Abstract: A variable diameter pulley according to the present invention has a pair of pulley bodies each axially movably fitted around a rotation shaft. A power transmission ring is held between power transmission surfaces formed in a tapered shape on opposed surfaces of the pair of pulley bodies. A belt is engaged with the outer circumference of the power transmission ring. The power transmission ring is movable eccentrically with respect to an axis of the pulley bodies. The pulley bodies are biased toward each other by a belleville spring. The belleville spring couples the pulley bodies to each other for power transmission. A torque is transmitted between the belt and the rotation shaft through the power transmission ring, the pulley bodies, the belleville spring and a coupling member.

Abstract: A modularly constructed pulley for a continuously variable transmission, provided with at least two discs on a pulley shaft and/or sleeve of the pulley shaft, one or more discs fixed as individual components to the pulley shaft and/or sleeve, and having at least one disc which is axially displaceable, by, e.g., a piston/cylinder assembly with pistons or cylinders individually fixed to the disc.

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.

Abstract: A pulley, ball bearing and fan comprising each of the pulley and ball bearing for effectively restricting or preventing occurrence of abnormal noise under cold ambient conditions. A ball bearing 2 of a single row type includes an outer ring 2a and balls 2c. The outer ring 2a and each ball 2c are contacted with each other at two points. An oil groove 5 is formed at a position adjacent to the contact positions P and Q on the raceway surface between the raceway surface 3a of the outer ring and the balls 2c. The ball bearing 2 is fitted within or made integral with the inner diameter of a pulley body 1 having a peripheral surface 1e to be contacted with a belt.

Abstract: A gearshift mechanism has at least two sprocket wheels on a set of driving sprocket wheels or a set of driven sprocket wheels, having shifting aids to facilitate shifting a chain up and down, it being possible for the shifting to take place under load. The shifting aids include cone rivets, which project axially out of the sprocket wheel plane and are arranged beneath the toothing of the larger one of the at least two sprocket wheels. The at least two sprocket wheels have different numbers of teeth which are selected for having the highest common divisor possible, the purpose of which is to provide as many shifting aids as possible. The positions of the sprocket wheels with respect to one another in the circumferential direction and the position of the shifting aids with respect to the teeth of the larger one of the at least two sprocket wheels are also optimized to ensure a smooth transfer of the chain from one sprocket to another.

Abstract: An automatic gear shifting device for multi-speed bicycles. According to the invention, the device comprises a centrifugal force gear shifting mechanism which is controlled by the pedaling cadence of the rider. Pedal crankshaft speed is transferred to a main unit which contains an axially mounted drive shaft. Flyweights which are pivotally affixed to the drive shaft by an inner sleeve engage the housing thread members once a rider pedals outside of a predetermined cadence range. Engagement of the threaded members causes the inner sleeve to move one position. A cam follower affixed to the inner sleeve thereafter causes rotation of an outer ring, the outer ring having upshift and downshift cable attached to it. Movement of the cable causes rotation of a cable drum which is pivotally mounted to a derailleur. Movement of the cable ring drum causes the derailleur to shift gears. Also provided is a means to adjust the cadence range.

Abstract: A slot bearing assembly for a member moveable relative to a slot such as a carrier for a slotted rodless cylinder in which the slot bearing is allowed to float relative to the moveable carrier.

Abstract: A support or a railroad crossing gate and warning structure (such as warning lights mounted on a cantilever) has first and second ladders. The first ladder is stationarily mounted on the support so that its bottom rung is spaced from the ground, and the second ladder is mounted adjacent its top end for movement along the stationary ladder between a position where it is above the ground, to a position in which its bottom end is on the ground. The second ladder is also pivotally mounted at its top end to slides which engage the first ladder. Retaining plates are provided for releasably retaining the bottom end of the second ladder in a position in which it is mounted on or at least horizontally adjacent the first ladder, and the plates may be effectively locked together with a padlock to prevent unauthorized use.

Abstract: In a structure for lubricating an oil seal interposed between a shaft and an outer circumferential member that surrounds the shaft, a bearing device provides: a shaft rotatable; an outer case surrounding the shaft and including a large-diameter portion, a medium-diameter portion, a small-diameter portion, and a contact portion connecting the medium-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion; a bearing assembly disposed in the large-diameter portion for supporting the shaft; an oil seal assembly interposed between the shaft and the outer case and contacting the medium-diameter portion and the contact portion; and a lubricant-containing member fitted to the oil seal assembly and molded plastically in an annular shape out of a resinous material containing a lubricant. The structure improved by the bearing device ensures satisfactory lubricating effects in a consistent manner.

Abstract: In a V-ribbed belt including short fibers such as carbon fibers in the surfaces of ribs, that is, a contact surface with a pulley, the surfaces of the ribs are coated with a water repellent agent so that the surfaces of the ribs can attain water repellency. Thus, while suppressing performance degradation and increase in manufacturing cost of the belt, the water removing property against water splashed on the belt is improved, so as to prevent slip and an accompanied unpleasant noise from being caused.

Abstract: A belt autotensioner including: a support arm having one end supported and the other end biased in a predetermined direction; a tension pulley supported by the other end of the support arm; and a friction member held in sliding contact with the support arm for applying a rocking resistance to the support arm, and having a Rockwell hardness [H.sub.R R] of 30 to 40 in at least a portion in sliding contact with the support arm.

Abstract: The tensioning device comprises a support plate attached to a pivot defining a fixed axis; an intermediate tubular element accommodating the pivot and able to rotate about the fixed axis; a pulley for a belt and supported by the tubular element, surrounding the pivot and able to rotate about an axis of rotation which is not coincident with the fixed axis; and an elastic element interposed between the pivot and the intermediate tubular element so as to urge elastically the intermediate tubular element against the belt. To ensure a high degree of perpendicularity between the pivot and the support plate and, therefore, accurate engagement between the tensioning device and the belt, the support plate and the pivot are integrally formed.

Abstract: A random engagement roller chain sprocket for use primarily in automotive engine chain drive applications which incorporates different asymmetrical tooth profiles for improved noise reduction. In particular, the sprocket includes a number of first teeth each having a first engaging flank and a first disengaging flank, and a number of second teeth each having a second engaging flank and a second disengaging flank. One of the first engaging flanks cooperating with one of the first disengaging flanks or the second disengaging flanks of a first adjacent tooth to define a first asymmetrical tooth space for receiving a roller of an associated roller chain. The first asymmetrical tooth space including a first root surface between the one of the first engaging flanks and the first disengaging flanks or the second disengaging flanks. The first root surface being adapted for contacting a roller of an associated roller chain during rotation of the sprocket.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a pre-loaded spring at the upper end of the piston to reduce the peak operating loads in a timing chain system. The spring member is located between the primary piston and an upper secondary piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently feeding a workpiece to a press, the device including a feed roll with a pinch roll opposite the feed roll, so that a workpiece may pass between the rolls. A servo screw, pinch roll actuator is connected to the pinch roll so that during apparatus operation, changes in pinch roll pressure may be developed between the pinch roll and the workpiece without causing loss of contact between the pinch roll and the workpiece. A new belt drive system and method of pinch roll control is also disclosed.

Abstract: Stretcher for a transmission belt comprising a fixed part suitable for being rigidly connected to a support structure, a movable part hinged to the fixed part about a first axis, a pulley carried by the movable part and rotating with respect thereto about a second axis distinct from the first axis and parallel thereto, a spring interposed between the fixed part and the movable part and suitable for loading in use the movable part in the direction tending to keep the pulley in engagement with the relative belt, and a damping element provided with a base wall rigidly fixed to the fixed part and with an annular friction portion extending axially from the base wall and cooperating with a seat produced in the movable part.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a dynamic system, for example, a continuously variable transmission for an automotive vehicle which adjusts a gear ratio by bringing a pulley position of a primary pulley into agreement with a target one through a hydraulic system under the feedforward and sliding mode control is provided. The apparatus calculates a feedforward-controlled variable in addition to a feedback-controlled variable and adjusts the pulley position of the primary pulley to a target one using the hydraulic pressure provided based on the sum of the feedforward-controlled variable and the feedback-controlled variable, thereby enhancing the robustness of the sliding mode control without causing the hunting.

Abstract: In a chain drive system, initial calibration or adjustment for take-up or compensation of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances is achieved by an adjustment device that comprises a fixed block (12) and a spring-loaded moveable pad or snubber member (14), which, after initial positioning for take-up of tolerances, is fixed in position on the body. The adjustment device(10) can generally be positioned on the tight portion of the chain and can be an independent device or it can be combined with a traditional hydraulic or mechanical tensioner for taking up slack due to wear.

Abstract: A chain drive transmission has a variable diameter sprocket. The sprocket has a number of sectors which can be moved radially relative to a hub of the sprocket. The sectors are biased outwardly but can be pulled inwardly by flexible members which wind around a spool. The spool is, in turn connected to an axially movable shifting member. The gear ratio of the transmission can be changed by either allowing the shifting member to move axially outwardly, in which case the effective diameter of the variable diameter sprocket increases, or by momentarily braking rotation of the shifting member, in which case the flexible members are wound onto the spool thereby reducing the effective diameter of the variable sprocket. Shifting between gear ratios may be done with a simple rugged mechanism. Shifting between gear ratios requires little force and can be controlled with an electromechanical actuator. Both driving and driven sprockets in a power transmission may be variable diameter sprockets.

Abstract: A tensioner for a chain drive (10) having a shoe (12) made of wear-resistant thermoplastic material and one or more flat spring blades (15) with the ends contained in pockets (13a, 14a) provided in the enlarged ends of the shoe. The ends of the flat spring blade or blades (15) are slightly curved with the convexity turned toward the same side on which the spring presents a concavity, to prevent these ends, as they wear, from creating a groove in the surface of the plastic material of the shoe pocket and blocking the free flow of the ends of the spring in the pockets.