Abstract: A clutch plate (4) and a retaining plate (5) are disposed to face each other. A separate flange (3) is interposed between the two plates and has cutaways (3d) extending in the circumferential direction at its outer circumferential edge. Large coil springs (7) couple the two plates and the separate flange (3) with each other in the circumferential direction. A plate coupler (30) includes a sleeve portion (31) and fastener portions (32) for coupling outer circumferential portions of the two plates with each other, and projections (33) extending radially inwardly from the sleeve portion (31) and contactable with both ends in the circumferential direction of the cutaways 3d of the separate flange (3) to overcome the problems associated with conventional stop pins and to increase a relative twist angle between an input member and an output member.

Abstract: A bicycle chain derailleur is biased against the movement of a cable by a first spring that has enhanced biasing characteristics. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the enhanced biasing characteristics are provided by the addition of a second spring element, where the second spring is an elastomer coating formed on coils of the first spring. In another embodiment a torsion spring is disposed in the chain derailleur which works in concert with the first spring to enhance the biasing characteristics. In yet another embodiment, both the elastomer coating and the torsion spring are employed.

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 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: A clutch disc assembly 1 includes a first disc member 2, second disc members 3, coil springs 11, a first coupling mechanism 4, a second coupling member 7 and a spline hub 6. The second disc members 3 are placed on sides of the first disc member 2, and they are provided in inner circumferential portions with spline teeth 3a laterally protruding. Coil springs 11 are disposed between the first disc member 2 and the second disc members 3 in circumferential directions so as to be elastically deformed. The spline hub 6 is provided in its outer circumference with outside spline teeth 6a which mesh with the spline teeth 3a. The second coupling member 7 includes a third friction washer 21 and a spring 20. The third friction washer 21 frictionally slides on one of the spline hub 6 and the second disc members 3. The spring 20 is placed between the spline hub 6 and the second disc members 3 so as to be elastically deformed and urges the third friction washer 21 against the adjacent second disc member 3.

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: 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: In an imaging station of a photocopier, a transfer device is provided in configuration with a photosensitive drum 7. The transfer device is provided with a discharge wire 24 located opposite the photosensitive drum 7, a housing 26, a charge removing member 51, and a shield frame 25. The housing 26 has a pair of insulating blocks 40 supporting either end of discharge wire 24, and a connecting shank 41 formed integrally with and extending between the pair of insulating blocks. The charge removing member 51 is fitted to the shank 41 and removes image-transferring electrical charge from the reverse side of a sheet passed by a sheet supply transport device 15 through the imaging station. The shield frame 25 is formed to at least partially surround the discharge wire 24, and has an opening 30a on the side facing photosensitive drum 7, into which support housing 26 is fitted.

Abstract: A power transmission system 1 includes a lock-up clutch 5, an elastic coupling mechanism 7, a torque converter 4 and a torque disengaging clutch 6. The lock-up clutch 5 is coupled to a power output shaft 2 so as to receive torque from the power input shaft 2. The elastic coupling mechanism 7 is coupled to the lock-up clutch 5 so as to receive torque from the lock-up clutch 5 and is capable of being deformed in circular directions. The torque converter 4 is coupled to the power output shaft 2 so as to receive torque from the power output shaft 2. The torque disengaging clutch 6 is coupled to the elastic coupling mechanism 7 and the torque converter 4 so as to receive torque from them respectively and is further coupled to a power input shaft 3 of a transmission.

Abstract: A bail mode switching device for a spinning reel which produces an audible sound when a bail on the spinning reel switches between a line reeling mode and and a line casting mode. The bail mode switching device includes at least one toggle spring mechanism which switches the bail between modes, and an audible warning mechanism which can produce a distinctive sound when the bail mode both commences and completes a bail mode change.

Abstract: A torque convertor is provided with a lockup clutch having a plurality of frictional surfaces. The lockup clutch includes coil springs for coupling an inertia plate and a front cover with each other in the circumferential direction. A piston plate is disposed between a turbine and the inertia plate and engaged with the turbine. An output plate is disposed between the front cover and the inertia plate and is fixed to the turbine. A hydraulic pressure control device controls the hydraulic oil pressure inside the torque convertor in order to frictionally engage or disengage the output plate, the inertia plate, and the piston plate with each other.

Abstract: A nozzle 22 is used for a torch 5 which effects arc welding in a shield gas atmosphere using welding wire 26 that is continuously supplied from a wire support 23 that extends in one direction. The nozzle main body is disposed around and is separated by a space from the wire support 23. Air blow adapters 24 are fixed to the outer side of the nozzle main body and serve to supply into the nozzle main body fluid for removing sputter, and they have air introduction passages 33 that are directed to the central tip end.

Abstract: A flexible plate (3) transmits torque from a crank shaft (4) in an engine to a fly wheel main body (2) while absorbing axial vibration, and includes a first disc element (7) and a second disc element (8). The first disc element (7) is fixed to a distal end of the crank shaft (4). A second disc element (8) has its inner circumferential portion is connected to the first disc element (7), with both being connected to the crank shaft (4) at their respective inner circumferential portions. The outer circumferential portion of the second disc element (8) is longer in the radial direction than the first disc element (7) and is connected to the fly wheel main body (2). The second disc element (8) can be flexibly transformed in axial directions.

Abstract: A toner cartridge installation unit for an image forming device is disclosed which allows proper toner cartridge installation to take place. The installation unit includes at least one detection slot, and the toner cartridge includes a detection member. If the proper toner cartridge has been selected, or if certain foreign objects have not fallen into the installation unit, the detection member will slide into the detection slot, and a switch within the detection slot will be activated, thereby allowing installation to be completed. If the wrong toner cartridge has been chosen, or if certain foreign objects have fallen into the installation device, the switch will not be activated, the installation unit will discharge the toner cartridge from the image forming device, and the user will be alerted.

Abstract: In the host computer of a multiple photocopier management system, a maintenance supervising system is provided for supervising maintenance job contents on routinely serviced photocopier components. Stored in the host computer RAM are maintenance tables for retaining in routine maintenance sequences job items for periodic maintenance on the photocopier components. After completing routine maintenance on a photocopier, a service engineer inputs maintenance reporting data which is accepted in job store areas of the RAM. The maintenance reporting data categorizes a maintenance job, in particular as to whether a component has been repaired, and indicates actual job content, component-by-component. The routine maintenance sequences each constitute an order of ranking numbers each assigned to a job item, and the rank order in the sequence is updated according to the ranking number corresponding to the content of the reported job.

Abstract: A bicycling shoe having a shoe main body, a first tension-binding belt, a second tension-binding belt, a free ring, and a tensioning implement. The first tension-binding belt has at least one end connected to the shoe main body and has a first turnover portion. The second tension-binding belt has at least one end connected to the shoe main body and has a second turnover portion adjacent to the first turnover portion. The first and second turnover portions are inserted through the free ring such that the first and second belts link. Herein, since the belts having the turnover portions are linked by the free ring, fine adjustment can be made by means of the belts, responding to the shape of the foot of an individual wearer. Further, since a construction is made in which the first tension-binding belt is fixed to the shoe main body under tension by the tensioning implement, the shoes can be put on and taken off easily.

Abstract: Brake shoes 13a and 13b are embedded-types to be attached to brake arms 12a and 12b of a brake device 1 which acts upon both sides 5a of a rim 5 and include fixing pins E and shoe main bodies D, wherein the fixing pins E are made of aluminum and can be connected to the brake arms 12a and 12b, and the shoe main bodies D have holder plates 16 fixed on tips of the fixing pins E; elastomer-made friction pads 17 in which the holder plates 16 are embedded and which come into contact with the rim 5 and thereby act upon it; and a mass of 28.0 g or larger, wherein the holder plates 16 have a larger mass than the friction pads 17, and the shoe main bodies D have a mass at least 10 times that of the fixing pins E.

Abstract: A rotor disposed in a fluid retarder which includes a annular shell having a semicircular cross section and a plurality of blades, each blade being composed of a semicircular blade body and a rib bent from an arcuate edge of the blade body and fixed to an inside of the shell. The annular shell and the blades are composed of sheet metal. The blades are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the shell and are welded into place. Because the annular shell and the blades are composed of sheet metal and are brazed together, the cost of manufacturing the rotor can be reduced without reducing its performance.

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.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly 10 is used with clutch friction disks of a dry multi-disk clutch 1, and is provided with a diaphragm spring 30, a clutch cover 28 and a support structure 31. The outer periphery portion of the diaphragm spring 30 loads the clutch friction disks. The support structure 31 includes a first annular disk-like annular ring member 35 possessing a first ring main body 38 which contacts a portion of the diaphragm spring 30 from the clutch cover 28 side and a seating portion 40 which extends from the first ring main body 38 and seats against the clutch cover 28, a second annular disk-like annular ring member 36 possessing a second ring main body which contacts the diaphragm spring 30 on the side opposite the first annular disk-like annular ring member 35, and bolts 37 for fixing the first and second annular disk-like annular disk-like annular ring members 35 and 36 to the clutch cover 28. One purpose of the invention is to suppress clutch cover wear caused by annular disk-like wire rings.