Abstract: A belt damper for a gear train is provided. An endless belt is wrapped around pulleys mounted to an idler gear and an output gear. The pulleys are mounted to splined shafts which are axially aligned with and connected to splined gear shafts on which the idler and output gears are mounted. Pressurized lubricant is supplied to both splined connections. The combination of the lubricant in the spline connections and the damping effect of the belt provides for an effective damping system. A tension device may also be applied to vary tension imposed on the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor system having an automatic lubricating system for the conveyor chain and its associated guide track is provided. The conveyor system includes a conveyor chain, a guide track, a lubricator, and a support frame. The guide track is carried by the support frame, and has a bottom wall with a guide surface and an aperture. The conveyor chain has interconnecting links, and is supported by the guide track for movement. Each of the links of the conveyor chain has a lower surface that may contact the guide surface of the guide track when the conveyor chain is moved. The lubricator is mounted on the support frame, and includes a separator dividing the lubricator into a lubricant chamber and a gas compartment. The lubricator includes an electrochemical cell in the gas compartment for generating gas that flows against the separator to move the separator against the lubricant in the chamber to force the lubricant through an outlet.

Abstract: A movable lever for a transmission chain, which is able to pivot smoothly, and avoid seizing on its supporting shaft, comprises a unitary, molded resin lever body composed of a chain-engaging shoe and a plate-receiving portion, and a reinforcing plate in a slot in the plate-receiving portion. The plate and the plate-receiving portion have coaxial, cofastening mounting holes which receive the mounting shaft. Reinforcing ribs are provided on a side of the plate-receiving portion and their ends are notched to provide grooves which promote the flow of oil, which accumulates on the lever, toward the mounting holes so that adequate lubrication of the mounting hole in the plate is achieved.

Abstract: A regulatable continuously variable transmission in which one multiple-jet nozzle (4) is used for supplying cooling and lubricant oil to the variator. The flow diameter (9, 10) of the nozzle (4) is created so that a stationary flow exists in the nozzle (4) and the continuity equation results in a constant value.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (1) includes a rotatable drive pulley (2) and a driven pulley (5), each of which having an axially displaceable sheave (4, 6) for transmission ratio control by varying the running radii of a torque transmission belt (8) running between the sheaves (3, 4; 6, 7); and a lubrication nozzle (9) having an output (O1, O2) for supplying a lubricating fluid to a midpoint (M1, M2) at the inner side of the belt (8), whereby at least one output (O1) of the lubrication nozzle (9) at the driven pulley (5) is directed to the midpoint (M1) of the transmission belt (8) while running in a transmission ratio (TOP) area, wherein a maximum power is transmitted by the transmission belt (8) The belt (8) is thus effectively cooled at a radial position within the driven or secondary pulleys (2), where due to a maximum power loss the generated heat is maximal.

Abstract: A lubrication arrangement for an endless chain in a transfer case of four-wheel drive vehicles comprising a casing, an input shaft, a first output shaft drivingly connected thereto, a second output shaft spaced from the input shaft, and the endless chain selectively transmitting torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. The casing includes a lubricant reservoir and a torque transfer compartment housing the endless chain. The input shaft is rotatably mounted within the casing and extends into the lubricant reservoir. An oil pump is arranged within the lubricant reservoir for supplying the lubricant under pressure to the endless chain. The excess amount of the lubricant is returned back to the lubricant reservoir through a lubricant return port formed in the casing. The lubrication arrangement allows retaining only a minimum necessary amount of lubricant in the chain compartment, thus preventing the oil churning and aeration.

Abstract: Transmission unit for motor vehicles of the type containing a continuous variable transmission (2) consisting of an ingoing shaft (3), a driven shaft (4), two pulleys (5-6) situated on the ingoing shaft (3) and the driven shaft (4) respectively, and an endless transmission element (7) provided between said pulleys (5-6), whereby the above-mentioned pulleys (5-6) each consist of two pulley halves (8-9, 10-11) with conical contact surfaces (12) which can be axially adjusted in relation to one another, such that the transmission ratio between the ingoing shaft (3) and the driven shaft (4) can be continuously altered, whereby the transmission element (7) consists of a lubricated belt which is provided with metal parts (13) having contact surfaces (14) which work in conjunction with the above-mentioned conical contact surfaces (12) of the pulley halves (8-9, 10-11), and whereby the contact surfaces (14) of the parts (13) have a profiling (17), in particular a profiling (17) procuring a thin-film lubrication, where

Abstract: A motorized conveyor pulley comprises a cylindrical pulley drum with axially opposite end plates enclosing an electric motor and a drive transmission within the drum. The end plates of the pulley are mounted on a pair of shaft ends that pass through the end plates at the axially opposite ends of the pulley and support the motor and drive transmission in the pulley as well as supporting the pulley drum housing for rotation. As well as the motor and transmission, the pulley drum housing also contains an amount of lubricant that lubricates the bearings and gears of the drive transmission and cools the motor. A passive lubrication collector and manager is mounted in the pulley drum housing and wipes lubricant from the interior surface of the pulley drum housing and then directs the wiped lubricant to the bearings and gears of the drive transmission.

Abstract: Described is a continuously variable transmission (1) comprising a rotatable drive pulley (2) and a driven pulley (5), each of which having an axially displaceable sheave (4, 6) for transmission ratio control by varying the running radii of a torque transmission belt (8) running between the sheaves (3, 4; 6, 7); and a lubrication nozzle (9) having an output (O1, O2) for supplying a lubricating fluid to a midpoint (M1, M2) at the inner side of the belt (8), whereby at least one output (O1) of the lubrication nozzle (9) at the driven pulley (5) is directed to the midpoint (M1) of the transmission belt (8) while running in a transmission ratio (TOP) area, wherein a maximum power is transmitted by the transmission belt (8). The belt (8) is thus effectively cooled at a radial position within the driven or secondary pulleys (2), where due to a maximum power loss the generated heat is maximal.

Abstract: In a chamber R1 which accommodates a transmission device comprising a drive pulley 8, a driven pulley 9 and a belt 10, a cover 51 is provided to cover the lower peripheral portion of the drive pulley 8 along the periphery. The drive pulley is positioned below the driven pulley, and raised portions 52 which are used for the detection of the rotational speed of the drive pulley are provided on the periphery of the drive pulley. The end surface 51bs of the cover facing the inner wall 54 of the pulley chamber is positioned away from the inner wall with a clearance V therebetween. In a vehicular transmission which is constructed in this arrangement, the amount of lubrication oil that flows near to the periphery of the pulley which is positioned lower is comparatively small. Thus, this arrangement restricts agitation of the lubrication oil, which may be caused by the raised portions of the rotating pulley.

Abstract: A low-noise chain member comprises a bushing, a roller and oil grooves in which a wedge or squeeze effect of a lubricating oil, which is interposed between the bushing and the roller, is effective in reducing noise. The oil grooves are provided on at least one of the outer surface of the bushing and the inner face of the roller. The inner face of the roller is formed with a curved surface so as to conform to the contour of a curved outer surface of the bushing. A clearance between the inner face of the roller and the outer surface of the bushing is not widened around both ends of the roller. Only a small amount of the lubricating oil between the roller and the bushing escapes to the outside, of the roller and bushing, so that a fluid lubricating state between the bushing and the roller is maintained.

Abstract: An inlet opening 41 for a discharge oil passage 76 is provided in a chamber R1 which accommodates a transmission device comprising a drive pulley 8, a driven pulley 9 and a belt 10. This inlet opening is positioned at a location where the inner wall of the chamber is met by a line drawn tangentially to the pitch circle of the drive pulley whose pitch radius is at a maximum and to that of the driven pulley whose pitch radius is at a minimum . This inlet opening 41 for the discharge oil passage 76 is positioned also at a location where the inner wall is met by a line drawn on the upper side of the pulleys tangent to the peripheries of the drive and driven pulleys 8 and 9. By providing an inlet opening for the discharge oil passage in this arrangement, the lubrication oil which is being thrown from the belt 10 is efficiently discharged through the inlet opening 41 directly to the outside of the chamber. This lubrication oil is then led through the discharge oil passage 76 to the oil pan 26.

Abstract: A conveyor chain using an oil impregnated sintered bushing is provided. The conveyor chain using the oil impregnated bushing is high in durability and low in manufacturing cost. A roller is rotatably fitted over the oil impregnated sintered bushing of the conveyor chain. An abrasion loss of the outer peripheral surface of the oil impregnated sintered bushing and an abrasion loss of the inner peripheral surface of the roller are reduced. Furthermore, both sliding noises and burning, which are normally generated between the roller and the oil impregnated sintered bushing, can be prevented. The conveyor chain, which uses an oil impregnated sintered bushing including a roller rotatably fitted over the oil impregnated sintered bushing, is characterized in that the oil impregnated sintered bushing has a sintering density in the range of from approximately 6.0 g/cm.sup.3 to 7.1 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: An elongated fluid applicator is used to manually apply a fluid such as a lubricant or a cleaning fluid to the belt and/or belt supporting surface of an exercise treadmill. The applicator is optionally included in a kit containing one or more desired fluids, and at least one treadmill belt tension adjusting device.

Abstract: In a belt type continuously variable transmission, the oil for the canceler oil chamber and the oil for lubricating the endless belt are commonly used to reduce the required amount of oil to be supplied. The gear shift control oil is supplied to the pulley oil chamber of the driven pulley mounted on the output shaft of the belt type continuously variable transmission through a feed pipe, oil holes of a plug, an oil groove, oil holes of the output shaft and oil holes of the movable pulley half. The lubricating oil supplied to a first in-shaft oil chamber of the output shaft is further supplied through the oil holes of the output shaft to the canceler oil chamber of the driven pulley and also from the first in-shaft oil chamber through a throttle in the plug, the second in-shaft oil chamber and the oil holes of the output shaft to the endless belt.

Abstract: A nose sprocket for a chain saw guide bar, where the bottom part of the teeth or the outermost part of the central region or both have indentations with softly inclined trailing edges, acting as hydrodynamical bearings to keep the sprocket centered between the side plates of the guide bar.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning a drive train of a bicycle, e.g., a mountain bike, that includes a novel stand, cleaning axle, tweezer brush, water nozzle, and gear cleaner used to clean the entire drive train of the bicycle or other cycle having a chain-driven drive train and a removable wheel that is driven by the chain. The stand has a base, an upright, and a pig tail hook having at least two surface portions that contact a seat post of the mountain bike, with the pig tail hook characterized in that gravity provides a retaining force for the pig tail hook to retain the seat post. The cleaning axle replaces the chain driven wheel and provides tension to the chain, allowing the chain to be cycled with the pedals and rapidly cleaned while the chain is cycled. The tweezer brush has two cleaning surfaces oppositely disposed to evenly grip the chain on opposite sides. The water nozzle has a wand to be inserted into cleaning ports in the cleaning axle to direct a cleaning fluid, e.g.

Abstract: A device for transmitting motion comprises a flexible elastomeric element and at least one rigid element in surface contact with one another, wherein the surface of said flexible elastomeric element that comes into surface contact with said rigid element has been surface treated with a halogenated polyether.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuously variable transmission, consisting of at least a transmission housing which accommodates a pulley/drive belt unit, a hydraulic circuit, in particular for the control and/or lubrication of the transmission, and a fluid reservoir. The transmission housing and/or the hydraulic circuit are provided with a way of promoting the flow of fluid to the bottom of the transmission housing from the rest of the transmission housing.

Abstract: A tensioner arm and a chain guide are constructed with an oil-escape portion, which is designed to allow for the drainage of oil that collects on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide. The oil escape portion is comprised of a through-hole on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide or through-holes in the side walls located on the back side of the tensioner arm or chain guide.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission belt and a method of making same are provided. The tensioner includes an arm that carries a belt engaging unit and is adapted to be pivotably mounted to a support unit. A mechanical first spring is operatively associated with the support unit and the arm for urging the arm, and hence the belt engaging unit, relative to the support unit and against the belt for tensioning same. A fluidic dampener is operatively associated with the support unit and the arm to dampen movement of the arm relative to the support unit. The dampener comprises a first plate fixed to the support unit, a second plate fixed to the arm for rotation therewith and relative to the first plate, a second spring urging the first and second plates against one another, friction material disposed between part of the facing surfaces of the first and second plates, and fluid disposed between the facing surfaces of the first and second plates.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 100) comprising: a driven gear (102) operatively linked to a spool of a retractor (20) to rotate the spool (24) in a direction of retraction to cause a seat belt (31) wound thereabout to retract; an arcuate tube (108) having a flat exit end (110) proximate the gear; a flexible chain link rack (130), movable within the tube, having a front end (134a) initially maintained out of engagement with the first driven means and pushed into engagement with the first driven means to cause same to rotate; a piston (140) for pushing the rack (130) into engagement with the gear thereby causing the gear to rotate and catching mechanism for retaining the rack after it has exited the exit end of the tube.

Abstract: A flowable lubricant is metered in pulses to a chain drive under the control of the computer programmed to respond to measurement of the chain drive speed so that, when the speed of the chain drive is below a threshold level above which centrifugal force can cause loss of lubricant, the lubricant can flow in pulses to the chain drive. When, however, the speed of the chain drive rises to the threshold value, the pulse dispenser is blocked and the supply of lubricant pulses is terminated. The lubricant pulses which are not supplied during the interval are stored. When pulse supply of lubrication is restored, the stored lubricant pulses are supplied.

Abstract: An integrated chain tensioner having a tensioner arm that includes a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end. The tensioner arm also includes a fluid reservoir defined by at least a portion of the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end. Further, a pivot bore is disposed in the first end and a tensioner bore is disposed in the first side of the tensioner arm. A hydraulic tensioner is disposed in the tensioner bore such that the hydraulic tensioner is in communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: Method for lubricating and/or cooling a transmission unit, in particular a transmission unit of the type which makes use of a continuously variable transmission (2) with pulleys (5-6) and an endless transmission element (7) provided in between, at least one hydraulic cylinder/piston unit (13) with a pressure chamber (15) which cooperates with the continuously variable transmission (2), and a pressure compensation chamber (23) cooperating with the above-mentioned pressure chamber (15), wherein at least part of the hydraulic medium coming out of the pressure compensation chamber (23) is guided back via a number of parts of the transmission unit (1) to be lubricated and/or cooled, so as to provide for the lubrication and/or cooling of these parts.

Abstract: A device for protecting bearings of idle pulleys in belt drives includes a cover 22 having a circumferential connecting portion 23 operatively engageable with a terminal edge 13a of a fastening collar 13 positioned on the pulley and housing the bearing 18 inside. Elastic tongues 26 projecting from the cover 22 are provided at their ends with corresponding hooking teeth 24 able to engage into corresponding through engaging openings 25 in a disc-shaped flange 14, which interconnects the fastening collar 13 with a cylindrical rolling portion 13 of the pulley. The tongues 26 are elastically deformable by virtue of centrifugal force so that the interference between the hooking teeth 24 and the interconnecting flange 14 is increased by increasing the rotation speed of the pulley 2.

Abstract: The tensioner includes a body (12) defining a blind cylindrical cavity (14) and a piston (20) slidably mounted in the cavity (14) and adapted to bias a pressure shoe (24) into contact with the endless connection element (26) so as to put the latter under tension. The inner end (18) of the cavity defines an orifice (28) for connection to a source of liquid under pressure and closable by a resilient blade (36) constituting a check valve.

Abstract: An electrically pumped oiler attachable to the frame of a conventional motorcycle is provided for discharging oil to a motorcycle drive chain, particularly while the motorcycle is in motion. The oiler has a conventional electrically operable pump mounted to or otherwise associated, preferably as a built-in inclusive unit, with a reservoir used for storage of oil. The pump is powered by the motorcycle battery or other power source, and is activated by an electrical switch, preferably mounted to one side of the handlebars of the motorcycle. The pump urges oil from the reservoir through a conduit for discharge of the oil, preferably as a widened spray or mist, toward the motorcycle drive chain, particularly at the point where the drive chain meets the drive sprocket on the rear axle of the motorcycle. The reservoir is easily refillable through a refill port by removing a sealing cap.

Abstract: A bicycle chain lubricating device includes a housing (10) with an elongated channel (17) extending therethrough, and a lubricant hole (16) extending between an exterior surface of the housing and the channel. A set of brushes (19) are mounted within the channel. The housing is separable into upper and lower housings (11, 12) along the channel for receiving a portion of a bicycle chain (30) therebetween. An anchoring hook (24) extending from the housing anchors it to the bicycle. In use, the chain is moved through the channel by cranking the pedals backwardly, and a lubricant (32) is introduced into the lubricant hole. As the chain is moved through the channel, the brushes distribute the lubricant along the chain. Because all the lubricant is efficiently directed at the chain, only a minimal amount of lubricant is needed. The housing confines the lubricant therein to keep the bicycle and the surrounding area clean.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and lubricating a bicycle chain while riding is provided. The apparatus includes a water reservoir, a lubricant reservoir and a device for transporting the lubricant and water to an injecting device for injecting said fluids onto the chain. Also provided is a device for enabling the water to be added to further cleansing agents in a dispenser before being gravitated to the injecting device. Similarly, a pump is provided for forcing a controlled quality of lubricant to the injecting device.

Abstract: The invention provides sealing members for a chain. A first pair of sealing members is provided for each end of a bushing. The sealing members of the first pair respectively surround the ends of the bushing and are housed between inner sidebar portions and the outer sidebar portions of the chain. A second pair of sealing members seals rollers surrounding the bushings.

Abstract: An elevator cable lubricating apparatus including a pair of spray pipes extending on opposite sides of a path of travel of elevator cables and being connected to a feed pipe supplying lubricant under pressure. Each of the spray pipes includes a separate nozzle directed toward an associated one of the elevator cables. The apparatus is releasably mounted on two spaced apart supports by pipe clips. The supports also rotatably retain a pair of distributing rollers extending beneath respective ones of the spray pipes. The rollers are slidable toward and away from the rollers in slots formed in the supports and include soft surfaces which embrace the elevator cables and distribute the lubricant sprayed from the nozzles over the entire circumference of the elevator cables. By utilizing only one of the spray pipes and rollers, any linearly moving or rotating machine parts can be lubricated.

Abstract: A lubricating and cleaning unit for chains and rails has a pair of parallel shanks of a shoe and a crosspiece receiving a U-shaped brush in a groove which distributes lubricant through bores in the shanks and crosspiece of the brush to respective bristle bundles. One or more automatic feeders can be connected to threaded openings of the lubricant-distribution bores opening along the sides of the body. The unused openings are closed by plugs.

Abstract: A feeder assembly for a combine including a conveyor having a plurality of laterally spaced driving chains entrained about and supported by a pair of for-and-aft spaced lateral supports. An elastomeric assembly is removably fitted about and is adapted for rotation with one of the supports to define a replaceable wear surface for the support while attenuating noise generated by the feeder assembly during operation thereof.

Abstract: Lubricant is applied to a lubrication point by moving an emitter in a first portion of a movement path through lubricant in a reservoir and then moving the emitter through a second portion of the movement path. The emitter is loaded with lubricant in the first portion of the movement path and is drained from a drain port during the second portion of the movement path. The lubricant drained from the emitter is distributed to the lubrication point. A distribution device may be positioned below the emitter to collect the lubricant drained from the emitter and to distribute the collected lubricant to a lubrication point or position other than a position below the emitter during the second portion of the movement path.

Abstract: An endless power transmission belt has an elastomeric body portion, load carrying members embedded in the body portion, and a power transmitting surface integral with the body portion. The elastomeric body portion further includes material to mitigate unstable frictional behavior of the body portion responsible for initiating self-excited vibration at the power-transmitting surface.

Abstract: An X-link conveyor chain (10) having a center link (12) assembled to side links (14) by a pin (16) having lubrication grooves (22). Lubrication grooves (22) extend from first and second T-head ends (38) and (40) of the pin (16) which facilitate lubrication of the central portion of the pin (16). Alternatively, lubrication grooves (50) may be provided in first and second ends (24) and (26) of the center link (12). Lubrication grooves (50) may be provided either directly or as a slot (62) formed in bushings (18) which are received in the first and second ends (24) and (26) of the center link (12). A bushing (18) disposed in first and second ends (24, 26) of a center link (12) provides a renewable X-link conveyor chain which may be repaired by replacing the bushings (18).

Abstract: A drive chain lubricant applicator comprising an elongated plastic housing having a central chain passageway, and two open ends for ingress and egress of a length of drive chain. The housing is openable with a living hinge so it may be placed around and closed over a drive chain. The interior of the housing is covered with flexible plastic bristles placed to oppose one another and to protrude or extend into the central chain passageway for distributing a lubricant over the drive chain. A flexible length-adjustable cord releasibly secures the lubricator stationary over the drive chain during the application of lubricant. The lubricant is dispensed through a hose from a spray can or squeeze tube and through a hose attachment fitting and distribution manifold on the top of the lubricator and into the interior to be applied to the chain by the plastic bristles as the chain is drawn through the applicator.

Abstract: An oil tensioner for applying a tensile force to chains, belts and similar wrapping type power transmitting mechanisms. The tensioner includes an oil reservoir for storing oil drawn from an engine block to a cylinder of a piston via a check valve, and returned to the reservoir via an orifice. The valve and orifice allow the piston to move more readily in one direction than in the other. A bell-shaped oil filter disposed adjacent to the bottom of the reservoir filters out chips and dust as well as controls the rate of oil outflow thereby preventing air from being drawn into the cylinder with the oil, and providing smooth oil flow and possible damage to the components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor chain for textile processing machines in which a lubricant supply is safeguarded at all times in the event of maximum mechanical stressing. The conveyor chain is connected to a center clip body 1 by a pin 2, the pin 2 being surrounded by a link bushing 11 which has a transverse bore 27 for the lubricant supply of an antifriction bearing 10 surrounding the link bushing by lubricant ducts 23, 25 being defined within the pin 2; and at least one side bar 13 is supported on the link bushing 11. The link bushing 11 is coupled to the side bar 13 in a manner to preclude rotation of the link bushing. Between a roller element 20 and the link bushing 11, an internal ring 19 is provided and staggered axially relative to the transverse bore 27, and the antifriction bearing is bounded in an axial direction by at least one cover plate 15.

Abstract: A center link for a rivetless chain has a reservoir and lubricator for holding and distributing lubricant to connector pins between adjacent center links and side bars. The reservoir and distributor are integrally formed with the central link to provide lubricant to the pins.

Abstract: A non-stage automatic transmission for vehicles includes a pair of adjustable pulleys supported for rotation within a transmission casing, and an endless metal belt which is wound around and frictionally engaged with the pulleys for rotation therewith. A mechanism for supplying lubricating oil between the belt and the pulleys is provided, along with an arrangement for directing lubricating oil, which has been scattered from the belt onto the transmission casing, back toward the belt.

Abstract: An improved chain comprising inner link plates, sintered oil-retaining bushings secured to the inner link plates, outer link plates, connecting pins secured to the outer link plates and the pins being rotatable within the bushings, the improvement comprising: the sintering density of the bushings being in the range of approximately 6.0 g/cm.sup.3 to 7.1 g/cm.sup.3 ; and, a roller rotatably supported on each bushing.

Abstract: The sealing of an inserting hole portion of a casing base portion side is performed by an elastic sealing member. In a tensioner in which a rotation body and urged body are provided within the casing in a screwed state and the urged body advances in an axial direction by the rotation of the rotation body by a spring force, the elastic sealing member includes a body portion closely adhered to an inner circumferential surface of an inserting hole formed in the casing and a guide portion closely adhered to the inner and the outer surfaces of the casing formed at opposite ends of the body portion and is inserted into the inserting hole, and further provided with a penetrated hole to insert a pushing jig thereinto.

Abstract: A flat belt drive is trained around spaced apart drive and idler rollers. The belt has an outer load bearing surface and an inner surface wetted to reduce friction on the inner surface where the load is applied. Drainage channels or grooves in the exterior surface of the drive and idler rollers function to remove liquid from between the rollers and the inner surface of the belt in order to maintain a high frictional coefficient therebetween. Alternatively, drainage openings are provided in the roller to convey the liquid away from the roller surface to the hollow interior thereof.

Abstract: A flat belt drive is trained around spaced apart drive and idler rollers. The belt has an outer load bearing surface and an inner surface wetted to reduce friction on the inner surface where the load is applied. Drainage channels or grooves in the exterior surface of the drive and idler rollers function to remove liquid from between the rollers and the inner surface of the belt in order to maintain a high frictional coefficient therebetween. Alternatively, drainage openings are provided in the roller to convey the liquid away from the roller surface to the hollow interior thereof.

Abstract: A rotating member such as a sprocket to be coupled with a shaft is formed with a fitting bore which extends on the center axis and opens at at least one of its axial end portions. The rotating member is arranged in and rotatably held by a case such that its fitting bore opens toward the outside of the case. The shaft is inserted into and coupled with the fitting bore held in the case such that it can rotate integrally with the rotating member. This rotating member is formed with an air communication portion for providing communication between the inside and outside of the fitting bore and equipped with a valve for opening or closing the air communication portion. The valve may be opened in response to the rise or drop in the internal pressure of a fitting bore, by the pressure of the shaft or by a centrifugal force. With the valve being closed, lubrication oil in the case is prevented from leaking.

Abstract: A split tube containing a lubricant is engaging a bicycle chain. The lubricator tube is carried by the chain during the initial chain operation until the tube end contacts a barrier surface on the chain drive mechanism. The barrier may be the pivoting idler arm, the derailer mechanism, or a portion of the bicycle frame. The device brings the lubricant in intimate contact with the chain allowing the use of semi-solid, liquid, and solid-solvent mixture of lubricants.

Abstract: A chain tensioning device includes a pair of spaced blocks having opposed surfaces configured for abutment with a chain. An elongated connecting bar extends between the blocks and through aligned apertures formed through each of the blocks. The blocks are independently adjustably secured along the length of the connecting bar by set screws. The opposed chain abutment surfaces are configured as mirror image rectangular channel tracks having a central projection. In use, the device is placed in engagement with an endless loop type sprocket driven chain and the blocks are adjustably positioned along the length of the connecting bar with the rectangular channel tracks in engagement with opposite sides of the endless chain loop. The device provides a simple and inexpensive mechanism for tensioning a chain in the absence of a supporting structure for mounting an additional idler sprocket.

Abstract: A power transmission mechanism (10) having a V-belt (11) provided with transverse reinforcing elements (22). The V-belt, in the illustrated embodiment, defines a cog belt wherein the reinforcing elements are disposed within the cogs (15) thereof to have opposite end surfaces (23) exposed at the side edge surfaces (21) of the belt. A thin film of lubricating fluid (27) is provided on the exposed end surfaces of the reinforcing elements for improved long troublefree operation of the mechanism. Different structures for providing the thin film of lubricating fluid are disclosed. In the illustrated embodiments, the thin film extends along the entire side edge surfaces of the V-belt.