Abstract: An accelerator pedal device comprises a pedal lever having a pivot shaft which is pivotally supported by a fixed support bracket. The pedal lever is biased in such a direction that an upper part of the pedal lever approaches a fixed stopper member. A first auxiliary lever is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft and has a first upper portion located between the stopper member and the upper part of the pedal lever. A second auxiliary lever is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft and has a second upper portion located between the first upper portion and the upper part of the pedal lever. A first lost-motion mechanism is provided between the pedal lever and the second auxiliary lever, and a second lost-motion mechanism is provided between the second and first auxiliary levers.

Abstract: A torque converter and clutch assembly incorporates a selectively engageable clutch pressure plate which enforces frictional engagement between a clutch disc, mounted on the pressure plate, and the input shell of the torque converter. An elastomer lined compliant interface is disposed intermediate the pressure plate and the clutch disc for the purpose of permitting surface configuration compliance between the input shell and the clutch disc as well as between the clutch disc and the pressure plate.

Abstract: A handlebar shock absorber for bicycles and the like comprises two pivotably coupled support members, one of which attaches to the bicycle handlebars while the other attaches to the steering fork. An offset link is pivotably mounted to one of the members so as to slidably engage the other member. A compression spring extends along the link and urges the handlebar support member to an upper, rest position. Shocks transmitted along the front fork of the bicycle are resiliently absorbed by rotation of the handlebar mounting member against the compression spring. The degree of compression of the spring may be changed for different riding courses. A hydraulic piston/cylinder combination coupled to the offset link adds to the shock absorbing capability of the device. A metering rod is adjustable in a piston orifice to enable a rider to adjust the shock absorber stiffness without dismounting.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch 11 including a rotor assembly 14 with an attraction surface 14d, a field coil assembly with an electromagnetic coil 15 and a coil support yoke 16, and an armature assembly 19. The armature assembly has an armature hub 20 which can be connected to a driven shaft 18, a stopper plate 21 connected to the hub 20, a ring shaped armature 24 and a damper which connects the armature to the stopper plate. The damper has a rubber damper 27 which is held in a damper cover 30a, 30b or 125b. The damper cover includes an open side with bevelled edges. The bevelled edges have an arc-shaped area 30e, 30f or 125c that prevents stress contractions in the end of the rubber damper 27 or 126 to prevent cracking of the vulcanized rubber. A rivet 25 or 124 may also be in the rubber damper. A free end of the rivet has a bevelled arc-shaped area 25a or 124a that limits stress concentrations to prevent cracking of the rubber damper 27 or 126.

Abstract: An anti-roll device including a gear fixed on a drive shaft and a gear fixed on a driven shaft, a pinion engaged on a rod, a number of gradually narrowing notches formed in the pinion, a roller and a spring disposed in each of the notches, the rollers being biased to move toward the narrower ends of the notches, the pinion being engaged with either of the gears, the rollers being caused to be wedged between the narrower ends of the notches and the rod when the pinion rotates in one direction, thereby locking the gear and the rod together, rotation of the pinion in an opposite direction is prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a torque limiting mechanism comprising rotatable drive and driven members (144,146) having a common axis of rotation. The drive member (144) includes a resilient tripping finger (152) having an end portion (154) which is adapted to engage resiliently in a recess (166) formed in the inner surface of a cylindrical portion (162) of the driven member (146) for the purpose of applying a driving torque to the driven member (146). In the event of this torque exceeding a certain limit, the tripping finger (152) is caused to become disengaged from the recess (166), thereby disconnecting the drive to the driven member (146) and permitting the drive member (144) to rotate relative to the driven member (146). The torque limiting mechanism may be included in a drive system included in a currency note pick mechanism, the torque limiting mechanism serving to disconnect drive to the pick mechanism in the event of a gulp feed occurring.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically sensing when the friction elements of a clutch are excessively worn and for generating a signal in response thereto is disclosed. The clutch includes a bearing housing which is adapted to be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. A shift assembly is provided for moving the bearing housing to the disengaged position. The shift assembly includes a pair of fingers which are normally spaced apart from the bearing housing when the clutch is engaged and the friction elements are not worn. However, when the friction elements become worn, the bearing housing engages the fingers of the shift assembly when the clutch is in the engaged position. A sensor is mounted in the bearing housing for generating a signal when the fingers are in contact therewith. The signal may be an electrical signal which is fed to a control circuit.

Abstract: A viscous liquid damper having a damper for developing a torsion torque in between an output-side driven plate (23) and an input-side drive plate (3), and a liquid chamber located between the drive plates (3) is partitioned into front and rear divided chamber (38 & 39) in rotation direction. In order to allow absorption of vibrations of different kinds without mutual confrontation in such a damper; an outward facing projection (41) is formed on the drive plate (3), a slider (40) is mated with the drive plate (3) in such a manner as slidable in the rotation direction, a main choke (A1) is formed between the slider (40) and the projection (41), stoppers (40a) able to mate with the projection (41) are formed on circumferential both ends of the slider (40), and a sub-choke (S2) connecting the both divided chambers (38 & 39) is formed separately from the main choke (S1).

Abstract: A torque transmission control device, coupling belleville springs which sandwich friction discs interposed between plural input discs and output discs in a housing. These members are pressed together by a friction adjustment screw set in a desired position to prevent a drive torque, exceeding a predetermined value, from being transmitted from an input to an output. A cap is provided with a rotation limiting opening to fit a protrusion on the friction adjustment screw and with stopper recesses for engaging protrusions formed on the housing to prevent the friction adjustment screw from rotating relative to the housing. This ensures that the predetermined torque value adjusted by the friction adjustment screw does not change during use.

Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly utilizing a hollow crank arm is disclosed. The crank arm is welded to a hub for mounting to an axle and reinforced using a doubler provided at a point of maximum stress to minimize the likelihood of breakage at the maximum stress point. The resulting bicycle crank assembly exhibits reduced weight without a substantial reduction of torsional or bending strength.

Abstract: A splined assembly 10 is disclosed and includes a generally annular outer spline member 12 into which a second generally annular inner spline member 14 is rotatably placed. Member 12 includes a plurality of splines 22, 24, each having a snap ring reception slot 30 formed therein. In a first embodiment, housing member 12 also includes a band 34 which substantially surrounds the housing member 12 and overlays slots 30. In a second embodiment, housing 12 includes a plurality of elliptically protruding portions 40, each of which is positioned between pairs of adjacent splines 22, 24. Both band 34 and portions 40 are effective to prevent structural deformation caused by the received snap ring.

Abstract: A display device for use on a multi-speed (multi-gear) bicycle, which indicates the currently selected bicycle gear. The device interfaces directly with a gear changing cable. In one embodiment, a toothed rack is attached to a section of cable running along the bicycle frame. A pinion, attached to a cylindrical indicator meshes with the rack. In an embodiment for remote mounting, a slave cable is attached to the gear changing cable to transmit the motion of the gear changing cable to the remote location.

Abstract: A groove pattern for the paper-based annular friction facing (38) on an alar plate (39) of a clutch plate (41) of a wet clutch to equalize the surface temperature of the friction facing and thus increase the thermal capacity of the clutch where there is continuous slippage. The groove pattern includes one or more continuous annular grooves (42,43,44,45) dividing the friction area into at least three annular bands (46,47,48,49,50), an inner band (46), at least one intermediate band (47,48,49), and an outer band (50), and a plurality of cross grooves (51,52) in each band which are angled with respect to a radius of the facing. The angled cross grooves extend at an acute angle (a,b) (10-60 degrees) to such radius. Slip of the friction pair of plates causes a viscous pumping action. The cross groove angle in each band of the facing is similar so as to keep all the grooves filled with cooling oil, and the cross-section of the cross grooves vary in their dimensions as between the bands.

Abstract: The operation of an automated friction clutch between the output element of the engine and the input element of the variable-speed transmission in a motor vehicle is regulated by a fluid-operated system which receives signals from an evaluating circuit. The evaluating circuit receives signals from a number of sensors which monitor the RPM of the engine, the RPM of the input element of the transmission, clutch travel, the position of the throttle valve, the position of the shift linkage, the position of the gas pedal and other parameters. The fluid-operated system can select the condition of the clutch during starting, driving, acceleration, parking, driving in reverse and/or parking of the motor vehicle and/or during transitions between such stages of operation.

Abstract: A centrifugal hydraulic cancel mechanism for the rotating clutch in which a first cylindrical body and a second cylindrical body whose diameter is smaller than the first cylindrical body are set on a same central axis, frictional plates are attached to an inner surface of the first cylindrical body and an outer surface of the second cylindrical body, which transmit torque with their friction, a piston is arranged to move forward and backward to the frictional plates, a fluid chamber is formed on the opposite side of the piston in respect to the frictional plates, and a cancel chamber is formed at an opposite side to the fluid chamber in respect to the piston, where oil pressure can be supplied and discharged, comprises an auxiliary oil chamber formed closer to the central axis than the cancel chamber, and a fluid passageway connecting the cancel chamber and the auxiliary oil chamber.

Abstract: In a twin clutch, a positioning member 23 and a reverse movement obstruction member 21 are installed on an outer periphery of an intermediate plate 11. Projections 32 extend from the positioning member 23 and elastic lingual pieces 29 extend from a reverse movement obstruction member 21 respectively. A movement of the positioning member 23 to a pressure plate 5 side relative to the reverse movement obstruction member 21 is obstructed by an engagement of the elastic lingual pieces 29 with the projections 32. A movement of the positioning member 23 relative to the reverse movement obstruction member 21 is allowed only to the flywheel 5 side. Therefore, a force can be minimized which is required to move the positioning member 23 to the flywheel 5 side according to a wear of the first clutch disc 15, and a load reduction under a clutch engaged state can be decreased preferably.

Abstract: A method of controlling a friction type clutch of a vehicle having an engine and a drive train, which clutch is operated by hydraulic oil and is frictionally engageable to transfer rotational driving force from an output shaft of the engine to the drive train, includes the steps of causing the clutch to assume a slipping state of engagement upon starting of the vehicle, and defining a first amount of time as a function of the temperature of the hydrauilc oil. When the first amount of time has elapsed since the starting of the vehicle, the clutch is positively urged from slipping state of engagement into a locked up state of engagement.

Abstract: The one way clutch assembly of the present invention includes driving devices comprising two cooperating shafts which are configured to disengage one another upon stoppage or reversal of rotation of one of the shafts. One shaft is engaged to a supercharger drive shaft and the other is engaged to an actuating pulley for the supercharger which is belt driven by the engine. Such driving devices may be incorporated into the input shaft of the supercharger or into the crankshaft drive pulley of the engine. Upon the occurrence of a prematurely detonated intake charge in the engine, the driving devices disengage, with each rotating freely. After the force of detonation has decreased sufficiently and the engine has been stopped, the devices are easily reengageable for normal engine operation.

Abstract: A core length adjuster mechanism provides adjustment for a push-pull cable system having a core disposed within a conduit. The core and the conduit are flexible for much of their length, with the core being a rigid rod at the ends. An end of one of the rods is slidably disposed within a body of the adjuster mechanism. The body was generally rectangular shape, elongated in an axial direction. The body has a member for swivelable attachment integrated into it. The body has a rectangular opening through perpendicular to the axis from a top to a bottom. There are teeth transverse to the axis in the opening on sides paralleling the axis. A clip is disposed in the opening. The clip can be manually moved from an adjust position to an engaged position. It has teeth complementary to the teeth in the opening that engage those teeth when the clip is in an engaged position by pressing it into the body. When the clip is in the adjust position, the teeth are not engaged.

Abstract: An apparatus arranged for mounting to a wheel chair and the like for utilization by handicapped individuals to include a support frame mounted to an arm of the wheel chair structure or adjacent support rod, with the support frame including a rear plate and forward plate mounting securement members for fastening to the support rod. A clamp housing mounts a remote control device, such as for utilization with electronic equipment such as televisions and the like, with a sheath directed through a forward wall of the clamp housing, with the sheath including a flexible rod directed therethrough, wherein the flexible rod is reciprocated by use of a push-button member to direct the flexible rod against a control button of the associated remote control apparatus.