Abstract: A bicycle hub transmission includes a hub axle, a driver rotatably mounted to the hub axle, a slave rotatably mounted to the hub axle, a power transmitting mechanism disposed between the driver and the slave for changing a rotational speed of the driver and for communicating rotational power from the driver to the slave, a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the slave and the driver, and a clutch switching mechanism for controlling the clutch.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch has a driving race and a driven race. The clutch further has cams, each with a locking portion which allows torque transmission in a predetermined direction only from the driving race to the driven race. The locking portions of some of the cams can be engaged between the driving race and the driven race by gravity. The locking portions of all of the cams tend to become engaged by centrifugal force. The clutch additionally has rollers between the driving race and the driven race to maintain the spacing between the driving race and the driven race.

Abstract: A lightweight centrifugal friction clutch for transmitting torque from an input source to an output shaft, which includes a wheel secured for simultaneous rotation with the output shaft, a clutch band encircling the wheel and secured within a clutch housing rotationally driven by the input source, and a centrifugal mechanism and cam for tightening the clutch band about the wheel for frictional contact and simultaneous rotation therewith. The centrifugal mechanism includes one or more weights positionable on a centrifugal arm, an actuating arm which rotates a cam member, and an adjustment linkage between the two arms. The particular rotational speed at which the clutch engages may be altered by adjusting the tension against a biasing spring that operates against the centrifugal mechanism, by replacing the spring, or by altering the lever action of the centrifugal mechanism by varying the attachment points of the adjustment linkage between the two arms.

Abstract: An alternator drive clutch limits alternator speed and prevents belt slippage through the use of specially designed and oriented centrifugal weights. Each weight is pivoted to the alternator shaft inside of a drum wall on the pulley and asymmetrically oriented so that rapid rotation pivots a friction pad on the weight progressively away from the drum wall. Acting in opposition, tension springs pull the pads toward the drum wall. An equilibrium of pad to drum wall slippage is reached such that the alternator does not rotate above a safe speed, but turns one-to-one with the pulley at low speeds. At any speed, high acceleration or deceleration can cause the pads to slip before the belt slips on the pulley, preventing belt chirp.

Abstract: A spring clutch where an input shaft and output shaft are connected and disconnected with each other through a coil spring. The coil spring is secured at one end to the output shaft and is freely disposed over the input shaft at its other end. A centrifugally responsive pawl is mounted to engage the coil spring at the end disposed about the input shaft when said input shaft is rotated at or above a predetermined speed to cause said coil to be wound and tightened about the coil spring, thereby connecting the input and output shaft.

Abstract: A clutch having a starter clutch mechanism and a manual clutch mechanism combined on a driven shaft. The starter clutch mechanism is positioned within a clutch outer of the manual clutch and operates through a cam to transmit relative rotational motion into axial motion for actuating the main clutch. The relative rotational motion is experienced when the starter clutch mechanism reaches the appropriate speed for engagement. A throw-out linkage is provided outwardly of the main clutch and actuates the thrust plate through the center of the main clutch inner. Thus, the starter clutch mechanism, the cam shaft and the thrust plate may be located inwardly of the main clutch mechanism within a cylindrical clutch outer closed at one end.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch in which a centrifugal weight is formed separately from two engaging members which are disposed for frictional engagement with each other, the centrifugal weight being displaceable in response to centrifugal force produced therein to cause one of the engaging members to engage with the other or disengage therefrom. When the centrifugal force of the centrifugal weight is smaller than a predetermined value, the two engaging members are kept in one state of engagement and disengagement, and instantly after the centrifugal force has reached the above determined value, the engaging members are shifted into the other state of engagement and disengagement. Further, the centrifugal clutch is provided with a hysteresis characteristic that the engaging rotational speed and the disengaging rotational speed are different from each other.

Abstract: A centrifugal type friction clutch, comprising: a first rotary coupling member provided with a plural number of friction element support means on the outer peripheral portions thereof; a second rotary coupling member having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface disposed coaxially with the outer periphery of the first rotary coupling member and provided with a frictional engaging surface thereon; and friction coupling elements respectively supported by the friction element support means and displaceable radially outward according to the rotational speed of the first rotary coupling member for engagement with the frictional engaging surface of the second rotary coupling member; each one of the friction coupling elements comprising an arcuate friction shoe with a frictional engaging surface on the outer periphery thereof, a resilient retractor means located between the friction shoe and friction element support means, and a cam means pivotally supported on the first rotary coupling member for pressing the frict

Abstract: A centrifugal coupling with fly elements pressable against the internal surface of a friction drum contact to spring biasing forces wherein the fly elements each include at least two concentric partial weights mutually connected by radially-acting compression springs. The radial stroke of the inner partial weight or weights is limited by a primary side stop, so that from a specific predetermined speed any further increase in the centrifugal force from the inner partial weight directly acting upon the outer partial weight is prevented. The partial weights are further provided with check ramps, inclined in the circumferential direction, for a driver pin mounted on the primary side in order to give the torque curve of the coupling an optimum configuration. In some embodiments the check ramp on the outer partial weight may be replaced by a lever mounted on the primary side which transforms the force generated by the inner partial weight into a centripetal force acting upon the outer partial weight.

Abstract: A centrifugal-force friction clutch with a torque transmission dependent on the speed of rotation has a hub-shaped input part, a drum-shaped part to be driven, a clutch output centrifugal weights acting upon the drum-shaped part. In a first speed stage the weights are held back to prevent torque transmission, in a second speed stage, the torque increases at least substantially proportionally to the increase in centrifugal force and friction, and in a third speed stage, less torque is transmitted than is proportional to the centrifugal force and friction. Radially displaceable friction shoes are fixed with respect to the output and are movable radially outwardly by the weights to transmit torque, and means are provided for resiliently holding back radially outward movement of the friction shoes. The weights are tiltable relative to the friction shoes and are radially displaceable by centrifugal force with the friction shoes.

Abstract: An automatic two-speed drive system for a vehicle having two drive wheels. A first drive wheel is connected to the drive source through a low-speed hub which is disengaged when the wheel reaches a pre-determined rotational speed. The second drive wheel is connectable to the drive source through a high-speed hub which becomes engaged when the drive source reaches a pre-determined rotational speed.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch assembly particularly suited for a door lock system which utilizes a flywheel mass driven by an electric motor to move an actuating member of the locking system between a locked and an unlocked position is provided as part of the connecting means between the flywheel mass and the actuating member. The centrifugal clutch assembly is arranged to include a rotatably mounted carrier driven by the flywheel mass and carrying thereon centrifugal weights mounted for movement between a clutch-engaged position and a clutch-disengaged position. A restoring spring operates to restore the centrifugal weights to the clutch-disengaged position. The centrifugal weights include frictional pads defining first frictional engaging surfaces and a driven output member arranged in driving connection with the actuating member of the locking mechanism is formed to define second frictional engaging surfaces adapted to be frictionally engaged by the first frictional engaging surfaces.

Abstract: A friction shoe assembly for a speed responsive centrifugal clutch assembly especially adapted for use as a lock-up clutch in connection with a torque converter, which shoe assembly includes a centrifugally-actuated follower, load limit spring and stop, and a retractor spring in combination with a centrifugally engageable friction shoe, providing for low speed lock-up while limiting the torque capacity of the lock-up clutch at higher speeds.

Abstract: A centrifugal frictional clutch is constituted by a rotary housing supporting for rotation a weight lever actuated by the centrifugal force and being biased by a spring against the latter. The weight lever pivotably supports a coupling jaw which cooperates with a frictional surface of a coupling disk. The resultant normal frictional force F.sub.N forms with the line connecting pivot points of the jaw and of the lever a design angle .gamma. which corresponds to the angle of the static friction. The biasing spring, the jaw and the weight lever are arranged within the range of the coupling disk. Preferably, the clutch includes an additional disk having a smaller diameter and coupled via a free-wheel coupling to the first coupling disk to act as a double speed clutch.

Abstract: A centrifugal rpm governor for internal combustion engines is proposed, the flyweights of which are so embodied as to attain both inexpensive mass production thereof and favorable distribution of physical mass. The mass of the flyweight supported on a flyweight carrier is preferably manufactured of sintered steel and one of each are firmly screwed on a lever arm of a bell crank manufactured of sheet steel. These lever arms are embodied as angle brackets which are open toward the flyweight carrier, the mutually parallel arms of which bracket laterally enclose the flange of the flyweight carrier. A crosspiece which connects the two parallel arms has an end face oriented away from the bearing bores of the bell crank and disposed, in the resting position of the flyweight, at least approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rpm governor and against which end face the flyweight mass is firmly screwed by means of securing screws stressed up to the yielding-stress threshold.

Abstract: A clutch construction has an improved arrangement for pivotally mounting a pair of centrifugally actuated clutch shoes on the drive rotor assembly of the clutch. A backing plate and drive flange are mounted in a spaced axial relationship with respect to each other on a hub of the rotor assembly for rotation with the hub which is adapted to be mounted on a drive shaft of a prime mover. A clutch housing is rotatably mounted on the hub by a bearing ring and is driven by the clutch shoes upon a predetermined shaft speed being reached. A pair of openings are formed in the backing plate located diametrically opposite of each other and are axially aligned with a pair of similar openings formed in the drive flange. A resilient bushing is telescopically mounted in each of the backing plate and drive flange openings to provide a shock-absorbing effect between the clutch shoes pivot pins and the drive flange to prevent fracture of the drive flange.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch having a drive flange mounted on a hub which is adapted to be mounted on a driving shaft. A pair of clutch shoes is pivotally mounted at diagonally opposite ends of the shoes on the drive flange by a pair of pins which extend axially outwardly from the drive flange in a cantilever manner, with the clutch shoes being mounted in end-to-end relationship with respect to each other. Extension springs bias the swinging ends of the clutch shoes toward retracted position. The clutch shoes are adapted to move outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force and overcome the biasing effect of the springs to drivingly engage a concentrically mounted clutch housing. A plurality of weight plates may be mounted on the webs of the clutch shoes to provide various operating characteristics without changing the basic clutch construction.

Abstract: A speed responsive coupling especially adapted for use as a lock-up clutch with a torque converter includes a centrifugal follower, load limit spring and stop in combination with a centrifugally engageable friction shoe, providing for low speed lock-up while limiting the torque capacity of the lock-up clutch at higher speeds.

Abstract: A multistage automatic countershaft transmission adapted for mutually independently shifting the first and second phases of the gears of a transmission to thereby effectuate a smooth gear change within a narrower range of speeds. The countershaft transmission gear is provided with a driving gear which is rotatably supported on a hub, connected to the drum of a gear change clutch, and in engagement with an idle gear supported on a countershaft upon which a countershaft wheel is fixed. The hub and the driven gear are firmly connected and rotatably supported on an output shaft. A carrier of shoes of a gear change clutch is fixed to the hub, the shoes being provided with one or more carrier elements and by means of the carrier elements engage a regulating carrier which is fixed to the output shaft and is provided with an engagement edge, a driving edge, and a rest surface.

Abstract: An over ride clutch having an inner and outer race, and clutch rollers disposed between the races and adapted for free-rolling or wedge engagement, depending on relative rotation of races. A centrifugal pin is located in the outer peripheral surface of the outer race, and this actuates a rocker arm, which in turn actuates driver rods, which are not affected by centrifugal force, which rods are capable of forcing the clutch roller into wedging condition.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch mechanism according to the present invention includes a pair of spaced clutch shoes, one being a power shoe and the other being an energizing shoe, that are movably supported by a rotor element that is rotated by a drive source. A clutch housing having an internal cylindrical surface for mating engagement with the clutch shoes is connected to a rotatable driven element and is rotatable along with the rotor element responsive to forces transferred to the clutch housing from the clutch shoes. Clutch energization or expansion is induced by a centrifugally movable modulating arm having a cam roller that has operative engagement with a cam surface provided on the energizing shoe. Centrifugally induced movement of the modulating arm is controlled by a slippage control spring and by an anti-self-energizing spring.

Abstract: A centrifugal coupling for connecting a driven rotary component with another rotary component has a pair of flyweights mounted on the driven component for pivoting about pivot axes which are so spaced from one another transversely of the axis of rotation of the rotary component that straight lines intersecting the pivot and center of gravity of the respective flyweight will extend parallel to a plane of symmetry passing through the axis of rotation intermediate the flyweights when the coupling is in an operating position in which it centrifugally couples the two components for joint rotation.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for controlling the transfer of rotation from a rotatable driving member to a rotatably mounted driven member comprises a spider driven within a drum having an interior wall surrounding the spider. The spider has outwardly radiating arms which receive clutch shoes between alternate pairs of adjacently disposed arms. The clutch shoes are equipped with outrigger means providing anchors for the ends of springs which interconnect circumferentially adjacent clutch shoes. The outrigger means support the ends of the springs circumferentially outwardly from the clutch shoes in a position which enables centrifugal forces to bow the springs outwardly and thus change the direction of force exerted by the springs on the clutch shoes.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch having an internal drum surface on a driven member with friction shoe members displaceable on a driving member to and from said drum surface but normally drawn away therefrom by resilient means and each having an opening with a cam shaft extending therethrough, each cam shaft being rotatable in elongated openings in said driving member and having a lever extending towards said drum surface and another lever pivotally mounted on said clutch and positioned for engaging said first levers when desired to pivot said first levers from said drum surface and allow said resilient means to move said shoe members from said drum surface even when said driving member is rotating at a speed that normally would cause said shoe members, due to centrifugal force, to engage said drum surface.

Abstract: A safety release arrangement for a centrifugal clutch having clutch shoes moving radially outwards under centrifugal force to engage a clutch drum. Each clutch shoe is divided into two mutually radially movable parts which during normal operation are locked together by a locking member and move as a unit. When the locking member is actuated by a safety release device the radially inward lying primary clutch shoe part is released with respect to the radially outward lying drum-engaging secondary clutch shoe part and can move radially outwards. By various arrangement the primary shoe is caused to draw the secondary clutch shoe radially inwards out of engagement with the clutch drum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a chain saw comprising a frame having a handle, a clutch driven by a drive shaft driven by an engine mounted on the frame and including a clutch shoe movable in response to clutch shoe rotation relative to a position of driving engagement with a rotatable clutch drum and selectively operable means for preventing engagement of the clutch shoe with the clutch drum, a bar mounted on the frame for movement between a first position spaced from the handle and a second position adjacent to the handle, means operably connected to the bar for operating the means for preventing engagement of the clutch shoe with the clutch drum to prevent clutch shoe engagement when the bar is in the first position and to permit clutch shoe engagement when the bar is in the second position, and means operable for braking rotation of the clutch drum when the bar is in the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a centrifugal clutch comprising a rotatable driver, a clutch drum carried for co-axial rotation relative to the driver, a clutch shoe carried by the driver for common rotation therewith and for movement between a position engaging the clutch drum so as to effect common rotary movement of the driver and the clutch drum and a second position spaced from the clutch drum, a loading shoe, a pivotal connection between the clutch shoe and the loading shoe to afford relative movement therebetween, a trigger movably mounted on one of the loading shoe and the clutch shoe for movement between a first position engaged between the clutch shoe and the loading shoe so as to transmit centrifugal force from the loading shoe to the clutch shoe and a second position of non-engagement between the clutch shoe and the loading shoe, and interengaging surfaces on the loading shoe and on the driver operable when the trigger is in the second position for pivoting the loading shoe in response to radially outward mov