Abstract: The invention relates to new and useful improvements in the design of partially constrained five-bar mechanism for use in reciprocating piston engines and compressors. The design comprises a piston and connecting rod assembly which is driven by a crank having an intervening linkage which varies the effective crank radius. The advantages of the design are in the larger swept cylinder volume which increases the air consumption rate and in the increased mechanical advantage during the power stroke. The mechanism accelerates the piston during the terminal phase of the compression stroke which improves ignition and combustion at lean limit operating conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical control by cable (10) sliding axially in a flexible sheath (12), equipped with an automatic adjustment device (40) for varying the length of the sheath as a function of the clearances appearing in the control, and of which one end (28) is connected to a receiving member (30) provided with elastic return means (36).

Abstract: A transmission incorporating a continuously variable ratio unit connected to further gearing, such that a plurality of regimes are available with synchronous shifting between regimes, is controlled such that to avoid hunting between regimes when the transmission is running at or around the synchronous ratio, regime and ratio changing beyond the synchronous ratio is inhibited until the optimum ratio for the prevailing operating conditions differs from the synchronous by a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for maintaining tension on an endless drive member such as a belt or chain. A pulley or sprocket (10) is provided to impart a tensioning force to the drive member, the pulley being supported at one end of a torque arm (16) and the torque arm being pivotably mounted at its other end by a torque applying and oscillation damping assembly (18) comprising a lubricated elastomeric bushing assembly (26-34) and a coaxial, telescoped elastomeric spring assembly (36-48), whereby oscillations of the rubber spring, torque arm and pulley assembly are damped by the elastomeric bushing assembly. See FIGS. 1-3.

Abstract: A carburetor having a throttle valve and throttle shaft is shown provided with a throttle shaft lever which has a U-shaped portion carrying a linkage connecting member effective for connection to associated throttle actuating linkage; a sleeve-like spacer is situated about the connecting member and between the legs of the U-shaped portion as to add rigidity thereto.

Abstract: An improved twist gas strip for the handlebar of a motorcycle or the like in which a bowden cable return roll housing has a continuous slit for suspending the bowden cable, which slit is closed above the return roll by a detachable lid.

Abstract: A transaxle mechanism of a four-wheel drive system for a vehicle including an engine having an output shaft having an axis of rotation laterally of the vehicle, comprising a transmission gear unit including input and output shafts each having an axis of rotation parallel with the axis of rotation of the engine output shaft, a drive gear rotatable about an axis parallel with the transmission input and output shafts and driven by the transmission output shaft, a first wheel drive gear unit comprising power splitting gear means to split driving power from the drive gear into two power components and a differential gear assembly to transmit one power component to a pair of road wheels, a second wheel drive gear unit comprising right-angle power transfer gear means engageable with the power splitting gear means and adapted to transmit the other driving power component in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the power splitting gear means constituting low-and-high speed shifting gear means to transfer driving p

Abstract: An adjustable thermostat is disclosed which has an operating temperature range and in which detent means is provided to establish a plurality of detent positions of a rotatably adjustable shaft for selected operating temperatures of the thermostat. The detent means includes a radially extending, arcuate flange rotatable with the shaft and cooperating with a post on the base. The flange has a plurality of radial notches to establish the plural detent positions in engagement with a projection on the post. The flange is integral with an arcuately extending wall, the wall having inner and outer arcuate surfaces, and the entire wall is deformed and stressed by radial camming action as the shaft is moved from one detent position to another. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

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, 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 to the output shaft of the turbine. An 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 pressure oil to the overdrive clutch for engagement thereof.

Abstract: An improved dual cam indexing drive assembly (10) is disclosed which is well suited for use in driving various types of rotational, linear, and/or reciprocating work transfer apparatus (12). The drive system (10) utilizes primary and secondary rotatable cams (32, 34) supported on and driven by a common shaft (36) coupled to a power source (24) via suitable gear reduction (30), clutch and/or brake means. Aligned primary and secondary cam followers (54, 56, 58 and 64, 66, 68) are provided on the moving transfer apparatus (14), the primary cam followers (54, 56, 58) being designed to operatively engage cam grooves (46, 48) provided on both primary and secondary cams (32, 34) whereas the secondary cam followers (64, 66, 68) cooperate only with cam grooves (48, 50, 52) provided on the secondary cam (34) to drive the work transfer apparatus (12) between successive work stations.

Abstract: The invention relates to gears and gear trains, and more particularly to epicyclic gear trains of low cost and improved efficiency. A novel driving means in the form of an eccentric crank/counterweight is provided, and the structural relationships between the several gears are such that the need for conventional bearings is completely obviated. The gear train is of modular construction, being split diametrically into matched halves. Thus, the gear ratio of the overall gear box may be quickly and easily varied by merely replacing one of the matched halves with another. A novel tooth construction for use with epicyclic gearing is also disclosed, wherein a large pressure angle allows circular arc profile involute teeth to be utilized.

Abstract: In processing apparatus, especially fruit processing machinery, incorporating two functional subassemblies with movements which are synchronous with respect to one another, there is provided a fail safe indexing mechanism which prevents operation of one or the other of such subassemblies should for any reasons apparatus operational sequencing or synchronization be interrupted. The fail safe means utilizes a ratchet having a locking means to prevent over-travel thereof. In addition, a signalling means is associated with the locking means which allows operation of one subassembly only during a limited period of each machine cycle, provided all assemblies and sub-assemblies are in their normal location for that period of the timing cycle.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal extension device for the demountable attachment to a pedal of a machine, such as a piano, and which permits a user to manipulate an otherwise unreachable or difficult to reach foot pedal. The device includes a body frame having a supporting structure with an open end for receiving a pedal and an adjustable clamping member for securing the supporting structure to a pedal. A horizontal extension means is adjustably attached by a first securement means to the body frame, and a vertical extension means is adjustably secured to the horizontal extension means by a second securement means. The vertical extension means has a generally horizontal portion extending outward at its upper end to receive the foot of a user. The horizontal and vertical extension means are generally interchangeable L-shaped members having leg portions of varying lengths to effectuate a wide range of pedal extension distances.

Abstract: Device for automatically taking up play designed to be inserted between two consecutive portions of a mechanical control.The device includes two telescopic connecting parts (32, 34), which are movable in the axial sense within a fixed casing (22), and are respectively connected to consecutive portions (10, 12) of the control and releasable lock (66) which operate unidirectionally when the connecting parts move in the linear sense, characterized in that the lock comprises a component constituting a cam or eccentric (66) pivotally mounted on one of the connecting parts (32) so as to come into engagement with a surface (76) arranged opposite it on the other of the connecting parts (34) when the control is operated in an axial sense so as to provide, as a result of a wedging action, locking of the two connecting parts in the sense of linear movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to gears and gear trains, and more particularly to epicyclic gear trains of low cost and improved efficiency, and to gear teeth for use therewith. A novel driving means in the form of an eccentric crank/counterweight is provided, and the structural relationships between the several gears are such that the need for conventional bearings is completely obviated. The gear train is of modular construction, being split diametrically into matched halves. Thus, the gear ratio of the overall gear box may be quickly and easily varied by merely replacing one of the matched halves with another. The novel tooth construction for use with such epicyclic gearing employs a large pressure angle which allows circular arc profile involute teeth to be utilized.

Abstract: A pedal for a bicycle, which comprises a pedal shaft and a pedal body, the pedal body having a first foot bearing body which is formed in a frame-like shape and has a front foot bearing surface and a rear foot bearing surface, and a second foot bearing body having a middle foot bearing surface, the front foot bearing surface being formed in an arch matching with the toe arrangement at a cyclist's foot, and the middle foot bearing surface being formed in an arch matching with the line of all balls at his foot from the root of the big toe to the root of the little toe.

Abstract: A crank device for soil compacting apparatus having a crank shaft and a connecting rod coupled to each other by two eccentric elements rotatable about parallel shafts in which the first eccentric element is provided with a plurality of recesses and the second element is provided with a locking bolt with the elements being rotatable to relative positions at which recesses respectively are generally aligned with said bolt, with the bolt being mounted for movement between a first position at which it can enter a first recess generally aligned therewith and cannot enter a second recess generally aligned therewith and a second position at which it cannot enter the first recess aligned therewith and can enter the second recess aligned therewith.

Abstract: A multiple mode single lever control lever assembly includes a lever fixed for pivotal movement with a pivot member rotatably mounted in a housing. The pivot member includes detent recesses, a centering, spring-engaging tab and a friction disk-engaging finger. An arm is slidable in a bore in the housing, is biased towards the pivot member and carries a detent follower and a centering spring-engaging tab. A rotatable index member includes cam surfaces which cooperate with corresponding cam surfaces on the housing so that the index member moves axially to frictionally engage clutch disks with the friction disks upon rotation of the index member while a ramp surface on the index member engages the arm to uncouple the arm from the centering spring and to uncouple the detent follower from the pivot member.

Abstract: A control lever assembly includes a housing with a pivot member rotatably mounted therein on a pivot pin. A pair of cam members are pivotally mounted on the pivot pin adjacent opposite sides of the pivot member. One cam member is frictionally coupled to the housing. The other cam member is biased to a neutral position by a centering spring. A cross arm is movable in the pivot member to alternately couple and uncouple one or the other of the cam members from the pivot member, depending upon the energization state of a mode-select solenoid. A detent follower releasably holds the pivot member in a displaced position when in the spring-centered mode. A rotary potentiometer coupled to the pivot member generates an electrical signal representing the position of the pivot member and a lever handle attached thereto.

Abstract: A tractor transmission is synchronized between four different speeds in each of two different high and low ranges and a reverse range. A top shaft coupled to be driven by the tractor engine has four different gears which are concentrically and rotatably spaced along the length thereof in constant mesh with a different one of a second group of four gears formed on the outer surface of a counter shaft. The counter shaft is selectively coupled to the top shaft by either of two pairs of synchronizers concentrically mounted on the top shaft between different pairs of the first four gears. High and low ranges are respectively provided by a first splined collar capable of coupling the counter shaft directly to a differential drive shaft and a second splined collar capable of coupling the differential drive shaft to the fourth gear disposed about the top shaft via a low range driven gear.