Abstract: When an input shaft 6 is rotated by an external driving force, the resultant rotational force of the input shaft 6 is transmitted to an offset housing 21 of which rotational force in turn is transmitted to variable rings 39. If, at that time, angular volocities of the variable rings 39 are periodically varied relative to the angular velocity of the offset housing 21, the periodically varying angular velocities of the variable rings 39 are corrected to be substantially constant in a predetermined phase range, allowing only rotational forces having corrected angular velocities to be fetched from the variable rings 39 for transmission to an output shaft 7. Thus, by arbitrarily varying the angular velocities of the variable rings 39 relative to the angular velocity of the offset housing 21, the rotational speed of the output shaft 7 is steplessly varied relative to the rotational speed of the input shaft 7.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fine-mechanical adjusting device, whose one embodiment includes a body (1) having internal threads and an end surface (8). An adjusting part (4) having external threads screws to the body (1). A clamping part (5) having internal threads screws to a part of the adjusting part (4) that extends beyond the body, and it has a seating surface (9) that faces the end surface (8). In order to eliminate the longitudinal backlash of the threads and to achieve easy, stable and accurate adjustment, an O-ring (7) is placed in a groove (10) in the end surface (8), which partly protrudes from the end surface (8).

Abstract: A gear shifting mechanism and method are provided for change-speed gearboxes of motor vehicles with braking of an input shaft of the gearbox during engagement of reverse gear. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing, a shifter shaft radially pivotably and axially slidably supported by the housing. A plurality of shifter forks are supported by the shifter shaft. A reverse fork includes an arm having a groove. A shifter rod is supported by the housing adjacent the shifter shaft. A shifter finger is supported by the shifter rod. The finger is engageable in the groove of the arm to selectively move the reverse fork. A shift interlock is substantially axially fixed to the housing. The interlock includes a blocking plate rotatable with the shift finger to selectively block movement of a shifter fork. An interlock connector releasably connects the shift interlock for axial movement with the shifter finger or the shifter shaft to axially move the forward shifter fork during engagement of reverse gear.

Abstract: A selectively engageable motor-drive assembly operable for moving a vehicle door or ramp to enable manual operation or motorized operation is provided, having a motor, a pulley drawing a cable attached to the door or ramp, a torque-multiplying arrangement positionable between a fully-engaged position and a partially-disengaged position, and an actuator mechanism for positioning the torque-multiplying arrangement in accordance with a selection of manual or motorized operation. The actuator mechanism may be actuated by a solenoid that is activated by an operator through a control unit. Also, a cam may be provided to define the movement of the actuator mechanism.

Abstract: A viscous clutch assembly includes a viscous coupling arranged for generating a viscous resistance force in response to relative rotation between a pair of coaxially arranged rotary members, a cam mechanism cooperable with the viscous coupling for converting the viscous resistance force into a thrust force, a friction clutch mechanism cooperable with the cam mechanism to be brought into engagement when applied with the thrust force from the cam mechanism for establishing the drive connection between the rotary members. One of the rotary member is in the form of a cylindrical outer casing and the other rotary member is in the form of an internal rotary member coaxially surrounded by the outer casing.

Abstract: A neutral safety switch is moved to a closed position upon shifting of an automatic transmission to a neutral position but moved to an open position when the automatic transmission is shifted to a drive position. An air pressure responsive switch is moved to a closed position when air brake pressure is reduced to set alternative brakes and is in series with a bell, buzzer, light or other signal producing device. A control device is controlled by the neutral safety switch, so as to close one circuit, whereby an ignition control may be utilized to start the engine with the transmission in neutral position, but to close an alternative circuit, whereby the signal device will be activated with the alternative brakes set, when the neutral safety switch is moved to open position.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a rotary shaft relative to a reference includes a strain wave drive having a specially shaped deformable ring gear for minimum stress. The wave generator part of the drive is normally caused to rotate with the input and output shafts connected to the drive's ring gears so that the two shafts are effectively keyed together. A tractive-type clutch assembly permits the wave generator to be rotated in one direction or the other relative to the deformable gear shaft so that the phase angle of the two shafts can be adjusted at a slow rate of speed dependent on the gear ratio of the drive. Also a tractive-type planetary assembly may be coupled between the clutch assembly and the wave generator so that the phase change may be accomplished at a plurality of speeds.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch employing a magnetic field selectively actuatable by a heat sensing device to operate a valve arm to seal an inlet passage fluidly communicating an operating chamber with a storage chamber. The clutch includes a clutch and a housing member rotatably disposed relative to one another. Each member has a shear surface. The surfaces define therebetween the operating chamber. The storage chamber is located in the housing member and is in fluid communication with the operating chamber via a discharge passage and the inlet passage. Pump means in the operating chamber displace fluid through the discharge passage from the operating chamber to the storage chamber. The inlet passage directs fluid from the storage to the operating chamber. A movable valve arm selectively seals the inlet passage. The valve arm is moved via a solenoid action in response to actuation of the magnetic field.