Abstract: A motor mounting apparatus supports a motor relative to a base for relative rotation about a pivot axis to control tension in an endless loop driving element. A driving element emcompasses a drive member driven by the motor about a drive member axis and a driven member coupled to a load and driven by the driving member about a driven member axis to transmit power from the motor to the load. The apparatus includes a threaded shaft rotatable by a user about a shaft axis. The shaft axis is fixed relative to a first of the base and motor. A rider is carried by the threaded shaft so that rotation of the threaded shaft about the shaft axis produces longitudinal translation of the rider along the shaft axis relative to such first one of the base and motor. A rigid link has a first end pivotally coupled to the rider and a second end pivotally coupled to a second one of the base and motor.

Abstract: A pulley which can be driven by the output element of the engine in a motor vehicle to transmit torque to one or more endless belts or chains has a rotary input member, a rotary output member and a damper which yieldably opposes rotation of the input and output members relative to each other about a common axis and is at least partially confined in an annular chamber defined by at least one of the input and output members. The chamber can further receive a friction bearing which operates between the input and output members, as well as a vibration absorbing device. Such device can have a mass which is adjacent a flange of one of the input and output members and one or more energy storing elements acting in the circumferential direction of the pulley.

Abstract: A plate for a silent chain has a side punched into a forked shape for engagement with a sprocket. The forked side of the plate has inner engaging surfaces opposing each other, outer engaging surfaces, and an arcuate leg-side end surface connecting the inner engaging surfaces. The leg-side end surface, on which stress is likely to be concentrated, has a shear face tissue along at least 70% of the thickness of the plate. A silent chain having such a plate has a high plate fatigue strength and enhanced durability and reliability, and can be manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A multistage sprocket assembly for a bicycle comprises at least one larger sprocket and at least one smaller sprocket, in which both side surfaces of the larger sprocket are trimmed off at the positions corresponding to two downshifting paths and two upshifting paths designed for a drive chain when being shifted from the smaller sprocket to the larger sprocket or vice versa. The trim portion is large and deep enough to avoid any interference between the link plates of the chain and the larger sprocket, and to receive therein the link plates of the chain so as to provide a positioning function thereat during the chain shifting process.

Abstract: A ratchet type tensioner with a hydraulic buffer mechanism, which is simple in construction, low in manufacturing cost, easy in securing an oil path, and large in durability. A plunger (8) is slidably inserted into a plunger insert bore (9A) which axially extends through a plunger sleeve (9) restricted to advancing displacement by an anti-retrograde mechanism. A plunger spring (10) for biasing the plunger (8) forward is provided along with a sleeve spring (14) between a plunger housing (7) and the plunger sleeve (9) for biasing the plunger sleeve (8) forward. The sleeve spring (14) has a smaller spring constant than the plunger spring (10). A high pressure chamber (H) communicates with an oil pressure supply portion through a check valve (15). The chamber is formed in a space between a bottom portion of a plunger receiving bore (7B) in which the plunger (8) is inserted and a rear end surface (7C) of the plunger.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing high quality products of cloth strip by the improvement of working efficiency and the equalization of treatment conditions, wherein the cloth strip (2) is subjected to a predetermined treatment while passing through one treatment zone (3) along a spiral path. A plurality of metallic surface rollers (5-2 to 5-4), surfaces of which are formed with metal, are used as at least part of conveying rollers consisting of metallic rollers (5-2 to 5-4) for guiding the cloth strip (2), provided in at least one of entrance and exit parts for the introduction/withdrawal of cloth strip (2) to the treatment zone (3). The metallic surface rollers (5-2 through 5-4) are arranged in a non-contacted state with each other and positively driven to rotate via a suitable drive mechanism (6).

Abstract: A family of new bicycle shifting systems incorporate improved derailleur designs that are controlled by sealed hydraulic actuators. The shifting systems (i) a hydraulically-actuated, manually-powered front and rear derailleur shifting system, (ii) a hydraulically-actuated, power-assisted front and rear derailleur shifting system with manual control, and (iii) a hydraulically-actuated, power-assisted front and rear derailleur shifting system in which the shifting sequence for the rear derailleur is controlled automatically by pedal speed. Each of these shifting systems utilize a totally sealed, inclined linear shifting path. Environmental contaminants are prevented from entering any of the critical derailleur or control elements. The linear, inclined shifting path provides precise chain shifting, more uniform chain wrap on the rear bicycle drive sprockets, and lower chain and sprocket wear. Several different shifting control units are disclosed. An integrated shifting and braking module is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of sprockets are coaxially mounted together, wherein a spacing between each pair of adjacent sprockets is less than a thickness of at least one of the plurality of sprockets. In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of sprockets are coaxially mounted together, wherein a spacing between each pair of adjacent sprockets is less than or equal to approximately 2.0 millimeters. In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, at least ten sprockets are coaxially mounted together to form a first free side sprocket surface facing laterally outwardly and a second free side sprocket surface facing laterally inwardly. A spacing between the first free side sprocket surface and the second free side sprocket surface is less than or equal to approximately 50 millimeters.

Abstract: A slide rail includes a slide lining body and a carrier which consist of a wear-resistant and mechanically highly stressable plastic material. The slide rail is held at one location by means of a bolt received by a bush on a housing and is provided with a supporting device at a second spaced location. The supporting device, which eliminates the need for a second bolt and a bush, is formed by a supporting section of the housing and a supported area of the slide rail. The supported area also consists of a wear-resistant plastic material.

Abstract: A drive mechanism (10, 110) for driving first and second displacement members (12, 14, 112, 114) disposed in tandem. The mechanism includes first and second driven sprockets (16, 18; 116, 118) for respective ones of the displacement members, a hydraulic motor (20; 120), and first and second driving sprockets (22, 24; 122, 124) disposed on the casing of the hydraulic motor so as to be rotated thereby. The mechanism also includes first and second chains (26, 28; 126, 128) disposed in a chain case (30; 130), each chain being engaged on a respective driven sprocket and on a respective driving sprocket. The hydraulic motor (20, 120) is a low-speed high-torque motor, having radial cylinders and a rotary casing. The motor is substantially contained in the chain case (30; 130).

Abstract: In a roller chain sprocket for a chain drive, the profile of each tooth comprises a proximal portion (AB), an intermediate portion (BC) and optionally a distal portion (CD). The proximal portion (AB) is shaped like an arc of a circle with a radius (r) at least as large as the radius (r.sub.r) of each roller of the chain. The intermediate portion (BC) has a complex curvature defined by mathematical equations, whereas the optional distal portion (CD) is shaped like an arc of a circle with a radius R, equal to the pitch minus the radius of the roller.

Abstract: A power transmission striated belt including an elastomeric matrix (21) and a lengthwise supporting structure consisting of polyamide 4.6 twisted strands (20). The supporting structure (21) is selected so that the stress-elongation diagram of the belt exhibits an average slope ranging from 12 to 20 daN/% of elongation per width centimeter. The twisted strands are wound with an almost null nominal tension, and the curing operation and the cooling operation after curing are carried out without any belt tensioning.

Abstract: An adjustable-slope torque bracket which includes an annular ramp support for holding multiple triangularly shaped camming ramps. The annular support includes a squared "U" shaped annular recess which opens in the direction of the axis of rotation of the annular support. Each of the triangular shaped camming ramps has a base portion which is shaped to fit within the annular recess. The base portion is raised slightly from the bottom of the recess and pinned between the inner and outer walls of the recess by an axle positioned adjacent one end of the base. The other end of the base is free to move relative to the bottom wall of the annular recess when the camming ramp pivots about the axle. An adjusting bolt is threadably inserted through the free end of the camming ramp and is of sufficient length to abut the bottom wall of the annular recess to raise or lower the free end of the base portion relative to the bottom wall of the annular recess.

Abstract: A rear derailleur for a bicycle includes a base member for fixing to a bicycle frame, a movable member for supporting a chain guide, and a linkage mechanism coupling the base member to the movable member so that the movable member is capable of movement relative to the base member. A roller is coupled to the base member for rotation about a rotation axis, wherein the roller includes a cable guiding surface for guiding an inner wire of a control cable. A casing support is provided for supporting an outer casing of the control cable, and a pivot coupling pivotally supports the casing support to the base member so that the casing support pivots around a pivot axis that is spaced apart from the rotation axis.

Abstract: A belt tensioning device includes a first element having a threaded opening and a first pulley supported on the first element. The device further includes a second element having an opening in substantial alignment with the threaded opening of the first element and a second pulley supported on the second element. A belt is secured around and between the first and second pulleys. The belt tensioning device also includes an element for applying a tension force to the belt. In one preferred embodiment the element for applying a tension force to the belt includes a rotatable screw extending between the first and second support elements. The screw has a first end including a threaded portion adapted for threadably engaging the threaded opening of the first element and a second end remote therefrom adapted for extending into the opening of the second support element. The element for applying a tension force also includes a shoulder fixed to the screw, between the first and second ends thereof.

Abstract: A bicycle chainwheel plate is formed to reduce the weight of a chainwheel crank and to keep its stiffness at a high level. The chainwheel plate is coupled between a crank arm and at least one sprocket. In one embodiment, the crank arm is detachable from the chainwheel plate, while in the second embodiment, the crank arm is integrally formed with the chainwheel plate as a one-piece, unitary member. The crank arm is designed to accommodate a pedal at its free end and is centrally attached to the chainwheel plate at the other end. In the first embodiment, the chainwheel plate comprises a crank attachment portion having a centrally located crank attachment hole in which a crank arm can be fixed in a non-rotatable fashion, four connecting arm portions radially extending in four directions from the crank attachment portion, and chainwheel fixing portions bifurcating and extending outward from the tips of the arm portions.

Abstract: A pulley suitable for use in a V-type belt drive power train, the pulley including an integral securing mechanism in the central bore thereof for engaging a corresponding securing mechanism on the shaft of the device to be driven by the pulley, the integral securing mechanism preferably being corresponding screw threads, with a method of manufacturing the pulley from cylindrical bar stock as a unit including the generation of the V-belt grooves, the central bore, forming the integral securing mechanism in the central bore, and cutting off the pulley to provide a one-piece pulley of substantially simplified design.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing bicycle gear ratios comprising pedals (1) to the shaft (3) of which a group of coaxial overdrive gears is fixed, with at least an overdrive gear (20) of larger diameter and at least an overdrive gear (2) of smaller diameter; a plurality of sprockets (4) of different diameter, pack-like disposed close to each other and mounted on the shaft (40) of the rear wheel; a roller chain for the transmission of motion from one of the overdrive gears (2; 20) to one of the sprockets (4); a mechanism for shifting the chain (5) from one to another of said sprockets (4), with a cyclist-operated lever-and-wire driving mechanism; and a mechanism for guiding the deviation of the chain (5) from one to the other of the overdrive gears (2; 20) in cooperation with the mechanism for shifting the chain (5) over the sprockets (4) of the rear wheel. The teeth of each overdrive gear exhibiting, in correspondence of a respective sector (M, N), reduced height and thickness with respect to the other teeth.

Abstract: A wheel drive system using an enlarged flywheel shaft to form an integral drive pulley for a wheel drive.

Abstract: A belt drive device is constructed by looping a timing belt 14 about a driving sprocket 9, a cam sprocket 11, and a driven sprocket 12 for transmitting a driving force from the driving sprocket 9 to the sprockets 11, 12. A dynamic damper 15, comprising a ring mass 153 and an elastic ring 152 for holding the ring mass 153, is mounted on the driven sprocket 12 that has the largest amplitde of torque fluctuation among the sprockets 11, 12. The dynamic damper 15 absorbs revolution fluctuations of the driven sprocket 12 that has the largest amplitude of torque fluctuation. Thus, at the time of resonance during which the belt load on the timing belt 15 sharply increases, the sharp increase in the timing belt load can be minimized, and maximum load on the timing belt 15 can be decreased, whereby the durability of the timing belt 15 can be secured.