Abstract: A multi-plate clutch 1 includes a flywheel ring 2, a hub flange 6, drive plates 7 driven plates 8, clutch cover assembly 10, and a conical spring 90. The driven plates 8 are contactable with the drive plates 7. The clutch cover assembly 10 presses the plates 7 and 8 so as to be pressed into contact with each other and releases the pressure therebetween. The conical spring 90 has spring reaction force smaller than the pressure load of the diaphragm spring and absorbs the axial deformation of each of the members due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: A bicycle is provided with a frame and a drive portion. The frame is at least partially hollow, and at least part of the drive portion is disposed in an interior of the frame. The drive portion includes a crank and a plurality of transmission means, in which one of the transmission means rotates another transmission means at a rotational speed higher than a rotational speed of the crank, which in turn rotates the rear wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 1 includes a flexible plate 3 and a flywheel 2. The flexible plate 3 has a rigidity in a rotation direction and flexibility in a bending direction, and is coupled at its radially inner portion to a crankshaft 100. An elastic plate body of the flexible plate 3 is provided at its inner periphery with a cylindrical support portion 16 projected away from the crankshaft 100. The flywheel 2 is fixed at its outer peripheral portion to an outer peripheral portion of the flexible plate 3. The flywheel 2 is provided at its inner periphery with a cylindrical portion 13 projected toward the flexible plate 3 and radially overlapping the cylindrical support portion 16.

Abstract: A torsion damper for a clutch disc is disposed in window holes provided in power input and output rotating elements of the clutch disc, for elastically coupling the power input and output rotating elements in a direction of their rotation. The torsion damper includes a pair of seat elements 11 and a rubber element 12 therebetween. In one embodiment, the rubber element 12 is positioned between both the seat elements 11 and is capable of expanding and contracting. The rubber element includes a projection 20 and a through-hole 16 is provided in each of the seat elements 11.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a diaphragm spring where only specific portions of the diaphragm spring are subjected to a shot-peening process. The shot-peening step is performed only to one side of an outer circumferential portion and an inner circumferential portion of the elastic portion (5a) of the diaphragm spring (5).

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: According to the present invention, a turbine shell is manufactured by a method which includes the steps of preparing a planar blank, simultaneously forming a plurality of blade fixture slits 32A, 32B and 32C in the blank 40, and deforming the blank 40 into a curved concave shape by effecting drawing work.

Abstract: A motorized cart is disclosed which allows a rider to safely ride an escalator. The motorized cart includes front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3 mounted on a vehicle body 1. A first support portion 6 is formed on the bottom of the vehicle body 1, and includes a plurality of contact portions which support the vehicle body 1 on the step surfaces of the escalator when it reaches the maximum inclined portion of the escalator.

Abstract: A brake lever arm is mounted to a base member, with the base member fixed to a bicycle handlebar. The lever arm is pivotal about a pivot point on the base. The lever arm includes an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the lever arm when the lever arm is in a brake dis-engaged position. The adjusting mechanism is slideable in grooves in the lever arm such that the adjusting mechanisms may be moved to positions that are differing distances away from the pivot point. The adjusting mechanism includes a contact member that engages a brake cable connected to the lever arm when the lever arm is moved from the brake dis-engaged position toward a brake engagement position. The position of the contact member with respect to the pivot point determines the effect movement of the lever arm has on the cable. In this manner, the adjusting mechanism adjusts the length of the stoke or travel of the lever arm from the brake dis-engaged position to the brake engagement position.

Abstract: An automatic transmission apparatus has a transmission 3 having first and second input shafts 31 and 32 as well as a clutch or a brake, and also has a torque converter 2 having a main unit 10, a planetary gear train 11, lock-up clutch device 12 and a one-way clutch 35. The planetary gear train 11 has a ring gear r1 coupled to a turbine 16, planetary gears p1 meshing with the ring gear r1, a carrier 20 coupled to the first input shaft 31 of the transmission 3 and carrying the planetary gears p1, and a sun gear s1 coupled to a stator 17 and meshing with the planetary gears p1. The one-way clutch 35 transmits a power to the second input shaft 32 of the transmission 3 only when the stator 17 rotates reversely to the impeller 15 and turbine 16.

Abstract: The retaining plate (3) is disposed in a clutch disc assembly in which torque is transmitted through a coil spring and is intended for transmitting torque from an input member to the coil spring. The retaining plate (3) is formed with a first window portion (3a). The first window portion (3a) includes a tunnel portion having a convex shape so as the coil spring to be disposed therein. The tunnel portion (21) of the first window portion (3a) is integral with the retaining plate (3) in the radial direction and is formed with the second holes (23) on its circumferentially opposite ends. A circumferential support portion (22) is formed on the circumferentially opposite ends of the tunnel portion (21).

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a friction engagement portion 3 of clutch disk assembly includes a driven plate 20 fixed to a clutch plate 5, a cushioning plate 21, first and second sintered alloy pads 22 and 23, and rivets 32. The cushioning plate 21 has a corrugated form allowing elastic deformation. The first sintered alloy pad 22 is arranged at the cushioning plate 21. The second sintered alloy pad 23 is fixed to the driven plate 20 having an outer peripheral edge bent for fixing the second sintered alloy pad 23. The rivet 32 has an end engaged with the second sintered alloy pad 23, is axially movable, and has the other end for fixing the cushioning plate 21 and the first sintered alloy pad 22. In a second embodiment, a pair of first and second cushioning plates 120 and 121 are opposed to each other at an outer peripheral portion of the clutch disk assembly. Sintered alloy pads 122 and 123 fixed at outer surfaces of the first and second cushioning plates 120 and 121.

Abstract: A clutch assembly (1) in a first embodiment is provided with a flywheel (7), a clutch cover (42), arcuate engagement plates (40) and wire members (44). Each arcuate engagement plate (40) includes an engagement portion fixed to an outer circumferential portion of the flywheel (7) and extending in a direction away from an engine and a bent portion (40b) further extending in a axial direction from an end of the engagement portion and bent radially inwardly. The clutch cover (42) has a hole (42b) into which the bent portion (40b) is inserted without any gap in the circumferential direction and is in contact with an end of the engagement portion of an arcuate projecting plate (40). The wire members (44) are detachably disposed between the ends of the bent portions (40b) and the clutch cover (42). The wire members (44) prevent the clutch cover (42) from moving toward the bent portions (40b).

Abstract: A damper disk assembly includes a clutch plate 4, a retaining plate 5 arranged coaxially and parallel to the clutch plate 4, a separate flange 3 arranged coaxially between the plates 4 and 5, a plurality of plate coupling portions 30 extending integrally from an outer peripheral portion of the clutch plate 4 to an outer peripheral portion of the retaining plate 5 and being arranged at the clutch plate 4 with a circumferentially equal space between each other, a ring member 35 arranged coaxially to the retaining plate 5 for cooperating with the plate coupling portions 30 to fix the plates 4 and 5 together, and coil springs for circumferentially elastically coupling the plates 4 and 5 to the separate flange 3.

Abstract: A clutch disk assembly includes axially opposed clutch and retaining plates 3 and 4. A flange having a plurality of circumferentially long recesses is arranged between clutch and retaining plates. A plate coupling portion 30 extends through a recess at the flange and connects the clutch and retaining plates 3 and 4 together.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism disposed between an engine (2) and a transmission (3) includes an input part (10) supplied with torque from the engine (2), an output shaft (11) of the transmission (3), a planetary gear train (12) and a clutch device having clutches (13) and (14). The planetary gear train (12) has a sun gear (31), planetary gears (32) meshing with the sun gear (31), a carrier (34) carrying the planetary gears (32), and an ring gear (33) meshing with the planetary gears (32). The clutch device is operable to selectively engage and disengage portions of the planetary gear train (12) such that one of two differing power transmission paths may be used to transmit torque. One power transmission path transmits torque at a lower speed than the other transmission path.

Abstract: A sole for a snowboard boot is made of a nylon reinforced fiberglass material. The snowboard boot includes an intermediate layer made of a resin material. between the sole and an upper portion of the shoe. The upper portion of the shoe is made of a leather-like material. A first adhesive adhers the upper to the intermediate layer. A second adhesive adheres the intermediate layer to the sole. The first and second adhesives have differing properties and advantages. For instance, the first adhesive 65 provides good adhesive properties between leather material and resin materials. The second adhesive 70 provides good adhesive properties between nylon reinforced fiberglass materials and resin based materials.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a toner storing unit having two flexible stirring rods disposed therein. Two tapered bearing portions disposed on a first side wall of the toner storage unit extend partially into the first side wall without piercing the first side wall, and two bearing portions on a second side wall extend completely through the second side wall. First ends of each of the stirring rods is tapered and fits into the tapered bearing portions on the first side wall of the toner storage unit. Second ends of the stirring rods extend through the bearing portions of the second side wall of the toner storage unit. Flange members are disposed on the second ends of the stirring rods, and a seal is interposed between each flange member and the second side wall. In another embodiment of the present invention, two of the bearing portions on the first side wall are generally square, and the first ends of the stirring rods have a generally spherical tip.

Abstract: A release device (3) is arranged around a main input shaft of a transmission, is provided for pulling an inner peripheral portion of a diaphragm spring (9) toward a transmission so as to disengage a clutch (2), and includes a second sleeve (12), a first lever plate (16) and a second lever plate (17). The second sleeve (12) is axially movably. The first lever plate (16) is an annular member, which is fixed to an outer periphery of the second sleeve (12) and has a spherical convex surface (16a) opposed to a transmission. The second lever plate (17) is an annular member, which has a spherical concave surface (17a) in slidable contact with the spherical convex surface (16a) and is in contact with an inner peripheral end of the diaphragm spring (9).

Abstract: A method for automated assembly of a frictionally engaging clutch disc subassembly, employing a tooling jig in conjunction with appropriately configured subassembly friction facings and cushioning plate, whereby need for post-manufacture rotational balancing is eliminated.