Abstract: An adapter device for attachment to a drive member having a clutch biased into disengagement for converting that drive member into a positive rotational drive member. The adaptor device comprising an outer casing having first and second opposed openings and a slot in a sidewall of the outer casing, the second opening having an interior thread for engaging an exterior threaded portion of the drive member. A drive shank having a first end thereof for engaging a rotatable member and a second end thereof for engaging a drive end of the drive member is supported by the outer casing.

Abstract: In a pull type clutch cover assembly, a disc-like annular conned disc spring 8 is installed in such a manner that an inner peripheral edge of the conned disc spring is moved together with the diaphragm spring 5 toward a pressure plate side in axial direction, when the clutch is engaged, so as to urge the diaphragm spring in an axial direction opposite to the pressure plate. Therefore, an excessive increase in a load of the diaphragm spring 5 can be controlled during operation of clutch.

Abstract: A mechanism for a single pedal control of both the brake and acceleration systems of automotive vehicles comprising a pedal, a tension-producing assembly, a pedal vertical positioner, and a coupling device for applying pressure to a piston of a vehicle master cylinder. The pressure applied by the coupling device to the piston is correlated with the vertical elevation of the pedal. The pedal, through a coupling device, applies maximum braking to a vehicle when no pressure is exerted on the pedal. Lesser amounts of braking are applied to the vehicle as the driver's foot presses the pedal downwards. At a point where the pedal contacts the accelerator rod, there is zero braking of the vehicle, and the braking of the vehicle remains at zero thereafter as the accelerator rod is further depressed to change the speed of the vehicle. To maintain a constant speed, the accelerator rod is held at a constant elevation by the pressure of the driver's foot on the pedal.

Abstract: A coupling for establishing a releasable torque transmitting connection between a hollow shaft element (1) and a journal element (2) positioned therein, by coupling members (13) provided in apertures in the hollow shaft element and radially movable therein to engage with recesses (39) in the journal element, and an operating sleeve (4) movable axially on the shaft element for effecting such radial movement of the coupling members, has radially displaceable locking members (12) for locking the operating sleeve axially in its coupling-engaged position, and a spring for providing a returning force against which the operating sleeve is movable to such position. The operating sleeve is moved axially by an electro-magnet (27, 28) which actuates an actuating ring (8) and locking sleeve (3) which acts on the locking members (12). The locking members and coupling members are preferably balls.

Abstract: An improved release mechanism for a hydraulically operated clutch. A tubular cylinder is formed between stationary inner and outer housings. A tubular piston has an inner end extending into the cylinder and has an outer end mounting a thrust bearing. Rotating clutch release levers engage the thrust bearing. One or more radial holes extend through the piston adjacent the inner end. Pins positioned in the holes extend into inner housing grooves which extend parallel to an axis of the release mechanism. The pins and grooves prevent rotation of the piston relative to the stationary housings, while allowing axial piston movement. A retainer ring is positioned in an annular groove in the exterior of the piston. The retainer ring both retains the pins in the piston holes and retains the piston in the cylinder.

Abstract: Servo-assisted gear selection for a vehicle gearbox and gear change controlled by the driver by actuating the clutch, wherein the driver is informed of the selection having been performed in the gearbox by a haptic or tactile signal at the clutch pedal. The signal is transmitted mechanically from an electromagnet to the clutch pedal, or the electromagnet is arranged in the pedal plate of the clutch pedal. The signal generator may also consist of an electromagnet in conjunction with a pressure piston, which acts on the pressure line of the clutch actuating mechanism, or of an electropneumatic valve in conjunction with a differential piston signal generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to torsion vibration dampers in the power transmission path of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, the coil thrust springs used being particularly in the case of a considerable length in proportion to their diameter, already precurved prior to fitment into their final position. This facilitates fitment and makes it possible to influence the development of friction force as the rotary speed increases.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power line comprises a combustion engine (8), a gearbox (10) and an electronically controlled clutch (20). The engine throttle (84) is actuated by an electric motor (92) controlled by the electronic control (48) usually in response to throttle demand signals. A manual move of the gear shift level (16) causes the clutch (20) automatically to disengage. When a new gear is engaged the clutch (20) is automatically re-engaged. When the gear change is an up-change the clutch (20) is automatically disengaged to lower (102) its torque transmitting capacity (C) from a maximum (C1) to zero. As the gear change progresses the new gear starts to be engaged causing the speed (B) of the gearbox input shaft (14) and clutch driven plate (32) to drop (110) to (Sn). While this is happening control (48) takes full control of the throttle and closes it. The disengaged clutch and closed throttle causes the engine speed (A) to decelerate (114).

Abstract: Disclosed is a release bearing of clutch which comprises a case unit supported on a quill fixed on a housing, a bearing main body incorporated into the case unit, and a sleeve having the case unit slidably supported on the outer circumference of the quill, wherein a bush made of a softer material than the sleeve is interdisposed between the inside of the sleeve and the outside of the quill being fixed detachably on the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a hydraulic clutch, including a two-position clutch control valve, a two-position rapid clutch release valve, and a first fluid passage system for releasing the clutch, a second fluid passage system for engaging the clutch, and a third fluid passage system for releasing the clutch. These three passage systems for feeding and discharging a fluid into and from the clutch are selected by respective three combinations of the operating positions of the two valves. Normally, a predetermined one of the first and third passage systems is selected for releasing the clutch, and the other of these two systems is selected in the event of a trouble with the valves.

Abstract: An internally assisted friction clutch having both engagement springs and assister springs extending between a cover and a release sleeve is disclosed. The radially directed forces exerted by the springs continually center and rotatably drive the release sleeve co-axially relative to the cover under normal operating conditions. In order to prevent excessive relative rotation, a plurality of protrusions are formed on the release sleeve which extend into respective recesses formed on the cover. The recesses are sized to be significantly larger than the protrusions so as to cause engagement only when four to five degrees of relative rotational movement or more occurs between the release sleeve and the cover.

Abstract: An adjustable, precision overload clutch device is disclosed as comprising a rotating driving member drivingly coupled by spring-urged detent plunger members to a driven member, in which bearings are provided for journalably mounting the head of each plunger member to the driving member, and spring adjusting members which permit pre-loading by the spring of each detent plunger and associated bearings. This combination allows the overload clutch to achieve a high locational accuracy upon each resetting after clearance of an obstruction. Elastomeric springs are preferably used for the detent plunger springs, so that by use of the adjusting member, the overload torque range for the precision overload clutch can be substantially adjusted (within limits) as desired for a given application. The clutch also includes structure to make it moisture resistant, including when coupled to an intermittent drive unit, such as a motor-driven indexer, for example.

Abstract: A vehicle road-wheel securing device comprising a structurally rigid latch (1) being positionable from its mounting (2) to a substantial portion of the vehicle by the direct and/or indirect effects of the activation of a solenoid unit (3) to effect an anchoring of the disc brake rotor (4) through intersection or the predisposed intersection of the latch by the influence of transfer spring (5) with the heat-sink recesses (6) of that disc brake's rotor to secure the position of the wheel therein involved. Further preferably providing an electromechanical timer circuit (7). While being charged through the operation of the vehicle's ignition switch, the electromechanical timer circuit provides for automatic solenoid activation at the termination of a specific timeframe from the point in time when the vehicle is shut off by the use of the ignition switch. Therein reversal of the solenoid's influence by the use of an override switch is facilitated.

Abstract: A vision system for detecting mispositioned parts during the operation of a powder metal press and preventing damage to the press and tooling associated therewith, wherein the gross level of light is read at specified locations of the press during predetermined points in the press stroke, compared to gross light levels established during a teaching stroke of the press, with the press being automatically deactivated when the difference between the gross light level read and the established gross light level is not within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An automatic transmission with an engine rpm sensor fault detector includes a starter switch (18); a clutch (6) for transmitting an output of an engine (8); a clutch control unit for controlling engagement of the clutch; a transmission (1); an engine rpm sensor (9); a an input shaft sensor (5a); a gear position sensor (40a) for detecting a gear position of the transmission; a control unit (4) for controlling the clutch control unit based on outputs of the respective detectors and enables the starter switch to operate when the transmission is in a neutral position. The control unit includes a starter switch detector (40b) for determining whether the starter switch is on and a fault determination unit (40c) for determining whether the first detector is faulty.

Abstract: An indexing apparatus for a rotary table has a support shaft rotatably supported by a base member in which indexed terminal positions of the rotary table is determined by abutment of a stopper member provided on the rotary table against positioning members provided on the base member. The indexing apparatus comprises a rack-pinion mechanism comprising a rack and a pinion fixed around the support shaft of the rotary table for rotating the same, a feed screw shaft rotatably supported by the base member and extending along the rack in a direction of the movement thereof, a breakable electric motor for driving the feed screw shaft, and a feed nut engaging the feed screw shaft. The rack and the feed nut are arranged so that either one of them has integral portions disposed at both sides of the other with spaces left on both the sides in the direction of the movement of the rack. Annular springs are disposed in each space.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch is provided with increased torque transmitting capacity by utilizing a relatively large diameter spring wire whose end turns have their radial peripheries ground down to weaken the end turns proximate to the free end of the spring. Preferably the end turns proximate to the free end of the coil spring are tapered radially inwardly to lift the spring coil turns remote from the free end off the shaft of the overrunning clutch. The end of the coil spring fixed to the bushing may be formed as a hook having a portion extending radially through a slot within the bushing and an integral bent back circumferential portion nested in a annular groove within the outer periphery of the bushing intersecting the radial slot. A double helical coil spring having parallel, adjacent turns within separate helical grooves within the inner periphery of the bushing has a loop connecting the turns opposite their free ends mounted within a transverse channel connecting the pair of helical grooves.

Abstract: In a brake actuator for bicycles of the type housed within the bottom bracket of the bicycle, an actuating lever passing through the bottom bracket has a head housed within a slot within an annulus surrouding the pedal crankshaft of the bicycle within the bottom bracket. The annulus is provided with a torque spring providing a clutching action which tends to rotate the annulus with the crankshaft upon backpedalling. The lever acts upon bearing surfaces at opposite ends of the slot in the annulus, responsive to rotation of the latter, so as to exert a clamping action on the crankshaft between the lever and the annulus. The arrangement may be made sufficiently compact that it can be assembled into bicycles having small diameter bottom brackets. The slot and head of the lever are configured so that the lever head may be inserted through the bottom bracket and the slot from the outside, and then locked in place by insertion of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch having a bimetallic coil includes an insulating retainer. A body of the retainer is mounted between the coil and an outer surface of the clutch housing. A flexible tab on the retainer is placed between a first end of the coil and a slot on the clutch housing to provide an interference fit and eliminate the need for adhesives. The body inhibits the transfer of radiant heat emanating from fluid inside the clutch to the coil. Preferably, the body and tab are integrally formed.

Abstract: A roller clutch cage includes a provision for centralizing circumferential stress in the cage, thereby allowing the cage to shrink or expand without bellmouthing. Ribs on the cage hit the cam race as the cage is installed, circumferentially stressing the cage, and allowing it to shrink or expand enough to be pushed onto the cam race far enough that the ribs can snap into a groove. Since the roller pockets stay parallel to the axis, the pathway race need not be present to prevent roller dislodging, and the pathway race can be added as a last step.