical portion with first and second friction plates disposed between the pressure plate mechanism and a flywheel connected to the first cylindrical portion. The pressure plate mechanism includes a clutch covbr supported on the first cylindrical portion. The first friction plates contact the first cylindrical portion for rotation therewith and the second friction plates contact a hub flange for rotation therewith. At least one of the second friction plates is formed with a radially inwardly extending protrusion that contacts a corresponding recess formed in the hub flange thus restricting axial movement of the hub flange.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a restricting mechanism (7) includes bolts (13) and bushings (14). The bushings (14) are axially and frictionally engaged with the clutch cover (2), and restrict movement of the fulcrum ring (5) toward the flywheel (51). The bolts (13) are fixed to the pressure plate (3). Heads (13a) of the bolts (13) are in contact with sides of the bushings (14) remote from the flywheel (51). In another embodiment, a restricting mechanism (107) of a clutch cover assembly (100) includes a bolt (113), a bushing (114) and a sleeve (115). The bolt (113) has a head (113a) in contact with a surface of a clutch cover (102) remote from a flywheel (151). The bolt (113) is screwed into the sleeve (115) arranged near a pressing surface (103) of a pressure plate (103). The bushing (114) is fitted under pressure into an aperture 103c in the pressure plate (103), and is unmovably engaged between the bolt (113) and the sleeve (115).

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly for engaging and dis-engaging a clutch disc from a flywheel includes a clutch cover that is attachable to the flywheel. A radially inward portion of the clutch cover is formed with a plurality of bent tabs. A pressure plate is disposed within the clutch cover. A diaphragm spring is supported by the bent tabs. A conical spring is disposed between the diaphragm spring and the clutch cover. The conical spring is formed with a plurality of engagement portions on a radially inward portion thereof. A support plate has a generally annular shape and a portion of the support plate is clamped between the diaphragm spring and the clutch cover. The support plate is formed with a plurality of support portions which engage the conical spring confining axial movement of a portion of the conical spring with respect to the clutch cover.

Abstract: A lockup mechanism (9) in a torque converter (1) includes a clutch portion (23) capable of selective engagement and disengagement between a front cover (3) and a turbine (5), and a piston member (21) which forms a sealed oil chamber (B) together with the front cover (3) and selectively engages and disengages the clutch portion (23) in accordance with the change in the oil pressure within the oil chamber (B).

Abstract: Handles and grips for fishing equipment having antibacterial and antifungal properties are disclosed. The grips are formed from a synthetic resin in which one or more germicidal agents have been added.