Abstract: A hollow bicycle crankshaft includes a hollow shaft assembly having a first shaft member fastened to a second shaft member, a hollow left crank arm, a hollow right crank arm, a tubular housing member, a first shaft bearing, a second shaft bearing, and a sprocket bracket. The first shaft member matingly engages the second shaft member. Non-mating ends of the shaft assembly are attached to respective hollow crank arms, where the shaft extends through an aperture in each arm. The union of the first and second shaft members is proximate the midsection of the constructed shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is housed within the tubular housing member. The first and second shaft bearings, disposed at each end of the housing member, secure the tubular housing member about the shaft assembly in coaxial and concentric alignment.

Abstract: A concentric ring flywheel with expandable separators, which function as torque couplers, between the rings to take up the gap formed between adjacent rings due to differential expansion between different radius rings during rotation of the flywheel. The expandable separators or torque couplers include a hook-like section at an upper end which is positioned over an inner ring and a shelf-like or flange section at a lower end onto which the next adjacent outer ring is positioned. As the concentric rings are rotated the gap formed by the differential expansion there between is partially taken up by the expandable separators or torque couplers to maintain torque and centering attachment of the concentric rings.

Abstract: An active vibration damping system for a drive unit having at least one drive shaft is provided. The vibration damping system includes a flywheel which comprises a movable base element of a linear electric motor that acts on the rotation of the shaft. The linear electric motor consists of a linear machine which generates a traveling magnetic field. The turning direction of the traveling magnetic field chosen relative to the turning direction of the crankshaft such that when unacceptably low momentary turning rates are sensed, a thrust force is applied to the flywheel and when unacceptably high momentary turning rates are sensed, a retarding force is applied until an evening up of the crankshaft rotation or a rotary vibration damping is achieved.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus including a shaft having a rotor mounting location disposed at a predetermined position on the shaft, the rotor mounting location subdividing the shaft into a first and a second portion, a motor for rotating the shaft connected to the first portion of the shaft, a tachometer for monitoring the rotational speed of the shaft; and a stabilizer connected to the second portion of the shaft and responsive to the tachometer for imposing an axially directed force on the shaft, to minimize vibration of the shaft at critical rotational speeds.

Abstract: A coupling device for a sheathed cable comprises a first coupling member for being connected to an end of a sheath of a sheathed cable and having a recess defined therein, a second coupling member slidable within the recess of the first coupling member, the first and second coupling members having openings defined therethrough so that the end of a core of the sheathed cable may be extended through the coupling members and operatively connected to one of an actuating mechanism and an actuatable mechanism, and a clip engageable to the first and second coupling members for locking the members together.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a cycle handlebar comprises a stem which is cantilevered to a steer tube connector and is rotatably coupled for relative movement to the steer tube connector with the axis of rotation disposed above the steer tube connector and laterally spaced from the steer tube connector so that the handlebar may be selectively positioned relative to the steer tube connector and the cycle in a multiplicity of desired locations. A resilient damper is disposed between components in the coupling which have a toothed surface to mold the damper into an intermediate gear coupling the components to one another.

Abstract: A bottom guard for a machine having a plate with a hinged side pivotably attached to a first frame member of a machine and a catch side opposite the hinged side releasably held near a second frame member by a latching device. The plate holds debris from the operation of the machine and serves as a safety guard. The latching device has a first portion attached to the second frame member and a second portion attached to the catch side of the plate. The two portions of the latching device mechanically interlock and a solenoid actuated mechanism releases them upon a remote signal to the solenoid which allows the catch side of the plate to move by gravity, thereby opening the guard and discharging accumulated debris to a side of the machine. At least one shock absorbing device, such as an elastomeric shock cord, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder limits the amount that the plate will swing open when the catch is released and cushions the plate as it falls open.

Abstract: For a hydraulic control device (12) in an automatic transmission (1), it is proposed that the intake channel (7) of a pump be surrounded by a distribution channel (9) so that during the intake of air leakage is prevented.

Abstract: The remote control assembly 10 is characterized by a terminal mechanism 34 including a tubular anchor member 36 slidably supported on a tubular fitting 22 extending from the conduit 14. The anchor member 36 is secured to the outer end 30 of a rod 26 extending form the core element 12 and is disposed in close sliding relationship about the tubular fitting 22. The terminal mechanism 34 also includes a tubular connector member 44 and a coil spring 46. The connector member 44 is in telescoping relationship with the anchor member 36 and the spring 46 biases the connector member 44 in an extending direction and provides lost motion between the rod 26 and the control member in response to a predetermined collapsing force. A resilient cushion 48 is disposed in the connector member 44 for cushioning collapsing movement of the connector member 44 over the anchor member 36.

Abstract: This system is designed to eliminate the dead spot and enable the user to gain an increased stroke power, thus also increasing the speed of the bicycle. It is composed of a pair of crank arms of an obtuse configuration. Each crank presents an orifice, located at the middle part of the crank's vertex, that when connecting to the spindle allows them to integrate from left to right. These orifices function is to work as attachment and leaning point for the crank arms. Each crank arm opposite to the pedal receptor presents another orifice that will integrate through another element to the spindle, which will exercise the effect of traction, thus the function of the crank.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a remote control assembly having a conduit (12) movably supporting a core element (14) with an end fitting (16) disposed on the conduit (12) for mechanical engagement with a ferrule (18) and a slug (20) disposed on the core element (14). The method comprises the steps of selecting a ferrule (18) for supporting the conduit (12) on a support structure (22) from a plurality of ferrule (18) configurations and snapping the ferrule (18) into mechanical connection with the end fitting (16) while inserting the core element (14) through the conduit (12) and ferrule (18). A terminal member (38, 138, 238), having a slug pocket (40) therein and a connector for connection to a control member, is selected from a plurality of terminal member (38, 138, 238) configurations and it is placed on the core element (14) with the slug (20) in the slug pocket (40).

Abstract: A push-pull control assembly which is lockable with respect to translational movement includes a rod received with a tube with a control cable attached to the rod and a collet received on an off-centered portion of the rod. The collet includes a raised ridge received within a keyway on the interior channel of the tube whereby the collet does not rotate but is free to translate within the channel. By turning the rod either clockwise or counterclockwise, the collet is wedged against the channel by the off-centered portion of the rod to lock the rod and thus the control cable against further movement. A key may be provided in addition to the collet to modify and limit the available translational movement of the rod.

Abstract: In order to make an apparatus for attenuating the pivotal or sliding movement of motor-vehicle parts which is formed of a first part fixed on the nonsliding or nonpivoting part and a second part mounted on the pivotal or slidable part which is extremely inexpensive and which takes up minimal space it is suggested that one of the two elements be formed by a tubular and stiff or flexible tube which is filled with a viscous mass and that the other part being formed by a core which slides in the tubular body so that relative pivoting or sliding of the parts coaxially slides the core relative to the tubular body.

Abstract: An inertial mass (50) for a vibration isolator (20) having an attachment fitting (22) adapted for rotation about an axis (16) and a spring (40) adapted for rotation with the attachment fitting (22). The inertial mass (50) is characterized by a pair of segments (52) each having a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration. More specifically, each segment (52) defines a central web (54), a first leg (56) projecting radially inboard of the central web (54) and a second leg (58) projected radially outboard of the central web (54). The first and second legs (56, 58) are integral with the central web (54) and the second legs (58) are adjoined along a mating interface (I) to define the assembled inertial mass (50). As assembled, the inertial mass (50) is adapted for being mounted in combination with the spring (40) of the vibration isolator (20).

Abstract: A bicycle having a crank assembly for driving the sprocket and chain assembly of the bicycle. The crank assembly includes a hub mounted to the frame of the bicycle so as to be rotatable at least in a direction of forward rotation. The hub is connected to a front sprocket, and two effort arm assemblies are connected to the hub. Each effort arm assembly has an effort arm. The effort arms extend outwardly substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the hub, and substantially opposite to each other. Each effort arm assembly further includes an angle pedal arm. An angle pedal arm is connected to an end of the effort arm distal to the hub. Each angle pedal arm makes an angle of between about 0 and 90 degrees with the corresponding effort arm. A pedal is provided on each pedal arm, such that the pedal arm positions the pedal substantially behind the effort arm relative to the direction of forward rotation of the crank assembly. A crank assembly to modify existing bicycles is also disclosed.

Abstract: To provide a steering wheel which is lightweight, and which has adequate strength and shock resistance, a carbon fiber prepreg 13 is wound on a mandrel 11 or a lightweight foam core 40 so as to obtain a preformer 14. By heating this preformer 14 in a mold 18, a steering wheel is obtained wherein the rim is formed from a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin joined to a metal skeleton 23.

Abstract: An agricultural baler for picking up crop material and forming it into a rectangular shaped package, having a main frame, and an engine mounted on the main frame for operating the baler. The engine includes a throttle, and remotely located controls for changing the condition of the throttle between idle and full open to selectively operate the baler plunger rate from the cab of the towing vehicle, e.g., a tractor or a pickup truck. A control system for the throttle utilizes an electric reversible directional motor assembly having input terminals and an output shaft rotatable at a predetermined speed and direction under conditions where a predetermined voltage at a predetermined polarity is applied across such input terminals. Rotation of the output shaft is translated to pivotal motion of a lever that is coupled to the throttle.

Abstract: A split flywheel and crank pin apparatus having a pair of flywheels held in a preselected spaced relationship to rotate about a common axis by a pin spaced from the axis. The pin has a central section and opposed ends. Each end has an undulating surface with a continuously varying radius for a circumferential path along the surface and a constant radius along a path on the surface parallel to a main axis of the pin. The pin ends are snugly received in bores in respective flywheels that have internal surfaces that mirror the pin end surfaces. The pin ends are separated from the pin central section by shoulders that abut facing surfaces of the flywheels. The pin is held in each flywheel by a nut. The pin includes lubricating passageways for lubricating a journal surface of the pin central section.

Abstract: A tie for securing a handgrip to a handle bar has a series of short rods formed along the outer surface which project radially outwardly when fastened about a handgrip to provide a handlebar handgrip assembly with an improved frictional surface for the hand of an operator and improved frictional contact between handlebar and handgrip. The ties may be made in multiple colors and textures for different styling effects.

Abstract: A drive plate (E) for an automotive vehicle for transmitting a torque from a crankshaft (6) to a torque converter (7), while absorbing a thrust load applied from the torque converter to the crankshaft is formed with: a central mount portion (11) for mounting a crankshaft; an outer gear (20) formed in an outermost circumference of the drive plate; a plurality of weight reducing holes (30) formed between the central mount portion and the outer gear at regular angular intervals; and a plurality of the outer mount portions (12) for mounting a torque converter (7) formed near an outer circumference of the drive plate at regular angular intervals. In particular, the outer mount portions (12) are formed in such a way as to project radially inward from the outer gear (20) into the weight reducing holes (30), respectively.