Abstract: A safety system for a power stroke machine including: a probe for sensing an obstruction in the work area; means for moving the probe between an extended position to sense obstructions in the work area and a retracted position; means for detecting the probe in the retracted position; means for detecting the probe in the extended position; start switch means for driving the means for moving, to selectively move the probe to the extended and retracted positions; a power output circuit, responsive to the start switch means and the means for detecting the probe in the extended position, for providing a power output to operate a power stroke machine when the start switch means is closed and the probe is in the extended position; a reset circuit for providing a set output in response to either the start switch means being closed or the probe being not retracted; a latching circuit responsive to the set output and the power output, for providing a latch output as long as the set output continues; and an output contr

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled release system for a friction clutch particularly for a motor vehicle including an annular cylinder supported at a transmission housing and having an annular piston operatively engaged therein, the piston being connected with a diaphragm spring control member of the clutch. The end of the piston facing the clutch extends axially into the annular cylinder and the opposite end of the piston which faces the transmission rests against a radially outwardly bent edge of a bearing flange operatively mounted radially within the annular piston and cylinder. The bearing flange is guided with its outer side on the inner side of the annular cylinder and carries a release bearing which is operatively interposed between the diaphragm control spring of the clutch and the release bearing.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a shaft drive arrangement having an inner shaft which has a first end and a second end. There is also an outer shaft concentric about the inner shaft. The outer shaft has a first end, a second end, and a middle. A clutch means for transmitting rotary power between the inner shaft and outer shaft is provided. The clutch means is cantileverly mounted on the second end of the shafts. A first transmission means for transmitting torque is mounted on the second end of the inner shaft. A second transmission means for transmitting torque is mounted about the middle of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A device for measuring wear of linings of a clutch, especially a motor vehicle clutch, with the clutch including a clutch-actuating device which has a push rod displaceable as a function of a position of, for example, a clutch pedal. A push rod includes a larger diameter portion which can be measured in a vicinity of a measurement point by means of a gauge, whereby the push rod acts upon a throwout fork which is adapted to be displaced as lining wear increases from a basic position in a direction of the push rod and indicate a need for replacement as a result of a predetermined change in diameter indicated by the group. The increased diameter portion of the push rod is formed by a frustoconical sleeve displaceable on the push rod. The sleeve is displaceable by a stop provided on a portion of a housing of the clutch when the clutch is thrown out for the first time into a fixed position corresponding to a maximum lining thickness.

Abstract: In a wet type multiple disc clutch for automatic transmission, a series of driving discs or plates and driven plates rotate on a clutch hub of a hollow cylinder. This clutch hub is made by press forming, and has at least one cut portion with which inward projections formed in the driving plates are engaged so that the driving plates rotate together with the clutch hub. The clutch hub is further provided with an inwardly projecting annular barrier member fit in the internal circumference of the clutch hub for directing lubricating oil through the cut portion to the friction surfaces of the driving plates and the driven plates by preventing the oil from spreading away. For example, this barrier member may take the form of a snap ring retained in an annular groove formed in the internal circumference of the clutch hub, or a cylindrical member with an inward flange inserted into the clutch hub.

Abstract: A viscous fluid coupling assembly is used for driving a cooling fan of automobiles in order to prevent the overcooling of the engine and to reduce the loss of engine power. The assembly comprises an input coupling member driven by an engine, an output coupling member being able to rotate relatively to the input coupling member, a dividing plate dividing the inside of the output coupling member into a reservoir chamber for a viscous fluid and a working chamber, first and second torque transmission surfaces to transmit a torque by means of the viscous fluid, first and second openings, and a thermal responsive valve, thereby controlling the viscous fluid from the reservoir chamber to the working chamber in three steps in response to changes in temperature.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch for power saws. The clutch includes a rotating driven centrifugal weight carrier, and a clutch drum which is concentric to the axis of rotation of the carrier. At least one centrifugal weight engages the clutch drum at predetermined speed of the carrier. The centrifugal weight is coupled with at least one return weight in such a manner that the return weight opposes the pressing force of the centrifugal weight when the speed increases over a certain level.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid shield and diverter encompassing the multiple disc clutch transmitting torque from input shaft to an output shaft, intensifying the cooling effect of the hydraulic fluid passing through the clutch and also reducing aeration of the fluid entering the vehicle hydraulic system.

Abstract: A belt carriage is movable along a vehicle body mounted track to move an occupant restraint belt between an occupant restraint position and a stowed position permitting occupant ingress and egress. A plastic drive tape is attached to the carriage and has perforations which mesh with a toothed tape drive gear for driving the drive tape and carriage back and forth along the track. An electric motor and a speed reduction gear unit are connected to the tape drive gear by a clutch which couples with the drive gear only when the electric motor is energized so that whenever the electric motor is not energized the occupant may grip the belt carriage and manually move the belt carriage and the drive tape to move the restraint belt between the occupant restraint and stowed positions independently of the motor. The clutch is preferably a centrifugal clutch in which clutch pawls are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force to engage with the tape drive gear when the motor is energized.

Abstract: An armature of an electromagnetic clutch is connected to a mounting plate which is coupled to the toothed driven hub of the clutch through the intermediary of an elastomeric spider. If the spider is melted by heat, the mounting plate wedges against the tips of the teeth of the hub and is prevented from flying axially off of the forward end of the hub.

Abstract: This invention relates to clutch driven plates for motor vehicles and which comprise a hub having a circumferential flange, a co-axial friction facing carrier mounted on the hub and capable of rotational movement about the hub, and a co-axial intermediate drive means mounted on the hub for rotational movement relative to both the hub and facing carrier. Rotation of the facing carrier relative to the intermediate drive means is resisted by the larger springs and rotation of the intermediate drive means relative to the hub is resisted by softer springs. The construction of the plate is such that the drive means comprises two annular drive plates aranged one on each side of the hub flange and which are rotationally engaged with the hub by loosely engaging splines that allow for limited movement of the two plates around the hub.

Abstract: A freewheeling clutch assembly wherein pawl members are mounted for pivotal movement in one of a driven and driving member of the clutch assembly and wherein ratchets are formed in the other member. When the driven member overruns the driving member, pivotal movement of the pawls causes their disengagement with the ratchets and the clutch will freewheel. When the driving member commences again to overrun the driven member, resilient annular means interposed between the members will cause the pawl members to be pivoted back into their torque transmitting position.

Abstract: A ribbon drive clutch comprises a stepper motor which has an output shaft on which there is mounted a clutch plate and a pair of cams. A plurality of pawls are each pivotally mounted on the clutch plate and are disposed to engage the first cam for rotation with the output shaft responsive to rotation of the output shaft in a first direction and disposed to engage the second cam for rotation with the output shaft responsive to rotation of the output shaft in a second direction. A first cam follower is disposed for operation of a ribbon drive linkage to drive a first ribbon responsive to rotation of the first cam and a second cam follower is disposed for operation of a ribbon drive linkage to drive a second ribbon responsive to rotation of the second cam.

Abstract: A handwheel and handwheel clutch assembly for a sewing machine having a bistable tiltable element for engaging or disengaging the clutch thereby coupling or decoupling the handwheel from the arm shaft.

Abstract: An improved self-energized synchronizer for bringing two rotatable members which are aligned about a common axis into synchronization. The synchronizer includes a body member carried on the first rotatable member which in turn engages with an annular shifter collar. Positioned adjacent to the shifter collar is an axially movable annular blocking ring having a frictional surface. Situated on the other side of the blocking ring, opposite the body member, is a drive collar which is rotatably fixed to the second rotatable member. The improvement to the synchronizer includes a frictional disk and a self-energized mechanism for transferring frictional torque between the first and second rotatable members. The self-energized mechanism is positioned for engagement with the blocking ring, while the frictional disk is positioned between the drive collar and the self-energized mechanism.

Abstract: A torsional damper comprising two coaxial parts with respective disks mounted for relative rotation, at least one guide ring and springs interposed circumferentially between the coaxial parts. The springs are divided into groups of at least two springs, with each spring individually housed in windows in the disks and guide rings. The springs are all engaged without circumferential play in the windows in the guide rings and each is engaged with circumferential play in the corresponding window in the disk of at least one of the coaxial parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid friction clutch, preferably for driving the fan in an automotive cooling system, comprising a driven disk member; a drivable housing member surrounding the driven disk member in such a manner as to provide a working chamber therebetween for receiving a fluid capable of transmitting rotational force between the driven disk member and the housing member; a reservoir separate from the working chamber for containing the fluid; a selectively openable and closable inlet orifice providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the working chamber; a return conduit providing fluid communication between the working chamber and the reservoir; and a supplemental disk member rotatable with the driven disk member and positioned within the reservoir so as to be wetted by the fluid at least when the fluid friction clutch is at rest.