Abstract: A belt drive arrangement is provided which employs a variator to interconnect a powered drive belt and a belt driven to operate either a transaxle or a transmission of a ground-engaging vehicle. The variator is secured to a pivotally mounted support member. The support member is joined to a speed control shaft which is rotatable in response to the actuation of either a foot pedal or a handle. Rotation of the speed control shaft repositions the variator with respect to idler pulleys associated with the driven belt so as to alter the vehicle's speed. Means are provided to rotate the speed control shaft by actuation of the pedal independently of the position of said handle.

Abstract: A flywheel including a bearing unit, a flywheel mass provided with at least two partial masses, and separate connecting means each connecting the bearing unit with a respective one of the at least two partial masses. Each respective partial mass and separate connecting means comprise a partial system. The partial systems are constructed such that each exhibits resonance step-up at a different frequency when subjected to an external excitation to thereby reduce the stress on the bearing unit as a result of resonance step-up at a respective one of the different resonant step-up frequencies.

Abstract: An annular wheel of plastic is rotatably mounted on a central bearing. The wheel has a generally H-shaped cross-section, with radially outward and radially inward arms joined by a radial crossbar. An array of stiffening ribs at various circumferential locations around the crossbar of the H-shaped cross-section stiffen the wheel. To prevent the peripheral travel surface of the outward arm of the wheel from developing undulations during cooling following initial molding of the plastic wheel, the ribs have recesses in their opposite, axially outwardly directed sides. Dimensional relationships between the axial width and circumferential thickness of the rib, and the peripheral surface of the wheel and the thickness of the crossbar of the wheel are disclosed.

Abstract: A remote hand knob gear as first of a train of gears for actuating a taumel hinge eccentric constructed as integral plastic support disc and gear adapted for snap on hand knob.

Abstract: An adjustable clutch mechanism is disclosed which may be removably mounted to a shaft to selectively vary the torque required to turn the shaft. The clutch mechanism includes a threaded, flanged bushing which receives a pair of friction washers and a clutch plate located therebetween. A nut, threaded onto the bushing, provides an adjustable force through a spring washer to control the force of the friction washers against the clutch plate. The bushing is removably mounted to a shaft so that it rotates with the shaft while the clutch plate is held stationary. The torque required to rotate the shaft is controlled by adjusting the nut on the threaded end of the bushing.

Abstract: A friction drive chain for use with V-groove pulleys has a plurality of drive blocks mounted on a core strand. The core strand is comprised of a plurality of pivotally connected cylindrical core members. The drive blocks are secured to respective core members by centrally located retention clips which are disposed in an inner groove in each block and an outer groove in each core member. The clips also provide the drive connection between respective drive blocks and the core members.

Abstract: A variable speed V-belt transmission in which the axially movable pulley half has fixed to it a cap that defines an internal cavity in which the speed responsive mechanism is incorporated for axially moving this pulley half. The cap is formed with a plurality of apertures that pass a portion of the transmission when the axially movable pulley half is in one of its extreme positions for cooling the transmission.

Abstract: A low-friction thin-hub plastic multi-part sheave for handling wire, has two joined disc-like members with conical rim portions which together form a V-groove for the wire. The members have apertured central hub portions provided with facing shoulders that engage cooperable, oppositely-facing shoulders on the outer race member of an anti-friction bearing assemblage, to hold the latter captive between the disc-like members. The central hub portions and anti-friction bearing assemblage have respective, oppositely-facing, parallel exposed side surfaces which are flush and disposed in spaced-apart parallel planes, making for a thin hub assemblage.

Abstract: The transmission ratio of an infinitely variable transmission for automotive vehicles is controlled by a system including a hydraulic servo. The servo mechanism including an actuator which is driven by a line pressure to actuate the transmission and a spool having one end to which a signal pressure responsive to both throttle opening responsive pressure and vehicle speed responsive pressure is applied counteractingly against a spring. The spool provides a control valve function for the driving fluid pressure to the actuator. In response to signal pressure change to the spool the actuator is actuated in such direction that the transmission ratio is decreased or increased. The signal pressure is produced by a compensation valve due to a throttle opening responsive pressure and vehicle speed responsive pressure, e.g. governor pressure.

Abstract: A stopper for a caster which has a push-button slidably inserted into a mounting hole radially perforated at a frame for journaling wheels, and a stopper rotor so mounted rotatably in parallel with an axle at the push-button as to be elastically urged by a spring in an outward direction and for stoppers formed at the ends thereof on the peripheries of the wheels. An actuator is formed at the stopper rotor, and a cam groove is formed in the mounting hole of the push-button for stepwisely engaging the actuator by the pressing operation of the push-button and the recoiling operation of the spring. Thus, the wheels can be readily locked and unlocked effectively with only one push-button repeatedly operated in pressing the push-button.

Abstract: A multi-speed fan drive apparatus is disclosed which includes a pair of concentric shafts rotatable relative a fixed support and carrying clutch plates engageable to stop rotation of the shafts relative the fixed support. A pair of different-sized sun gears are carried on the two shafts and are intermeshed with planet gears rotatably mounted upon a planet gear carrier. Drive means is provided for driving the planet gear carrier in a given direction and a ring gear, with a fan blade connected thereto, is intermeshed with the planet gears. Means are provided for stopping rotation of one or the other of the sun gears with respect to the fixed support, and also for causing the shafts and sun gears to rotate in unison with the planet gear carrier and therefore the ring gear, to obtain three speeds of operation.

Abstract: The mechanical control comprises a pedal (10) pivotally mounted on a fixed shaft (12), a cable (26) having one first end (25) connected to a receiver (34) and the second end (27) connected to the pedal (10) by means of a transmission device, the transmission device comprising a force-transmitting element (22) pivotally mounted on the fixed shaft (12) and on an outer cylindrical surface (40) of which the cable (26) is wound, a locking system causing the force-transmitting element (22), the cable (26) and the pedal (10) to be connected for rotation when the latter pivots from its rest position by an angle greater than a predetermined minimum angle .alpha.m, a spring (56) being disposed between the second end (27) of the cable and the pedal (10) for tensioning the cable (26). The locking system acts by catching the cable (26) between a first catching surface (42) formed on the force-transmitting element (22) and a second catching surface (44) formed on the pedal (10).

Abstract: A linkage for operating a control element of an internal combustion engine is constructed in a manner such that a change in the inclination of the position of the internal combustion engine has no effect, or merely an intentional, minor effect on the relative position of a linkage operated control element for the internal combustion engine. In accordance with a first embodiment, by appropriately dimensioning and positioning a regulating lever along the longitudinal shaft directly operating the control element, rotation of the longitudinal shaft, during inclination of the engine, is matched, or caused to differ by a predetermined amount, so as to maintain a desired relationship between the position of the control element relative to the engine.

Abstract: A ring roller is mounted on an input shaft by a left-hand thread so that when the shaft is rotated in the clockwise direction the sun roller tends to unscrew along the shaft. The sun roller thus drives planet rollers axially along the shafts on which they are rotatably supported into a ring roller which is mounted on an output shaft by a left-hand thread so that it tends, upon being driven in a counter-clockwise direction by the planet rollers, to screw onto the output shaft. The axial movement of the sun roller ceases upon a suitable preloading between the sun, planet and ring rollers' being established.

Abstract: A control knob to shaft assembly including a rotatable, bifurcated shaft, the bifurcation spanning the diameter of the shaft and having a central cylindrical bore interconnecting two open slots, one of which has a width larger than the other. There is also provided an escutcheon plate in a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis of the shaft at an acute angle and has an opening therethrough. A knob is received in the escutcheon plate opening and has a first portion larger in diameter than the escutcheon plate opening, a second portion having two projecting spaced parallel legs with a yoke connecting and spanning the legs. The yoke has a central ball shaped portion with a diameter slightly smaller than the cylindrical bore in the shaft and is received in the cylindrical bore.

Abstract: An automatic transmission having a torque converter comprising an impeller connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and a turbine driven by the impeller by oil, an automatic transmission apparatus comprising a planetary gear device and a fluid operated brake and clutch devices connected to an output shaft of the turbine, an oil pump driven by the impeller through an oil pump drive shaft for producing pressure oil applied to the fluid operated brake and clutch devices, and a final reduction gear device connected to an output shaft of the automatic transmission apparatus. An overdrive device comprising an overdrive clutch and overdrive gears is connected between the oil pump drive shaft and an intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft is connected between an output shaft of the overdrive gears and the final reduction gear device, and a valve is provided for applying the pressure oil to the overdrive clutch.

Abstract: The time required for shifting gears from an old to a new gear and the jolt created by the shift is decreased by initiating a known overlap of disengagement of the friction elements of the old gear and engagement of the friction elements of the new gear at the time the hydraulic unit operating the friction elements of the new gear is completely filled. Since a voltage pulse occurs across the solenoid winding of the pressure regulator when the hydraulic unit is completely filled, the solenoid valve is monitored by a threshold circuit which responds to the pulse. The output of the threshold circuit sets a flipflop. The flipflop is reset in response to a gear shift initiation signal furnished by a microprocessor. The microprocessor samples the flipflop output to determine whether the hydraulic unit is completely filled and initiates the overlap portion of the gear shift when this is so.

Abstract: The hydraulic regulating device for an automatic transmission having a selector valve for selecting a plurality of gear stages, includes a high pressure conduit, a working pressure conduit and a shift pressure conduit, a plurality of coupling elements assigned to respective gears, a single, pressure regulating valve electromagnetically controlled by a control signal to build up or decrease pressure in the shift pressure conduit, holding valves connected between the working pressure conduit and the shift pressure conduit, and shift control valves connected to the shift pressure conduit and cooperating with the holding valves to connect, in response to an increased gear, the coupling elements pertaining to the higher gear in a preselected gear stage, to the shift pressure conduit and, upon completion of the gear shift operation, to connect via the working pressure conduit the coupling elements to the high pressure conduit with the exception of the last actuated coupling element who remains connected to the shif

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a contacting means for electrically connecting with a member inserted to engagement therewith and a support means for supporting the contacting means in position for such engagement. The support means includes at least one cantilever arm having an effective length that varies during deformation thereof in response to a member inserted to engagement with the contacting means. Moreover, the contact is positioned in a cell-like containment portion of a relatively fixed housing having a wall against which the cantilever-like portion may be supported at various locations along the length thereof. The combination may be employed as an electrical breadboard to facilitate making electrical connections.

Abstract: A coupled planetary gear system for use preferably with the wheel assembly of large vehicles in which the secondary planet gears and the primary ring gear are secured to the wheel assembly. The input shaft drives the primary sun gear, and the primary planet gears drive the secondary sun gear.