Abstract: The present application for patent provides a belt clutch having a drum with a drum-side friction surface, an open ended belt with a belt-side friction surface, and an externally controlled actuator on one end of the belt. The belt is configured to be coupled to a source of torque on the other end of the belt. The belt-side and drum-side friction surfaces engage frictionally when in use, such that the effective coefficient of friction between the drum-side friction surface and the belt-side friction surface varies across the width or length of the belt.

Abstract: In an aspect, a clutch assembly is provided that uses an electromagnet to generate a magnetic circuit which drives an armature to a position whereat it engages the clutch to operatively connect a rotating member to a stationary member. In embodiments wherein the armature initially rotates with the rotating member, the magnetic circuit passes through the stationary member. In embodiments wherein the armature is initially stationary, the magnetic circuit extends through the rotating member.

Abstract: A torque transmitting mechanism includes a drum attached to one of a first member and a second member, and a shell attached to another of the first member and the second member. The drum and the shell are concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis, with the shell concentrically disposed about the drum. An electric motor includes a stator, and a first rotor rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the stator. A band is coupled to the shell, wrapped around the drum between four and twelve complete revolutions, and includes a first end attached to the first rotor for rotation with the first rotor. The band includes a second end attached to a reaction member. Rotation of the first rotor tightens the band against the drum to bias the drum against the shell, to transmit torque between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed herein are a belt clutch and a multilevel belt clutch.

Abstract: A tensioner having a closing-type torsion spring that is employed to bias a pivot arm about a pivot shaft. The tensioner includes a damper, which contacts an inside surface of the torsion spring to dampen torsional vibration transmitted through the torsion spring, and a one-way clutch that is configured to permit unencumbered rotation of the pivot shaft in one rotational direction but to resist rotation of the pivot shaft in an opposite direction.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch is configured to achieve a cutoff state by changing a winding diameter of a wrap spring. The electromagnetic clutch includes a driving element connected to a shaft and supporting one end of the wrap spring, an operating element fitted on the shaft and supporting the other end of the wrap spring, and an armature rotatable in unison with the shaft between the driving element and operating element and movable along a rotational axis. A main aperture is formed in the operating element while an auxiliary aperture is formed in the armature to achieve a positional relationship to electrify an electromagnetic solenoid to attract the operating element and then allow rotation of the driving element by dynamic inertia and attract the armature to the operating element with the wrap spring being remote from an inner surface of an input pulley.

Abstract: An improved belt clutch engages to couple one shaft to at least one other shaft and disengaged to decouple the shafts. Known belt clutches fail to smoothly and completely disengage the belt from traction pulleys on the shafts and drag results. The improved belt clutch includes rollers outlining the engaged belt and constrain the disengaged belt to smoothly and completely disengage the belt from the traction pulleys. The new improved belt clutch provides, among other things, higher efficiency when driven in either direction and smoother operation when engaged or disengaged at high speed than prior art belt clutches.

Abstract: A braking device is provided for braking or immobilizing a shaft in a work tool, particularly a saw chain, hedge shears or the like. The braking device has a brake band that at surrounds at least part of an area of the shaft, in which the brake band forms an effective plane, and two brake band holders with which the brake band may be placed under tension and released, in which at least one brake band holder is constructed movably, and in which a movable brake band holder is arranged with little space requirement in the braking device. At least one brake band holder is mounted outside the effective plane of the brake band so that it is rotatable about the axis of rotation or about an approximately parallel axis or shaft and/or so that it is able to be moved in a linear direction on a plane that is approximately orthogonal with the shaft.

Abstract: [Problem] In a clutch mechanism using magnetic force, the problem is to avoid early damage to the rubber layer in contact with a rotating member without impairing the power transmission interrupting function of the mechanism. [Solving Means] A flat belt includes a tension-resistant layer 2, in which a core cord 2a is spirally wound, an upper holding rubber layer 3, a lower holding rubber layer 4, an upper rubber layer 5, and a lower rubber layer 6. The holding rubber layers 3 and 4 are laid on the upper and lower sides of the tension-resistant layer 2 respectively, retaining the layer 2. The upper and lower rubber layers 5 and 6 are laid on the upper side of the upper holding rubber layer 3 and the lower side of the lower holding rubber layer 4 respectively. 150-300 parts by weight of ferrite for 100 parts by weight of rubber matrix are mixed in the upper rubber layer 5, which is on the outer peripheral side of the flat belt when the belt is wound on a guide wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake band in which brackets are joined to both ends of a curved strap and a friction material is fixed to an inner side of the curved strap and wherein a dynamic pressure generating groove is formed in the friction material only at an area of the friction material which is positioned at an upper part along a vertical direction in a condition that the brake band is attached to an automatic transmission.

Abstract: A pipe support is provided that includes a frame capable of being placed around an existing pipe and a plurality of support members within the frame. The frame is a hollow cylinder that includes two connectable halves divided along the diameter of the hollow cylinder. The pipe support includes two bearing rings connected to the frame for supporting each of the plurality of members at a minimum of two contact points. Each of the two bearing rings include bearing points for each support member arranged in a cylindrical pattern concentric with the hollow cylinder frame. The pipe support includes means for rotating each of the support members at a first contact point with respect to a second contact point so that the support members engage a pipe placed within the pipe support. The support members are rods that provide vibration isolation to a pipe placed within the pipe support.

Abstract: The present invention provides various clutch/gear assemblies that can be driven by a single motor. The clutch/gear assemblies comprise a smart material which changes shape when supplied with energy, e.g., current or heat. The smart material achieves one of a first or a second shape when supplied with energy, and achieves the other shape when it is not supplied with energy. When the smart material achieves a first shape it causes a clutch surface of the clutch/gear to engage and be driven by a shaft coupled to the motor and when the smart material achieves a second shape it allows the clutch surface to disengage from the shaft.

Abstract: A belt-type one-way clutch is arranged so that a case is assembled with a flat pulley so as to rotate around the central axis of the flat pulley, and that a flat belt is looped between a working surface of a rocking member supported for rocking motion by a shaft member held at both ends in shaft bores of the case and a working surface of the flat pulley, and that the rocking plate biased from a leaf spring presses one span of the flat belt to place an initial tension on the flat belt. Both the ends of the shaft member are held in the shaft bores of the case via respective bushes to suppress stress. Accordingly, larger torque can be transmitted despite use of aluminum alloy as material of the case.

Abstract: The invention is a spring clutch mechanism including a first member and a second member coaxially disposed with respect to the first member where at least one of the first and second members is rotatable. A wrap spring assembly is in rotational engagement with the first member. At least one slip clip which has an outer axially extending surface and an axially extending aperture which forms an inner axially extending surface is disposed in rotational engagement between the second member and the wrap spring assembly.

Abstract: A belt-type one-way clutch is arranged so that a case is assembled with a flat pulley so as to rotate around the central axis of the flat pulley, and that a flat belt is looped between a working surface of a rocking member supported for rocking motion by a shaft member held at both ends in shaft bores of the case and a working surface of the flat pulley, and that the rocking plate biased from a leaf spring presses one span of the flat belt to place an initial tension on the flat belt. In this one-way clutch, both the ends of the shaft member are held in the shaft bores of the case via respective bushes that cover the corresponding side surfaces of both the ends of the shaft member, which suppresses stress produced due to concentration of load thrown by the shaft member. Accordingly, larger torque can be transmitted while constraints placed due to use of aluminum alloy as material of the case for its weight reduction can be avoided.

Abstract: A brake band device (1) for engagement and dis-engagement (braking and releasing) a cylindrical clutch drum of an automatic transmission includes a strap (12) formed of a belt-like member shaped into a substantially circular form, with a gap defined between ends of the strap (12). A lining (13) is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the strap (12) and is engageable with the outer peripheral surface of the clutch drum. A pair of arc-shaped brackets (14) are fixed to each of ends of the strap (12), respectively. The strap is formed with a plurality of slightly deformed portions that extend slightly radially inwardly from other portions of the strap (12) thereby providing the strap (12) with a biasing force that allows for improved dis-engagement with the clutch drum.

Abstract: A flat belt 6 is wound around between an annular friction surface 2 at a periphery of a first rotatable member 1 and an arc-like friction surface 4 of a rocking portion 3 of a second rotatable member 5 which is relatively rotatably supported on the first rotatable member 2, and an initial tension is applied to the flat belt 6. With relative rotation movement between the rotatable members 1 and 5 in a locking or free direction, the rocking portion 3 is rocked around a rocking axis Q by the flat belt 6. By virtue of such rocking movement of the rocking portion 3, the tension of the flat belt 6 is increased up to a higher value than the initial tension or decreased down to a lower value than the initial tension. This permits connection or disconnection of the transmission of torque between the rotatable members 1 and 5 in dependence on the relative rotational direction of the rotatable members 1 and 5.

Abstract: A flat belt 6 is wound around between an annular friction surface 2 at a periphery of a first rotatable member 1 and an arc-like friction surface 4 of a rocking portion 3 of a second rotatable member 5 which is relatively rotatably supported on the first rotatable member 2, and an initial tension is applied to the flat belt 6. With relative rotation movement between the rotatable members 1 and 5 in a locking or free direction, the rocking portion 3 is rocked around a rocking axis Q by the flat belt 6. By virtue of such rocking movement of the rocking portion 3, the tension of the flat belt 6 is increased up to a higher value than the initial tension or decreased down to a lower value than the initial tension. This permits connection or disconnection of the transmission of torque between the rotatable members 1 and 5 in dependence on the relative rotational direction of the rotatable members 1 and 5.

Abstract: A clutch drum is formed from a single piece of material. The clutch drum includes an inner surface having a plurality of spline portions interspersed with inner wall spaces. Each spline portion includes at least one slot to form at least one snap ring groove within the clutch drum. The outer surface of the clutch drum is smooth and continuous and adapted to receive a brake band. The clutch drum does not include any perforations or breaks through the single piece of material forming the cylindrical portion of the clutch drum.

Abstract: A one-way clutch is composed of a flat pulley having a circular friction surface provided on the outer circumferential surface of the flat pulley to extend circumferentially along the friction surface, a V-grooved pulley combined with the flat pulley to be rotatable relative thereto around the centerline of the friction surface and having an arc-shaped friction surface provided on the outer circumferential surface of the V-grooved pulley radially outwardly of the friction surface to extend circumferentially, an endless flat belt wound between the friction surfaces of the flat pulley and of the V-grooved pulley, and a plate spring for applying initial tension to one span of the flat belt between the pulleys. The one-way clutch has a simple structure obtainable at low cost, need not operate with high precision, and suffers a reduced number of failures resulting from excessively large input torque. In the event of failure, it is sufficient to replace the failed component.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling device has an electroconductive rotor presenting a band of electroconductive material and has a magnet rotor with permanent magnets which are slide-mounted to move radially outward responsive to centrifugal force in opposition to a spring bias. When the magnet rotor is stationary the magnets are radially inward of the orbit of the electroconductive band, and when the magnets have moved outwardly when the magnet rotor is rotating, the magnets are spaced by an air gap from the electroconductive band so that eddy currents are induced in the band resulting in coupling of the rotors. The electroconductive rotor preferably has two such bands positioned on opposite sides of the magnet rotor. The rotors may have sheaves mounted thereon.

Abstract: A brake band suitable for use in a vehicle transmission is described. The brake band is composed of a band portion, such as a metal strap, and a brake lining bonded at an outer peripheral surface thereof on an inner peripheral surface of the band portion and has an apply side end and an anchor side end located opposite to each other relative to a circumferential length of the brake band. The brake lining is provided with oil-dependent, friction surface cooling grooves having bottom walls, respectively. Each cooling groove is provided with a discharging aperture extending through the bottom wall of the corresponding cooling groove to the outer peripheral surface of the brake lining. Adjacent to the anchor side end of the brake band, the brake lining is also provided with an oil film formation promoter, for example, in the form of one or more recesses not extending to the outer peripheral surface of the brake lining.

Abstract: An improved transmission brake band (10) and a method of forming the same s an improved reaction bracket (20) formed as an upraised dome (36) surrounding a reaction opening (32). An insert member (42), having a volcano-type body (44) integrally formed with a peripheral flange (46) is engaged with the dome (36) and opening (32) so that the body (44) is positioned in the opening (32) and the flange (46) is received by the dome (36).

Abstract: A band brake apparatus functions to brake a rotary drum, wherein the magnitude of the braking force is independent of the direction in which the drum rotates. The band brake apparatus comprises first and second brake bands situated next to one another and encircling a reversible rotary drum. Each band has an anchored end anchored to a casing, and a displaceable end. The displaceable ends of both bands are connected to a common actuating lever. One band encircles the drum clockwise from its displaceable end, whereas the other end encircles the drum counterclockwise from its displaceable end. Each band includes a hole through which an end of the band extends, in order to form a loop encircling the drum.

Abstract: A double wrap brake band for controlling the clutch drum of an automatic transmission for a vehicle. The band is formed from an integrally stamped strap the ends of which are joined to form the circular band. The strap includes longitudinal slots forming three parallel straps which control the constriction and expansion of the band. A first bracket secured to the outer straps and a second bracket secured to the intermediate strap facilitate control of the constriction/expansion movement. The brackets are secured to the straps such that breakage and malfunction are reduced.

Abstract: This clutch comprises centrifugal weights (11) which are arranged radially in a hub (12) fastened to the output shaft (2) of an electric motor (1), returned to the position of rest by means of springs (21), and which, when the centrifugal force is sufficient, can come into engagement with the axial ends (26a) of an elastic ring (26) capable of transmitting the torque of the shaft (2) frictionally to a part (28) carrying an input pinion toothing (4) of a gear train for controlling the part to be driven. This arrangement simplifies the structure of the clutch in comparison with that of known clutches.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement incorporates a rotating disk and a split ring adapted to be closed to establish peripheral contact with the rotating disk. A lever applies a closing force to the split ring as the split ring is rotated in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk, and an initiating member is provided in the form of an air cylinder, for making initial closure of the split ring and thereby starting rotation of the lever.

Abstract: A free-floating mount assembly for mechanical parts includes a hooking strap for cooperatively engaging structure of a machine to limit upward displacement and rotation of the assembly. It is especially adapted for use in a mechanism by which braking force is intermittently applied to and relieved from a rotating machine member.

Abstract: A free-floating mount for mechanical parts has a finger portion for cooperatively engaging structure of a machine incorporating the mount, to limit its displacement and rotation. The mount is especially designed for use in an assembly by which braking force is intermittently applied to and relieved from a rotating machine member.

Abstract: A two-speed stepper actuator unit for use in paper machine headbox slice lip control has a spindle 16 driven by a power nut 24. A lever clamp 32 has legs 34 and 36 selectively clamped together around nut 24 by means of a cam action locking plate 40 driven by solenoid 48. The longer leg 36 of clamp 32 has a cam follower which rotationally drives nut 24 through the lever 36 in response to the shape of a cam plate 50 which translates in the housing 12 on antifriction rollers 66 when drive solenoid 54 is actuated. The cam surface 60 guides the lever 36 in either of two speed modes depending on whether spring biased roller follower 52 is on cams surface portion 62 or 64.

Abstract: An apparatus for propelling a wheeled vehicle which has a hand-manipulated lever that is connected to a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly has a drum that is rotatably connected to the vehicle and brake bands that are pivotably connected to the lower end of the lever. An actuator rod connected to the lever causes inward movement of the bands to engage the clutch. Once engaged the vehicle can be propelled in which ever direction the lever is being rotated.

Abstract: A free-floating mount for mechanical parts has a finger portion for cooperatively engaging structure of a machine incorporating the mount, to limit its displacement and rotation. The mount is especially designed for use in an assembly by which braking force is intermittently applied to and relieved from a rotating machine member.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for intermittently applying braking force to a rotating member of a machine, and for positively effecting the release thereof, to enhance performance and efficiency. The device is purely mechanical in nature, and is particularly adapted for installation on an automatic screw machine to control chatter and backlash while optimizing power utilization.

Abstract: In a crankshaft operated brake actuating device for bicycles, a brake operating lever extends through the lower bracket from a yoke contacting the crankshaft. A light weight spring clutch transmits torque from the crankshaft to the lever upon back pedalling, and reaction from the torque causes the lever to tilt and engage a strap clutch locking the lever to the crankshaft as the braking forces are increased.

Abstract: A revolving flexible circular steel band mounted on a drum, with a tightening member locking the band to the drum to transmit rotary motion of the band to the drum. The inner wall of the band is divided into three shoes which grip the drum when the band is tightened. The tightening member is an overlapping wedge which is depressed onto an underlapping wedge, with the resulting wedging action decreasing the circumference of the band and locking it to the drum.

Abstract: An idle restart clutch system adopted to mechanically engage the crankshaft of an engine for use in restarting same comprising a spool body adapted to engage the crankshaft for rotating therewith; a momentum wheel mounted relative to the crankshaft for storing rotational energy; a drive for transferring rotational energy from the spool body to the momentum wheel during interval as determined by the rotational speed differential therebetween; and a torque limiting clutch mounted to and rotatable with the momentum wheel for controlling slippage motion between the momentum wheel and engine in response to control signals to enable the energy of the momentum wheel to be transferred to the spool body and thereafter to the crankshaft of the engine to enable rotation of same.

Abstract: A band brake assembly for a bicycle includes a brake band having a brake lining and a brake drum to which the brake lining is urged by a brake operating cable in braking. According to the invention, the band brake assembly comprises a wire guide whose front half is in the form of an arc and fixed to an operative end of the brake band and whose rear half extends in a tangential direction of the brake band. An inner wire of the brake operating cable extends rearward along an outer surface of the wire guide and is fixed to a rear end of the wire guide. With this arrangement, the lining, brake band, wire guide and inner wire form a multiple or laminated connection to permit these members to shift slightly with each other when braking, thereby preventing resonance and absorbing or damping vibration caused in braking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved tire lift/carrier featuring a reel assembly comprised of a rotatable spool formed of thin metal plates abutted one to the other in a side by side relation, a portion of which plates defines a cavity in which one end of a line is held captive, the other end of which line is adapted to extend to releasably connect to a load which places a tension on this line in use. In the preferred embodiment described the spool has a single track within which the single line in connection with the spool is constrained to wrap directly on itself. The connection of the line to the spool is such that the spool may be rotated in either of opposite directions and in either case the line will wrap smoothly on itself. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the spool has a press fit gear through the medium of which it is driven in either of its opposite directions of rotation.

Abstract: A band brake assembly comprises a friction element (12) engageable with a rotatable member (10) and an input linkage assembly (30) controlling engagement of the friction element with the rotatable member. The input linkage assembly (30) is carried by a mounting bracket (32) and includes a first lever (34), a bearing assembly (38) and a second lever (40) engageable with an end plate (42) secured to the ends of the friction element (12). The end plate (42) carries pins (22, 24) secured to the friction element and extending into slots (52, 54) on the mounting bracket (32). The pins transfer braking torque to the mounting bracket (32) and are guided by the slots to provide a servo assist during braking.

Abstract: An external band brake control linkage includes a pair of anchor pins which are respectively connected to the opposite ends of a brake band. The linkage being operable between a normal released condition holding the anchor pins spaced apart so as to maintain the band disengaged from the brake drum and an operative condition wherein the anchor pins are moved together from the position they occupy when the linkage is in its released condition wherein the brake band is engaged with the brake drum. For the purpose of compensating brake band wear, the control linkage includes a link having a ratchet wheel-type adjusting nut threaded on a rod-like link thereof, the adjusting nut being advanced so as to change the spacing between the anchor pins. A paw or an adjusting nut operating lever is carried by a link of the control linkage and is operative in response to the link undergoing a predetermined movement, corresponding to brake band wear, to index the adjusting nut so as to compensate for wear.

Abstract: A spiral type one way clutching assembly and mechanism is provided herein which is insensitive to transverse forces; substantially eliminates overrunning frictional wear on the critically shaped surfaces of its members; and substantially eliminates the role of chance in establishing the clutching load distribution between its members. The clutching mode may be active or passive. The clutching mechanism utilizes monolithic annular outer and concentrically positioned annular inner body members which have mutually opposed tangentially congruent spiral surfaces defining a spiral race therebetween. The spiral race is provided with inner and outer abutments. At least one of the inner and the outer body members have a radially directed slit extending therethrough. The outer body member and the inner body member are relatively rotatably oscillatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch for a vehicle engine cooling fan includes a driving member mounted for rotation by the vehicle engine and a driven member rotatably mounted on the driving member. The driven member carries the engine cooling fan. One end of a band is connected to the driven member, and wraps circumferentially around the driving member in the direction of the rotation of the latter. An electromagnetic coil comprising windings wound circumferentially around the driving member and rotatable therewith exert an electromagnetic force on the band when current is transmitted to the coil, drawing the band into engagement with the outer circumferential surface of the driving member, to thereby engage the clutch and cause the engine cooling fan to be rotated with the driving member.

Abstract: A band brake assembly includes a housing which carries a rotatable member and a band with a friction lining substantially surrounding the rotatable member. A parking brake lever is connected to a parking brake actuator and also to a plurality of links which are connected to respective ends of the band. The parking brake lever engages the housing and pivots relative to the housing to move the links and separate the band ends and contract the band in response to the movement of the parking brake actuator. A pivotal connection joins the links to each other and to the parking brake lever.

Abstract: An electromechanical clutch for vehicle engine cooling fans includes a driving member mounted for rotation by the vehicle engine and a driven member rotatably mounted on the driving member. The driven member carries the engine cooling fan. One end of a metal band is connected to the driven member, and wraps circumferentially around the driving member in the direction of rotation of the latter. An electromagnetic coil comprising windings wound circumferentially around the driving member and rotatable therewith exert an electromagnetic force on the band when current is transmitted to the coil, drawing the band into engagement with the outer circumferential surface of the driving member, to thereby engage the clutch and cause the engine cooling fan to be rotated with the driving member.

Abstract: Torque is transmitted between the driving and driven members of the clutch by a helical spring and a friction shoe. When an electromagnet is excited, pilot torque is applied to the spring to cause the spring to clamp downwardly around the shoe and cause the shoe to contract radially around the driving member and transmit torque to the driven member. The driving member, the driven member, the spring and the friction shoe are arranged in such a manner that the spring effects soft engagement of the clutch while amplifying the pilot torque sufficiently to enable a relatively small and light weight clutch to produce ample output torque.

Abstract: A band brake assembly includes a band which carries a friction lining for engagement with a rotatable member. A casing surrounds the band and a hydraulic actuator cooperates with a pair of links which are engaged with respective ends of the band. When the hydraulic actuator is operated, the hydraulic actuator is moved toward the rotatable member such that the pair of links are pivoted oppositely about the moving hydraulic actuator. The pivoting links are coupled to the band such that movement of the hydraulic actuator causes the band to contract the friction lining into engagement with the rotatable member. The pair of links are optionally provided with rollers which roll on the casing and the hydraulic actuator when the latter is operated. It is also possible to eliminate the casing so that the rollers roll on the band when the hydraulic actuator is operated.

Abstract: A brake band is provided which is useful particularly in connection with transmissions. The band has welded at each free end thereof a bracket. The brackets are provided with recesses to receive the actuating struts which abut against one end of the recesses to cause closing of the band in a drum.

Abstract: A control linkage for a band-type brake having an actuating lever provided with a pair of anchor pins, a brake band adapted to be trained about a rotary element to be braked in either direction of its rotation, the band having one end connected to one of the anchor pins, an adjustment bracket connected to the other of the pins, and the other end of the band being connected to the adjustment bracket, and an anchor bracket having upwardly and downwardly opening slots loosely receiving the pins with the pin connected to the adjustment bracket being disposed in the downwardly open slot. A spring resiliently biases the pin in a downwardly open slot upwardly into engagement with the bottom of its associated slot to provide smooth braking action.

Abstract: A chain saw safety brake including a snap-acting, over-center actuating mechanism.A chain saw safety brake and method of operation characterized by an actuation accelerator interposed between a brake mechanism and a brake actuating mechanism. A biasing means is operable to bias the brake actuating means toward a nonactuating position with a relatively lower biasing force. The biasing means is operable to bias the brake actuating means toward an actuating position with a relatively higher biasing force.