Having Nonmetallic Component Patents (Class 474/161)
  • Publication number: 20090191996
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a shaft, a first load bearing adjacent said shaft, a hub main body surrounding said shaft, and a cogset. The cogset can define an inner surface, and the inner surface can define a seat configured to receive the first load bearing. Further, the inner surface can define an opening of variable size. The cogset can also define an inner end and an outer end, and the opening can generally increase in size from the outer end to the inner end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
  • Publication number: 20090118047
    Abstract: A sprocket includes a plurality of teeth spaced about its periphery, roots located between pairs of adjacent teeth, and a cushion ring contacted by a chain engaging the sprocket teeth. The roots have root radii defined as the distance between the center of sprocket and the point along the root closest to the sprocket center in the radial direction. In some embodiments, the roots have three distinct radii. The cushioning material of the cushion ring receives the impact while engaging the chain. In some embodiments, the cushion ring has a contour substantially following the contours of the sprocket teeth geometry. In some embodiments, the cushion ring has a randomized contour to provide predetermined cushioning that varies from tooth to tooth around the sprocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: J. Christian Haesloop
  • Publication number: 20090093329
    Abstract: A cushion ring (102) is received in a concentric groove in a sprocket (112) with teeth and a hub. More specifically, the groove is defined between an annular portion of the hub and the teeth. The cushion ring has an inner ring (106) and an outer ring (104). The outer ring is made of an incompressible material that has a load bearing area for receiving load from the links of the chain. The load and engagement noise energy of the chain links are combined and distributed over a large area of the outer ring. The inner ring receives this distributed load and noise energy from the outer ring and absorbs most of such energy. This improved distribution decreases wear and increases life of the resilient material while also providing for a reduced level of chain engagement noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC
    Inventors: George L. Markley, Timothy J. Maxson, Jason W. Chekansky
  • Publication number: 20080312018
    Abstract: In a power transmission 1 in which a pulley 2 and a hub 5 are engaged with each other, in protrusions 51 of the hub 5 side and in protrusions 22 of the pulley 2 side located on an outer circumferential side with respect to an outer hub 53, an annular dust flange 51d is provided which protrudes and expands to the outside in the radial direction from a front side portion which adjoins protrusions 51c of an elastic portion 52. When an outer circumferential end of this dust flange 51d is elastically, tightly contacted with a sealing portion 23 of the pulley 2, a front face of the protrusions 22 can be completely covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakata, Yasuo Tabuchi, Keiji Ishikawa, Takayuki Suzuki, Michiyasu Nosaka, Yoshiki Tada
  • Publication number: 20080132367
    Abstract: A sprocket for transferring a force between a chain and a drive element that includes a plurality of teeth and a plurality of openings proximate the teeth. Each tooth has a load-bearing flank and a non-load-bearing flank. One of the plurality of openings are arranged relative to one of the plurality of teeth, in one-to-one correspondence therebetween, such that the opening is asymmetrically divided by a radial centerline of the tooth, a first load strip is formed between the opening and the load-bearing flank of the tooth, and a second load strip is formed between the opening and the non-load-bearing flank of the tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 7371200
    Abstract: A sprocket includes a hub and a plurality of teeth projecting radially outwardly from the hub. At least one cushion ring is located adjacent the teeth, and the cushion ring defines a plurality of compression pads separated from each other by transverse grooves. Each of the compression pads is defined symmetrically about a circumferential mid-point. When part of a sprocket with symmetric tooth spaces, the cushion ring is being operable identically in first and second opposite rotational directions. In one arrangement, the compression pads each include a planar outer surface having a leading and a trailing end, wherein the leading end and trailing end are located a common radial distance from a center of the hub about which the sprocket rotates. The tooth spaces of the sprocket can be symmetric, asymmetric and the root surface can be relieved. The sprocket can include multiple tooth profiles distributed randomly about the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 7297081
    Abstract: An idler pulley with an integral bearing carrier insert comprising: a pulley body having a peripheral surface for accepting and retaining an endless belt; and a tubular bearing carrier insert forming a central hub along a perpendicular axis of the idler pulley body, the hub having an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Dayco Products, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Eck
  • Patent number: 7232392
    Abstract: A method for installing a cushion ring on a sprocket body to construct a sprocket assembly includes applying a deforming force to a cushion ring so that an opening therein is deformed to a shape that accommodate passage of a non-circular flange of a sprocket body therethrough. When the cushion ring is deformed, the non-circular flange of the sprocket body is inserted through the opening of the cushion ring. The deforming force is then released from the cushion ring so that the cushion ring is trapped between the flange and another portion of the sprocket body. The sprocket assembly includes at least one and typically two cushion rings trapped by respective non-circular flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7179341
    Abstract: An integrated sprocket and housing used in a variable valve timing mechanism. The integrated sprocket and housing includes: a sprocket portion which is formed in a substantially annular shape, and which has teeth on the outer circumference thereof; and a housing portion which is disposed inside the sprocket portion, which has recesses in the inside thereof, and which is formed integrally with the sprocket portion as a sintered body made of a ferrous powder material, wherein the entire surface of the sprocket portion and the housing portion is covered with a steam oxidized layer which is formed by a steam treatment, and a nitrided layer which is formed by a gas soft nitriding treatment subsequent to the steam treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiro Harakawa
  • Patent number: 7094170
    Abstract: A sprocket for an inverted tooth chain includes at least one and typically first and second resilient cushion rings for adapted to be engaged by the guide links of an associated inverted tooth chain. The sprocket is usable with conventional inverted tooth chains and/or with a new inverted tooth chain that includes guide links for each row of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 7074147
    Abstract: A sprocket includes a hub and a plurality of teeth projecting radially outwardly from the hub. At least one cushion ring is located adjacent the teeth, and the cushion ring defines a plurality of compression pads separated from each other by transverse grooves. Each of the compression pads is defined symmetrically about a circumferential mid-point. When part of a sprocket with symmetric tooth spaces, the cushion ring is being operable identically in first and second opposite rotational directions. In one arrangement, the compression pads each include a planar outer surface having a leading and a trailing end, wherein the leading end and trailing end are located a common radial distance from a center of the hub about which the sprocket rotates. The tooth spaces of the sprocket can be symmetric, asymmetric and the root surface can be relieved. The sprocket can include multiple tooth profiles distributed randomly about the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 7052424
    Abstract: A drive sprocket assembly for driving an endless chain assembly for propelling a machine has a hub portion and flexible cantilever teeth in which each tooth is separately deflectable upon impact by a bushing of the endless chain assembly. The flexibility of each tooth will absorb a portion of the kinetic energy of the impact to reduce noise in the structure. The drive sprocket assembly includes a plurality of segments each having the cantilever teeth. Each segment has a first end portion and a second end portion having an end relief which prevents wear between the segment and the hub as the end portion is deflected by the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Morris E. Taft, Stephen C. Todd
  • Patent number: 6929575
    Abstract: A pulley comprises a disk and an insert. The insert is fitted into the center of the disk integrally. Linear expansion coefficient of the disk is larger than the same of the insert. A concavity is formed on a periphery surface of the insert so that both side surfaces of the concavity are slanted outwardly, i.e. a distance between the side surfaces become large in proportion to being far from the centerline of the insert. When a slanting angle is defined as an angle between the side surface and a line which is perpendicular to the centerline of the insert on a plane including the centerline of the insert, the slanting angle is set from ten degrees to forty-five degrees, preferably from fifteen degrees to forty-five degrees. The disk is made of synthetic resin such as phenol resin, and the insert is made of metal such as iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Atsushi Kosaka
  • Patent number: 6910980
    Abstract: A method for installing a cushion ring on a sprocket body to construct a sprocket assembly includes applying a deforming force to a cushion ring so that an opening therein is deformed to a shape that accommodate passage of a non-circular flange of a sprocket body therethrough. When the cushion ring is deformed, the non-circular flange of the sprocket body is inserted through the opening of the cushion ring. The deforming force is then released from the cushion ring so that the cushion ring is trapped between the flange and another portion of the sprocket body. The sprocket assembly includes at least one and typically two cushion rings trapped by respective non-circular flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6899651
    Abstract: A drive sprocket assembly includes a hub having an endless chain connected thereto. A plurality of driver members are mounted between the hub and the endless chain to provide sound suppression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Thomas E. Oertley
  • Patent number: 6866922
    Abstract: A power transmission belt having a body with a length, a width, an inside, and an outside. The body includes a rubber composition. The body further has a plurality of short fibers in the rubber composition. The plurality of short fibers may include a plurality of poly-p-phenylene benzobisoxazole fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takehara, Hitoshi Hasaka, Takeshi Kimura, Yasutsugu Kunihiro, Toshimichi Takada
  • Patent number: 6857976
    Abstract: A rotation force transmitter and a rotation force transmission mechanism are provided, which are light-weight and suppresses vibrations in the perimeter and radial directions. A junction flywheel, which is a rotation force transmitter, includes a pulley portion, a hub portion and elastic structures. An inside perimeter of the pulley portion and an outside perimeter of the hub portion are connected by the plurality of elastic structures absorbing vibrations in the perimeter direction and in the radial direction. The elastic structure has an annular member, and the annular member absorbs vibrations and torque fluctuations in the perimeter direction and in the radial direction transmitted from a rotation driving source such as a motor. Therefore, vibrations and torque fluctuations are prevented from being transmitted to a driven flywheel which is a rotated member provided with a rotation force by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamitsu Kodama, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6762417
    Abstract: A rotary shaft and a rotating body are connected in such a way as to stably control the tilt of a wafer platen in an ion implanter. The rotary shaft has a key way and the rotating body has a boss into which the rotary shaft extends. A key integrates the rotary shaft and the rotary body so that they rotate together without slipping relative to each other. An end cap is screwed onto the rotary body over the end of the rotary shaft and the key. As a result, the wafer platen can be maintained at an accurate orientation or tilt relative to the ion beam produced by the implanter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Hyeung Jang, Hak-Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20040116223
    Abstract: An integrated sprocket and housing used in a variable valve timing mechanism. The integrated sprocket and housing includes: a sprocket portion which is formed in a substantially annular shape, and which has teeth on the outer circumference thereof; and a housing portion which is disposed inside the sprocket portion, which has recesses in the inside thereof, and which is formed integrally with the sprocket portion as a sintered body made of a ferrous powder material, wherein the entire surface of the sprocket portion and the housing portion is covered with a steam oxidized layer which is formed by a steam treatment, and a nitrided layer which is formed by a gas soft nitriding treatment subsequent to the steam treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiro Harakawa
  • Publication number: 20040067807
    Abstract: A power transmission device for suppressing oxidation and degradation of dampers for improved damper life has dampers with contact surfaces for making contact with a pulley inner periphery and a hub outer periphery, and non-contact surfaces out of contact with the pulley inner periphery and the hub outer periphery. The non-contact surfaces have oxygen permeance suppression layers made of, for example, acrylic rubber, having an oxygen permeability less than that of the contact surfaces. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the permeance of oxygen into the dampers through the oxygen permeance suppression layers. Thus, even when the dampers rise in temperature, the outer peripheries thereof exposed directly to the air can be prevented from oxidizing and degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Haruhisa Shibata, Kazuo Kato, Junichi Ohguchi, Yasuo Tabuchi, Makoto Ito, Toshio Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20030228949
    Abstract: In a sintered sprocket at least the tooth surface layer contains carbon in the range from 0.6 to 1.2 mass % and nitrogen in the range from 0.05 to 0.5 mass %. The structure of the tooth surface layer comprises a tempered martensite structure and a residual austenitic structure, the residual austenitic structure being 10 to 50 volume % of the tooth surface layer. The density of the tooth surface layer is at least 7.4 g/cm3. Metallic elements contained in a base material comprise at least one metal selected from Ni, Cu and Mo in an amount in the range from 0.5 to 5 mass % the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. The sintered sprocket exhibits high strength and wear resistance and can be manufactured at low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Isamu Okabe, Kozo Ito, Manabu Hashikura
  • Publication number: 20030228950
    Abstract: A sprocket for an inverted tooth chain includes at least one and typically first and second resilient cushion rings for adapted to be engaged by the guide links of an associated inverted tooth chain. The sprocket is usable with conventional inverted tooth chains and/or with a new inverted tooth chain that includes guide links for each row of the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 6656072
    Abstract: Projections colliding with constricted portions at the center of hourglass-shaped pin link plates and with constricted portions at the center of hourglass-shaped roller link plates are provided at an annular resilient body. When a roller chain starts to mesh with a sprocket, constricted portions at the centers of hourglass-shaped link plates of the roller chain can be pushed radially outwards from the sprocket by the projections of the resilient body, vibrations occurring at the roller chain meshing with the sprocket can be made small, vibrations at each part of the roller chain can be made small, collision speed when rollers of the roller chain collide with teeth bottoms of the sprockets can be reduced, and the generation of noise can be suppressed. Moreover, because hourglass-shaped link plates are used, the roller chain can be made lighter than when flat oval shaped or oval shaped link plates are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruomi Sugita, Masahiko Sekita
  • Publication number: 20030216206
    Abstract: A pulley comprises a disk and an insert. The insert is fitted into the center of the disk integrally. Linear expansion coefficient of the disk is larger than the same of the insert. A concavity is formed on a periphery surface of the insert so that both side surfaces of the concavity are slanted outwardly, i.e. a distance between the side surfaces become large in proportion to being far from the centerline of the insert. When a slanting angle is defined as an angle between the side surface and a line which is perpendicular to the centerline of the insert on a plane including the centerline of the insert, the slanting angle is set from ten degrees to forty-five degrees, preferably from fifteen degrees to forty-five degrees. The disk is made of synthetic resin such as phenol resin, and the insert is made of metal such as iron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: TOYODA KOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Atsushi Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20030199351
    Abstract: A sprocket ring has outwardly protruding spaced teeth to engage the motorcycle drive chain and an inner circular flange to interconnect with the sprocket hub. The sprocket hub has an outer circular flange to interconnect with the sprocket ring. Mating holes in the flanges receive bolts therethrough to interconnect the ring and the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: David J. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030195072
    Abstract: A composite sprocket. The sprocket comprises an outer ring mounted to an inner hub. The outer ring has a profile, for example, a toothed profile. The toothed ring comprises a thermoset material such as polyurethane. The hub comprises any suitable metallic or non-metallic material sufficient for transmitting a torque from the ring to a shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: John D. Redmond
  • Publication number: 20030176251
    Abstract: A method for installing a cushion ring on a sprocket body to construct a sprocket assembly includes applying a deforming force to a cushion ring so that an opening therein is deformed to a shape that accommodate passage of a non-circular flange of a sprocket body therethrough. When the cushion ring is deformed, the non-circular flange of the sprocket body is inserted through the opening of the cushion ring. The deforming force is then released from the cushion ring so that the cushion ring is trapped between the flange and another portion of the sprocket body. The sprocket assembly includes at least one and typically two cushion rings trapped by respective non-circular flanges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6540630
    Abstract: A sprocket for supporting and propelling an endless track assembly of a track-type machine. The sprocket has an endless chain which is resiliently mounted to an outer flange of a hub. The chain has outwardly projecting teeth that interact with the endless track assembly to propel the machine. A plurality of drive assemblies are pressed between the endless chain and the flange to resiliently connect the endless chain to the flange of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Oertley
  • Publication number: 20020169044
    Abstract: A sprocket includes a hub and a plurality of teeth projecting radially outwardly from the hub. At least one cushion ring is located adjacent the teeth, and the cushion ring defines a plurality of compression pads separated from each other by transverse grooves. Each of the compression pads is defined symmetrically about a circumferential mid-point. When part of a sprocket with symmetric tooth spaces, the cushion ring is being operable identically in first and second opposite rotational directions. In one arrangement, the compression pads each include a planar outer surface having a leading and a trailing end, wherein the leading end and trailing end are located a common radial distance from a center of the hub about which the sprocket rotates. The tooth spaces of the sprocket can be symmetric, asymmetric and the root surface can be relieved. The sprocket can include multiple tooth profiles distributed randomly about the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Publication number: 20020169045
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a rotation force transmitter and a rotation force transmission mechanism, which are light-weight and suppress vibrations in the perimeter and radial directions. A junction flywheel which is a rotation force transmitter includes a pulley portion, a hub portion and elastic structures. An inside perimeter of the pulley portion and an outside perimeter of the hub portion are connected by the plurality of elastic structures absorbing vibrations in the perimeter direction and in the radial direction. The elastic structure has an annular member, and the annular member absorbs vibrations and torque fluctuations in the perimeter direction and in the radial direction transmitted from a rotation driving source such as a motor. Therefore, it is prevented that the vibrations and torque fluctuations are transmitted to a driven flywheel which is a rotated member provided with a rotation force by the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Takamitsu Kodama, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6468173
    Abstract: A sprocket assembly for an automotive timing chain system includes a main sprocket, an auxiliary sprocket mounted onto one side of the main sprocket for assisting the main sprocket, and an elastic member elastically coupling the auxiliary sprocket to the main sprocket for generating an elastic force between the main and auxiliary sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yeon-Man Jeong
  • Patent number: 6440022
    Abstract: A double-meshing-type silent chain includes link plates having the identical side profile. Each link plate has two meshing teeth and a flat back face formed opposite to the meshing teeth. Two kinds of links are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chain, while the adjacent links are connected by pins. In one kind of link, an odd number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In the other kind of link, an even number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In each link, the link plates are oriented such that the meshing teeth of link plates located at widthwise opposite ends project outwardly with respect to the chain and the meshing teeth of the remaining link plates project inwardly with respect to the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Kouichi Ichikawa, Nobuto Kozakura, Tsutomu Haginoya, Toyonaga Saitou
  • Patent number: 6383104
    Abstract: A device used to transfer and support articles during a high temperature heat treatment. The device is used to move articles into a heat treat furnace, hold the articles at an elevated temperature in a controlled atmosphere during the high temperature treatment and remove the articles from the furnace at the conclusion of the high temperature treatment, with no need to transfer the articles from the device. The device is comprised of a plurality of high temperature rollers, each roller including a roller bearing. A nonmetallic support surface capable of supporting the load of components undergoing the heat treatment is attached to the rollers. The device is designed to be nonreactive with either the furnace atmosphere or with the parts loaded onto it. The device also includes means to accommodate a temperature monitoring device such as a thermocouple to accurately monitor the temperature of the device during the thermal cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Louis B. H. Tan
  • Patent number: 6371874
    Abstract: A sprocket has a central through-hole for attachment of the sprocket to a rotating shaft, a boss coaxial with the through-hole, and teeth on the periphery of the sprocket. The boss has a cylindrical outer surface coaxial with the through-hole and having stepped small-diameter portions formed at opposite ends of the boas. A cushion body is in the form of a disk having an eccentric through-hole and includes an annular bearing having a cylindrical inner surface defining the through-hole, and a cushion member press-fitted over a cylindrical outer surface of the bearing. The bearing is slidably mounted on the cylindrical outer surface of the boss on each side of the teeth, and a ring-like flange is press-fitted over each stepped portion of the boss so as to prevent the cushion body from moving in the axial direction of the sprocket while allowing sliding movement of the cushion body relative to the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Kozo Inoue
  • Patent number: 6371875
    Abstract: A roller chain sprocket includes a number of sprocket teeth each having an engaging flank and a disengaging flank. An engaging flank of a first tooth of the sprocket cooperates with a disengaging flank of a second tooth to define a tooth space having a root surface extending between the engaging flank and the disengaging flank. The root surface has a first root surface portion defined by a first radius extending from an arc center of the first root surface portion. A cushion ring is mounted to a first face of the sprocket and has a number of alternating compression pads and grooves. A first groove has a first groove portion defined by a second radius extending from an arc center of the first groove portion. The arc center of the first groove portion being positioned at least proximate a radial line extending between a center of the sprocket and the arc center of the first root surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear & Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 6364798
    Abstract: A roller chain and sprocket drive includes a roller chain having multiple rollers and articulated links, the rollers being arranged with a substantially constant pitch and connected by the articulated links, and a sprocket in driving or driven engagement with the roller chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Neville Fawcett
  • Publication number: 20020013191
    Abstract: A double-meshing-type silent chain of a silent chain drive includes link plates having the identical side profile. Each link plate has two meshing teeth and a flat back face formed opposite to the meshing teeth. Two kinds of links are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chain, while the adjacent links are connected by pins. In one kind of link, an odd number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In the other kind of link, an even number of the link plates are disposed in the width direction of the chain. In each link, the link plates are oriented such that the meshing teeth of link plates located at widthwise opposite ends project outwardly with respect to the chain and the meshing teeth of the remaining link plates project inwardly with respect to the chain. Various types of sprockets used for meshing with the double-meshing-type silent chain are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Toyonaga Saito, Nobuto Kozakura, Koichi Ichikawa, Tsutomu Haginoya
  • Patent number: 6336882
    Abstract: A chainwheel (1) of a control mechanism of an internal combustion engine, said chainwheel being formed in one part or a plurality of parts from at least one hub (1a), a toothed rim (1c) and a wall (1a) connecting the hub (1a) to the toothed rim (1c), provided with at least one means for the damping of vibrations and noises which consists of a noise-damping material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Thomas Ullein, Bolko Schuseil
  • Patent number: 6299558
    Abstract: A drive system for use in a machine has a drive wheel and a chain. A plurality of bogies each having at least one hook are pivotally connected about the drive wheel at pre-selected spaced circumferential locations. A spring member is positioned between the bogie and the drive wheel to pre-position the bogie for engagement of the pins. The pivotal movement of the bogies in combination with the spring members reduces noise and the effects of chordal action as the bogies engage the pins through rotation of the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6247555
    Abstract: A rotating lubrication applicator is provided for metered lubrication of machine parts including parts of drive mechanisms. The preferred applicator includes an inner hub and an outer lubricating portion. The outer lubricating portion is made out of a solid lubricant containing microporous polymeric matrix material. Tensioning devices including the rotating lubrication applicators are also provided as are methods of using the same. The applicator will provide a metered amount of lubricant to surfaces which come into contact with outer lubricating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: TCI, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Millard
  • Patent number: 6220970
    Abstract: A vibration absorption assembly 12 and method for making the same having a base portion 30 which is movably connected to an intermediate portion 32 and to a top portion or cover 32. Assembly 12 contains several apertures or cavities 26 which operatively contain a pair of balls or spherical members 28 which absorb or dampen the vibrations emanating from a rotating member, such as a diesel fuel injection pump 14. Oil 27 is communicated into apertures 26 and is effective to lubricate the moving members 28. Further, portion or member 32 is selectively movable to allow access to several of the cavities or apertures 26 in order to allow fuel injection pump 12 to be removed from the engine 10 by use of fasteners 80, 82, and 84.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Tech., Inc
    Inventors: Alvin Henry Berger, Craig Edward Burch
  • Publication number: 20010000171
    Abstract: A roller chain sprocket includes a number of sprocket teeth each having an engaging flank and a disengaging flank. An engaging flank of a first tooth of the cooperates with a disengaging flank of a second tooth to define a tooth space having a root surface extending between the engaging flank and the disengaging flank. The root surface has a first root surface portion defined by a first radius extending from an arc center of the first root surface portion. A cushion ring is mounted to a first face of the sprocket and has a number of alternating compression pads and grooves. A first groove has a first groove portion defined by a second radius extending from an arc center of the first groove portion. The arc center of the first groove portion being positioned at least proximate a radial line extending between a center of the sprocket and the arc center of the first root surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: April 5, 2001
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • Patent number: 6203462
    Abstract: A sprocket 1 includes a wavy region 2. The wavy region is formed at least at the outer periphery of the sprocket and extends in an undulating fashion along the circumference of the sprocket. The wavy region has a plurality of convex joint portions 3. A plurality of teeth 5 are formed at the outer end of the convex joint portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignees: Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha, Uni-Sunstar B.V.
    Inventor: Norihiko Takamori
  • Patent number: 6179741
    Abstract: A roller chain sprocket includes a number of sprocket teeth each having an engaging flank and a disengaging flank. An engaging flank of a first tooth of the sprocket cooperates with a disengaging flank of a second tooth to define a tooth space having a root surface extending between the engaging flank and the disengaging flank. The root surface has a first root surface portion defined by a first radius extending from an arc center of the first root surface portion. A cushion ring is mounted to a first face of the sprocket and has a number of alternating compression pads and grooves. A first groove has a first groove portion defined by a second radius extending from an arc center of the first groove portion. The arc center of the first groove portion being positioned at least proximate a radial line extending between a center of the sprocket and the arc center of the first root surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Young
  • 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: 6106422
    Abstract: A power transmission member is constructed by molding a resin material obtained by mixing a carbon fiber, an aromatic polyamide fiber, graphite, and talc with phenol resin. The preferred contents of the carbon fiber, the aromatic polyamide fiber, the graphite and the talc in the resin material are respectively 5 to 30% by weight, 5 to 15% by weight, 10 to 15% by weight, and 5 to 20% by weight. The phenol resin is filled with the carbon fiber and the aromatic polyamide fiber in order that the power transmission member has high strength and suitable flexibility. The phenol resin is filled with the graphite in order to suitably lower the coefficient of friction of the power transmission member to improve the wear resistance thereof. The talc is used for adjusting the frictional force of the power transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Arai
  • Patent number: 6099426
    Abstract: A resin-made belt pulley (p) including a rim (2) over which a belt is engaged and a web (3) molded together with the rim and mounted on a rotating shaft, (1) extending through a position radially inside of the pulley, characterized in that a mounting position (30) of the web (2) on the rotating shaft (1) is offset (12) from the center (8) of the rim (2) in an axial direction, and the web (3) includes a vertical web portion (7) extending from the mounting position (30) of the web in a radially outward direction of the rotating shaft (1) and inclined web portions (9) diagonally connecting the vertical web portion (7) to the center (8) of the rim in the axial direction. Since a belt tension acting on the rim (2) is born at the center position (8) of the rim (2), deformation of the rim (2) caused by the belt tension can be minimized even if the pulley (p) is fabricated from resin which is a material of low rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Akira Nakagomi, Shinobu Nishi
  • Patent number: 6074318
    Abstract: A roller chain (10) for reducing noise and vibration generated during engagement of the roller chain with a sprocket. The roller chain (10) has a plurality of inner link assemblies, each including a bushing (12) and inner plates (14) connected together and a plurality of outer link assemblies, each including a pin (16) and outer plates (18) connected together with the pins (16) extending through the bushings (12). The roller chain (10) further has rollers (20) respectively fitted on the bushings (12). The rollers (20) are each shorter than the spacing between the opposed inner plates (14). An elastic member (22) is fixed to the inner or outer peripheral surface of each roller (20). The elastic member (22) has projecting portions (24) projecting from both end faces of the roller and facing inside surfaces of the associated inner plates (14) to prevent collision of the roller (20) with the inner plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Takahisa Ando
  • Patent number: 6071204
    Abstract: A sprocket having a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth with an insert seat formed between each pair of teeth. A wear-absorbing insert is removably mounted in each of the insert seats, for example, by press fitting the insert into the insert seat. An insert retainer is fastenable adjacent each insert and insert seat to prevent removal of the inserts from the insert seats as the sprocket is drivingly rotated to propel a chain entrained over the sprocket teeth. Each insert retainer can be unfastened to permit removal of the inserts from the insert seats as the inserts become worn. Each pair of sprocket teeth includes a leading tooth edge and a trailing tooth edge. The insert seat is formed over a portion of the leading tooth edge and over a portion of the trailing tooth edge. The insert has an inward edge shaped for snug mating engagement in any one of the insert seats, and an outward edge defining a leading tooth profile and a trailing tooth profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Sealtek Fabrications Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Andre Jefferies, Gary Garth Seabrook
  • Patent number: 5984817
    Abstract: Chain wheel for a chain drive assembly having a driven and/or driving chain wheel including teeth and tooth spaces, the flanks or profiles of which optionally are defined by circle sections or involutes, each tooth space being designed with a concave roll bed having a geometrically defined center of curvature continued into the adjacent entry and exit profiles, wherein said tooth space is designed asymmetrically on behalf of the steepnesses of its entry and exit profiles and related to a reference plane containing said center of curvature and the axis of said chain wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Joh. Winklhofer & Soehne GmbH Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Schulz