Abstract: Crank drive belt systems feature a triple pulley tensioner which may be applied in various ways to provide proper tensioning on belt spans adjacent a motor generator for both starting and generating functions of the system. The tensioner provides adequate belt wrap and damping functions for the systems. In a simplified embodiment, the belt system connects a crankshaft or crank pulley with a motor generator pulley and at least one accessory drive pulley, such as an air conditioner compressor. The triple pulley tensioner includes a fixed tensioner housing mounting a fixed rotatable pulley and two tensioner arms carrying pulleys for tensioning the belt spans on either side of the motor generator. The fixed pulley is positioned on a third belt span between the accessory and the crank and combines with the tensioner pulleys to maximize belt wrap around the MG pulley, the crank pulley, and the accessory pulley, if needed. Numerous alternative arrangements may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-piece bicycle crank set comprising of two monolithic, thin-wall continuous tubular members. Each tubular member includes a crank arm and a one-half portion of a crank axle, where the crank arm and the portion of the crank axle form a continuous thin-wall tubular shape. The two tubular members are coupled precisely midway between two bearing sets within a bracket shell of a bicycle. The coupling connecting the two tubular members can include an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, two exteriorly tapered and internally threaded bushings and a threaded stud. Turning the threaded stud positions the bushings to expand the inner sleeve, whereby the crank axle portions of the two tubular members are secured within the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve by the expanding inner sleeve. Alternatively, an interference fit coupling connects the two tubular members, and includes a mortise member and a tenon member.

Abstract: An actuation lever is provided that comprises a lever having a first end configured to engage and support a knob, a second end configured for connection to a lever-actuated device and a longitudinal axis. The mating knob includes at least one pocket having at least one inner peripheral surface. The first end of the lever includes a resiliently deflectable retaining member having a tine that includes a barb-like tip that engages the inner peripheral surface of the pocket. As the knob is inserted onto the first end of the lever, the tine deflects inwardly towards the longitudinal axis. The spring force generated by the deflected tine causes the retaining member to exert oppositely directed forces against the inner peripheral surface of the pocket. The barb-like tip on the end of the tine imbeds into an inner peripheral surface of the pocket to retain the knob on the first end of the lever.

Abstract: A gear wheel comprises a first gear wheel portion, including first half-teeth, which can be coupled to a second gear wheel portion, including second half-teeth, by adjustable coupling means, so that the first and second half-teeth form by pairs the teeth of the gear wheel. The second gear wheel portion can be turned with respect to the first gear wheel portion about the rotary axis of the gear wheel, and can be locked by the adjustable coupling, so as to change the distance of the first and second half-teeth in each pair.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved power transmission belt which has a relatively thick rubber backing layer for improved interface with associated pulleys and improved wear resistance. The belt also has an aramid, glass, or other high modulus relatively inextensible cord secured by a layer of fabric.

Abstract: A pedal of a foot parking brake is prevented from migrating into the interior of a vehicle in the event of a crash by way of a two-part pedal receiving device. The pedal receiving device has a stationary console connected with a center console cross member as well as a bearing element swivellably arranged therein. The bearing element is connected with the console by way of an adjusting and fixing device. The fixing device has hook-shaped elements, and the adjusting device has a bolt in the console extending in a slotted guide of the bearing element.

Abstract: A robot drive assembly for moving a working tool in x, y, z and theta directions comprising three independent, coaxially nested tubes, each tube being driven around a common central axis by drive belts attached to separate drive motors located in a mounting flange associated with the outermost tube. The motors, and the tubes which they drive, provide horizontal rotary motion to a robot arm attached to the upper end of the outer tube and the wrist and elbow of that arm. A fourth motor controls vertical motion of the whole assembly. The robot system also includes motor position adjustment structure and belt tension structure designed for ease of use and to eliminate movement of tensioned components once locked in position.

Abstract: A drive chain suitable for use in a continuously variable transmission of a motor vehicle, the transmission having two pairs of spaced drive members about which the chain passes to transfer torque from one drive member to the other. The chain includes a plurality of link elements that include spaced, side-by-side plate links. The plate links include openings in which pairs of parallel rocker members are disposed for relative rocking movement of at least one rocker member about its longitudinal axis. The rocker members extend outwardly beyond the plate links and are retained in position by retaining members that engage particular rocker members. A method for stretching the chain is also disclosed in which areas of some of the plate links are plastically deformed before the chain is put to use.

Abstract: A prescribed volume of lubricant is transferred from a lubricant discharge port 8 of a liquid volume discharge device to a rolling element 703 of a rolling bearing 700 when the lubricant discharge port 8 is positioned directly above and close to the rolling element 703, whereby the lubricant is applied to the interior of the rolling bearing 700. Further the application system inspects whether or not a prescribed volume of lubricant is injected from the discharge device for injecting a lubricant into the interior of a rolling bearing 700.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator system for use in a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a battery. The system includes a starter-generator electrically coupled to the battery to generate a current and to start the internal combustion engine. A drive mechanism connects the starter-generator machine and the internal combustion engine. The starter-generator machine generates the current by receiving a charging torque from one side of the drive mechanism and starts the internal combustion engine by imparting a starting torque to a different side of the drive mechanism. The charging torque or the starting torque is a greater torque. A passive tensioning system cooperates with the drive mechanism to tension the drive mechanism only at the side of the greater torque.

Abstract: A steering damper device attenuating the oscillations of the handlebar of a motorcycle during operation, and more particularly, a device capable of varying a damping force variable. The steering damping device prevents the adverse effect of oscillations of the handlebar that would otherwise occur when the load on the front wheel of the motorcycle becomes light. The device includes a rotary steering damper provided in a coaxial manner on a steering shaft. Either a damping force or zero damping force is produced by a variable valve arranged in the bypass passage communicating with a right liquid chamber and a left liquid chamber. The variable valve is controlled by a control device and generates a damping force in the steering damper only when the acceleration of the motorcycle as detected by the acceleration sensor exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A monolever operating device that inclines in a two-dimensional manner including at least a front and rear direction and a right and left direction. A drive signal generating unit contained within a drive signal generating body for outputting two drive signals to components in the front and rear direction and in the right and left direction in accordance with an orientation and an amount of inclination of the monolever. The device further includes a universal joint mounted to support the monolever in an inclinable manner, a mount plate for mounting the drive signal generating body mounted thereto to a vehicle body, and a monolever bearing member provided on an upper surface of the mount plate and provided with lever bearing portions and boot holding portions alternately arranged adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are a transmission lever unit for vehicle comprising: a single transmission lever for operating the transmission unit; a first lever member swingable around a first pivot and having a second pivot; and a second lever member integrally attached to a base end portion of the transmission lever and swingable around the second pivot orthogonal to the first pivot, the transmission lever unit being adapted to select a desired combination of gear trains of first and second systems of the transmission through independent connecting means of the first and second systems by an operation of the lever, wherein the first connecting means is adapted to operate by swing operation of the transmission lever around the first pivot, and the second connecting means is adapted to operate by swing operation of the transmission lever around the second pivot, and a mounting structure of a coil spring held by two members disposed such that at least part of the members are substantially parallel to each other, for elastically

Abstract: A tensioner, for a timing chain, belt or the like in an internal combustion engine, has a projection-preventing hook that secures a spring-urged plunger in a withdrawn condition prior to installation of the tensioner, but releases the plunger during operation so that the plunger can exert a force on a pivoted chain- or belt-engaging tensioner lever. A resisting member is provided on a fulcrum pin on which the hook is pivoted, in order to exert a frictional force on the hook, thereby preventing the hook from unexpectedly returning to its plunger latching condition and preventing vibration noise to movements of the hook. The tensioner can be mounted without regard to its direction, and therefore a threaded mounting can be used, simplifying mounting and demounting of the tensioner.

Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine includes a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism, a pinion and a pinion drive shaft, a motor, a front housing having a plurality of fastening holes disposed at a circumference and a center casing having approximately the same outside diameter as the motor housing. The center housing is disposed between the motor housing and the front housing to align a motor shaft, the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism and the pinion drive shaft. The diameter of the motor housing is a maximum outside diameter of the fastening bolt less than the diameter of a circumference on which the fastening bolts are formed. Therefore, fastening bolts can be easily inserted into the fastening holes.

Abstract: To reduce entire length and radial dimension of a starter, the starter includes a driving lever composed of a lever body and a lever pin as a pivot center of the driving lever body. Further, the lever pin is disposed close to a center case in the radial direction. The dimension between supporting positions of both arm portions supporting the lever pin is set large. To provide the waterproof structure of a starter, a projection provided on a lever seal is inserted into a positioning hole of a lever holder in a lever assembly of a starter. Further, a tip of the projection comes in contact with a peripheral surface of a lever pin at a lower side than the center of the lever pin.

Abstract: An arrangement for locking the steering shaft of a motor vehicle, includes a blocking device and a toothed ring which is arranged on the steering shaft and in which a blocking element, which is arranged so that it can be displaced from an unlocked position into a locked position, of the blocking device engages. To allow the blocking device to be attached to the steering device of the vehicle in question and exchanged in a simple manner and to ensure that the blocking device cannot be removed in the locked state of the blocking element, the blocking device, which is provided with a housing, is releasably connected to a flange, which is attached to the steering device, via an adapter part. The flange has a recess which is designed in such a manner that the adapter part, for fitting of the blocking device, can be inserted in a partial area of the recess and can then be displaced along a guide into its limit position.

Abstract: A brake pedal apparatus for a vehicle is provided with a pedal bracket having a pivot shaft, a pivot bracket having a pedal shaft, a pedal arm, a slide plate fixed to a body structural member of the vehicle and located between the body structural member and the pedal bracket, an impact absorbing section, and a rotational motion assisting section. The impact absorbing section permits relative movement of the pivot bracket and the body structural member in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the pedal bracket encounters an external force directed rearward of the vehicle at a level beyond a predetermined load, in such a manner that the pivot bracket disengages from the slide plate to allow the pivot bracket to rotate about the pivot shaft while rotating the pedal shaft therewith rearwardly downward of the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wiper gear motor includes a motor core and a reduction gear base, the core and the base having metal parts. The gear motor has a joint interposed between the core and the base, the joint including a sealing material and at least a metal element in contact with the metal parts of the core and the base.

Abstract: The gear-change is comprised of a casing (1-2) for securing to the structure of the vehicle, and in said casing a cam (5) is located, to which twin lineal slide blocks (8) and (16) are linked, the first of these is linked to the gear-change selection cable (10) and the second to the gear selection cable (14); the slide block (8) having a side protrusion that freely moves in a slanting aperture (6) of the cam (5), so that the traverse movement of the lever (4) and corresponding tilting toward one side and another of the cam (5), brings with it the longitudinal movement of the slide block (8) and with that the traction or compression of the cable (10), whereas the forward and backward tilting movement of the lever (4), that is hinged on an axis (11) with respect to the cam (5), produces the longitudinal movement of the slide block (16) and with that the traction or compression of the cable (14).