Abstract: A system and method for controlling a running characteristic of a vehicle having an automatic transmision are disclosed in which when a vehicle running condition is changed and a running mode is transferred into a different running mode, the running mode is not directly transferred from the present running mode to a target running mode but is transferred to a transitional running mode which gradually approaches the target running mode. In this state, a control unit determines whether a change rate of the driver's operation for a predetermined time is large or small, i.e., whether the driver drives the vehicle without a feeling of discomfort due to the changed running mode. If the change rate is large, the control unit determines that the driving condition is not preferable, the transfer of the running characteristic from the transitional running mode to the target running mode is inhibited or returned to the original running mode.

Abstract: Climbing handles for road bicycles that mount on each side of the stem. The handles are to be set forward and above, in a parallel relationship to the standard handlebars. The climbing handles must be permanently and securely welded to clips that attach securely to the handlebars of a road bicycle. The top clips have a platform for the purpose of locating the climbing handles in the proper relationship to the standard handlebars. Bottom clips which correspond to the top clips are used to attach the climbing handles to standard bicycle handlebars.

Abstract: A bicycle speed control having a casing to hold a control mechanism being consisted of a sector ratchet wheel, a cable winch and a lever, an upper stop plate and a curved lower stop plate for controlling shifting of speeds of a bicycle, wherein moving the curved lower stop plate with the thumb toward the lever causes the bicycle controller to shift from a lower speed to a higher speed; moving the lever with the index finger toward the curved lower stop plate causes the bicycle controller to shift from a higher speed to a lower speed.

Abstract: An automatic transmission comprising a torque converter and a change-speed transmission having a plurality of planetary gearsets and friction elements. This automatic transmission has a central supporting member fixedly mounted in a transmission case. A drum supported by this central supporting member contains clutch components and a one-way clutch inside. On the outer cylinder of the drum is mounted a band brake. The outer race of the one-way clutch in the drum is connected to the clutch hub in the drum, while the inner race of the one-way clutch is connected to the outer cylinder of the drum.

Abstract: A handlebar stem is provided having a shank and a front extension for mounting a handlebar. The front extension extends at an angle relative to the shank. Extending through the front extension from the shank is a bolt for fixing the front extension relative to the shank. The handlebar stem is light, slender and is of simple construction with a minimum of projecting parts.

Abstract: A power transmission structure for a working car provided at the center thereof with a working machine, such as a mower. Power is transmitted by the simplest mechanism from a vertical engine to axles and the working machine. Two output pulleys are attached to a vertical rotary output shaft of the vertical engine. One pulley drives a pump shaft of an axle driving unit and the other pulley drives an input pulley of the working machine. A hydraulic power transmission and a differential gear are laterally eccentrically disposed within the axle driving unit. The hydraulic transmission comprises a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. Power is transmitted from the rotary output shaft of the vertical engine to a vertical pump shaft of the hydraulic pump. A motor shaft of the hydraulic motor is operatively connected to the differential gear.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a bicycle speed change operation assembly capable of ensuring stable handlebar operation and immediate braking operation as well as remarkably improved riding safety during the speed change operation, the following technical means are provided: A bicycle speed change operation assembly according to the present invention comprises a cylindrical operation member (11) rotatably supported around a grip end portion of a handlebar (3), a speed change operation mechanism (12) provided in proximity of that grip end portion of the handlebar (3) and capable of winding and unwinding a speed control cable, and a transmission mechanism (13) provided between the cylindrical operation member (11) and the speed change operation mechanism (12) for driving this speed change operation mechanism (12) in response to the rotation of the cylindrical operation member (11), wherein the speed change operation mechanism (12) functions to wind or unwind the control cable in response to rotational reciprocati

Abstract: A quick release bicycle pedal. The quick release mechanism operates by pressing button 24 which moves locking shaft 20 to allow balls 18 to fit into recesses 22. Thereby, allowing pedal 10 and shaft 12 to be quickly and easily removed from adaptor 16 which is threaded into bike pedal crank shaft 14.

Abstract: A vehicle brake mechanism having a foot pedal and hand lever brake controls engagable by the operator and coupled with a generally transversely extending shaft pivotable in response to the operator engaging the brake controls, left and right linkages coupled between respective vehicle brakes and the transverse shaft, and shiftable generally with the transverse shaft for applying respective vehicle brakes. Left and right equalizer mechanisms are coupled between the transverse shaft and respective linkages for generally equalizing and balancing the forces applied to each vehicle brake. The linkages include a rod.

Abstract: An automatic transmission has, between input and output shafts, a plurality of power transmitting paths composed of combinations of planetary gear trains, and a plurality of engaging units for selecting one of the power transmitting paths for establishing a desired gear position. An upshift is effected from a present gear position to a target gear position which is higher than the present gear position through disengagement of two engaging units and engagement of two other engaging units. A controlling intermediate gear position is selected which is higher than the target gear position and which can be shifted to from the present gear position and the target gear position only through disengagement of one of the engaging units and engagement of another of the engaging units. When an upshift command is issued, the transmission starts shifting from the present gear position to the controlling intermediate gear position.

Abstract: The input gear of the secondary gear train is mounted on a hollow input shaft and the reaction element of a planetary gear set is connected with a multi-plate brake and one-way clutch, which are disposed on the opposite side of the input gear with respect to the planetary gear set, by way of a shaft which passes through the hollow input shaft. The multi-plate brake is disposed radially outward of the one-way clutch.The output gear of the gear train is supported by bearings which are disposed on either side thereof. The bearing on the inboard side of the final gear is arranged to have a diameter which is larger than the output gear and supported in a wall portion of the transmission case per se.

Abstract: An arrangement on a press having an eccentric shaft for adjusting the strokes of a working slide and of a counter-oscillating weight by adjustable eccentric/eccentric bush pairings. The eccentric bushes of these pairings can be detached and fixed on the eccentrics in the rotating direction since the connection is in each case an interference fit with a cylindrical locating surface that can be released by the feeding of pressure oil. This permits a narrow construction of the press with a relatively short eccentric shaft. The eccentrics are arranged directly next to one another on an eccentric shaft, and the eccentric bushes are rotationally connected with one another via radial disks with radial slots and pins engaging in them. The adjusting of the strokes takes place by rotating the eccentric shaft when the interference fits are released and the eccentric bushes are locked.

Abstract: A mechanical arrangement of multiple gears forming a transmission device for variable speed output and direction from a constant input source. The arrangement of multiple gears wherein the control of the output is determined by a selective incremental control input relative the constant input source. Combined arrangements of multiple gears utilize variable orbital paths control to determine variable output.

Abstract: The improved manual sheath-cable control includes a sheath, a cable extending through the sheath, the sheath having connectors on both ends, the cable extending through the sheath end connectors and having end connectors, an actuator having a housing and a lever pivotally mounted within the housing, means on the lever for receiving one end of the cable, a slot in the housing, the housing end sheath connector being rotationally positioned within the housing slot, the housing end sheath connector having a cable passage therethrough which passage bends at an angle, such angle of bend to the cable passage is sufficient to provide alternate positioning of the sheath-cable extending from the actuator housing without interfering with the operation of the control.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in a vehicle having an engine driven transmission which includes a plurality of gear ratios. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to sense a parameter indicative of vehicle speed and responsively produce a vehicle speed signal. A downshift switch is provided to controllably produce a downshift signal. An engine speed sensor senses engine speed and responsively produces an engine speed signal. A controller is adapted to receive the vehicle speed, engine speed, and downshift signals, process the vehicle speed signal to produce a transmission control signal, produce a down shift enable value as a function of the engine speed signal, and modify the transmission control signal to correspond to a lower gear ratio in all but the lowest gear ratio when the downshift signal is received and a value responsive to the vehicle speed signal is less than the down shift enable value signal.

Abstract: Links are useful for supporting and positioning spaced apart housing relative to each other. To allow for tolerance stackup the length of the link needs to be adjustable and still be strong enough to withstand high forces. The subject adjustable link includes a first end portion removably attached to a axle structure and a second end portion attached to a ripper structure. The second end portion includes an eccentric cam which is rotatable to adjust the length of the link. When the cam is properly adjusted it is moved into contact with a locking plate on the ripper structure to prevent rotation. A spacer washer is positioned between the cam and the ripper structure to prevent disengagement of the cam from the ripper structure. This arrangement of components provides for adjusting the length of a link and provides a locking structure which will withstand the high forces in the structure.

Abstract: A bicycle speed change lever assembly which includes a lever shift (9) extending downwardly from a mounting bracket (6a) which is attached adjacent an end grip portion of handlebar (1), and a lever pivotally supported on the lever shaft, the lever including a tubular body (7) rotatably fitted on the lever shaft (9), and a control arm (8) extending radially outward from the tubular body (7). The bracket (6a) has a forward extension (6b) so that the lever shaft (9) is arranged forwardly offset relative to an axis of the handlebar (1), and the lever shaft (9) is inclined to have a tip end deviating from a straight line which passes through a base end (9b) of the lever shaft (9) and is perpendicular to the forward extension (6b). This serves a number of purposes, namely to enable speed change operation while gripping the grip portion (2) of the handlebar (1), to enlarge the pivotal range of the control arm (8) to increase the number of speed stages, and to enable smooth pivotal operation of the control arm (8).

Abstract: A transmission having engagement mechanisms which employ an engagement inner having cam surfaces forming the race thereof, an engagement outer having a circular outer race and rollers therebetween. A cage mechanism angularly positions the rollers such that they may be wedged between the cam surfaces and the outer race so as to interlock the engagement inner and outer. Actuator mechanisms are employed which are axially movable to engage and angularly position the cages relative to the engagement inner for controlling the engagement mechanism. A plurality of control systems both electronic and mechanical control the operation of the engagement mechanism so as to require substantially synchronous movement between engaging elements. Alternately, nonsynchronous shifting may be accomplished under power for power or rapid shifting. Clutch inhibit may also be employed to prevent premature reengagement of the clutch before shift complete.

Abstract: A lubricant pump of the gerotor type is mounted concentrically over the output shaft of the leading axle in a tandem drive axle arrangement having in inter-axle power dividing differential. The outer rotor of the pump is connected by an annular drive band to the differential carrier to assure full time pump operation. Passages are provided for flow through an externally mounted filter.

Abstract: A planet-pinion carrier assembly for a planetary gear system includes a planet-pinion carrier having first and second radially extending sections, planet pinions each rotatably mounted onto a pinion shaft through a bearing, a first thrust washer disposed between one axial end of each planet pinion and the first section, and a second thrust washer disposed between the other axial end of each planet pinion and the second section. The first and second thrust washers each have a surface hardness large enough to ensure an improved durability and reliability.