Abstract: A cord lock having a body containing a plunger which can be pressed inwardly relative to the body against the resistance of an actuating spring, with the body and plunger having apertures through which a cord or cords can extend and which have edges acting to grip the cords when the plunger is in a predetermined locking position. The apertures are desirably of oblong sectional shape, and the gripping edges of the plunger and body are preferably sharpened in a relation assuring effective clamping of the cord.

Abstract: A unitary, wide rim of fiber composite material for use in conjunction with flywheels for inertial energy storage apparatus, the rim being fabricated to minimize radial stresses and equalize hoop stresses ordinarily produced at high speed rotation of the flywheel. Novel fabrication techniques include varying the density of the rim as a function of radius by means of ballasting; varying the ratio of the fiber and epoxy mixture as a function of radius; varying the winding tension of the fiber as a function of radius; using a combination of layers of fibers having different modulus of elasticity; and varying the winding geometry of the fiber from non-circular to circular as a function of radius. By utilizing two or more of the aforesaid novel fabrication techniques, a preferred embodiment of a unitary, thick flywheel rim achieves radial stress reduction to trivial levels and hoop stress equalization sufficient to permit extremely efficient energy storage as a function of flywheel weight.

Abstract: A railroad hand brake includes a spring clutch interposed between an operating hand wheel and a gear drive for the chain drum. The clutch includes a spring cooperating with a control drum and with an output drum connected to the gear drive. An input element is rotated by the hand wheel in a forward direction to energize the spring so that the input element, the control drum and the output drum rotate as a unit to take up the brake load. A ratchet and pawl prevent reverse movement of the control drum in order to maintain the brake load applied when the hand wheel is released. When the hand wheel is rotated in the reverse direction, the input element tends to deenergize the spring, and the brake load is gradually released with a clutch action characterized by small input force and little wear. A quick release element operable with a small manual force abruptly uncouples the spring from the load drum in order to free the load quickly while the input element and hand wheel are stationary.

Abstract: A multi-stage Geneva mechanism comprises first and second Geneva mechanisms and a constant speed ratio drive, such as a gear train, interconnected between the Geneva mechanisms. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the gear train to selectively adjust the phase angle between a crank and wheel of the second stage Geneva mechanism, on the output side of the system. Selective change of such phase angle enables the operator to fine-tune the indexing time to accommodate more precisely the requirements of an automated production line.

Abstract: An indexing drive apparatus comprises a cam assembly connected to a drive source, a cam follower turret adapted to follow the rotation of the cam assembly to be swung, a turret shaft having the turret assembly fixedly mounted thereon and adapted to be rotated in an oscilatory manner in correspondence to the swinging movement of the turret, an output shaft extending in parallel with the turret, and interlocking unit for operatively connecting the turret shaft and the output shaft. The interlocking unit includes a first swing arm secured to the turret shaft, a slide member supported in the first arm slidably in the axial direction thereof, a second swing arm secured to the output shaft, a connecting member pivotally connecting the slide member to the second swing arm, and adjusting means provided in association with the slide member for varying the ratio of a swing angle of the second swing member to that of the first swing arm by adjusting the position of the slide member relative to the first arm.

Abstract: A rotating element such as a grinding-wheel sleeve rotatably mounted on a stationary central shaft is provided with a plurality of annular balancing chambers which communicate permanently with a source of oil under pressure by means of a common calibrated constriction and with a source of compressed air by means of individual screw-type regulating pintles, each chamber being also connected to a return duct through a constriction.

Abstract: Apparatus of increased simplicity, reliability and economy is provided for automatically maintaining the tautness of a mechanical coupling such as commonly employed, for example, between a vehicular brake and its actuating mechanism, which would otherwise be subject to loosening during normal use as a result of wear or the like. The apparatus, although also utilizable with mechanical couplings employing rigid connecting links, is especially suited for use with couplings employing flexible cables or the like, wherein it need only be interposed in series with the cabling between the actuating mechanism and the device actuatable thereby, thereby adapting the apparatus for use in a variety of applications in which control cable couplings are employed.

Abstract: A brake cable operating lever is disclosed including a device for adjusting the cable tension which is produced when the operating lever is in the brake-on position, characterized in that the rotary tension adjusting screw (36) which extends axially of the operating lever includes intermediate its ends an annular collar portion (36a) that is rotatably supported by an abutment shoulder (20f) on the operating lever (20), whereby the apparatus remains operable even if the manual operating knob (38) were to be removed from the screw member. An internal friction producing device (40) is provided for restricting rotation of the screw member about its axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the stroke length of a crank rod includes a pair of plates having adjoining broad faces mounted on one of the faces of a flywheel. A crankpin or other means is located on the exposed part of the outer plate for connection of the crank rod. One of the plates has a spline member which is located off center with respect to the flywheel axis. The other plate has a grooved portion mateable with the spline member. The outer plate is detachably connected to the inner one and may be rotated with respect thereto, and then re-connected to provide positive change of the stroke length of the crank rod.

Abstract: An improved bicycle lever transmission assembly, which may be in kit form, is provided for installation on a conventional bicycle having a pedal crankshaft with a journalled portion rotatably mounted in a bicycle frame having a pair of pedal cranks extending oppositely from the journalled portion. The lever transmission assembly or kit includes a pedal crank with a pivot boss extending therefrom in spaced parallel relation with the journalled crankshaft portion, a drive sprocket to mesh with a drive chain to drive a bicycle wheel, the drive sprocket being rotatably mounted on the crankshaft journalled portion adjacent a pedal crank, a fixed lever link affixed to the drive sprocket with an end portion thereof extending beyond the pitch diameter of the fixed lever link, and leverage transmission components including at least one lever link pivotally connected with the pivot boss and with the extending end portion of the fixed lever.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor unit is provided wherein a bent axis type axial piston motor having a high operating efficiency is incorporated while the compactness of the unit is maintained. The dimensional features of this invention are attained, in one aspect, from a special arrangement in which a multiple-plate type hydraulically actuated brake unit is disposed in an intermediate position between bearings supporting an output shaft of the hydraulic motor. Another aspect of such dimensional features of this invention resides in the arrangement such that the control valve unit, which can otherwise be a substantial obstacle in the installation work, is located neatly in a space made available by the specific construction peculiar to the bent axis type hydraulic motor unit so that the control valve unit may never become an obstacle in either installed on or removed from a machine or vehicle.

Abstract: A parking brake operating mechanism is disclosed which includes a ratchet link and an operating lever pivotally connected with a bracket housing so as to effect a mechanical advantage when displacing the brake cable operating pin in the brake-engaged direction. The ratchet link is pivotally connected intermediate its ends with the housing by a first pivot axis, and the operating lever is pivotally connected intermediate its ends with one end of the ratchet link by a second pivot axis, one end of the operating lever being connected with the pin that operates the parking brake cable. The first and second pivot axes are arranged generally on opposite sides of the brake cable pin, the distance between said axes being greater than the distance between the pin axis and the first axis, thereby to effect the desired mechanical advantage. A pawl cooperates with ratchet teeth on the ratchet link to normally prevent pivotal movement thereof in the brake-released direction.

Abstract: A continuously variable traction drive transmission comprising a rotating disc mounted on a first shaft and a roller in frictional contact with the face of the disc, the roller being axially movable along a second shaft and thereby radially movable along the disc face to vary the relative rotational speeds of the disc and roller. This axial movement is automatically accomplished by pivotally supporting an end of the second shaft and providing a controlled translation to the other end of the second shaft. A mechanism for controlling the contact pressure between the disc face and the roller is also provided. The transmission has low frictional losses and is therefore highly efficient and has a long service life.

Abstract: A lever operating device has a lever supported rotatably with respect to a fixed shaft for retaining one end of a control wire to control gear-shifting means of a bicycle. The lever operating device includes an indicator which is provided at the lever which is adapted to move in the turning direction of the lever within a fixed range corresponding to the play existing in the control wire, whereby when the lever is turned the indicator moves lagging behind the turning lever by a fixed distance corresponding to the play of the control wire.

Abstract: A speed changing device is disclosed as comprising a base member fixed to a bicycle frame, mainly to a top tube, a pivot provided at the base member, a single control lever supported to the pivot rotatably therearound, first and a second independently rotatable winding bodies supported axially of the control lever, control wires for a front and a rear derailleur attached to the first and second winding bodies respectively, and coupling means comprising at least one retainer and a first and a second engaging portion in engagement with the retainer provided so as to couple the control lever selectively with one of the first and second winding bodies, thereby controlling the front and rear derailleurs by a single control lever.

Abstract: A safety throttle lever for use on hand-held tools which lever has two operational modes, the first a tool non-operating mode, the second a tool operating mode. Cam-like means are arranged to restrict and guide the lever into the second operational mode when manual effort is applied to the lever. A spring means returns the lever to first operational mode when manual effort is released on the lever.

Abstract: A releasable lock mechanism is provided in combination with a stationary first member and a second member, the latter being adapted to assume various selected positions of rotary adjustment with respect to the first member. The lock mechanism includes a first lock component carried by one of the members and a complemental pivotally adjustable second lock component carried by the other member. The first lock component has a rounded periphery which is provided with a plurality of annularly spaced pockets; each pocket corresponding to a selected position of rotary adjustment of the second member with respect to the first member. The second lock component assumes an interlocking engagement with a peripheral pocket, when the second member is disposed at a selected position of rotary adjustment with respect to the first member, and retains the second member in the selected position.

Abstract: Multi-speed sprockets are assembled with at least one larger diameter sprocket and at least one smaller diameter sprocket, in which the center of a space between certain adjacent teeth of the larger diameter sprocket is positioned on a tangent line drawn from the center of a space between certain adjacent teeth at the smaller diameter sprocket, and the distance between both centers is made substantially equal to an integer multiple of the pitch of a driving chain.

Abstract: A switch operating mechanism associated with a motor driven hydrostatic system operative in forward or reverse directions with respect to a neutral inoperative state, for rendering a motor starting circuit operative only when the hydrostatic system is in its neutral state. An axially movable switch operating shaft has a notch therein which receives a detent on the control stem of the switch, only when the shaft is in a position generally centrally between opposite limits of its axial movement, to close the switch. A centering spring urges the shaft toward its centrally disposed position.

Abstract: A compact reversible variable speed clutch transmission and differential including a rotable input shaft having a drive gear (76), forward and reverse gears (88,84) engaged with the drive gear on opposite sides thereof, and a pair of selectively operable clutches each having an input (92) connected to an associated one of the forward and reverse gears and an output (94). The clutch outputs are connected to the inputs (110) of a variable speed nutating transmission (120) which includes a pair of independently rotatable outputs (116). The transmission includes a pair of nutating elements (130) each having a surface (132) which is a non-cylindrical surface of revolution. The elements are mounted for rotation by a mounting device (126,128) for rotation and there is included a pair of drive units (134) one for each nutating element, fixedly connecting thereto and to an associated one of the outputs.