With Frame Or Mount For System Patents (Class 474/150)
  • Patent number: 6510828
    Abstract: To improve a mounting configuration for a chain guide of a cam chain for transmitting power to a power system of an internal combustion engine to make mounting of a chain guide and a cylinder block simple and easy. A mounting device for a cam chain guide for an internal combustion engines constructed such that rotation of a crank shaft is transmitted to a cam shaft provided externally of a cylinder bore by a cam chain 3 to operate an intake/exhaust valve through a push rod and a rocker arm. A first protrusion provided in the vicinity of a lower end of a chain guide is fitted into a first locating groove provided in the vicinity of a crank shaft of a crank casing, and a second protrusion provided in the vicinity of an upper end of a chain guide is fitted into a second locating groove provided in a lower surface of a cylinder block and gradually enlarged from a protrusion fixed position toward an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Ito, Ken Oike
  • Publication number: 20020160869
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a conventional pedal crank and chain drive together with a conventional derailleur shifting mechanism operative to selectively transfer the drive chain between alternative rear sprockets of the bicycle drive system. A chain ring is rotatable in response to pedal crank rotation to transfer pedal crank power to the rear sprockets. A pair of guide blocks define respective internal guide channels through which the drive chain passes toward and from engagement with the chain ring. The guide blocks are maintained at their respective positions by a guide support plate secured to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Robert L. Barnett
  • Patent number: 6267700
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle power unit has a cooling fan rotated by the rotational force from the crankshaft, in the housing thereof so as to cool the internal space of the housing by introducing air into the housing and discharging the thus introduced air to the outside through upper and lower outlet ports. The upper side outlet port is formed in the housing upper surface opposing the approximate middle portion of the V-belt's return path along which the V-belt moves from the rear to the front so as to promote the current of air introduced in the housing to flow along the direction of travel of the V-belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 6250268
    Abstract: To effectively reduce noise caused by an attachment part of a cam chain guide without increasing a pressing force of a cam chain tensioner more than is necessary. A cam chain guide for slidably guiding a cam chain at a valve gear of a four cycle engine is made of resin. An attachment hole for an attachment bolt is provided at an attachment end section for the crankcase. Side surface projections are provided equally spaced at the periphery of an attachment surface surrounding the attachment hole so as to project from a normal surface. Annular recesses are formed at the peripheries of each of the side surface projections. Furthermore, inner surface projections are provided at the inner peripheral surface of the attachment hole equally spaced about the periphery so as to project in a central direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noritoshi Iwase, Yoshihiro Tezuka, Katsunori Takahashi, Toru Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6161445
    Abstract: A guide sprocket assembly for use in combination with a non-driven, rotating tail shaft. The guide sprocket assembly includes a lock plate assembly securely fixed to the tail shaft for rotation along with the tail shaft. The lock plate assembly includes an annular sprocket groove that receives an annular guide sprocket having a plurality of projecting teeth spaced along its outer circumference. The guide sprocket is retained within the annular sprocket groove by a sprocket retainer. The combination of the guide sprocket and sprocket retainer are freely rotatable within the annular sprocket groove relative to the lock plate assembly. The teeth of the guide sprocket engage a drive chain, and the guide sprocket can rotate either in the direction of rotation of the tail shaft or in an opposite direction to properly align the individual links of the drive chain with the teeth formed on the guide sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Svedala Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Worringer
  • Patent number: 6146296
    Abstract: A multiple speed transmission for connecting an air conditioner compressor of an automobile to a prime mover of the automobile. The transmission includes driving apparatus, driven apparatus, and mounting apparatus. The driving apparatus operatively connects to the prime mover of the automobile. The driven apparatus is operatively connected to the driving apparatus for operatively connecting to the air conditioner compressor of the automobile. The mounting apparatus mounts the driving apparatus and the driven apparatus to the prime mover of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Mauricio C. Apostolo
  • Patent number: 6139455
    Abstract: Improvements in the method of power transmission to the main rotorshaft of a specific type of rotary-wing aircraft through the provision of modern drive components specifically adapted to provide enhanced reliability, safety, passenger comfort, performance and economy in the operation and maintenance of such aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: John T. Spurling
  • Patent number: 6093124
    Abstract: A lockable chain winder for opening and closing windows has an internal mechanism which includes a stop member (16) which can be moved to engage with the chain winder sprocket (15) in such a manner that the sprocket (15) can freely rotate on one direction, but not in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Lockwood Australian Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Eyley
  • Patent number: 6086494
    Abstract: A positively controlled raising cylinder raising machine, having a plurality of raising cylinders, circumferentially arranged on a rotary framework, a toothed driving belt for driving the raising cylinders being engaged with a portion of the toothed circular periphery of the raising cylinder, said toothed driving belt being driven by a transmission toothed pulley arranged around a central portion of a circumference defined by the circular periphery of the raising cylinders and operatively coupled to a driving motor, the raising cylinder driving belt being moreover engaged with a pair of switching pulleys holding the driving belt tensioned, the switching pulleys being arranged inside the circular periphery of the raising cylinders on opposite sides of said transmission toothed pulley and near the transmission toothed pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Emanuele Crosta
  • Patent number: 6036611
    Abstract: A drive mechanism (10, 110) for driving first and second displacement members (12, 14, 112, 114) disposed in tandem. The mechanism includes first and second driven sprockets (16, 18; 116, 118) for respective ones of the displacement members, a hydraulic motor (20; 120), and first and second driving sprockets (22, 24; 122, 124) disposed on the casing of the hydraulic motor so as to be rotated thereby. The mechanism also includes first and second chains (26, 28; 126, 128) disposed in a chain case (30; 130), each chain being engaged on a respective driven sprocket and on a respective driving sprocket. The hydraulic motor (20, 120) is a low-speed high-torque motor, having radial cylinders and a rotary casing. The motor is substantially contained in the chain case (30; 130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Louis Bigo, Pascal Le Yaouanq, Jean-Noel Pogneau, Gilbert Mahe, Vincent Siquier, Jean-Claude Lallier, Dany Leturque
  • Patent number: 6030305
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device includes a first element having a threaded opening and a first pulley supported on the first element. The device further includes a second element having an opening in substantial alignment with the threaded opening of the first element and a second pulley supported on the second element. A belt is secured around and between the first and second pulleys. The belt tensioning device also includes an element for applying a tension force to the belt. In one preferred embodiment the element for applying a tension force to the belt includes a rotatable screw extending between the first and second support elements. The screw has a first end including a threaded portion adapted for threadably engaging the threaded opening of the first element and a second end remote therefrom adapted for extending into the opening of the second support element. The element for applying a tension force also includes a shoulder fixed to the screw, between the first and second ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: James A. Hood
  • Patent number: 6030306
    Abstract: A chain drive system for use primarily in automotive timing drives, in particular V-type engines and horizontally opposed engines having a separate chain drive for each bank with coaxial crankshaft driving sprockets, wherein the chain meshing for these driving sprockets is staggered from bank-to-bank in order to reduce the chain drive system noise level. This engagement phasing is accomplished by offsetting the taut strand guide of one bank some amount greater than the opposite bank, effectively increasing the chain wrap and thereby compelling a delayed roller-sprocket engagement with respect to the opposite bank. The roller collision during meshing will therefore be phased from bank-to-bank, and the resulting noise levels generated therefrom will be reduced as a result of this phasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 6022285
    Abstract: A wheel drive system using an enlarged flywheel shaft to form an integral drive pulley for a wheel drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: MTD Products, Inc
    Inventor: Usman Firdaus
  • Patent number: 6019692
    Abstract: A belt drive device is constructed by looping a timing belt 14 about a driving sprocket 9, a cam sprocket 11, and a driven sprocket 12 for transmitting a driving force from the driving sprocket 9 to the sprockets 11, 12. A dynamic damper 15, comprising a ring mass 153 and an elastic ring 152 for holding the ring mass 153, is mounted on the driven sprocket 12 that has the largest amplitde of torque fluctuation among the sprockets 11, 12. The dynamic damper 15 absorbs revolution fluctuations of the driven sprocket 12 that has the largest amplitude of torque fluctuation. Thus, at the time of resonance during which the belt load on the timing belt 15 sharply increases, the sharp increase in the timing belt load can be minimized, and maximum load on the timing belt 15 can be decreased, whereby the durability of the timing belt 15 can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiyo Kojima, Satoshi Imai, Kiyoshi Hatano, Setsuo Nishihara
  • Patent number: 6019693
    Abstract: Two auxiliary machines are mounted in tandem to an automobile and coupled together by a power transmitting device to transmit power of the engine to both of two auxiliary machines. The power transmitting device includes a rotor, a first hub portion adapted to be operably connected to the rotor and fixed to the drive shaft of the first auxiliary machines and a second hub portion adapted to be operably connected to the rotor and fixed to the drive shaft of the second auxiliary machine First and second hub portions are rotatable simultaneously or separately. An electromagnetic clutch can be inserted in the power transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takashi Ban, Hidefumi Mori, Kiyoshi Yagi, Tatsuya Hirose
  • Patent number: 5992644
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a waste water treatment system for removing sludge from within a rectangular clarifying tank as provided. The waste water treatment system includes a plurality of sludge collector flights attached to a pair of parallel chains for collecting sludge and scum within the waste water. Each of the collector flights includes a non-metallic elongated main body portion having spaced top and bottom walls connected by spaced front and rear walls for defining a hollow, interior cavity. Buoyant foam material is disposed within the interior cavity for increasing the buoyancy of the collector flight. The waste water treatment system further includes integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets and a chain drive assembly for driving a pair of parallel drive chains attached to the integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets. The chain drive assembly includes dual drive shafts exterior to the waste water with each extending across half the width of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Polychem Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph R. Hannum
  • Patent number: 5976043
    Abstract: An apparatus for increasing wear life of machine members includes a shaft assembly mounted on the machine. Also included are two or more power sources eccentrically aligned in relationship to the shaft assembly of the machine to form an acute angle between the shaft assembly and the two or more power sources. One or more pulleys is attached to the driven shaft which is included in the shaft assembly. One or more drums is attached to each of the drive shafts of each of the engines, and belts are mounted on the drums and pulleys to rotate the driven shaft of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Neil R. Hise
  • Patent number: 5976044
    Abstract: A cooling structure of a belt transmission for vehicles which limits the consumed power for cooling to a minimum and does not deteriorate cooling performance of the transmission. A drive pulley having a variable pitch diameter and a driven pulley which is driven through a drive belt and has a variable pitch diameter is housed in a substantially elliptical housing. An intake port formed in the vicinity of a suction part of the cooling fan formed on the drive pulley in the housing to forcedly introduce air from the outside and exhaust air to the outside. An exhaust port on the housing in a normal direction of the driven pulley at the rearward of a center of rotation of the driven pulley as seen from a side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouhei Kuyama
  • Patent number: 5957796
    Abstract: A cover for a pump jack includes a main rear wall with two slots for engaging over a pair of shafts of the pump jack at the drive belt on the pulleys on the drive shafts. The rear cover portion includes a peripheral wall extending around the sides and top of the peripheral edge with the bottom of the cover panel being opened. A front panel portion manufactures a single piece or as multiple pieces fits over the rear cover panel with a lip engaging onto the peripheral wall to which it is connected by latches. A stiffener member extends across the rear wall and closes the slots. A similar stiffener member can be attached across the front panel portion. Both the rear panel and the front panel are manufactured from glass fibre reinforced resin allowing the product to be manufactured in lightweight. The front cover panel can therefore be readily removed to allow replacement of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Vernon McLean
  • Patent number: 5957794
    Abstract: A continuously variable all speed transmission apparatus employs a conically-shaped driven surface which is frictionally contacted by a taut endless compliant transmission member that extends to a circular power source such as the pedal hub of a bicycle. The driven surface is centered upon an axis upon which an axle is disposed that causes rotation of a wheel such as a bicycle wheel. A shifting mechanism moves the contact site of the transmission member axially along the driven surface, thereby producing variation in the rotational speed of the wheel. The transmission member includes a central wire and a series of rollers disposed upon the wire in a manner to rotate about the wire without moving longitudinally thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Phillip L. Kerr
  • Patent number: 5954422
    Abstract: A drive assembly is constituted by a strip (10) and three or more parallel and rotatable supports (12, 16, 22) around which the strip (10) is wrapped. At least two of the rotatable supports (22) are linked together for common movement, for example by a movable holder in the form of a light box (20) carrying a series of light bulbs (50) while at least one of the rotatable supports (12, 16) is stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Starpoint Electrics Limited
    Inventors: Barry Allen Marchini, Robert Alan Holmes
  • Patent number: 5902201
    Abstract: The positioning device comprises a chassis (1) provided with a drive wheel (2), mounted on the shaft of a motor (6), and a reversing wheel (3). The positioning device further comprises a loop-shaped traction member (4) tensioned around the wheels (2, 3). The traction member (4) is connected to a load (5), which is movable relative to the chassis (1) and together with the traction member (4) forms a closed loop. The drive wheel (2) and the motor (6) form a drive means for driving the load (5) via a first section (41) of the traction member (4), which first section is disposed between the load (5) and the drive wheel (2), and via a second section (42) of the traction member (4), which second section is disposed between the load (5) and the drive wheel (2). The load (5) carries tensioning means (7) for tensioning the traction member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Adrianus J. P. M. Vermeer, Petrus A. De Bie, Jeroen G. P. Cox
  • Patent number: 5902202
    Abstract: A belt tensioning system for an appliance, which has a tub driven by an endless loop drive belt connected to a motor that is movable with respect to a tub housing surrounding the tub, includes a rib extending from the tub housing, a pivotal cam washer having a pivot axis and an eccentrically curved cam profile edge with a series of arcuately spaced contact points thereon for engaging the ribs on the tub housing. The cam washer is pivotally mounted to the motor along the pivot axis and loosenably secured against rotation about the pivot axis and with respect to the motor. Normally, one of the contact points engages the rib so as to establish an offset distance between the rib and the motor, and thereby a tension on the drive belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Patent number: 5899825
    Abstract: A drive system for a "Caterpillar" vehicle has at least one elastic belt track which is driven by a drive gear in accordance with the principle of a frictional connection, and a further gear which is supported coaxially to the drive gear so that the drive force can be transferred to the coaxially supported gear and it is engaged with the belt track through toothed elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Berthold Hamphoff, Andreas Dicks, Staurt Mackay
  • Patent number: 5836843
    Abstract: A pulley brace for mounting between a variable diameter driving pulley which is belt-coupled to a variable diameter driven pulley, the pulley brace consisting of an elongated body having first and second body ends and a central body portion therebetween, a first bearing connection on the first body end for coupling the elongated body to the driving pulley and a second bearing connection on the second body end for coupling the elongated body to the driven pulley and a turnbuckle arrangement at the central body portion for varying the distance between the first and second connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Richards Racing Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis P. Richards
  • Patent number: 5779579
    Abstract: A pulley assembly for a driven shaft is disclosed. The pulley assembly includes a pulley to which a turning force is transferred from a driving unit; a sleeve fixedly mounted to a casing of the driven unit through which the driven shaft passes with a clearance between an outer periphery of the driven shaft and an inner periphery of the sleeve; a bearing structure for bearing the pulley rotatably about an axis of the driven shaft, the bearing structure being disposed between the pulley and the sleeve; and a torque transferring structure for transferring the turning force transferred to the pulley to the driven shaft, the torque transferring structure being interposed between the pulley and the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Miyagi, Moena Hori, Shigeru Takabe
  • Patent number: 5755635
    Abstract: The pedal cranks (32, 34) on the propulsion group of a bicycle or similar rotate independently with respect to one another around axis (a), which is parallel and spaced at a distance (d) from axis (b) of a chain drive sprocket wheel (28). Each pedal crank is constrained to rotate together with the sprocket wheel but is free to travel over the same. An adjustment for the position of the sprocket wheel, around the axis of the pedal cranks, is provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Draco Limited
    Inventor: Domenico Scaramozzino
  • Patent number: 5752893
    Abstract: An improved driving force transmitting apparatus for a headphone stereo mechanism capable of reducing the number of parts necessary for transmitting the driving force is disclosed. The apparatus provides an idler engaged to a motor-side gear for increasing a driving force efficiency. The apparatus includes a motor having a drive gear disposed at a central shaft thereof and disposed at the lower surface of a main base, an idler gear intermeshed with the drive gear and having an idler pulley, and a reverse capstan pulley and a forward capstan pulley rotatable by a belt directly connected to the idler pulley of the idler gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Byung Ju Dan
  • Patent number: 5752892
    Abstract: The present invention provides a driving force transmission device (P) which is adapted so that the distance (Ls) between the driving force transmission wheels such as a pair of pulleys (16,32) can readily and surely be changed, thereby, making it possible to constantly exert an appropriate tension on a driving force transmission member such as a belt (22), even without a tension roller. The driving force transmission device (P) includes: a first driving force transmission wheel (16) which is driven to rotate, a second driving force transmission wheel (32), an endless driving force transmission member (22) mounted around both the first driving force transmission wheel (16) and the second driving force transmission wheel (32) for transmitting driving force therebetween, and an eccentric shaft (40) which has a pivotal axis (O) at a position eccentric to an axis (Cb) of the second driving force transmission wheel (32) and on which the second driving force transmission wheel (32) is rotatably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Taomo, Wang Yan Song
  • Patent number: 5711185
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for driving a door or the like guided in t least two guides using a drive (1) located in a channel formed as a guide track (2) and which consists of at least one turn-around pinion (5), a chain extending over drive pinion (4) and turn-around pinion (5) and at least one carrier element for a door panel or the like attached to the chain. A structurally simple apparatus which is installable in simple manner is achieved by forming the drive pinion (4), the turn-around pinion (5) and the chain together with the guide track (2) as completely preassembled unit (1).(FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Marantec Antriebs - und Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. Produktions KG
    Inventor: Michael Hormann
  • Patent number: 5683320
    Abstract: In an engine assembly including an engine block carried by flexible mounting members on an assembly frame, the engine accessory such as the alternator and compressor are carried on the frame rather than on the engine block itself. The accessories are belt driven from a main drive pulley of the engine. In order to accommodate rotational movement of the engine on the flexible mountings, the accessories are pivotally mounted on the frame and are connected to the engine block by a tensioning assembly which lies generally parallel to a line joining the rotational axes of the drive pulley of the engine and the driven pulley of the accessory. The pivot mounting of the accessory is located underneath the accessory to one side of the line joining the axes and such that the weight of the accessory is communicated through the pivot mounting to the frame rather than to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Motor Coach Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Friesen, Edward G. Hohenberg
  • Patent number: 5683321
    Abstract: A drive apparatus and method for continuously transmitting power to an axle, shaft and the like are disclosed. The drive apparatus includes a flexible ratch (414) such as flexible chain, belt or cable and cooperating first and second ratch engaging energy transmitting members (434) for releasably engaging the flexible ratch (414) to continuously drive an axle (410), shaft or the like. To operate the apparatus, the first and second enerergy transmitting ratch engaging members (434) are moved in a direction parallel to the linear paths of the flexible ratch means (414) which causes the first ratch engaging member (434) to engage and drive the flexible ratch (414) which rotatingly drives the axle (410). The ratch engaging members (434) direction of movement is then reversed so that the first ratch engaging means (434) releases the flexible ratch means (414) as the second ratch engaging means (434) engages the flexible ratch means (414) to continuously drive the axle, shaft or the like (410).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignees: Franklin E. Barnett, Brian D. Smith
    Inventor: Franklin Earl Barnett
  • Patent number: 5665019
    Abstract: A chain guide mounting assembly for reducing chain related noise in a chain driven overhead cam internal combustion engine. The assembly includes vibration isolation means for mounting the chain guide to the engine. Resilient members, fitted within the chain guide, provide the vibration isolation, which, in turn, reduces undesirable chain noise. To prevent undue lateral movement of the chain guide member as a result of the chain force exerted thereon, a rigid sleeve in interference engagement is fitted within bores of the resilient members. As a result, a preload is provided on the resilient members so as to reduce the amount of undesirable lateral movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Sheffer, William H. Osborne, Wayne A. Nowicki
  • Patent number: 5628608
    Abstract: An improved harvesting cart having a drive assembly for providing easy transition between PTO drive and hydraulic drive is disclosed. The harvesting cart has a drive shaft for engaging an auger flighting or other unloading mechanism. A forward end of the drive shaft is adapted to receive a complementary PTO coupling from a pulling vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Parham Industries
    Inventors: Craig W. Linscheid, Daniel Dold
  • Patent number: 5628704
    Abstract: A drive system for driving at least one and preferably, a plurality of driven components. The drive system includes a multi-drive plate for securedly mounting and accurately positioning a plurality of drive system components on a single support structure. The drive system also has a single drive belt for being driven by at least one driving member. The multi-drive plate supports and aligns pulleys connected to the driving member and the driven component so that the single drive belt drives at least one driven component. The driving device may include a clutch for allowing the drive system to be driven by a main driving device or by an auxiliary drive device. The driving device and the at least one driven component are mounted on the same side of the multi-drive plate. The pulleys attached to the driving device and the at least one driven component and the serpentine belt are mounted on another side of the multi-drive plate so that the serpentine belt is easily accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventors: Richard Fischler, James D. McCusker
  • Patent number: 5577972
    Abstract: A pulley spacer for use with internal combustion racing engines that is a circular disc of a predetermined thickness for spacing the racing pulley from the engine to retain alignment of the racing pulley-water pump pulley drive belt. The disc includes an obverse face and a reverse face. The disc includes a centrally located aperture through the disc and the obverse face includes a groove of a predetermined width concentric with the aperture. The reverse face includes a circular flange of a predetermined width concentric with the aperture. The groove and circular flange mate, with very tight fit, with a corresponding flange and groove on the racing pulley and a standard balancer, respectively, to allow transmission of engine torque without shearing the bolts used to assemble the racing pulley-pulley spacer-standard balancer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Roger C. Herr
  • Patent number: 5437581
    Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and phased or offset sprockets. The transmission system includes a random or hybrid chain with the offset sprockets. The timing system can include single or dual overhead camshafts, with phasing of the crankshaft sprockets and camshaft sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ledvina, Philip J. Mott
  • Patent number: 5374222
    Abstract: Spaced headstock shafts are supported in common headstock walls such that their ends are inaccessible. The shafts are connected by an active timing belt. A spare timing belt is assembled around, but held out of contact with the shafts. At replacement time, the worn active belt is cut and removed and the spare belt is axially moved into its place. The drive may also include a belt tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hoffman, James H. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5316523
    Abstract: A device, such as a printer or plotter for driving media, has sprocket wheels with sprockets engaging sprocket holes at the edges of the media. The sprocket wheels are driven via a drive belt. In order to adjust the relative angular position of one of the sprocket wheels, rollers are mounted on an adjustment lever to separately engage two courses of the drive belt. Pivoting of the lever effects the adjustment of the lengths of the two courses of the belt. During an adjustment procedure, one sprocket wheel is held fixed, and the lever is pivoted to effect the angular displacement of the other sprocket wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Summagraphics N.V.
    Inventor: Gerard J. Verdonck
  • Patent number: 5314386
    Abstract: A drive device (140) for the rotatable shaft (44) of a mill (10) is disclosed including first and second, diametrically opposed carriers (142). In each of the carriers (142), the ends of first and second bearing plates (152, 154) and of a motor plate (176) extend through parallel slots (148-150) formed in parallel, first and second housing plates (144) and are secured to adjustment plates (164) located outside of and slideable on the housing plates (144). Screw mechanisms (168) extend between and adjustably relate the housing and adjustment plates (144, 164) to provide relative sliding therebetween. A jack shaft (156) rotatably mounted by first and second bearings (158, 160) carried by the bearing plates (152, 154) includes a sheave (162) located intermediate the bearing plates (152, 154). A motor (180) is mounted to the motor plate (176) and has an output shaft (182) coupled to an end of the jack shaft (156) to avoid overhung loads to the motor (180).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Light Work Inc.
    Inventors: Russel L. Eide, Eric P. Eide
  • Patent number: 5308183
    Abstract: A timing sprocket is secured to a camshaft by a locking coupling so that before the coupling is tightened the sprocket will free wheel on the shaft for adjustment purposes and yet be firmly supported against tipping under load, and when tightened the sprocket is locked to the camshaft. The sprocket has a bore fitting on the shaft and a counterbore accommodating a longitudinally split locking ring. A taper between the bore and the counterbore matches a taper on the end of the locking ring. A bolt axially threaded into the camshaft end moves the locking ring from the loose condition where the sprocket can rotate on the shaft to a tight condition where the tapers compress the ring against the shaft and clamp the sprocket for rotation with the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: George T. Stegeman, Walter J. Planck
  • Patent number: 5269728
    Abstract: A differential hoist and drive includes a differential escapement mechanism arranged mechanically between and in combination with a pair of direction turning members, such as pulleys. An endless loop of a flexible force transmitting element (cable, chain, strap, or the like) interconnects the direction turning members and the differential escapement. The load can be connected to either the differential escapement or the direction turning members with the other being anchored as a fixed member. The load is restrained from swinging or from other unintended movement. A turnbuckle or other suitable device provides for a desired pretensioning of the loop of flexible force transmitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Power Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Rogers, Floyd J. Hill
  • Patent number: 5261859
    Abstract: A dancer pulley assembly includes a first horizontal plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a swing arm having a proximal end pivotally mounted to the first horizontal plate on the lower surface thereof and being pivotal about a vertical pivot axis A, a second horizontal plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and being spaced vertically above the first horizontal plate by at least one vertical support, a pulley shaft having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being mounted on a distal end of the swing arm and extending upwardly through an arcuate opening formed in the first horizontal plate, a dancer pulley rotatably mounted on the pulley shaft between the first and second horizontal plates for rotation about a vertical rotation axis B and being swingable on the swing arm through an arc defined by a distance between the pivot axis A and the rotation axis B, means for guiding the upper end of the pulley shaft during swinging motion of the dancer pulley, and means for adjusting th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Diane L. Deemer, Daryl S. Mileaf
  • Patent number: 5254047
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the operable position of a roller means adapted to engage endless driven elements such as chains, belts, and the like. The apparatus includes a sprocket carrying assembly that is operably connected to the chain engaging sprocket. A hollow piston, having one end thereof rigidly attached to the chain driven piece of equipment, is slidably and non-rotatably received within the sprocket carrying assembly. The sprocket carrying assembly has a pressure receiving port and cavity therein that is adapted to receive pressurized grease. Seals are provided between the sprocket carrying assembly and piston to achieve a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The hollow piston has a screw member threadedly received therein that is adapted to be axially advanced into and out of the piston by rotating a shaft that extends through the fixed end of the piston. A locking mechanism is removably fastened to the machinery for selectively restricting the rotation of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Joy Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Roger C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5236398
    Abstract: A drive apparatus and method for continuously transmitting power to an axle to rotatingly drive the axle are disclosed. The drive apparatus includes a flexible ratch such as a flexible chain, belt, or cable, and cooperating first and second ratch engaging members for alternatively engaging the flexible ratch to continuously drive an axle. To operate the apparatus, one moves the first and second ratch engaging members in a first direction which causes the first ratch engaging member to engage and drive the flexible ratch which rotatingly drives the axle. One then reverses the ratch engaging members' direction of movement which causes the simultaneous releasing and engaging of the ratch by the first and second ratch engaging members, respectively, which continuously drives the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignees: Franklin E. Barnett, Brian D. Smith
    Inventor: Franklin E. Barnett
  • Patent number: 5224552
    Abstract: A gardening utility machine having a counter-rotation twin shaft system can perform multiple types of work required for gardening (tilting, soil removal, weeding, racking and shredding of leaves), snow/ice removal and for power de-thatching and mowing of lawn grass. This can be done by exchanging attachments on the counter-rotating twin shafts: if tines are installed on the twin shafts, soil tilling, weeding can be done; if auger blades with or without digging bits are in place instead, the machine can simultaneously till and remove soil or can remove ice/snow, or rack and shred leaves; if the front shaft is installed with a spiked roller and the rear shaft, a shearing reel, then the machine can power de-thatch and mow grass at the same time, and, additional grass clipping mulching ability can be performed if a fan blower equipped with a mulching fan blade and a retractable bedknife is in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventors: Kai S. Lee, Esther W. Lee
  • Patent number: 5221236
    Abstract: A belt tensioning device for a belt driven bicycle that includes a tension plate having triangular positioned orifices. The plate is pivotally mounted to the frame with one of the orifices. Rollers are mounted in the other two orifices and the drive belt passes between the roller. When the belt tightens against one of the rollers, it pivots the tension plate, forcing the other roller into the belt and preventing any slack from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventors: Matthew C. Raymer, David T. Mollendor
  • Patent number: 5201088
    Abstract: A patient examination table, of the type used in an x-ray examination apparatus, has one end secured to a ceiling or floor stand via a tilt mechanism which permits the longitudinal axis of the table to be tilted upwardly or downwardly. The table can be tilted around an imaginary axis, the imaginary axis being movable roughly in the middle of the examination table. The tilt mechanism includes a driven element, which may be a part of the housing for the tilt mechanism, a first gear which is rigidly attached to the stand, a second gear which is rigidly attached to the examination table and a transmission linkage between the first and second gears which permits the second gear to be movable around the drive shaft of the first gear as the driven element is rotated. The second gear is rotated in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the driven element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sten Larsson
  • Patent number: 4884949
    Abstract: A transmission for connecting a propeller to an engine having a crankshaft. The transmission has an output shaft and a propeller shaft and a belt connecting the output shaft to the propeller shaft. The output shaft has a pulley connectable to the crankshaft of an engine and a pulley driven propeller shaft is supported on the frame by means of a flange having bolt holes supported in a circle having a center offset from the center of the output shaft so that the flange can be connected to the frame in any position and bolted in place. The bolts can be removed and the flange rotated to different bolt holes thereby swinging the center of the propeller shaft around the center of the bolt holes to tighten the belt. An improved coupling is provided for connecting the drive pulley to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Robert R. Eakin
  • Patent number: 4687461
    Abstract: A multiple rotary drive system for a textile-working machine has first and second clutch-brake units. Each clutch-brake unit has a rotatable flywheel, a non-rotatable brake surface, and a rotatable shaft to be driven, whereby the rotatable shaft can be connected to the textile-working machine as a rotary drive of the system therefor. A clutch disc and a brake disc of each clutch-brake unit are connected to the shaft thereof for rotation therewith and are arranged for controllably engaging with, respectively, the flywheel for rotatably driving the shaft therefrom and the brake surface for braking rotation of the shaft therefrom. The flywheel of the first clutch-brake unit is rotationally driven, whereby the drive system can be driven by a continuously-rotating shaft of a continuously-operating electric motor. A belt extends about each flywheel for coordinate rotation of the flywheels when the one is rotatably driven by the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Frankl & Kirchner GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Herbert Palloch, Hans Erndt