Abstract: A knob assembly comprising a cup-shaped knob shell having therein a coaxial pair of oppositely wound coil springs disposed for binding engagement with a surrounding wall of a race and having respective terminal end portions engaging an encircled portion of an axially rotatable bushing which is provided with fastening means for rotatably engaging an axially inserted shaft, the springs having other terminal end portions engaged by respective oppositely rotatable lever arms mounted on the bushing and having end portions aligned with axially spaced projections of the knob shell, whereby axial movement of the shell causes the projections to pivot the lever arms in opposite angular directions to release the coil springs windingly from binding engagement with the wall of the race and permit rotation of the bushing and engaged shaft in response to rotary movement of the knob shell.

Abstract: A clutch release structure includes a clutch release bearing having a running portion, or the like, positioned to axially engage the diaphragm or dish-shaped clutch release elements. The bearing portion, or the like, has an axially extending portion which projects through the central boring in the clutch release elements, and damping means are provided radially between this extension and the clutch release spring elements.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with an internal friction clutch wherein provision is made for actuating the clutch in response to changes in hydrokinetic torus circuit pressure and wherein provision also is made for engaging and disengaging the clutch by controlling the direction of fluid flow to and from the torus circuit of the converter.

Abstract: A novel torque exchange coupling for transmitting rotational mechanical power is described. The coupling includes a torque receiving member, a torque transmitting member and means for conveying rotational mechanical power between the torque transmitting and receiving members. Typically, the torque receiving member is a housing, a cam or other suitable structure which has a surface comprising a circuitous track. The linear circumference of the track is undulant with respect to its axis of rotation. The torque transmitting member is any suitable rotatable mounting means such as a rotor which is positioned in a rotational power conveying relationship with the undulant track of the torque receiving member. Alternatively, the function of the torque receiving and torque transmitting members can be reversed.

Abstract: A motor operatively connected to a pump which provides the transmission hydraulic control system with pressurized fluid is activatable automatically in response to insufficient pressure being stored in an accumulator when the ignition switch is closed and by a button switch operated by a button disposed on the gear shift lever when the ignition switch is open and insufficient pressure prevails in said accumulator whereby it is possible to shift gears even when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: The fastening of a diaphragm spring to the casing of a clutch is effected by means of a annular piece that acts elastically on the diaphragm independently of the riveting, offering a high degree of resistance to flexion between rivets, which piece is of a hollow and incomplete toroidal shape in a support zone on the diaphragm, which zone presents an angular extension of more than 180.degree., permitting an elastic deformation or a reduction of its height of assembly without exceeding the elastic limit of the material that originates the elastic force necessary for the perfect operation of the device and at the same time absorbing the dimensional differences due to the necessary and admissible tolerances of manufacture, with the special feature that the interior part of the said piece is provided with a flange for increasing the moment of inertia of the section of the piece, increasing resistance to flexion between two consecutive orifices of the said piece.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for utilization with a dry clutch apparatus which may be electrically shifted to transmit torque from an engine to a vehicle's wheels. As a motor's speed picks up, the clutch apparatus drum drives the automatic transmission. Under runaway conditions, the clutch drum is rotated by the load acting through the transmission. The load is capable of driving the drum even faster than the motor rotates the shoes at which time slippage occurs and the motor is relieved. Through such a feature, the transmission may be shifted up or down at any speed.

Abstract: A countershaft-type automatic power transmission in which a countershaft gear assembly is operated by a hydraulic control system controlled by electric control means responsive to various operational variables of a vehicle and in which a clutch assembly is operated between the coupled and uncoupled conditions by clutch control valve means which is also controlled by the electric control means, the power transmission further featuring throttle valve control means adapted to move the carburetor throttle valve to a position to produce an idling condition in the engine independently of the accelerator pedal when the clutch assembly is in the uncoupled condition.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter mechanism having a bladed impeller, a bladed turbine and a bladed stator arranged in a toroidal fluid flow circuit enclosed within a common impeller housing, a friction clutch in the housing including a clutch disc with a friction surface thereon situated adjacent a cooperating friction surface formed on the housing, a stator sleeve shaft supporting the stator, an impeller sleeve hub journalled on the housing, a turbine shaft connected to the turbine and extending through the stator sleeve shaft, and a double circuit flow path for fluid circulating through the torus circuit, one circuit being defined in part by the annular space between the impeller hub and the stator sleeve shaft and the other circuit being defined by the annular space between said turbine shaft and said stator sleeve shaft and by the annular flow space between said friction surfaces.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch device for transmitting torque from an input means to an output means includes a clutch actuating means in the form of an electromagnetic winding. The input means includes a driving plate coaxially disposed with and connected to an input shaft for rotation therewith, a driving friction ring member coaxial with the input shaft and connected to the driving plate for rotation with the input shaft and axial movement relative to the input shaft, and an armature coaxially disposed with and threadably connected to the friction ring member. The relative rotational motion between the armature and the output means causes the armature to advance on the thread thereby allowing the friction ring member to fully engage with the output means.

Abstract: An improved-efficiency, pedal-operated drive mechanism for a bicycle employing an elliptical sprocket used in association with a planetary-type gear drive for providing an elliptical path of travel of the bicycle pedals. The gear arrangement is disposed in a circular frame mounted from the conventional bicycle frame having secured therein, in a stationary position, an internally-toothed ring gear. The planetary-type drive also includes a pair of rotatable pinion gears diametrically meshed with the ring gear and supported in a bearing housing within the frame on respective pedal axles which are each secured to a pedal arm. The motion of the pedals is along an elliptical locus as the pinion gears individually but synchronously rotate in the fixed ring gear. The sprocket which is preferably of elliptical shape is secured to the housing and rotates therewith driving the bicycle with an improved efficiency on the order of 25 percent or more in comparison to the conventional circular drive system.

Abstract: A flywheel includes a hub sleeve, a stationary core surrounded by the hub sleeve, axially spaced first and second rolling-element bearings each having an inner ring supported on the core and an outer ring in engagement with the hub sleeve, an inner spacer sleeve disposed between the inner rings and surrounding the core and an outer spacer sleeve disposed between the outer rings and surrounding the inner spacer sleeve and a clamping arrangement axially urging the inner rings against the inner spacer sleeve and the outer rings against the outer spacer sleeve with a predetermined axial force. An axially yielding, relatively rigid spring element forms part of the clamping arrangement and engages at least one of the rings with the predetermined axial force. The spring element is substantially unyielding to the predetermined axial force, but yields to axial forces derived from vibrations imparted to the flywheel. Cooperating extensions of the spring element and and an outer ring constitute a labyrinth seal.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch has an axially extending hub formed with a central bore for receiving and mounting the clutch on a drive shaft. A drive flange is attached to the hub for rotation with the hub when it is rotated by the drive shaft. A pair of clutch shoes is pivotally mounted on the drive flange in an end-to-end relationship with respect to each other by a pair of pivot pins. Extension springs bias the swinging ends of the clutch shoes toward retracted position. The clutch shoes are adapted to move outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force and overcome the biasing effect of the springs to drivingly engage a concentrically mounted clutch housing. Each of the clutch shoes has an arcuate-shaped web and an outer shoe table with a strip of frictional material being mounted on the table.

Abstract: A fluid operated actuator for activating the clutch mechanism of a clutch-operated cable drum is disclosed wherein the clutch mechanism rotates with a shaft upon which the cable drum is journalled and is operable to engage the cable drum for rotation with the shaft by axially displacing a portion of the clutch mechanism. The actuator, which is cylindrical in geometry and includes a cylindrical bore, is engaged to the end of the rotating shaft with one endwall of the actuator extending radially outward from the rotatable shaft and being adjacent to the axially displaceable portion of the clutch mechanism. A piston is slidably retained in the actuator bore and a number of circumferentially spaced apart thrust pins that are slidably retained in openings of the actuator endwall structurally link the piston with an annular plate that is positioned between the actuator endwall and the axially displaceable portion of the clutch.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch and hold-back coupling arrangement, preferably using a sprag-type clutch is disclosed. The coupling includes a lubrication arrangement providing for permanent oil lubrication and cooling from an external coolant supply and internal lubricant recirculation by an internal pump. Lubrication flow paths for distributing oil to all critical parts of the coupling and to control the flow of oil are provided.

Abstract: The control collar of a helical spring clutch is defined in part by a series of rings having radially projecting stop lugs which coact with an interposer. The rings may be adjusted angularly relative to one another to cause the lugs to effect successive disengagements of the clutch as the output member of the clutch is rotated through a selectively adjustable number of steps of selectively adjustable angular length.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly for a friction clutch is disclosed. The assembly comprises two coaxial members and circumferentially disposed springs interposed therebetween. One of the members comprises two hub parts each of which has a radially extending elemental web having openings or cutouts for the springs which bear along opposed edges thereof. The elemental webs are parallel to each other and formed in one piece with their respective hub parts. The other member comprises, for example, two annular plate members which are fixed to each other by a weld or a rivets and have recesses cooperable with the cutouts or openings in the element webs for accommodating the springs. The hub parts may be fixed for rotation with each other by suitable means. When used for a friction clutch a friction plate is fixed to one or both of the annular plate members. The webs may axially enclose the annular plate members on the annular plate members may axially enclose the webs.

Abstract: A multiple speed gear reducer embodying the present invention includes a power input shaft and a power output shaft, a plurality of load sharing gear trains interconnecting said input and output shafts, and two or more reaction gears of different sizes coaxially arranged on the input shaft and operatively connected to the gear train or trains for producing relative rotation between said gear train or trains and the input shaft. A clutch for each of said reaction gears selectively restrains the gears to obtain a predetermined gear reduction ratio between the input and the output shafts. The reaction gears are mounted on separate, coaxially arranged sleeves around the input shaft and are controlled through clutches on the sleeves to obtain a selected gear ratio.

Abstract: An underdrive transmission incorporates a planetary gear assembly including a sub-assembly which may be shifted manually between high and low-range modes to establish direct and reduction ratio drive. In the high-range mode, the drive path is from an input member directly through the carrier to an output member, with the gears unloaded. In the low-range mode, the sun gear is grounded to the housing through a reaction plate, and the drive path is from the input member to the ring gear and from the carrier to the output member. The sub-assembly includes a slidable shift sleeve on which are supported the sun gear, carrier and planet gears.

Abstract: Precise angular relationship between release means and driven means is attained in a coil spring clutch by means of a spring-positioning ring which is permanently secured to the driven hub only after being rotated into desired position.