Abstract: A tensioning device for maintaining a predetermined amount of tensioning force on an endless drive belt for a vehicle accessories drive system. A housing is mounted in a fixed position on the vehicle engine adjacent the drive belt. A lever is pivotally mounted on a shaft which is located within the housing and extends generally radially outwardly from the housing and is adapted to move in a belt tensioning direction. A first pair of cylindrical, torsional coil springs is telescopically mounted on the shaft, with the springs being located one on each side of the lever. A second pair of cylindrical, torsional coil springs is telescopically concentrically mounted on the shaft and surrounds the first spring pair. One end of each spring is attached to the housing with the other spring ends being attached to the lever. The spring pairs are placed in torsion and bias the lever in the belt tensioning direction.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for torque transmission having a plurality of helical beams extending between the coupling ends, the helical beams having beam cross-sectional dimensions selected to provide equal stresses in operation at the inner and outer diameters of the beams, irrespective of direction of rotation and being of a ratio of depth to thickness to provide for substantially simultaneous failure in the buckling and elastic modes when rotated in a direction opposite the direction of beam spiral, whereby the load capacity of the coupling is independent of the direction of coupling rotation.

Abstract: One end 10a of a bail arm return coil spring 10 mounted around a post 5 is extended into the bail mounting projection 4 on the side of the reel rotor 3. The extended end of the spring is given an L-shaped configuration and the down-turned end 11 of the spring is selectively engageable in any one of a plurality of accomodating holes 12, 12', 12"provided in the rotor housing wall 4a, whereby the biasing force applied by the bail arm spring may be quickly and easily changed.

Abstract: A trailer for a motorcycle including a hitch formed of two parallel flat plates attached to the trailer by a hinge having a transversely disposed horizontal axis. Another flat plate is sandwiched between the two parallel plates and the plates are fastened together by a pin inserted through holes in the plates to form a hinge having a vertical axis. Tubular members are mounted to the motorcycle and receive extensions adjustably mounted to the inner flat plate to thereby attach the trailer to the motorcycle. The trailer also has a resilient suspension system for the trailer road wheel which is adjustable to compensate for various loads carried on the trailer and is formed in a manner such that wind acting on the top of the trailer acts to urge the trailer downwardly to thus stabilize the trailer when in use.