Abstract: An apparatus for driving at least a pair of balancers which are disposed on both sides of an engine substantially parallel to the crank shaft and so arranged as to rotate in opposite directions at a speed twice the rotating speed of the crank shaft, comprising a gear shaft for reversing one of the balancers and a driving mechanism for driving the other balancer and the camshaft by the crank shaft through a single timing belt or chain, provided in the front or rear part of the cylinder block, in order to dispense with the need of providing separate driving mechanisms for the camshaft and the balancers.

Abstract: A flexible coupling used to transmit power between two shafts and comprising first and second transmission members and a flexible element between and interconnecting the transmission members. The first and second transmission members are each connectible to one of the shafts for rotation therewith and the flexible element is located relative to the transmission members by devices for transmitting power and by a location means for predetermining an amount of in-built deformation in the flexible element. In a specific embodiment, the flexible element consists of a pack of members held together as a sub-assembly by means of a sleeve and a collar press-fitted thereover. The flexible element sub-assembly is deformed to a predetermined amount by a spigot formed on the transmission members; the spigot is removed at two or more points remote from the connection locations on the transmission member to facilitate assembly of the coupling.

Abstract: This is a plastic thrust washer strip consisting of a plurality of plastic thrust washers integrally interconnected by thin plastic webs. The plastic webs and integral plastic tabs on each washer of the strip serve to locate and hold the washer strip on the hub of a universal joint.

Abstract: A high performance coupling intended to transmit a torque from a motor element to a driven element, each of the two elements having at least two teeth symmetrical in relation to the axis of rotation and having generatrices parallel to this axis, each tooth being constituted by flat surfaces symmetrical in relation to their bisecting plane and being connected by curved surfaces, characterized in that each tooth is provided with at least four flat surfaces, with at least two drive generatrices for a given direction of rotation and with at least two different angles of attack. This new coupling finds its application in the field of screws and nuts, and the corresponding spanners, and also for transmission connections and couplings and the necessary tools.

Abstract: A flexible coupling is formed by a pair of hubs adapted for mounting on a pair of shafts and interconnected by a flexible serpentine grid. One of the hubs is formed as an indexing assembly including an outer hub member having a first series of internal gear teeth, an inner hub member journaled in the outer hub member and having a second series of external gear teeth of a different count, and an indexing ring having external and internal gear teeth that mate with the respective first and second series of teeth. The indexing ring is removable axially from between the inner and outer hub members so that the inner hub member and the shaft upon which it is mounted can be rotated relative to the outer hub member. The indexing ring is then reinserted. When fully assembled, an end ring seals the mating teeth and defines a lubricant reservoir for the mating teeth.

Abstract: A universal joint has an outer joint member with circular grooves in the inner surface of a spherical cavity therein and an inner joint member is positioned within the cavity. The outer surface of the inner joint member is also provided with grooves and torque transmitting balls are received in corresponding grooves of the outer and inner joint members. The centerlines of the two outer joint member circular grooves are located in planes which are parallel with each other and parallel to the axis of the outer joint member and these planes are positioned equidistantly on opposite sides of the rotary axis. The inner joint member has partially circular or arcuate grooves arranged in pairs such that their centerlines extend in planes perpendicular to the planes of the outer joint member grooves.

Abstract: The driving coupling member and the driven coupling member of a flexible coupling are tied together by a plurality of flexible torque-transmitting members which are arranged in a circular pattern. Each torque-transmitting member consists of an endless, substantially elliptical loop of an elastic material, e.g. rubber, which may be re-inforced by an appropriate woven material. Resilient inserts are placed into the elliptical cavities defined by the torque-transmitting members, and these inserts are compressed when the torque-transmitting members are elongated as a result of the transmission of torques between both coupling members. The aforementioned resilient inserts expand when the amount of torque transmitted is reduced. The expansion and contraction of the aforementioned inserts are transmitted to containers of a fluid medium and cause said fluid medium to flow out of a contracting container into another container. The flow of fluid is controlled by a restricted orifice.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting a rotating member to a shaft. The shaft has two flat, diametrically-opposite, axially-extending flat surfaces. Keys at an outer surface taper inwardly in opposite directions. A spring on the large end of each key urges the key to slide toward the shaft and in opposite direction so that the shaft is always held against vibration.

Abstract: A torque limiting device employing a clutch disposed within a cylindrically shaped housing and coupling first and second members coaxially mounted in the respective ends of the cylindrically shaped housing. The first and second members are rotatably mounted in the housing and adapted for engagement with the torqueing device and work respectively or vice versa. Manual rotation of one housing section relative to the other housing section adjusts to predetermined maximum value the torque which is transmitted the device, viz., between the first and second members. To enable bidirectional torque limiting, a third member is disposed between said first and second members.

Abstract: An agricultural machine has a longitudinal variable drive shaft enclosed by a tubular casing for coupling to a power take-off shaft of a tractor. The drive shaft and power take-off shaft can be aligned and coupled to each other. The agricultural machine is further provided with a hitch bar and a support device is mounted on the hitch bar comprising a strut pivoted on the hitch bar so as to fold upon the bar in its axial direction. The other end of the strut engages and supports the drive shaft and a guide member has one end pivotally connected to the tubular casing and the other end pivotally connected to the strut so as to be slidable therealong.

Abstract: A force-displacement controller knob for use in isometric control devices provided. A controller knob component is mounted on existing control shafts and the knob itself contains a pair of compressible, resilient washers separated by and contacting a rigid washer in a chamber in the knob so that force appied in any direction on the knob will be transferred to the control shaft in a resistance ratio determined by the compressibility of the resilient washers.