Abstract: A multiple mode control lever assembly includes a lever fixed for rotation with a disk rotatable on a central pivot in a housing. The disk includes detent recesses and carries a brake segment. A detent element is pivotal about a second pivot and carries a roller engageable with the detent recesses. A brake element is also pivotal about the second pivot and carries a brake shoe engageable with the brake segment. An index cam is rotatable on the central pivot to couple and uncouple the detent and friction elements from the disk. The index cam is rotated by a ratchet with a pawl reciprocated by a solenoid fixed in the housing. A centering spring continuously coupled between the housing and the disk urges the lever to a neutral position.

Abstract: A hydraulic control for a power transmission has a regulator valve for controlling the hydraulic system pressure and a plurality of shift valves for controlling the automatic ratio change in the transmission. The shift valves are urged toward the higher ratio position by a governor pressure. The shift valves, except the 1-2 valve, are selectively subjected to separate modulated throttle valve pressures acting in opposition to the governor pressure and depending upon whether the respective shift valve is in the lower or higher ratio position. The modulated pressures are maintained at substantially zero for a portion of the throttle valve pressure range so that upshifting and downshifting will be sensitive to governor pressure and therefore vehicle speed only.The regulator valve is subject to a variable bias pressure which is proportional to throttle valve pressure.

Abstract: An automatic transaxle for use in an automotive vehicle driveline for delivering torque from an engine to the vehicle traction wheels comprising two simple planetary gearsets adapted to provide four forward driving ratios and a single reverse ratio and including three friction clutches, three friction brakes and one overrunning clutch that are strategically arranged to provide optimum spacing between the ratios and smooth ratio changes with minimum shift timing problems for the ratio changes.

Abstract: A calibratable dial for mounting on a control shaft. The dial includes a hub and a skirt frictionally fastened to each other for rotational movement in unison. The hub has a generally cylindrical portion and a disc portion. A shaft receiving socket is formed in the generally cylindrical portion of the hub. A central opening is formed in the skirt and is sized to fit over and receive the generally cylindrical portion of the hub when the skirt and hub are frictionally fastened to each other. An arcuate toothed sector is formed in the skirt along one portion of the central opening thereof at a location overlying the disc portion of the hub. Instrument receiving sockets are formed in the hub in alignment with the central opening in the skirt. The sockets are positioned to extend under the arcuate toothed sector of the central opening of the skirt so that an instrument inserted in either of the sockets will engage the hub and the toothed sector of the skirt.

Abstract: A two part grip for the handle of a bicycle or motorcycle or the like comprises:(a) an inner support sleeve adapted to fit on and grip the handle, and(b) an outer sleeve fitted over the inner sleeve and positioned to be comfortably grasped by the user.The sleeves may be interlocked, as by tongue and groove elements, the groove elements for example being defined by holes in the outer sleeve that also serve as a tread. The two sleeves may have differential hardnesses for better grip support, and more comfortable gripping by the user.

Abstract: A stepping gear includes an output member attached to a wheel which is provided with a number of rollers on both faces thereof. In driving contact with these rollers is a pair of cam members having contours which allow for driving in the forward direction as well as a standstill or dwell phase. In addition, reverse movement of the wheel is made possible by providing an undercut in one of the cams coupled with a superelevation on the other of the two cams. Form locking engagement between the cams and the rollers is maintained during the forward driving phase, and the standstill and return phases as well.

Abstract: A connecting rod assembly includes an axially elongated member with openi spaced apart in the axial direction. The axis of the openings extend perpendicularly to the axis of the member. A connecting rod shaft extends in the axial direction of the member between the two openings. A fiber reinforced plastics material belt extends around the first and second openings and also around the connecting rod shaft. Oblique cuts are formed in the belt on opposite sides of the connecting rod shaft adjacent one of the openings. A highly heat-resistant adhesive is placed in the oblique cuts for splicing the belt together.

Abstract: A controller including a microprocessor for automatically shifting a transmission and selectively locking and unlocking a torque converter connecting the engine with the transmission. The controller has both manual and automatic modes of operation. In the automatic mode, one of three different shift patterns is automatically selected depending on the condition of a transport/loading mode switch and a throttle position switch. Transmission output speed is monitored and downshifts are prevented when the output is accelerating. Solenoid valves which are selectively activated to shift the transmission are monitored for open- or short-circuits. When a faulty solenoid is detected, the controller prevents shifting to a gear ratio which utilizes that solenoid and a display flashes diagnostic information including the gear ratios still available. The solenoids are pulsed at one of two duty cycles depending on the voltage level of the power supply.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path is provided and comprises a support unit for being fixed relative to the belt, a belt engaging unit carried by the support unit and being movable relative thereto, a mechanical spring unit operatively associated with the support unit and the belt engaging unit for urging the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit and against the belt with a force to tension the belt, and a fluid dampening unit operatively associated with the support unit and the belt engaging unit to dampen the movement of the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit in at least one direction thereof. The mechanical spring unit comprises a pair of springs disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation with the fluid dampening unit having at least a part thereof disposed between the springs and in substantially parallel relation therewith, the fluid dampening unit comprising a rotary dampening unit.

Abstract: A differential assembly 10 includes a casing 12, a carrier 14, a planetary gear set 18 supported by the carrier for effecting rotation of the carrier, an input 20 for driving the planetary gear set to effect rotation of the carrier, pinion means 42, 44 supported by the carrier for rotation therewith, a pair of side gears, 38, 40 meshing with the pinion means and first and second outputs 34, 36 driven by the side gears. A clutch means 50 having an actuated condition for retarding relative rotation of the side gear 40 with respect to the carrier 14 is provided. The planetary gear set is operable to actuate the clutch means 50 upon axial movement of the planetary pins 26 to retard relative rotation of one of the side gears and the carrier upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition.

Abstract: The parking brake mechanism includes a simplified equalizer having one end pivotally attached to a bracket on a part of the vehicle underbody. The other end of the equalizer lever receives the end of the cable from the parking brake foot pedal or hand lever. The cable end has a threaded member thereon which extends through an aperture in the end of the equalizer lever. An adjuster lock nut is attached to the threaded member to provide adjustment for the entire parking brake mechanism at this point. The equalizer lever is slightly V-shaped so that the center portion extends toward the rear of the vehicle. A parking brake cable extending from the left rear brake passes around the lever at the center portion, is retained on the lever by a lanced tab portion made from part of the lever, and then extends to the right rear parking brake. This provides a simplified yoke arrangement which eliminates parts and has a simpler adjusting mechanism than devices earlier used.

Abstract: A pedal for a bicycle, which has a pedal shaft supported rotatably to a crank arm, the pedal shaft carrying a frame which is displaced with respect to the axis of the pedal shaft and extends in parallel to the axis thereof. A pedal body is fit onto the frame to be fixed thereto, so that the frame may reinforce the pedal body and bear an unbalanced load applied thereto.

Abstract: In an inner cable comprising a core and teeth formed by spirally winding at least one metal wire on the outer surface of the core and inserted into a conduit, a hollow elastic member is disposed between the adjacent teeth in order to prevent the slidable contact of the teeth and the conduit during the operation of the inner cable, whereby the inner cable can be operated without generating the noise.

Abstract: A dial type wire control device includes a drum and a strap or band in combination. The drum is connected to a dial member through a connecting shaft so that the drum and the dial member can rotate synchronously. The band is to be wound on the periphery of the drum when the drum rotates in one direction and to be unwound when it rotates in the opposite direction. Thus, the wire is pulled or pushed to control a subject in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission with parallel input (30) output (19), and idler (35) shafts each provided with first (28,31,34) and second (29,32,33) gear wheels. The first gear wheels (28,31) on the input and output shafts are in constant mesh and the first gear wheel (34) on the idler shaft meshes with the input shaft first gear wheel (28) alone, while the second gear wheels (29,32) on the input and output shaft are in constant mesh and the second gear wheel (33) on the idler shaft meshes with the output shaft second gear wheel (32) alone. A synchromesh clutch unit (36) selectively connects the input shaft first and second gear wheels with the input shaft and a non-synchromesh clutch unit (37) selectively connects the output shaft first and second gear wheels with the output shaft to obtain a number of different output shaft ratios.

Abstract: A transmission ratio selecting mechanism including a ratio selector means (typically a hand lever), first and second ratio coupling members (36b,37 ) movable to select a number of ratios in the forward and reverse drive directions of an associated transmission, and linkage means (65,63,54,61,62,59,57,60,65,63,64,70,71,68,67,69) for moving the ratio coupling members in response to movement of the ratio selector means. The ratio selecting mechanism includes disconnecting means (72,73,63,64) for disconnecting one (37) of the ratio coupling members from the selector means during selection of the reverse ratios of the transmission.

Abstract: Underground storage tank for fluids which has an inner and an outer wall of thermosetting reinforced plastics material and a leak monitoring space between these walls, said space comprising a continuous air and liquid permeable synthetic concrete mixture of a thermosetting resin and compression resistant filling material having no small components, the concrete forming the static load bearing layer of the tank, the dosing of the synthetic resin being such that a sufficient wetting of the surfaces of the filling material particles is achieved for the bonding of the filling material particles with one another while securing the continuous leak monitoring space, and the synthetic resin concrete layer being firmly bonded to the thermosetting plastic of the inner wall and the outer so as to form a homogeneous unit.

Abstract: A flywheel (10) is described that is useful for energy storage in a hybrid vehicle automotive power system or in some stationary applications. The flywheel (10) has a body (15) composed of essentially planar isotropic high strength material. The flywheel (10) body (15) is enclosed by a rim (50) of circumferentially wound fiber (2) embedded in resin (3). The rim (50) promotes flywheel (10) safety and survivability. The flywheel (10) has a truncated and edge thickened Stodola shape designed to optimize system mass and energy storage capability.

Abstract: A piston type positive displacement device includes a crankshaft turned as a consequence of piston reciprocation. A counterweight is provided to balance the cyclical forces generated by the reciprocating piston. The counterweight is linked to the crankshaft, slides in a slideway, and includes a wagging member which wags as it reciprocates. The counterweight surrounds its own bearing so as to reduce the height needed to accommodate the system. It can also provide improved engine smoothness because of a potentially greater movement of inertia.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a gear transmission mechanism with several friction engaging mechanisms. Selective supply of actuating pressure to these mechanisms selectively provides different speed stages from the transmission, including a directly connected speed stage and an overdrive speed stage. A driver operated manual selector valve can be set to several forward ranges including a "D" range, and produces a lower range pressure when any forward range except for "D" range is selected thereon. A kickdown pressure is produced when the accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed beyond a predetermined amount. An electrically operated pressure control device produces a holddown pressure signal according to operating conditions of the vehicle.