Abstract: A roller chain comprising outer link plates, inner link plates, pins, bushes, and rollers, the bushes each including an elastic member so that a total axial length of the bush including the elastic member controls an interval between opposite inner link plates, the elastic member being elastically deformed to change the interval, the outer surfaces of the inner link plates being kept in close proximity to the inner surfaces of the outer link plates to avoid above entry of dirt or sand therebetween.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path and comprising 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 of movement thereof, the fluid dampening unit comprising a piston and cylinder unit. The mechanical spring unit comprises a pair of coiled compression springs with their longitudinal axes disposed in substantially parallel side-by-side spaced relation.

Abstract: A clutch drive differential including a hollow drive casing provided at opposite ends with first and second coaxial shaft-receiving bores. First and second coaxial shafts are disposed in end-to-end relation and are rotatably received by said first and second bores, respectively. First and second drive wheels are disposed internally of the casing and are secured to but are axially moveable on the first and second shafts, respectively. The drive wheels are axially juxtaposed with adjacent radial faces being operatively frictionally engageable. A cam device is interposed between the first drive wheel and the adjacent inner end face of the casing for imparting rotation to and axial movement of the first drive wheel into operative frictional engagement with the second drive wheel in response to relative rotation between the casing and the first drive wheel.

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: An easy to operate control means for shifting gears on dual shift bicycles is described. The control means is constructed so that the front and rear derailleurs of a dual shift bicycle are controlled together to shift to any selected gear from any engaged gear with a single operator action. The design permits the operator to preselect the new gear to be used while continuously pedaling in the present gear, with the actual gear change being made at the operator's discretion. The design also facilitates a rapid series of up shifts or down shifts without requiring intervening gear selections.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path and a method of making the same are provided, the tensioner comprising 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, the mechanical spring unit providing the sole force of the tensioner for tensioning 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 of movement thereof with a restricting force of the dampening unit.

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: In a transmission for automobiles including; a housing containing planetary gear units respectively having at least three revolving elements, such as ring gears, sun gears and a carrier; an input shaft connected to one of the revolving elements of the planetary gear units, and an output shaft connected to another one of the three revolving elements of the planetary gear units and rotatably supported on the input shaft through the medium of a first antifriction bearing means consisting of an inner race, an outer race and a roller; the improvements comprising; a face of the input shaft substantially vertical with respect to the axis of the assembly, one of the inner and outer races of the first antifriction bearing means being adapted to engage the face of the input shaft; a second antifriction bearing means disposed between the input shaft and the housing so as to support the input shaft rotatably and consisting of an inner race, an outer race and a roller, and a pressure means screwed with the end of said inp

Abstract: A derailleur for a bicycle, which is so constructed that a movable member is supported to a base member through two linkage members, a changeover frame having two pulleys carrying thereon a driving chain is pivoted to the movable member, and a tension spring is interposed between the movable member and the changeover frame, so that the tension spring exerts tension on the driving chain, said changeover frame being subjected to resistance against its swinging motion in a direction opposite to the working direction of the tension spring, thereby swinging the changeover frame easily in the direction of working of the changeover frame, while, requiring more force in the reverse direction to the working thereof, thereby making swinging of the changeover frame in the working direction of the tension spring easy and more difficult in the swinging motion direction opposite to the working direction of the spring.

Abstract: A device, such as a gudgeon pin, for connecting a piston of a reciprocating internal combustion agent to a connecting-rod comprises at least in part a fibre-reinforced composite material. The device further comprises a metallic sliding bearing having a circular cylindrical external surface. The sliding bearing layer is arranged on the external surface of the fibre-reinforced composite material. A plurality of fibre layers, which run in differing directions, are arranged in the composite material, and the sliding bearing layer is divided in the transition region from a piston to a connecting-rod. The gudgeon pin has alternate layers, in which fibres are arranged orthogonally to fibres in an adjacent fibre layer. The fibres run parallel to the gudgeon pin axis in one layer and orthogonally thereto in the two adjacent layers.

Abstract: A variable drive ratio pulley system has longitudinally adjustable pulley halves operated by fluid pressure which acts on piston and cylinder structures operatively connected with the adjustable pulley halves. The fluid pressure in one of the piston and cylinder structures is controlled by a valve spool responsive to an actuator on which a lever member is pivotally disposed and maintained in abutment with the drive surface on the adjustable pulley half. The lever member also abuts a control rod which is linearly movable in response to command signals. Linear movement of the control rod initiates pivoting of the lever member and enforces or permits resultant linear movement of the actuator so that the spool valve is operated to change the pressure level operating on the piston thereby permitting movement of the pulley half resulting in a change of the drive ratio.

Abstract: A connecting rod for an engine includes a ring-shaped first bearing shell r a crankshaft and a ring-shaped second bearing shell for a piston pin. The bearing shells are spaced apart within the same plane with their axes disposed in parallel relation so that an open space is provided between their facing surfaces. A plurality of belt strands are wrapped around the surfaces of both bearing shells with adjacent strands disposed in spaced relation. Flat plates are positioned between adjacent strands and extend between the bearing shells. Thrust pieces are located between the plates and contact the plates and the facing surfaces of the bearing shells. The belt strands, plates and thrust pieces are formed of fiber-reinforced plastics material.

Abstract: A reversible slip clutch, which comprises a first shaft, a first spur gear driven by an external source, a second spur gear rotatably mounted at one end of said first shaft, to be rotated by said first spur gear in a direction opposite to the rotation of the first spur gear, a second shaft, a third spur gear rotatably mounted at one end of said second shaft to be rotated by said first spur gear in a direction opposite to the rotation of the first spur gear, a fourth spur gear rotatably mounted inwardly of said second spur gear at the other end of said first shaft, a fifth, output spur gear rotatably mounted inwardly of said third spur gear at the other end of said second shaft, said output spur gear engaging said fourth spur gear, and means for providing alternate inward pressure to said second and third spur gears to thereby urge said second spur gear to frictionally engage said fourth spur gear and said third spur gear to frictionally engage said fifth spur gear.