Abstract: A modified air valve construction is provided for use in combination with a modern bicycle wheel having a rim for mounting a tire and an inner tube within the tire. Since many modern rims include relatively deep radiallyinwardly extending fairings which encompass air valves of conventional length, in accordance with the invention, an air valve adapter is received through an inwardly facing hole in the rim and attaches to the original valve stem. The adapter can be operated to selectively open or lock the unmodified valve. A nozzle from a pump can, in turn, be connected to the adapter to inflate the inner tube.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive mechanism which operates to adjust the path of an endless drive belt in response to a remotely located control input. A plurality of circumferentially spaced sheave segments are respectively mounted in a plurality of radially extending elongated tracks with pairs of opposed tooth-like formations therein. Each sheave segment includes cam/bearing means with multiple camming surfaces and opposed engagement blocks intermediate the cam/bearing means and the tooth-like formations. The engagement blocks are mutually slidably engaged but spring-biased into engagement with the tooth-like formations to thereby detent the sheave segment against radial movement. Each sheave segment has a bearing surface which is engaged by the drive belt when the drive mechanism traverses through a predetermined arc of rotation but is disengaged from the drive belt when outside the predetermined arc of rotation.

Abstract: A driver mechanism which operates to transfer power between a pulley and a v-belt which includes a plurality of belted v-sections for wedging frictional engagement with opposed convex-shaped frictional surfaces on the driver member, the belt comprising an arimid fiber strength member integrally made with an urethane resilient material.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive mechanism which operates to adjust the path of an endless drive belt in response to a remotely located control input. A plurality of circumferentially spaced sheave segements are respectively mounted in a plurality of radially extending elongated tracks with opposed tooth-like formations therein. Each sheave segment includes cam/bearing means with multiple camming surfaces and opposed engagement blocks intermediate the cam/bearing means and the tooth-like formations. The engagement blocks are mutually slidably engaged but spring-biased into engagement with the tooth-like formations to thereby detent the sheave segment against radial movement. Each sheave segment has a bearing surface which is engaged by the drive belt when the drive mechanism traverses through a predetermined arc of rotation but is disengaged from the drive belt whe outside the predetermined arc of rotation.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive mechanism which operates to adjust the path of an endless drive belt in response to a remotely located control input. A plurality of circumferentially spaced sheave segments are respectively mounted in a plurality of radially extending elongated tracks with opposed tooth-like formations therein. Each sheave segment includes cam/bearing means with multiple camming surfaces and opposed engagement blocks intermediate the cam/bearing means and the tooth-like formations. The engagement blocks are mutually slidably engaged but spring-biased into engagement with the tooth-like formations to thereby detent the sheave segment against radial movement. Each sheave segment has a bearing surface which is engaged by the drive belt when the drive mechanism traverses through a predetermined arc of rotation but is disengaged from the drive belt when outside the predetermined arc of rotation.

Abstract: A self adjusting tensioning system for a variable transmission. An endless belt is advanced by and supported on a pair of spaced apart, variable diameter, sheaves which are independently movable between reduced and enlarged configurations and which result in the belt assuming different paths. A pair of rollers are rotatably mounted at fixedly spaced locations on an elongated carrier member. One of the rollers is actively biased into engagement with the belt by a compression spring assembly. A cam surface on the carrier member proximate the other of the rollers is slidable along a fixed contoured supporting surface and passively assures engagement of the other of the rollers with the belt. As the ratio of the transmission changes with changed diameters of the sheaves and the belt thereby assumes a changed path, the belt is effective to automatically move the rollers therealong so as to maintain a substantially constant tension in the belt.

Abstract: A compression spring assembly which includes a compression spring and a pair of identical but oppositely disposed guide members. The guide members have cooperating transversely extending keyways which are aligned to receive a key to maintain the assembly in a retracted, inoperative, condition. When placed in its operative environment, the spring assembly is suitably oriented and the key is removed from the keyway, thereby permitting the spring to expand to the greatest length possible under the circumstances. The spring assembly is capable of a broad range of movement along the axis of the spring. Subsequently, the spring assembly can be removed and returned to its retracted, inoperative condition by reversing the procedure just described.

Abstract: Drive mechanism, particularly for use with a bicycle, of the type having variable diameter drive and driven members connected by an endless belt which engages adjustable segments on the members. Through a control members the drive ratio can be adjusted to multiple, discrete settings. Belt wrap is maintained between the belt and the drive and driven members at all settings by two idlers which are independently supported for movement. A locking rail is used to release and secure the segments on the members and a split clutch is used with the driven member for easy rear wheel removal. The mechanism has a lost motion device to accommodate forward and rearward pedaling without harming the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is modular in construction so it can be used with frames of varying sizes and the drive mechanism can be quickly removed from or assembled to the bicycle frame when replacement is desired.

Abstract: A self adjusting tensioning system for a variable transmission. An endless belt is advanced by and supported on a pair of spaced apart, variable diameter, sheaves which are independently movable between reduced and enlarged configurations and which result in the belt assuming different paths. A pair of rollers are rotatably mounted at fixedly spaced locations on an enlongated carrier member. One of the rollers is actively biased into engagement with the belt by a compression spring assembly. A cam surface on the carrier member proximate the other of the rollers is slidable along a fixed contoured supporting surface and passively assures engagement of the other of the rollers with the belt. As the ratio of the transmission changes with changed diameters of the sheaves and the belt thereby assumes a changed path, the belt is effective to automatically move the rollers therealong so as to maintain a substantially constant tension in the belt.

Abstract: Drive mechanism, particularly for use with a bicycle, of the type having variable diameter drive and driven members connected by an endless belt which engages adjustable segments on the members. Through a control means the drive ratio can be adjusted to multiple, discrete settings. Belt wrap is maintained between the belt and the drive and driven members at all settings by two idlers which are independently supported for movement. A locking rail is used to release and secure the segments on the members and a split clutch is used with the driven member for easy rear wheel removal. The mechanism has a lost motion device to accommodate forward and rearward pedaling without harming the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is modular in construction so it can be used with frames of varying sizes and the drive mechanism can be quickly removed from or assembled to the bicycle frame when replacement is desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a bearing surface relative to a track. The invention, in one embodiment, includes a rotatably mounted drive mechanism which is provided with a plurality of radially oriented tracks. The drive mechanism preferably comprises a pair of parallel drive disks with co-linear, radial tracks having tooth-like formations arranged therein. A movable sheave segment is mounted between each set of co-linear tracks. Each sheave segment comprises two pair of engagement blocks, one pair for each track and an independent multi-element cam lock. Tooth formations on the engagement blocks provide formations for locking each sheave segment into place in the toothed track. Each sheave segment's bearing surface is engaged by an endless belt when the drive mechanism traverses through a predetermined arc of rotation but is disengaged from the drive belt when outside the predetermined arc of rotation.

Abstract: Drive mechanism, particularly for use with a bicycle, of the type having variable diameter drive and driven members connected by an endless belt which engages adjustable segments on the members. Through a control member the drive ratio can be adjusted to multiple, discrete settings. Belt wrap is maintained between the belt and the drive and driven members at all settings by two idlers which are independently supported for movement. A locking rail is used to release and secure the segments on the members and a split clutch is used with the driven member for easy rear wheel removal. The mechanism has a lost motion device to accommodate forward and rearward pedaling without harming the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is modular in contruction so it can be used with frames of varying sizes and the drive mechanism can be quickly removed from or assembled to the bicycle frame when replacement is desired.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus has a data reading head and an elastomer ring on a driven rotor within stationary arcuate outer guide means for driving a sheet along a path starting and ending at a common location and passing the reading head. The elastomer ring and the outer guide are shaped so that their cooperation biases sheets against and into edgewise alignment with side guide means along portions of the path approaching the reading head and departing from the reading head. The sheet feeding path is arched away from the elastomer ring in the region of the elastomer ring, and the guide means has a light-absorbing channel that is uninterrupted by the elastomer ring disposed opposite the data reading head. The entire apparatus is readily opened up for service virtually without resort to tools and restored to operative condition without need for adjustments.

Abstract: The socket for non-rotatably receiving a torsion member is so shaped that points of engagement between the external surfaces of the torsion member and the internal surfaces of the socket member travel as the torsion member is twisted, thereby greatly to increase the life of the torsion member.

Abstract: A torsion bar assembly such as may be used to provide a counterbalancing force active on a part movable with respect to a second part is mounted on one of those parts by a structure which permits the torsion spring unit to be readily moved into position with its operative parts in desired rotational position relative to one another as well as to the parts with which they are to be used. The mounting structure is provided with a recess with inwardly projecting teeth and the torsion unit has externally projecting teeth. A part is substantially parallel to those teeth. A clip is designed to be a part of the assembly, hold the parts of the assembly in desired rotational relationship, and ensure that the assembly is mounted in proper rotational position.

Abstract: The disclosed data reading apparatus carries an inserted sheet continuously inward and around a drum where data on the sheet is sensed optically and out of the apparatus reversely, close to the point of insertion. Sheets of different widths are aligned initially, and are held against the drum by tensioned belts. The drum "floats", being movable toward and away from the data reader to accommodate abnormal sheet thickness, wrinkling, etc. and to limit the sensing gap. Jamming of an inserted sheet is virtually eliminated by the floating drum and other special provisions. The entire apparatus is very compact, due in part to making the drum hollow and mounting the drive motor in the hollow.

Abstract: A torsion bar assembly such as may be used to provide a counterbalancing force active on a part movable with respect to a second part is mounted on one of those parts by a structure which permits the torsion spring unit to be readily moved into position, with its operative parts in desired rotational position relative to one another as well as to the parts with which they are to be used. The mounting structure is provided with a recess with inwardly projecting teeth and the torsion unit has externally projecting teeth which can be engaged with the internally projecting teeth. A part is designed to be a part of the assembly, hold the parts of the assembly in desired rotational relationship, and ensure that the assembly is mounted in proper rotational position.

Abstract: The disclosed spring mechanism is useful, for example, as a counterbalance or as a spring suspension. The preferred form of mechanism has opposite output parts for connection to the external apparatus. One output part is fixed to two side-by-side torsion-spring columns--two bundles of rods--and the side-by-side opposite ends of the columns bear diametrically opposite cam followers. The second output part is unified with complementary cam tracks for the cam followers of both columns. The spring mechanism has varied characteristics, depending on the shapes of the cam tracks.

Abstract: In a variable tension device having an elongated torsion member adapted to be connected at axially spaced points to a relatively fixedly mounted support and to an object rotatably movable relative to said support, novel structure is provided for adjusting (a) the effective length of the torsion element, thereby to vary the effective spring rate, (b) the angular anchor position of that portion of the torsion bar secured to the support, and (c) the axial and, if desired, angular position relative to the torsion element of the member connecting that element to said external object.

Abstract: A device for counterbalancing a moving part comprises an elongated torsion member surrounded by a sleeve, the sleeve being connected to the torsion member at one point and the torsion member being fixedly supported at another point spaced from said one point, the moving part and the sleeve respectively carrying cooperating elements of a cam-follower combination, the cam being shaped, taking into account the torsion characteristics of the torsion element, to produce the desired counterbalancing effect.