Abstract: A vehicle power train flywheel assembly having an input-side flexible coupling and power transmission damping mechanism whereby power is transmitted from the crankshaft of an engine to a main body of the flywheel assembly via a combination viscous fluid and elastic damping device. The power trans-mission damping mechanism includes a flexible annular input plate formed from sheet metal, and a rimmed sub-plate that together with the input plate forms a viscous fluid chamber, in which an undulated ribbon spring, as the elastic damping device, is installed. During power transmission the ribbon spring is compressed between an input-side sub-plate and an output side stop plate of the flywheel assembly, and torsional fluctuations meanwhile expanding and contracting the ribbon spring are damped as the narrow duct surrounding the ribbon spring chokes the flow of viscous fluid, developing viscous damping resistance.

Abstract: For an image reproducing system provided with an auto-restoration capability, a monitoring system is disclosed involving display by an image reproducing machine of the system in connection with fault diagnosis and auto-restoration processes by the image reproducing machine. The disclosed monitoring system in particular concerns a network of likewise auto-restoring image reproducing machines in communication with a host computer. The image reproducing machine has machine-condition constant-monitoring sensors through which a main controller of the image reproducing machine detects faults causing operational malfunction. A communication device transmits data indicating operational malfunction in an image reproducing machine from its main controller to the host computer. The main controller prepares and executes an auto-restoration process implementing restorative operations to compensate functionally for the detected faults, and interprets as restorative state data success of implemented restorative operations.

Abstract: A bicycle brake lever mechanism having a bracket mountable to a bicycle handlebar, a lever mounted for pivotal movement to the bracket and a brake cable connector connected to the lever. The cable connector is connected to the lever via an adjusting mechanism for so that the return position of the brake lever relative to a lever bracket may be adjusted to accommodate various sized hands. Further, the adjusting mechanism allows for adjustment of a lever ratio A which is defined mathematically by the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the pivot point of the cable connector on the lever divided by the distance from a set point on the brake lever to the pivot point of the lever.

Abstract: A coupling sleeve for coupling the tip section of a hollow fishing rod to the butt section, which retains the reel. Fore and hind portions of the coupling sleeve serve as joints engageable with the tip and butt sections. The central portion of the coupling sleeve, of greater section modulus of elasticity than the joint portions, has a fishing line guide hole for guiding fishing line from the reel, through a bore connecting the guide hole with a tip socket in the fore joint, and into the hollow tip section of the fishing rod. Further there is at least one additional opening on the exterior of the coupling sleeve central portion, opening to the fishing line guide hole and thus serving to discharge water and debris scraped from the fishing line as it travels through the bore and on the rim of the guide hole.

Abstract: A main tire body, mounted to the rim (3) of a wheel, includes in one embodiment, an annular tire material (6) and a fiat wound spring ring (8) disposed within the annular tire material (6). The annular tire material (6) is a material with a cross section that can form in a semi-circular annular space (7) between the rim (3). The flat wound spring ring (8) a is annularly arranged within the annular space (7). In another embodiment, the main tire body includes an annular first tire material (10), a second tire material (11), and a plurality of airtight chambers (15) which help to absorb impacts. The first tire material (10) is mounted to the rim (3). The second tire material (11) is an annular material with an elastic body attached to the outer peripheral side of the first tire material. The airtight chambers portion (15) are formed in the second tire material between the first tire material. In another embodiment, the main tire body includes an annular first tire material (20), and a second tire material (21).

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping device is disposed between an input front cover and a torque converter body for damping torsional vibration transmitted to an output member from an input member. The device includes a pair of side plates 20 and 21, a pair of cases 22 and 23. and a slider 25. The pair of side plates 20 and 21 are coupled together but spaced apart from one another and define an annular chamber therebetween. A piston 11 is coupled to the plates for axial movement but restricted from movement in a radial direction with respect to the plates. The pair of cases 22 and 23 is disposed between the side plates 20 and 21 within the annular chamber defining an arcuate chamber 24. The slider 25 is connectable to a driven plate 12 and is slidably disposed in the fluid chamber 24. Thee outer surfaces of the slider and tile inner surfaces of the fluid chamber 24 define a choke which restricts tile flow of fluid around the slider as it moves within the chamber.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly having a clutch cover fixed to the input rotation member of an engine; a pressure plate disposed within the clutch cover, having a pressing surface for clutching one side of a friction member; a support member disposed opposite the pressing surface side of the pressure plate being non-rotatable with respect to the pressure plate and movable in the axial direction; a pressing member urging the pressure plate toward the input rotation member via the support member, the pressing member and the support member having a predetermined position relative each other initially; a wear compensation device disposed between the pressure plate and the support member, which restrictively supporting the support member at the predetermined position, and displacing the support member with respect to the pressure plate and thereby returning the support member to the predetermined position with respect to the pressing member after the support member and the pressure plate were displaced from the predetermi

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly having a clutch cover 10, a pressure plate 11, a support mechanism 12, a diaphragm spring 13, a plurality of wear compensation mechanisms 14, and a ring plate 27 which operates as a coincidence control device. The support mechanism 12 is disposed on the opposite side of the pressing surface to move freely of the pressure plate 11. The diaphragm spring 13 pushes the pressure plate 11 toward the flywheel 2 via the support mechanism .12. The plurality of wear compensation mechanisms 14 are disposed at several places around the pressure plate 11, each being a mechanism for moving the support member 12 a distance toward the diaphragm spring 13 compensating for the amount of wear on friction facings 6. The ring plate 27 is a mechanism for simultaneously moving the various wear compensation 14 mechanisms.

Abstract: The shock absorber mechanism for a bicycle (10) is a device mounted between the handlebar stem (4) and fork stem (5) of a bicycle and includes a sleeve case (11), a spring (18), and a free cushion bushing (20). The sleeve case (11) is mounted to the lower edge of the handlebar stem (4) and joins when the upper portion of said fork stem (5) slides freely and does not rotate. The spring (18) is arranged between the sleeve case (11) and the fork stem (5). The free cushion bushing (20) is mounted to the lower edge of the sleeve case (11) and can be freely installed and removed as well as slide on the outer peripheral surface of the fork stem (5) controls relative movement of the handlebar stem (4) and the fork stem (5) caused by friction on the outer peripheral surface of the fork stem (5). One purpose of the present invention is to allow for easy adjustment of the dampening characteristics of a dampener depending on bicycle riding conditions and rider requirements.

Abstract: A vehicle which goes up and down stairs includes a vehicle body 101, front and rear wheels 102 and 103 provided at the front and rear of the vehicle body 101, respectively, front and rear auxiliary wheels 105 and 107 for lifting up or down the front and rear wheels 102 and 103 by one step of stairs, respectively, a driving unit for driving each wheel, a pivoting unit for pivoting the front and rear auxiliary wheels 105 and 107, sensors 121 to 124 for detecting a riser portion of stairs, and a control unit 120 for controlling the driving unit and the rotating unit in accordance with results of the sensors 121 to 124. Since the vehicle goes up and down stairs by rotation of the auxiliary wheels 105 and 107, a corner portion of the step of stairs is not damaged while the vehicle goes up and down stairs.

Abstract: A damper disc assembly is provided for transmitting a torque between an input rotary member and an output rotary member, including a hub, a flange, a first spring member, a support member, a second spring member and an input member. The hub is coupled with the output rotary member. The flange is disposed on an outer circumference of the hub, the flange having, on its outer circumferential portion, first and second spring member receiving portions each extending in a circumferential direction. The first spring member is disposed within the first spring member receiving portion. The support member is retained so as to be non-rotatable relative to the hub for supporting the first spring member in the circumferential direction. The second spring member is disposed within said second spring member receiving portion, and has a higher rigidity than that of the first spring member. The input member is coupled with the flange through the second spring member and capable of being coupled with the input rotary member.

Abstract: A clutch device comprises an input part 3 to which power from a crankshaft 2 is inputted, an output part disposed concentrically with the input part 3 and connectable to an input shaft of a transmission, a clutch body 5, a pressure plate 40, and a main cone spring 41. The clutch body 5 has friction discs 20 and 21 connected to the input part 3 and a driven plate 31 connected to the output part 4. The pressure plate 40 presses the friction discs 20 and 21 and the driven plate 31 against each other. The main cone spring 41 urges the pressure plate 40 so that the friction discs 20 and 21 and the driven plate 31 are pressed against each other. Further, the friction disc 21 is provided with serrations or teeth 21a on an inner radial surface thereof. The input part 3 is provided with retractable gear teeth 23 which engage the teeth 21a to allow for rotation of the friction disk 21 with the input part 3 in one rotational direction but not in the other rotational direction.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly 3 having a disk-shaped clutch cover 4, an annular pressure plate 5, a cone spring 6, and a diaphragm spring 7. The pressure plate 5 is disposed in the clutch cover 4 and has a pressing surface 5a. The cone spring 6 is disposed on the opposite side of the pressure plate 5 in the clutch cover 4, and has its radial inner end supported on the clutch cover and its radial outer end biasing the pressure plate 5. Within the clutch cover, a hardened support member coupled to the cover is provided to engage at least one inner portion of the cone spring 6 in order to minimize wear associated with engagement with the spring 6 as it moves in response to movement of the pressure plate 5. The hardened support member is provided in the present invention is a number of forms. In one embodiment the hardened support member is integrally formed with the clutch cover 4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicycle brake arm 1 used in a brake caliper apparatus. The brake arm 1 mounted to a bicycle frame F for pivotal movement about an axis X. A brake shoe mounting bracket 4 is likewise coupled to the bicycle frame F for pivotal movement about the axis X. In one embodiment, the brake arm 1 is formed with an arcuate recess 12 whose arcuate center coincides with the axis X. The brake shoe mounting bracket 4 has a first portion 4a formed with an arcuate contour, conforming to the contour of the recess 12, and the first portion 4a is slidably disposed within the recess 12. A bolt 9 extends through an elongated arcuate screw hole 8 formed in the first portion 4a and an aperture 4g formed in the brake arm 1. A brake shoe 5 is mounted to a position adjusting mechanism formed on the second portion 4b of the bracket 4.

Abstract: A lockup unit for a torque converter is provided with a front cover coupled to an input member and a turbine coupled to an output member. The lockup unit includes: a disc-like piston disposed movably between the front cover and the turbine and pressingly contactable against the front cover; a flexible coupling mechanism for coupling the disc-like piston and the turbine in a circumferential direction; and a frictional resistance generating mechanism including a stationary member fixed to the disc-like piston and a flexible member which is brought into pressing contact with the stationary member so as to be rotatable together with the turbine, for generating a frictional resistance when the piston and the turbine are rotated relative to each other, to thereby reduce the number of the necessary mechanical components.