Plural Belts Or Plural Output Loads Patents (Class 474/84)
  • Publication number: 20020082129
    Abstract: A chain transmission device for controlling the timing system of an internal combustion engine with two overhead camshafts, and having a first chain transmission from the drive shaft to an intermediate shaft, and a second chain transmission from the intermediate shaft to both the camshafts; and wherein the first transmission defines a step-down transmission ratio between the drive shaft and the intermediate shaft; the second transmission defines a step-down transmission ratio between the intermediate shaft and the camshafts; the chain of the second transmission has a pitch smaller than the pitch of the chain of the first transmission; and the intermediate shaft is defined by the drive shaft of a fuel pump of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Pietro Bianchi, Dragoljub Milanovic
  • Publication number: 20010009875
    Abstract: Endless transmission element for a continuously variable transmission, of the type at least consisting of a series of transverse bodies (11), as well as belt packages (12-13-14) cooperating therewith and extending in longitudinal direction, characterized in that the transmission element (1) comprises at least three of such belt packages (12-13-14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Jozef Karel Irma Vermeulen
  • Patent number: 6206796
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism using metal belts including a driving pulley having first and second driving pulley-halves capable of advancing and retreating in an axial direction of a driving axis, the first and second driving pulley-halves having first and second belt guiding portions formed thereon to face each other, respectively, a driven pulley having first and second driven pulley-halves installed at a driven axis parallel to the driving axis to be capable of advancing and retreating along the driven axis, the first and second driven pulley-halves having third and fourth belt guiding portions formed thereon to face each other, respectively; and at least two metal belts capable of circulating around the belt guiding portions of the driving pulley and the driven pulley without interference, wherein each of the belt guiding portions is formed of an inclined surface having a predetermined curvature such that angular velocities of all belts can be identical at an arbitrary speed rate between the driving pul
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Jong-wan Lee
  • Patent number: 6186916
    Abstract: A relay pulley (1) for endless power transmission between a drive pulley (2) and a driven pulley (3). The relay pulley (1) comprises a rotatable hub (6) carrying, between two external fixed plates (7A, 7B), at least one member (8) movable axially on the hub (6) to delimit with the fixed plates (7A, 7B) two parallel grooves (9A, 9B) of variable dimension adapted to receive respectively a belt (4, 5) of a first (T1) or second (T2) endless belt transmission. The movable member (8) comprises at least two hollow plates (8A, 8B) mounted on the hub (6), which include facing bearing surfaces (10A, 10B) in sliding contact. The bearing surfaces (10A, 10B) are arranged to permit the approach or respectively the movement apart of the movable plates (8A, 8B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: France Reducteurs
    Inventor: Robert Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6170597
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement for an offroad vehicle is disclosed. The offroad vehicle has a frame, at least two wheels supporting the frame, and an internal combustion engine supported by the frame. The engine has at least one cylinder, a piston positioned in the cylinder and reciprocating along a first axis, the piston driving a crankshaft of the engine. The crankshaft is arranged to drive at least one of the wheels through the transmission, the vehicle having a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal centerline extending through the ends, the crankshaft extending along a first axis parallel to the centerline. The transmission includes a chamber defined by a case, a primary shaft at least partially positioned in the chamber and driven by the crankshaft, a main shaft at least partially positioned in the chamber and offset from said primary shaft, the main shaft driven by the primary shaft by a belt positioned in the chamber. The main shaft is arranged to drive at least one of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutaka Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6068566
    Abstract: A device for reciprocating a bed or cradle on supporting rods has a driving pulley (1) on a rotational first axle (50) of a driving motor (M) and a first decelerating pulley (2) on a second axle (23). The first decelerating pulley is connected to the driving pulley (1) by a first belt (7A). A first small pulley (3) on the second axle (9A) is connected to a second decelerating pulley (4) on a third axle (9B) by a second belt (7B). A second small pulley (5) on the third axle (9B) is connected to a third decelerating pulley (6) on a driving axle (8) by a third belt (7C). A disk (11) axially on the driving axle (8) has an eccentric axle (12) thereon. An idle cap (13) on the eccentric axle (12) for rotation has springs (14 and 14a) on opposite sides thereof. Supporting rods (16) are respectively connected to the springs (14 and 14a) for being moved back and forth or from side to side by tension of the springs (14 and 14a) as the rotational disk (11) is rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Do Hyong Kim
  • 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: 5980406
    Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and sprockets. The system includes a central shaft, two chains, and two identical sprockets. Although the two sprockets have identical size, shape, and features, they can be assembled onto the central shaft in different orientations. These orientations are achieved by rotating one sprocket with respect to the other. Assembling one sprocket onto the shaft in a different orientation from a second sprocket results in a system where the outer sprocket teeth of one sprocket are phased with respect to the outer sprocket teeth of the other sprocket. In this way, a phased chain and sprocket assembly is composed of identical sprockets, which eases manufacture and assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Mott, David C. White, Timothy J. Ledvina, Thomas J. Becker, Roger G. Young, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5964654
    Abstract: The present invention includes a multiple abrasive belt apparatus in which endless abrasive belts are movable in a circuitous manner. Discrete belt assemblies each including an abrasive belt are mounted on a support structure and a single motor is used to run all of the discrete belt assemblies. A jack shaft is operatively connected to the motor by a first drive belt, and then in turn is operatively connected to first and second drive shafts by second and third drive belts. The first and second drive shafts are operatively connected, each to two discrete belt assemblies such that motive force is transferred from a single motor to four discrete belt assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Westar Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Terry S. Ewert, Gregory L Staab
  • Patent number: 5918894
    Abstract: A bicycle mechanism to permit a forward force to be applied to the bicycle's drive wheel by backward rotation of the bicycle's pedals in addition to permitting a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel by a forward rotation of said pedals. The bicycle mechanism preferably has pedal arms, having pedals mounted thereon, mounted on a pedal shaft to drive the pedal shaft in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and a driving means to cause the forward movement of the bicycle when the pedal shaft is driven in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Novator L.L.C.
    Inventors: Salvatore Toronto, Paul Novak
  • Patent number: 5882272
    Abstract: A locking differential has a fixed drive dog and a movable drive dog. A locking actuator has a plunger drivingly connected to the movable drive dog. The plunger is movable in a first direction to a lock position in which the drive dogs are engaged and in a second, opposite direction to an unlock position in which the drive dogs are disengaged. A piston is connected to the plunger and disposed in a cavity in a housing. Movement of the piston in the second direction is imparted to the plunger when the plunger is in the lock position but the piston is movable independently relative to the plunger in the first direction when the plunger is in the unlock position. A pressurized fluid causes the piston, and thereby the plunger, to move in the second direction. A piston bias member biases the piston in the first direction, and a plunger bias member biases the plunger in the first direction. A related method of locking the differential is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Allonby
  • Patent number: 5871412
    Abstract: An automotive cooling assembly including a radiator and a cooling fan for forcing air over the radiator. A multiple speed fan drive interconnects the cooling fan to an engine of a vehicle. The multiple speed fan drive includes a fan shaft for supporting the cooling fan and a drive shaft running parallel to the fan shaft. A number of pulleys having associated belts couple the fan shaft to the drive shaft. An engagement device allows the fan shaft to remain stationary while the drive shaft is rotating. The engagement device also selectively engages one of the belts and their respective associated pulleys into driving relationship for rotating the fan shaft in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The rotational speed of the cooling fan can be faster, slower or in sync with the rotational speed of the engine. The cooling fan can also remain stationary while the drive shaft of the engine is still rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Behr America, Inc.
    Inventor: George Moser
  • Patent number: 5853849
    Abstract: A belt for conveying articles, which belt has a body having a surface against which articles are placed to be frictionally held and thereby conveyed as the belt is advanced in operation. The belt body surface is defined by rubber and a porous filler in the rubber. The porous filler is present in the rubber in an amount of at least 5 parts by weight of porous filler per 100 parts by weight of rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nishio, Kazutoshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 5846149
    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: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ledvina, Philip J. Mott
  • Patent number: 5830094
    Abstract: A transmission for reducing the pulley ratio between a drive shaft and a transmission shaft. The transmission is adapted to convert a higher speed rotary motion to a lower speed linear motion. The transmission has two pulleys rigidly mounted together on a shaft and the pulleys have a different number of teeth. A pair of belts are mounted on the drive shaft and a follower shaft, each one of the belts engages one of the transmission pulleys. One belt on the transmission shaft engages a pulley on the top of a first transmission pulley and another on the bottom of a second transmission pulley. When the drive shaft imparts motion to the belts, the belts move the transmission between the drive shaft and the follower shaft. By arresting the movement of one of the belts by a clutch/brake, the transmission can be converted into a two speed transmission. If the belts are independently driven, one each by two motors, the transmission becomes operable in an infinite number of pulley ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Jan F. C. DeNijs
  • Patent number: 5816968
    Abstract: A chain and sprocket system includes a plurality of chains and sprockets. The system includes a crankshaft, an idler shaft and two overhead camshafts. The two sprockets on the idler shaft that connect by chain to drive the camshafts are phased or offset with respect to each other to alter the impact and chordal action generated noise. These idler camshaft sprockets and the idler sprocket of the crankshaft are all manufactured separately and then placed together on a spline or hub. In this way, the idler sprocket assembly consists of four parts, which eases manufacture and assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Watson
  • Patent number: 5816967
    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: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ledvina, Philip J. Mott
  • Patent number: 5813934
    Abstract: A phased chain and sprocket assembly is provided in which the pitch length of the chain is not matched to the pitch length of the sprocket. Specifically, the chain link pitch length is approximately twice the pitch length of the associated sprocket teeth. By providing two chains in side-by-side, but offset relation, a phased chain and sprocket assembly can be achieved without the need for circumferentially offset sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Patton
  • Patent number: 5797306
    Abstract: A lamination notching apparatus for forming dynamoelectric core laminations with winding slots includes a sprocket and drive belt system connecting an indexer to the drive table shaft of a lamination table. The indexer is driven from a punch drive and has an output sprocket. A coupling unit has a first sprocket and a second sprocket mounted on a common same shaft and connected by a passive clamp unit to produce a one-to-one rotation. Drive belts connect the indexer sprocket to the first sprocket and the second sprocket to the drive sprocket table shaft. The sprockets are formed with a special tooth profile to eliminate tooth-to-belt clearance and backlash with a standard HTD profile belt for precise rotary motion. The indexer is movably mounted for tension adjustment of the drive belt. The passive clamp unit includes telescoped tapered sprocket hubs on a tubular shaft, with a spring-loaded clamp nut and bolt passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Marathon Electric Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Larry I. Kufahl
  • Patent number: 5765847
    Abstract: A bicycle mechanism to permit a forward force to be applied to the bicycle's drive wheel by backward rotation of the bicycle's pedals in addition to permitting a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel by a forward rotation of said pedals. The bicycle mechanism preferably has pedal arms, having pedals mounted thereon, mounted on a pedal shaft to drive the pedal shaft in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and a driving means to cause the forward movement of the bicycle when the pedal shaft is driven in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Novator, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Salvatore Toronto, Paul Novak
  • Patent number: 5749800
    Abstract: A synchronous belt drive, with a high multiplication ratio for transforming a rotary movement into a translation or rotary movement, has at least two rows of teeth with different pitches interconnected by a toothed belt. The rows of teeth with different pitches engage wheels of at least one pair of wheels secured against independent rotation. The products of the number of teeth of the wheels and the pitch of the corresponding row of teeth differ at least slightly from each other. The pitch difference between the toothed belts gives the drive a high multiplication ratio. Very fine gradations and therefore high multiplication ratios may be achieved, even when the tooth modulus is high for reasons of resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Technische Universitaet Dresden
    Inventors: Thomas Nagel, Ulf Richard
  • Patent number: 5690567
    Abstract: A transmission for reducing the pulley ratio between a drive shaft and a transmission shaft. The transmission is adapted to convert a higher speed rotary motion to a lower speed linear motion. The transmission has two pulleys rigidly mounted together on a shaft and the pulleys have a different number of teeth. A pair of belts are mounted on the drive shaft and a follower shaft, each one of the belts engages one of the transmission pulleys. One belt on the transmission shaft engages a pulley on the top of a first transmission pulley and another on the bottom of a second transmission pulley. When the drive shaft imparts motion to the belts, the belts move the transmission between the drive shaft and the follower shaft. By arresting the movement of one of the belts by a clutch/brake, the transmission can be converted into a two speed transmission. If the belts are independently driven, one each by two motors, the transmission becomes operable in an infinite number of pulley ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jan F.C. DeNijs, Matthias Lindner
  • Patent number: 5562557
    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 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ledvina, Philip J. Mott
  • Patent number: 5553509
    Abstract: A three degree-of-freedom robotic manipulator is constructed from three rotary drives. The rotary drive consists of a relatively small diameter cylindrical driving member coupled to a larger diameter cylindrical driven member. The driven member of a second rotary drive is mounted perpendicularly to the driven member of a first drive. The driven member of a third drive is mounted to the periphery of the driven member of the second drive with its axis of rotation parallel to the driven member of the second drive. The driving member of the third drive is located with its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the driven member of the second drive. Motors powering the second and third driving members are mounted to the driven member of the first drive roughly centered over its axis of rotation. An extension arm for mounting the end effector is fixed to the driven member of the third drive. This arrangement reduces the number of required components and minimizes motor movement to reduce inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Steven D. Somes
  • Patent number: 5482511
    Abstract: A drive mechanism including a toothed pulley and a device for retaining mesh between the teeth of the pulley and the teeth of a belt after assembly thereto. The retaining device includes a retaining member positioned adjacent a toothed section of the pulley defining a space therebetween enabling the belt to fit between the retaining member and the toothed section of the pulley when the teeth are in mesh, the space between an apex or crown of a pulley tooth and the surface of the retaining member opposite thereto being smaller than the maximum thickness of the toothed belt thereby ensuring a mesh between the teeth of the belt and pulley to provide a synchronized drive therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Keilty, Robert I. T. Caley
  • Patent number: 5427580
    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 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ledvina, Philip J. Mott
  • Patent number: 5334105
    Abstract: A variable speed mechanism comprises a constant speed transmission set, a variable speed transmission set, a sun gear set comprising a first sun gear and a second sun gear, a locating member, two planetary gear sets, and a power source. The first sun gear is actuated to rotate at a constant speed by the constant speed transmission set. The rotating speed of the second sun gear 32 can be altered by adjusting the variable speed transmission set so as to cause the rotation of a power output shaft of the speed changing mechanism to accelerate, decelerate, reduce to zero, or reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Fue-Jye Wang
  • 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: 5254042
    Abstract: A transmission device for a bicycle is provided including a first transmission for obtaining a forward driving force. The first transmission drives a first free wheel in conformity with movement of a first drive unit when a crank shaft is forwardly rotated. A second transmission obtains a forward driving force by converting a direction of the rotating force produced in a rotational direction of a second drive unit. The rotational direction is supplied to a second free wheel under a reverse rotation of the crank shaft. A forward driving force is obtained regardless of the rotational direction of the crank shaft, thereby improving an exercise effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventor: Kim Chung-Suk
  • Patent number: 5241232
    Abstract: A homopolar motor-generator comprising two homopolar machines in series with a conductive belt transmitting current between the rotors of the machines which are caused to rotate in synchronism in oppositely directed magnetic fields to allow extraction of current from relatively low surface speed surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventor: Jay L. Reed
  • Patent number: 5163882
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of retrofitting a Bridgeport Series One vertical milling machine with a variable speed drive unit. The method generally comprises the removal of a drive motor and stepped pulley attached thereto from the pulley housing of the Series One milling machine. The drive motor and stepped pulley are replaced with a variable speed drive unit comprising a drive housing which is attached to the pulley housing via a flange member formed on the bottom surface thereof. The flange member is specifically configured to be easily retrofittable to the existing aperture defined within the pulley housing by the removal of the drive motor therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Sterling Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny L. Aldinger
  • Patent number: 5154574
    Abstract: A gearless air motor utilizes a high speed rotor having turbine buckets defined in epoxy rather than metal to substantially avoid the danger inherent in high speed rotor fragmentation. The unit has a housing which contains the compressed air chamber, the rotor chamber and a speed reduction chamber in which a toothed belt speed reduction system avoids the use of gears for speed reduction, with their relatively high friction and noise output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventors: Ed Reinhorn, Matt Reinhorn, Eric J. Reinhorn
  • Patent number: 5129863
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle allows independent forward, reverse and neutral operation of two independent drive wheels. The transmission includes a gearbox with a pair of output shafts. A transfer wheel with a cylindrical friction surface and a belt pulley is mounted on each output shaft. A drive pulley is associated with each drive wheel. Each drive pulley is rotatable and pivotally mounted relative to the gearbox and has a cylindrical surface and a coaxial belt pulley thereon. A belt is reeved over each of the belt pulleys. Each drive pulley is swingable between alternative configurations where the surfaces engage and the belt is loose so as to drive the drive pulley in one direction, where the belt is taut to drive the drive pulley in an opposite direction and where the surfaces do not engage and the belt is loose so as to be in neutral. Each drive pulley is operably connected to a respective drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Quinstar Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Boone, Thomas J. Snavely
  • Patent number: 5122097
    Abstract: An apparatus (40) for pre-spinning a container (44) to be treated on an external surface by a treating surface (66) of a rotating treatment device (68) is provided. The apparatus (40) comprises a first circular drive mechanism (50) which is selectively connectable to a first rotatable drive shaft (48) from a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first rotatable drive shaft (48). A second circular drive mechanism (56) mounted on a second rotatable drive shaft (60) is operatively associated with the first circular drive mechanism (50). A third circular drive (62) mounted on the second rotatable drive shaft (60) drives a belt (42) which selectively contacts circumferential portions of the container (44) or container support causing the container (44) to spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Chasteen, Earl Backes
  • Patent number: 5116283
    Abstract: A chain-type power transmission mechanism, having first and second sets of sprockets, each set of which has a sprocket provided on both a drive shaft and a driven shaft. A first chain extends over and between the first set of sprockets, and a second chain extends over and between the second set of sprockets. The two sprockets provided on at least one of the shafts are relatively changeable in rotational position whereby the forward side of one chain and the backward side of the other chain are tensioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Yuichi Futami, Eisaku Ohmon, Tadasu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5113964
    Abstract: A front and rear wheel drive motorcycle includes an engine unit including a cylinder assembly and a crank shaft and first and second speed change belt mechanisms mounted to one end of the crank shaft for driving the front and rear wheels, respectively. The first and second speed change belt mechanisms are operatively connected to first and second speed change gear mechanisms through first and second speed change gear mechanisms through first and second driven pulleys respectively provided to the first and second change belt mechanism. To one end of the crank shaft is mounted a driving pulley means operated in common with the first and second speed change belt mechanisms. The driving pulley means comprises a stationary driving pulley mounted to one end of the crank shaft and operated in common with the first and second speed change belt mechanisms and a pair of movable driving pulleys mounted to one end of the crank shaft with the stationary driving pulley interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Suzuki Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosaku Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5112281
    Abstract: Plural auxiliaries are independently driven by a belt ot suppress an increase in the number of parts and simplify the structure. A cam shaft has first and second driving pulleys disposed in parallel to each other. A first auxiliary having a smaller load against the engine is movably mounted to the engine and it has a first following pulley mounted to its operating shaft which is coaxially and rotatably mounted with an idle pulley. On the other hand, a second auxiliary having a larger load against the engine is fixed to the engine. To the engine is movably mounted a tension pulley. A first belt for driving the first auxiliary is wound around the first following pulley, the first driving pulley and a tension pulley, while a second belt for driving the second auxiliary is wound around the second driving pulley and the idle pulley. The tension of the first belt is adjusted by transferring the tension pulley, while the tension of the second belt is adjusted by transferring the first auxiliary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Minato, Makoto Kishida, Yumi Yamada, Izumi Watanabe, Kiyomi Kimura
  • Patent number: 5061224
    Abstract: A fully automatic torque converter transmission is presented that uses a "V" belt with inner teeth that engage mating teeth on a variable pitch pulley core in a low speed high torque state transformable into an infinitely variable higher speed shift mechanism. The bicycle pedal sprocket drives a pivoted cluster of three small sprockets with a drive chain loop interconnect driving a first sprocket as a driven member, and the other two serving as idlers in maintaining the chain at constant length. A speed ratio of approximately 1:6 from the pedal sprocket to the driven sprocket optimizes torque transmission capacity of the system with the driven sprocket attached to a self-centering, spring loaded, variable pitch pulley. This pulley has a core shaped like a timing belt pulley with grooves (or teeth) at its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: William B. Stuhler
  • Patent number: 5058458
    Abstract: A camshaft driving mechanism in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. It comprises a crank sprocket, a cam sprocket and an idler sprocket disposed therebetween, a first timing chain entrained on the crank sprocket and idler sprocket, and a second timing chain entrained on said idler sprocket and cam sprocket. The improvement resides in that the first timing chain is sized smaller than the second timing chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Odai
  • Patent number: 5046992
    Abstract: In a robot arm for use in converting rotary motion of a rotatable axle located within a main post into linear motion of a chuck arm, a first arm unit is fixed to the rotatable axle while a first gear is fixed to the main post so that the first gear is rotated relative to the first arm unit with rotation of the rotatable axle. Rotation of the first arm unit is transmitted through a first power transmission element to a second gear which is rotatably supported on a first fixed axle. A second arm unit is fixed to the second gear while a third gear is fixed to the first fixed axle so that the third gear is rotated relative to the second arm unit. Relative rotation of the third gear is transmitted via a second power transmission element to a fourth gear fixed to the chuck arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Sumitomo Eaton Nova Corporation
    Inventors: Tadamoto Tamai, Keiji Okada
  • Patent number: 5041067
    Abstract: A mechanical differential gearing transmission utilizing a plurality of parallel axis rotating shafts and an indirect pulley diameter control variator mechanism in order to provide an infinitely variable forward and reverse gearing between an engine and powered rotating wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Agri-Fab, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Hauser
  • Patent number: 5017180
    Abstract: A speed reducing device is provided for use with a multi-purpose woodworking tool such that faceplate turning operations may be performed on large diameter workpieces. The device includes a housing which partially supports input and output shafts passing through opposite sides of the housing. An end of the input shaft located within the housing is formed with a hole for receiving an end of the output shaft within the housing such that the input and output shafts coact with one another to support each other and prevent one another from pivoting about the points at which they are supported by the housing. The input and output shafts rotate relative to one another and are both connected to a sheave by a pair of belts such that the input shaft may be driven by the output spindle of a woodworking tool at a first speed and the output shaft will be driven by the belts and sheave at a slower speed which is acceptable for turning large diameter workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Shopsmith, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Berkeley
  • Patent number: 5012632
    Abstract: A mower having a belt tensioner that includes a belt engaging primary pulley swingably supported by a primary arm. A rod coupled to the arm carries a spring that acts to push the pulley into engagement with the belt. The rod acts to pull the pulley away from the belt to release the tension in the belt for removal of the belt. A handle attached to the rod is turned by the operator to positively swing the pulley away from the belt. The handle may also be gripped by the operator's hand to lift that portion of the deck during operation to avoid gouging irregular ground conditions or striking obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John B. Kuhn, Kenneth E. Hunt, Christopher S. Thorman
  • Patent number: 5007882
    Abstract: A belt transmission for a very small size shovel car which improves the starting performance of an engine for the shovel car to permit employment as such engine of a small size engine having a low output power. The belt transmission comprises a first pulley mounted on an output shaft of the engine, second and third pulleys mounted commonly on an input shaft of a transmission case of the shovel car, a first belt extending between and around the first and second pulleys, a belt tension clutch movable to and from an operative position in which it engages with the first belt to cause the first belt to transmit power from the first pulley to the second pulley, a fourth pulley mounted on an input shaft of a hydraulic pump of the shovel car, and a second belt extending between and around the third and fourth pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Takeshi Mizumoto, Yoshiaki Murakami
  • Patent number: 4976348
    Abstract: A changeable speed gear attachment for bicycles. including the first gear for interconnection with the front sprocket of a standard bicycle, and a second gear for interconnection with the rear sprocket of a standard bicycle, is disclosed. Shifting means, comprising a plurality of gears and an associated shift lever and transmission cable, are further disclosed. The device may be mounted on the rear frame members of the bicycle without modification of the frame, and the device may be used with bicycles having either a standard chain transmission or a direct-drive chainless transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Harry E. Berry
  • Patent number: 4941864
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clutchable pulley system conventionally having an annular first-belt and an annular second-belt, both belts enveloping a plurally-grooved transfer pulley. Also in conventional fashion; the first-belt is constantly tightly trained with a power-source pulley and at least one primary-load pulley; and the second-belt is normally loosely enveloping the plurally-grooved transfer pulley and at lest one secondary-load pulley whereby the secondary-load pulley(s) will not rotate until the second-belt is made to tightly train with the transfer pulley. Departing from the prior art utilization of the idler-pulley principle for controllably tightly entraining the second-belt with the plurally-grooved and secondary-load pulleys, the herein disclosed clutchable pulley system supplants the second-belt idler-pulley by controllably moving the plurally-grooved transfer pulley along an arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert O. Bottum
  • Patent number: 4922727
    Abstract: An air delivery system for a transport refrigeration unit having a dual speed prime mover, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and first and second air delivery blowers for the condenser and evaporator, respectively. The speed of the first blower is directly proportional to the speed of the prime mover and the second blower is driven by an adjustable speed arrangement. The adjustable speed arrangement includes an electric clutch and a one-way clutch. The electric clutch, when energized, selects a predetermined speed of the evaporator blower, which is greater than the speed of the condenser blower, and when the electric clutch is deenergized the evaporator blower is driven at the same speed as the condenser blower, via the one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Herman H. Viegas
  • Patent number: 4900292
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for use in a poultry harvester, comprising first and second rotors arranged side by side about a center line of the assembly for rotation about vertical or predominantly vertical axes, a third rotor equispaced from the first and second rotors in a direction along the center line of the assembly, and drive means for rotating the third rotor in a clockwise or anticlockwise sense, as desired, during operation of the assembly, the drives for the first and second rotors being derived from the motion of the third rotor and being operative to counter-rotate the first and second rotors in rotational senses which remain unaltered irrespective of the direction of rotation of the third rotor at any given moment, each rotor providing a continuous array of radially-extending guide elements closely adjacent and/or abutting and/or intermeshing with the guide elements of the other rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Berry, Derek J. Frost, Peter F. Inskip
  • Patent number: 4896809
    Abstract: A feed device for feeding an image recording medium such as a film has a drive drum and at least one nip roller for gripping and feeding the image recording medium therebetween. At least two speed reducers are operatively coupled between the drive drum and a rotative drive source and comprise respective pairs of pulleys of different diameters and respective belts each trained around one of the pairs of pulleys, and wherein the belt operatively associated with the drive drum is of higher rigidity than at least one other belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 4862757
    Abstract: An improved translatory drive linkage type of power transmission apparatus, which, in one preferred form, comprises an improved tape drive type of power transmission apparatus primarily for transmitting power applied thereto at a power entry point to a longitudinally spaced power exit point at a desired power output location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Frank L. Dahl