Abstract: A unidirectional detent system for use with a flap handle to permit the setting of a variable stop for positioning of flaps for aircraft takeoff.

Abstract: For a vehicle equipped with a pair of driving engines and a torque converter having a capacity sufficient to absorb the combined peak torque of the engines at combined peak torque speed, a dual engine drive including a planetary gear set operative to provide direct drive between the engines and the torque converter when both engines are operating and to provide gear reduction between the engines and the torque converter when only one engine is operating. The gear ratio of the planetary set is preselected to reduce the input speed to the torque converter while increasing the input torque to the torque converter so that the output of the one remaining engine is more efficiently matched to the torque converter.

Abstract: A support assembly for a control lever on a cycle handle bar which includes a mounting releasably locked in place by a spring-biased indent-detent mechanism. The mounting is releasable with a jarring force exerted on it to permit displacement circumferentially and axially on the bar. The assembly also includes a sleeve encircling and securable to the bar and a collar integral with the sleeve to prohibit axial movement of the mounting in one direction. A base portion in the mounting encircles the sleeve and a post used in mounting a control lever, projects laterally from the base portion.

Abstract: A connecting rod of an internal combustion engine, formed from a light alloy such as aluminum, has a rod portion which is selectively and locally reinforced with bundle of inorganic fibers such as stainless steel fibers. The fiber-reinforced part of the connecting rod is suitably selected in accordance with the shape and function of the connecting rod. Assuming that the axis parallel to the axis of piston pin is represented by Y and the axis orthogonal to the axis Y by X, the second moment of inertia around the Y axis is smaller than that around the X axis at any cross-section of the rod portion. At the same time, in the fiber-concentrated part of the rod portion, the second moment of inertia around the Y-axis is selected to be equal to or greater than that around the X axis.

Abstract: An improved digging machine for operation with the power takeoff of a tractor wherein the digging machine includes a gearbox that permits the machine to operate at different speeds independent of the tractor speed in order to accommodate varying ground conditions while maintaining constant sod width. The gearbox includes first and second gear shafts, with the first gear shaft being driven by the power takeoff and transmitting its motion to the second gear shaft through respective first and second gear sets, with the second gear shaft driving at least one hoe-driving shaft. The corresponding gears of the first and second gear sets are selectively engageable to provide plural speed settings, thereby permitting variation of the frequency of the hoe strokes within a wide range. The gearbox is movably orientable on the frame of the digging machine in a vertical plane about the longitudinal axis of the frame in order to accommodate tractors having power takeoffs disposed at different heights.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted booster having an input rod with a thrust member thereon, an output rod with a piston head thereon, and an elastomeric disc located between the thrust member and the piston head. The piston head has an axial bore therein and the thrust member has an axial projection that extends through the elastomeric disc into the bore. The projection is anchored to the piston head by a cap fitted to the head and which allows some forward movement of the thrust member to apply a load to the elastomeric disc but limits axial separation of the piston head and thrust member on the return stroke.

Abstract: A device for pulling upon a parking brake actuating cable in response to movement of a pedal actuated lever in a selected path between a brake release first position and a brake engaging second position wherein the device comprises a motion translating element having first and second mechanical couplings spaced from each other for securing to the lever and to the actuation cable, respectively, mechanism for moving the first mechanical coupling in a selected first path by the pedal lever and a cam coacting with the motion translating element for causing the second mechanical coupling to move in a selected second path controlled jointly by movement of the first coupling and the cam. In this device, the motion translating element is a link and the cam includes a curvilinear surface on the link and a fixed rotary pin against which the cam surface is biased by the pulling force of the cable against the link so that the fulcrum formed by the pin and surface progressively changes as the pedal lever is depressed.

Abstract: A differential gear mechanism of the limited slip type is provided. The mechanism includes a clutch pack (35) and a cam mechanism (41) which are able to retard differentiating action of the differential gear means (19,23,25). A flyweight mechanism (51) is operable to actuate the cam mechanism, and to engage the clutch pack. The cam member (43) includes a cam surface (47) having alternating rising surface portions (61) and falling surface portions (63). These surface portions include pad portions (71,73), such that engagement with the mating cam surface (45) is limited to the area of the pad portion, thus making the transmittal of camming forces to the clutch pack more consistent and predictable.

Abstract: A control (100) for positioning and locking the auxiliary transmission section (13) of a compound change gear transmission (11) in neutral is provided. The control includes a selector switch (132) for activating or deactivating the control and a monitoring device (42) for sensing if the main transmission section (12) is in neutral. The control, once activated, will retain the auxiliary transmission section in neutral until the selector switch is switched to a deactivated position (M) simultaneously with the main transmission section shifted to neutral.

Abstract: A load balancing device for rotating apparatus such as washing machines and vehicle tires. In one embodiment the present invention consists of an inner conduit defining an interior raceway which contains a high density fluid mass which shifts to oppose load imbalances. Universal mounting brackets are provided attached to the balancing ring to the rotating structure. The attachment brackets are slidable along the ring and adjustable and adapted for securement in various arrangements. In other embodiments the attachment brackets are adapted to accomodate various wheel configurations and bolt spacings for vehicles.

Abstract: An improved automatic transmission is disclosed which includes a planetary gear mechanism and a wet type centrifugally operated clutch for controlling power transmission from a rotating input member to an output member. The clutch is connected to the input member for integral rotation therewith and disposed in a casing at a location close to the planetary gear mechanism. A drive chain for transmitting power from the output member to a driven member is disposed in the casing at a location close to the planetary gear mechanism on the opposite side of the clutch. One or both of the clutch and the chain is/are immersed in a lubricating oil sealingly contained in the casing so that the lubricating oil is scooped up by means of the clutch or chain in accordance with the rotation of the input member so as to be supplied to the planetary gear mechanism.

Abstract: A toy inertia motor for driving a rotatable power or drive shaft. The drive shaft is coupled, for example, to any suitable members or mechanisms such as the drive wheels on a toy car, or a windlass.The motor comprises a rotatable flywheel, and separate winding and driving gear trains for coupling the flywheel to the drive shaft. A gear of the winding and driving gear trains is movable, in response to rotation of the drive shaft, between a normal drive position in the driving gear train to a wind position in the winding gear train. A latch is responsive to such gear movement for releasably latching the gear in its wind position. When so latched, the flywheel inertia can be built up by rotating the flywheel. When the latch is released, the gear returns to its drive position and the flywheel inertia is transmitted via the driving gears to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A steering wheel mounted on a hub. The steering wheel is molded of a high impact grade nylon and comprises an integral rim, spokes and a thin wall energy absorbing sleeve. The rim is disposed in coaxial relationship to and axially spaced from the hub.The energy absorbing sleeve when viewed in plan view has a substantially rectangular configuration of decreasing size from its upper end downwardly toward the hub. The walls of the sleeve have a generally ogival configuration from top to bottom. The construction and arrangement is such that the energy absorbing sleeve produces a large amount of crush at relatively constant load for obtaining a high degree of energy absorption.

Abstract: A traction roller transmission with traction rollers arranged between and in engagement with toric discs for the transmission of motion therebetween includes traction roller support trunnions which are pivotally supported by saddles nested in curved sections of a force balancing band structure which extends around all the traction rollers. The saddles and trunnions have support surfaces with a curvature whose centerline is a tangent to the center circle to the toroidal cavity formed between the discs to permit pivoting of the trunnions for a change of the transmission ratio. The trunnions extend axially through openings in the balancing bands and have pistons at their ends disposed in cylinders to which pressurized fluid can be supplied to cause axial precess movement of the trunnions for initiation of a change of the transmission ratio.

Abstract: A variable ratio brake pedal mechanism providing a relatively short pedal stroke. A projection on a pivoted pedal lever bears on a second oppositely pivoted lever, providing conjoint movement of the two levers. A push rod brake actuator is pivotally connected to the second lever. The push rod and a portion of the second lever jointly form a toggle linkage which decreases the ratio of movement of the brake actuator relative to the pedal lever, and increases the mechanical advantage, as brake application occurs.

Abstract: A transmission for driving a stretch-reducing rolling mill is provided having a spur-wheel differential arranged in a spur-wheel support sleeve forming part of an auxiliary speed transmission train in a transmission for driving the rolls of a multi-stand stretch-reducing rolling mill, a spur-wheel support sleeve forming part of a basic speed transmission train is connected by way of a safety coupling having shear pins to the sun wheel of the differential transmission stage and the speed of the output shaft which forms the plantary carrier of the transmission stage is thus formed from the basic and auxiliary speeds.

Abstract: A foot-operated parking brake lever assembly wherein a double-manual operation is required to effect release of the parking brake. The assembly is provided with a pawl having a first pawl section and a second pawl section. The first pawl section is pivotally mounted on a brake lever which is in turn pivotally mounted on a stationary support formed with a series of ratchet teeth. The first pawl section is formed with a finger for selectively engaging the ratchet teeth and thereby retaining the brake lever in brake setting positions thereof. The second pawl section is mounted on the first pawl section for limited rotational movement therewith.

Abstract: A spur gear planetary gearing arrangement capable of a load balance on the teeth of the gears incorporated therein. The sun gear of the planetary gearing arrangement is supported solely on the planetary gears and the planetary gears are, in turn, rotatably supported on a planetary gear carrier. The teeth of the planetary gears are in meshing engagement with an internally toothed ring gear. The ring gear is mounted in a gear box housing. The ring gear is elastically deformable to a specific degree approximately equal with the radial electricity of its tooth system thereon and independent from the housing.

Abstract: A variable speed belt drive in which the axially moveable sheave flange is connected to the drive shaft by a flexible element which performs the function of transmitting the torque from the shaft to the axially moveable flange, and which defines a fluid pressure chamber for applying a variable pressure to the moveable flange for moving the flange axially on the shaft as the pressure in the chamber is varied by the operation of a control device. The flexible element may be an annular member having a generally U-shaped configuration with inwardly extending side walls, one of the side walls being connected to the flange and the other side wall being connected to a flange-like member rigidly mounted on the shaft. Passages are provided through the shaft to connect the chamber with a source of controlled pressure.

Abstract: A camshaft with cams and bearings for reciprocable piston engines including a hollow shaft having the cams and bearings designed as cam rings and bearing rings and fastened to the hollow shaft.