Abstract: A gear coupling in which the two halves have curved teeth and tooth patterns which mirror each other. Both the pressure angle and the spiral angle for any contact point on either the concave or convex side of the tooth on the first coupling half, is equal to the corresponding angle for the corresponding point on the convex or concave tooth of the second coupling half. The cross-sectional dimension of the tooth may increase from the inside to the outside of the gear. Axial misalignment of the two shafts which mount the coupling halves can be accommodated by placing the teeth of the two halves on the surfaces of cones having substantially equal apex angles and relieving the surfaces of the teeth in the region adjacent their ends.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting, torque-sensing system has a first rotatable shaft which can be shifted radially in two orthogonally-displaced directions to be precisely concentric with a second rotatable shaft, has a first coupling element which is rotatable with but which is movable axially relative to one of those rotatable shafts, has a biasing means which urges the first coupling element for movement axially in one direction relative to the one rotatable shaft, has a second coupling element which is rotatable with the other rotatable shaft, and has a surface on one of those coupling elements which coacts with a complementary surface on the other of those coupling elements to enable those coupling elements to transmit torque from that rotatable shaft which is the driving shaft to that rotatable shaft which is the driven shaft while permitting the first coupling element to respond to a predetermined increase in rotation resistance of the driven shaft to move axially in the opposite direction relative to the one rota

Abstract: A positive acting magnetic clutch and brake assembly characterized by including a movable, magnetic member provided with two sets of detents arranged respectively on its opposing outer surfaces. The member is alternately shiftable into either a brake position, in engagement with a braking post mounted to engage one of the sets of detents, or to a drive position in which a reciprocally mounted mechanical dog is engaged with the other set of detents in a non-slip driving coupling between the magnetic member and a clutch assembly. A reciprocal mounting arrangement for the dog enables the magnetic member to be moved into driving contact with the clutch assembly before the dog becomes positively engaged with any of the detents on the magnetic member.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement for a motor driven chain saw having a first clutch element driven by the motor shaft and a second clutch element normally engaged with the first clutch element but disengageable therefrom and a centrifugal clutch between the second clutch element and the drive sprocket for the saw chain. The second clutch element includes a spring disc and is axially yieldable between clutch engaged and clutch disengaged positions. A lever is provided moveable for disengaging the clutch elements and a brake member connected to the lever is operable for braking the drive sprocket when the clutch elements are disengaged.

Abstract: At least one of the splined members of the splined coupling has its splines modified so that they have maximum thickness in an intermediate part of the splines and progressively decrease to the ends of the splines. The resulting profile is such that, upon application of a given torque, the pressure produced in the zones of contact between the interengaged splines is substantially constant throughout the interengaged length of the splines.

Abstract: A garage door operator includes a drive screw, rotationally and longitudinally movable in a shuttle track or guide rail, and a screw-driven shuttle mounted on the track and connected to the door. A lever arm is attached to the screw at a rearward end thereof and is pivoted to the operator at one side of the screw. Another end of the lever arm, adjacent an opposite side of the screw, is operatively disposed with respect to control switches and is spring-loaded, whereby door engaged obstructions cause the rotating screw to move longitudinally, against the spring bias, and to actuate, through the lever arm, a switch for stopping or for reversing the operator motor. A sleeve coupling permits longitudinal screw movement with respect to the operator's motor, and is provided with means to permit continued motor operation, drivingly disengaged from the screw, upon control malfunction, in order to prevent damage or injury.

Abstract: Apparatus for shifting a transmission including a shift collar axially movable on splines on one rotary member for engagement with the splines of an adjacent rotary member to provide corotation of the rotary members, the shift collar and the adjacent rotary member having engagement means responsive to thrust applied axially to the shift collar for initially synchronizing rotation of the shift collar and the adjacent rotary member and then for guiding the splines of the shift collar onto the splines of the adjacent rotary member, the engagement means being constructed and arranged so that the parts to be synchronized can be guided together from positions of wide angular misalignment to positions of proper axial alignment for completing the shifting operation.

Abstract: A sleeve is splined to but axially slidable on a shaft between two gears rotatable relative to said shaft and having fixed lugs on their inner faces. A clutch ring is journalled on each end of the sleeve and provided with clutch dogs engageable with the lugs of one gear when the sleeve and ring are moved toward that one gear. A selector ring slides axially on the sleeve and when moved in one axial direction toward one of the gears it first positively clutches the advancing clutch ring to the sleeve then moves the sleeve and clutch ring toward that one gear to engage the clutch dogs of the advancing ring with the lugs on the one gear. Thereafter, when the selector ring is moved in the other direction, it first releases the clutched ring from the sleeve then repeats the above described clutching in the other direction.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting, torque-sensing system has a first rotatable shaft which can be shifted radially in two orthogonally-displaced directions to be precisely concentric with a second rotatable shaft, has a first coupling element which is rotatable with but which is movable axially relative to one of those rotatable shafts, has a biasing means which urges the first coupling element for movement axially in one direction relative to the one rotatable shaft, has a second coupling element which is rotatable with the other rotatable shaft, and has a surface on one of those coupling elements which coacts with a complementary surface on the other of those coupling elements to enable those coupling elements to transmit torque from that rotatable shaft which is the driving shaft to that rotatable shaft which is the driven shaft while permitting the first coupling element to respond to a predetermined increase in rotation resistance of the driven shaft to move axially in the opposite direction relative to the one rota

Abstract: An improved limited slip differential unit includes a torque transmitting coupling which provides for two separate stages of driving action from a drive train to two axle shafts connected to the differential unit. A first stage of operation provides for normal differential action of the unit with no tendency to limit such action or to lock the two axle shafts to each other in their driving relationship with the drive train. A second stage of operation provides for a limitation of differential action under extreme or abnormal driving conditions, and this stage of operation can include a complete locking of the two axle shafts to each other in their relationship to the drive train.

Abstract: A push-to-engage device comprising a hollow knob having axially disposed therein an independent bushing provided with a fastener for bindingly engaging an inserted end portion of a rotatable shaft and with a plurality of recesses disposed for engagement with keys protruding inwardly from the knob, and an external resilient device coupled to the knob for positioning the keys in spaced relationship with the recesses in the bushing.

Abstract: A safety claw clutch wherein the adjacent end faces of driving and driven rotary clutch elements have alternating claws and recesses and the driven clutch element is biased axially against the driving clutch element by a spring. The bottom surfaces in the recesses of the clutch elements make a first acute angle with a plane which is normal to the common axis of the clutch elements and the front surfaces of claws of the driving clutch element (and hence the rear surfaces of claws of the driven clutch element) make with such plane a second acute angle which is larger than the first acute angle. The top surfaces of the claws are parallel to the respective bottom surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is an improved clutching means for tapping attachments and particularly adaptable in attachments having free axial float. Direct and reverse drive is provided for by way of planetary gears for driving in direct and reverse drive in the exemplary attachment in which the clutching means is embodied. An adjustment is provided for depth. Spring biased clutch drive members are provided for both the direct and reverse drive providing a narrow, neutral position. Each clutch driver member is in the form of a sleeve having a ball race carrying driving balls interposed between axial splines on a driving part and on the driven spindle. The splines have arcuate side surfaces to confrom to the driving balls providing for substantially frictionless drive in both direct and reverse modes, the balls being free to roll. The splines are especially configurated to facilitate engagement of the balls with them.

Abstract: A synchronization mechanism, especially for change-speed transmissions of motor vehicles, in which a slotted synchronizing ring is under the influence of slotted ring-shaped blocking means increasing the servo-effect thereof which is arranged between the synchronizing ring and the hub of its associated coupling member; the blocking means is supported during the synchronizing operation at an abutment extending into a recess in the hub of a coupling member whereby the abutment is anchored together with the blocking means intermediate the ring ends thereof.

Abstract: A synchronization mechanism, especially for change-speed transmissions of motor vehicles, in which a shifting sleeve provided with shifting teeth is being held by a shifting sleeve carrier fixedly arranged on a transmission shaft and is adapted to be coupled--against the action of at least one friction member producing synchronism--with a coupling member of the gear to be shifted or engaged which is provided with shifting teeth; the friction member thereby consists of a slotted and springy synchronizing ring cooperating directly with the shifting teeth of the shifting sleeve which advantageously is under the influence of means increasing the servo-effect thereof; the end surface of the shifting teeth of the shifting sleeve are so constructed that the friction members become again ineffectual after the synchronizing operation is completed before the shifting teeth of the shifting sleeve come into engagement with the shifting teeth of the coupling member.