Abstract: A push rod includes a rod body and a steel ball bonded to at least one of end faces of the rod body by an electric resistance welding. The rod body 2 is formed from an aluminum alloy. Thus, it is possible to provide a push rod which is lightweight and which can be produced at an inexpensive cost.

Abstract: A control cable with an inner cable having on its outer peripheral surface an inner coating formed of a polyamide synthetic resin while an outer casing having on its inner peripheral surface a liner formed by a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and a polybutylene decanedicarboxylate copolymer and an elastomer having an epoxy radical containing an olefinic copolymer wherein the elastomer is in a range of 0˜30% by weight of the total resinous composition or mixture of PBT and PBD.

Abstract: A rotatable handgrip for a twist-grip shift control device includes a rotatable member and a flexible grip disposed over the rotatable member. One or more spaces are defined between an inner peripheral surface of the grip and an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member so that the grip bends radially inwardly in response to pressure from a hand part (palm, finger, thumb, etc.) so as to generally conform to the hand part. The space may be formed by a recess formed on the inner peripheral surface of the grip, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotatable member, a combination of recesses on the grip and the rotatable member, or through some other structure.

Abstract: A vibration isolated shift lever comprises a control lever, a shift plate, a transmission plate, a transmission lever and resilient bushings located between the shift plate and transmission plate. The shift plate triangularly shaped and is provided with three shift plate apertures one being located at each of the apexes of the triangular shift plate. The transmission plate provided with a transmission lever receiver that is bolted to the transmission lever. The transmission plate is triangularly shaped and provided with three transmission plate apertures that are located at the apexes of the triangular transmission plate. The shift plate and the transmission plate are aligned so that the three shift plate apertures are lined up with the three transmission plate apertures. Three mounting bolts extend through the lined up shift plate apertures and transmission plate apertures. Each of the bolts is provided with a resilient rubber bushing.

Abstract: A brake device for a walker includes a box having a first rotatable member and second rotatable member rotatably received therein. Each of the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member has a brake cable connected thereto. The first rotatable member has first teeth on an outside thereof and a first curved slot is defined in the first rotatable member. The second rotatable member has second teeth on an outside thereof and a second curved slot is defined in the second rotatable member. The first teeth are engaged with the second teeth. Two operation cables each have an end movably retained in the first/second curved slot, and the other end of each operation cable is connected to respective one of two brake levers. Either one of the brake levers is pulled, the two brake cables are simultaneously actuated.

Abstract: A safety device for supporting a pedal in a motor vehicle and which includes a bearing support for supporting a pedal shaft of the pedal and arranged between a front wall of the motor vehicle which is noticeably deformed inward into a passenger compartment during a frontal collision of the motor vehicle, and a cross-member which is located in the passenger compartment in a spaced relationship with respect to the front wall, is secured to a motor vehicle body, and does not substantially change a spacial position thereof during the frontal collision, with the bearing support including radially open recesses in which the pedal shaft is supported, and with the safety device further including a brace which lifts the pedal shaft of the recesses of the bearing support in case of the frontal collision and which has one of its ends supported against the front wall and another of its ends engaging the pedal shaft support forming part of the bearing support.

Abstract: A shifter on a handlebar for operating a derailleur cable of a bicycle derailleur mechanism includes an actuating ring connected to an end of the derailleur cable and received in a frame on the handlebar. A resilient plate extends tangentially from the actuating ring and is engaged with one of dents in the frame. A operation sleeve is mounted to a tube of the frame and connected to the actuating ring so that when rotating the operation sleeve, the actuating ring is rotated and the cable is pulled, while a distal end of the resilient plate is moveably and engaged with one of the dents to provide the rider a clear positioning feature of the gear changing.

Abstract: A pair of concentrically mounted drive shafts are rotatable with respect to one another. Each drive shaft engages and drives at least one endless chain upon which lugs are mountable. A driven power shaft directly drives one of the drive shafts. The other drive shaft has a coaxially-mounted gear wheel that intermeshes with a pinion wheel that is rotatable and is interconnected with the driven power shaft such that when the pinion wheel is inhibited from rotating power is delivered from the driven power shaft through the locked pinion gear to the gear wheel and drive shaft affixed thereto.

Abstract: Two embodiments (10 and 110) of an adjustable pedal assembly are characterized by a first component (34 or 134) surrounding one half of a worm gear (30 or 130) and a first length of the worm (32 or 132) and a second component (36 or 136) surrounding the other one half of the worm gear (30 or 130) and a second length of the worm (32 or 132). A support (12 or 112) includes a pocket holding the first (34 or 134) and second (36 or 136) components in abutting relationship with one another. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the pocket (46) is defined by and within the support (12) and the support (12) includes flexible tabs (48) for snapping the first (34 or 134) and second (36 or 136) components into the pocket (46). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the pocket (146) is defined by a box-like clamp (146) extending about the first (38 or 138) and second (42 or 142) covers and attached to the support (112) by a fastener (160).

Abstract: A handle assembly (1) has a handle body (4), an arm (8) and a trigger mechanism (6). The handle body (4) has a recess (18) for receiving an instrument to be held by the handle assembly (1). The arm (8) pivots in relation to the handle body (4) and the trigger mechanism (6) holds the arm (8) in two positions relative to the handle body (4). A third position enables the arm (8) to be detached from the handle body (4). In the first position, the arm (8) is locked adjacent the handle body (4) such that a projection (30) from the arm (8) engages the recess (18) in which a neck of an instrument being held can be inserted.

Abstract: A transmission casing has a valve-body fixing face inside an outer peripheral face includes a control valve assembly having an outer periphery formed with two protrusions which are parallel to the valve-body fixing face of the transmission casing. Each protrusion has an extent substantially corresponding to a finger's length.

Abstract: A bicycle crank with a core comprised of a durofoam substance, a fiber-reinforced plastic coating encasing the core, a bottom bracket axle fitting arrangement foamed into the core accessible through the fiber-reinforced plastic coating, and a bottom bracket axle fitting arrangement foamed into the core accessible through the fiber-reinforced plastic coating.

Abstract: Method for producing a connecting rod, particularly a monoblock composite connecting rod, and the resulting connecting rod is provided by placing preimpregnated fibers on an extractable mandrel, with the following successive stages. Embodying on a rigid central shaft a meltable mandrel with a shape corresponding to that of the connecting rod; winding and/or laying down the preimpregnated fibers according to a predetermined number of layers and an inclination of the fibers with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; polymerization with a homogeneous compacting pressure being applied to the entire outer surface of the unit; and then final operations for removing the mandrel and machining to required dimensions of the connecting rod.

Abstract: A bulbous rotatable gripping surface for a derailleur-type bicycle gear shifting system is formed of a resilient material with axially extending and angularly alternating ridges and base regions. The bulbous shape extending along the handlebar axis provides an increased diameter that naturally conforms to the longer middle finger of a rider's hand relative to the shorter adjoining index and ring fingers, to aid in the transmission of torque. The ridges and base regions are angularly spaced such that they fit naturally into the crooks of the rider's hand. The ridges, likewise, provide a larger diameter to aid in the transmission of torque and to protrude above any mud which may have collected thereon. To further enhance the torque transmission capabilities of the grip, the gripping surface is provided with a pattern of nubs.

Abstract: A housing 2 for a vehicular transmission comprises a first room R1 which accommodates a continuous speed change mechanism and a second room R2 which accommodates a driving force transmission mechanism including a starting mechanism, a reduction train, a differential mechanism, a power supply mechanism for an oil pump, etc. In each room, inlet openings 72 through 74 for oil discharge passages are provided near and above both the sides of an oil pan 26 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the input and output shafts of the continuous speed change mechanism, to return lubrication oil to the oil pan 26. Also, walls 61 through 65 are provided in the rooms to lead the lubrication oil into the respective inlet openings. In this construction, the lubrication oil returning from each room to the oil pan 26 is stabilized at each room and discharged to the oil pan 26, and thereby the lubrication oil achieves homogeneity in the oil pan 26.

Abstract: A bicycle stem assembly comprising a bicycle stem having a novel ways for securing it to an unthreaded bicycle fork steerer tube, the novel means featuring a castellated bushing for pre-loading the upper bearing for the steerer tube and a clamp carried by the stem for selectively locking the stem and bushing to the steerer tube.

Abstract: A shift lever device enables liquid such as drinking water or the like to be smoothly drained to the outside when liquid is accidently spilled on the device. The shift lever device has a housing that includes a side wall where a drain is formed. In one embodiment, the upper surface of the housing includes a projecting portion in the form of a rib for guiding liquid spilled on the housing to the drain of the side wall. Alternatively, the device includes a liquid guard roof overhanging from an upper edge of an aperture of the side wall of the housing for guiding spilled liquid into the drain. The shift lever device may also include a liquid escaping gap being provided at a bearing potion of the housing by which a slide cover is slidably supported; a liquid receiving gutter for receiving the liquid drained from the liquid escaping portion; and a drainage hole in the side wall of the housing, whereby the drained liquid is guided to a place outside of the interior of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for helping to reduce injury to a lower extremity (18, 20) of a driver of a vehicle (10) in the event of a vehicle collision. The apparatus (12) comprises one or more pedals (40, 42, 44) having an operative condition in which the pedals are engageable by a foot (20) of the driver to control a vehicle operation. The pedals (40, 42, 44) have an inoperative condition in which the pedals are not engageable by the driver's foot (20) to control a vehicle operation. A mechanism (50, 52, 54) moves the pedals (40, 42, 44) from the operative condition to the inoperative condition in the event of a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A handlebar adapted to be fitted onto the handles of a wheelchair having two substantially parallel handles, together with an improved push-button mechanism for locking the handlebar securely into position. The handlebar is designed with multiple ergonomically correct gripping stations which reduce strain on the hands, wrists and forearms of a person using the handlebar. Methods of retrofitting existing wheelchairs, as well as tools used in performing the retrofitting operation, are also provided.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal for permitting a user wearing in-line skates to pedal a bicycle. The bicycle pedal includes a crank with a generally cylindrical rod rotatably coupled to one end of the crank. A sleeve with alternating grooves and ridges is disposed around the rod. An in-line skate is rotatably mounted to an end of the rod opposite the end of the rod coupled to the crank.