Abstract: In a gear drive for drivingly connecting two rotatable shafts the transmitted power and torque is split between two parallel paths to reduce the size and required power handling capacity of the gears and other components. The power and torque is divided between the two paths by an axially shiftable torque distributing member carrying two gears each meshing with a respective one of two other gears each comprising part of a respective one of the two parallel power paths. The torque distributing member is rotatably supported relative to the frame or casing of the drive by a bearing surrounding and engaging the member itself. This accurately locates and fixes the axis of rotation of the member and reduces the bearing requirements for its associated shaft.

Abstract: A torque transmitting mechanism has an elastomeric drive mechanism in series with a friction drive mechanism. The elastomeric drive mechanism permits angular excursion between the frictional drive input and the drive mechanism output. To provide this relative motion, an elastomeric belt circumscribes a plurality of cam members which are formed on respective gear members. The gear members are rotatably mounted on the friction drive mechanism and mesh with a gear spline formed in the output member of the drive mechanism. When the torque transmission level is increased, the gears rotate so that the cam members also rotate resulting in an increase in the length of the elastomeric belt thereby increasing the tension therein while permitting the angular excursion between the input and output and simultaneously damping transient torsional vibration.

Abstract: A torque converter clutch and vibration damper has a selectively engageable pressure plate with an internally toothed gear secured thereto. A plurality of pinion gear members are rotatably mounted on an output hub and mesh with the internally toothed gear. Each pinion gear has one end of a link member pivotally mounted thereon. The other end of each link member is connected to a pin which is guided in a radial slot and operatively connected with an elastomeric belt member. Relative angular excursion between the pressure plate and the output hub, caused by torque transmission, results in relative motion between the meshing gears so that the pin connected to each link member is moved radially outward in the slots formed in the output hub. The pin movement causes a change in the length of the elastomeric belt operatively connected therewith so that a change in the torque capacity of the vibration damper occurs.

Abstract: A power transmission unit for automotive vehicles includes a change-speed mechanism, a final drive gearing and a differential gear unit assembled within a casing, the change-speed mechanism having an input shaft drivingly connected to an engine by a friction clutch assembly, and the final drive gearing connected to an output shaft of the change-speed mechanism to drive the differential gear unit. The input shaft is in the form of a torsion bar to reduce torsional rigidity of the drive power train, and a friction member is provided to restrain twisting vibration of the input shaft.

Abstract: A toothed transmission chain or belt is described for use in coupling spaced sprockets or gears. The chain is formed of molded polyurethane or other plastic having sprocket engaging teeth molded onto a supporting unitary molded backing. The molded portion is reinforced by one or more metal cables which are embedded in the molded plastic portion. An improved engagement with the sprockets is provided for by providing lateral slots in the chain teeth thereby giving them variable width. Additionally, the chain may be furnished or originally formed in indeterminate lengths and then fashioned into an endless chain by exposing and splicing together the ends of the steel reinforcing cables.

Abstract: A fuel pump register cost counter having a transfer mechanism permitting count transfers at a substantially reduced torque through the use of a torsion spring drive of the transfer ring of the units wheel and the use of transfer pinions between the counter wheels having transfer gear sections with alternating involute gear teeth and non-involute resilient gear teeth providing for relatively gradually accelerating and decelerating the transfer pinion at the beginning and end of the transfer interval.

Abstract: A mechanical drive system for providing a maximum limit on the magnitude of unidirectional output motion in response to reciprocating input motion, including: an output member moveable in a first direction; a unidirectional drive for driving said output member in said first direction; limiter chain for limiting the motion of the unidirectional drive in the first direction to define a limit position; and an override drive mechanism responsive to the reciprocating input motion occurring in one direction to move the unidirectional drive to a rest position and to the reciprocating input motion occurring in the opposite direction to move the unidirectional drive in the first direction from the rest position no further than the limit position, irrespective of the extent of the reciprocating input motion to the override drive mechanism; and a periodically actuated fluid dispenser unit utilizing such a drive mechanism.

Abstract: A fuel pump register cost counter having a transfer pinion permitting count transfers from the units to the tens counter wheel at a substantially predetermined maximum torque through a torsion spring connection between input and output gear sections of the transfer pinion and which prevents transfer overtravel and oscillation and provides for accurately locating the tens counter wheel.

Abstract: A mechanism for translating rotation motion to linear motion utilizing a turret rotatable about a first axis carrying a crank shaft rotatable about a second axis parallel to but offset from the turret axis and carrying a crank arm which in turn carries a drive element having a third axis parallel to but offset from the first and second axes, the drive element contacting and driving a driven element guided for movement along a generally linear path upon the rotation of the turret between first and second generally diametrically opposite positions relative to the arc of rotation of the turret, a pair of cooperative abutment members for absorbing the momentum of a load driven by the driven element, one of the abutment members being carried by the turret and gearing meshingly interconnecting another of the abutment members and the crank shaft, the one abutment member being effective to contact and move the other abutment member upon the driving element moving contiguous the first and second positions, and a sprin

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear assembly comprising an output member to effect steering, a manually rotatable input shaft and a variable ratio steering mechanism interposed between the input shaft and the output member with the steering mechanism comprising a rack connected to the output member, a pinion meshing with the rack connected to the input shaft and rotatable to cause longitudinal movement of the rack. The pinion is slidable axially along its axis of rotation upon the application of torque thereto and biasing means controls the axial displacement to thereby vary the effective mechanical ratio between the rack and pinion.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a rotary drum having a toothed ring which is disposed on the outer periphery thereof with a clearance in relation to the drum and which meshes with a drive pinion, the toothed ring is secured to a cylindrical support arranged concentrically to and with a clearance from the drum, and mutually spaced circumferential portions of the cylindrical support are respectively secured to the drum and to the toothed ring, the support being elastically flexible whereby the toothed ring is able to move radially of the drum with flexure of the support. The toothed ring is held in mesh with the drive pinion by guide and support elements which are disposed at the same radial distance from the drive pinion axis but which are angularly spaced about the axis and bear on an inner peripheral surface of the toothed ring.

Abstract: A precision driving apparatus of the type comprising a pinion and a rack in mesh with the pinion is improved to assure always a good engagement between the pinion and the rack throughout the length of the rack. The rack is formed by monoblock molding of synthetic resin material so as to comprise, as the integral parts thereof, a tooth part, a base part, a connection part and a distance limitation part. The connection part elastically connects the tooth part and base part at both ends thereof in such manner that the tooth part may be displaced only in the direction normal to the direction in which the rack is moved, without any deformation of the tooth part itself.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a torque converter clutch has a plurality of elastomeric members disposed in drive relation between a clutch input member and a clutch output member. One end of the elastomeric members is pivotally connected to the clutch input and the other end of the elastomeric members is operatively connected to the output member through a cam surface. The elastomeric members, while transmitting torque, permit relative angular motion between the input and output members of the clutch to reduce the torsional vibrations imposed on the input member by an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a torque converter clutch has elastomeric bands disposed to transmit torque between the clutch input member and the clutch output member while simultaneously permitting relative angular movement between the members to reduce the torsional vibration imposed on the input member. The elastomeric bands are connected to a clutch pressure plate and a gear member which is rotatably mounted on the pressure plate and meshes with a gear drivingly formed on the output member. The input member and output member undergo angular excursions relative to each other during torque transmission such that the gear member rotatably mounted on the pressure plate rotates due to its meshing engagement to increase the stress in the elastomeric band to a value commensurate with the torque transmitting level of the clutch. The torque input to the clutch is thus transmitted through the elastomeric band and the meshing gears to the clutch output member.

Abstract: A tilting drive arrangement for a converter has a spur gear wheel fastened to a tilting trunnion of the converter and engaging with at least two pinions driven by a common motor. At least one shaft is provided for a common rotation of the pinions. The pinions are mounted in a carrying gear casing that is overmounted on the trunnion in a position outside the horizontal plane extending through the tilting axis of the converter. A torsionally elastic shaft between the pinions or a pivotally mounted reduction gear on each pinion are provided to produce a uniform torque distribution to the pinions.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving newly formed glass containers from a cooling dead plate to a moving machine conveyor in which the ware is engagedf by a finger, with the finger being generally horizontal and engageable with the container at a point on its sidewall which best suits the moving of the container by a sliding motion. The finger, or fingers in the case of plural containers being simultaneously moved, is moved through an arc approximately 90.degree. with respect to its vertical axis, moving the containers from the dead plate to the conveyor and then the finger is retracted out of contact with the containers on the conveyor. The cylinder for extending and retracting the fingers is mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft, the shaft being oscillated through approximately 90.degree.. In the drive mechanism for the shaft, a sprocket-carrying housing surrounding the shaft is provided with an internally contained, flat spiral spring which connnects the housing to a coaxially positioned sleeve.

Abstract: A transmission by gears with divided gear trains which comprises for N gear trains 2N gears connected in pairs by torsion shafts which distribute evenly the power to be transmitted, due to a predetermined rigidity.In the case of two gear trains, the rigidity of the torsion shafts is in the inverse proportion of the squares of their rotation speed.

Abstract: A tubular parison heating oven having a conveyor passing therethrough with parison holders rotatably mounted thereon for supporting the parisons in a vertical position. A toothed wheel is fixed to each parison holder for rotation therewith and a multiplicity of coil springs are vertically oriented and aligned adjacent the path of movement of the conveyor so as to engage the toothed wheel as the conveyor passes through the oven to cause rotation of the parison holders.

Abstract: The principal disadvantage of conformal gearing is its acute sensitivity to center-distance error. An improved type of all-addendum conformal gearing is disclosed in which the concave tooth is much more flexible than the convex tooth, so that if the gears are mounted at too great a center-distance, the tendency of the tooth load to be exerted on the tip of the concave tooth is offset by tooth flexure which shifts the arc center of the concave profile a considerable distance toward the axis of the gear with convex teeth. This increases the pressure angle sufficiently to prevent overloading of the tip of the concave tooth.

Abstract: A driven mechanism for a rotatory heat regenerator, in which a shock absorbing member is fitted around the outer peripheral surface of a discoidal rotatory regenerator having a honeycomb structure. A metal ring having teeth is set around the outer periphery of the shock absorbing member and held in position thereby. The ring is driven by at least one driving gear connected with a prime mover and transfers torque to the rotatory regenerator. Torque fluctuations on the driving gear are moderated by the elastic deformation of the ring and the shock absorbing member. Any difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the ring and the regenerator is compensated by the shock absorbing member.

Abstract: A gear generally made of plastics for use in such precision devices as timepieces and the like and having improved gear teeth with reduced contacting noises is provided. Each tooth includes means for yielding an elastic deformation of the tooth so that, upon applications of fluctuated load thereto, the fluctuation of load will be cancelled by the elastic deformation of the tooth, whereby a remarkably quiet contacting movement with opposing gear can be achieved.

Abstract: A variable rate frictional drive coupling is provided between a drive shaft and a driven member. The drive coupling will dampen torsional vibrations from the drive shaft and will transmit driving torque from said shaft to the driven member. The coupling comprises a cam and leaf springs positioned in such a way that as the shaft deflection increases, the load increases and the moment arm point of contact between the cam and the leaf springs changes such that no natural frequency is produced. The frictional forces between the leaves of the leaf spring change inversely to the spring force required to drive the driven member.

Abstract: A joint is provided for a gear which has a hub and a peripheral toothed portion. The toothed portion is positioned about the hub for mating an associated gear and rotates in a preselected plane. The joint connects the hub and toothed portion of the gear and absorbs motion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gear tooth alignment by accommodation in more than one stage gear cluster assembly. This arrangement essentially isolates the mass of one gear member in a cluster assembly from that of the other and makes the effective mass at the gear mesh to be equal to or less than that of a gear on either end of the gear shaft with respect to its connected masses. This permits a design for extremely high power ratio for a gear train by isolating inertias of the elements and reducing dynamic loads and forming a torsionally soft shaft to allow alignment of the gear teeth by accommodation by allowing the unbalanced load in between the gears to enable the gears to mesh together.

Abstract: Multiple pinion concentric drive with a gear of large diameter fixed on a driven shaft having disposed before each drive pinion and connected thereto a rotatable drive gearing unit which in turn is connected with a distributor gearing for driving the rotatable drive gearing unit, which latter has an outer concentric wheel pivoting on its bearing support and its reaction moment acting against an elastic member such as a hydraulic piston cylinder unit. The elastic support of the reaction moments of outer concentric wheels has among other advantages, the advantage that no reaction moments of different magnitude can occur and thus all transmitted power components in the individual power branches driving each drive pinion are of equal magnitude.

Abstract: A rotary assembly which has an inner shaft and an outer hollow cylinder coaxially surrounding and freely rotatable with respect to the inner shaft. A drive shaft is coaxial with the inner shaft and is freely rotatable with respect thereto, this drive shaft carrying an inner gear which rotates with the drive shaft. An intermediate gear meshes with the inner gear, and this intermediate gear is mounted directly on the inner shaft for free rotation with respect thereto. A circumferential gear transmission which is coaxial with the inner shaft and the outer cylinder meshes with the intermediate gear and is operatively connected with the cylinder to transmit rotation thereto from the intermediate gear which is driven by way of the inner gear from the rotary drive shaft.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is provided for biasing a driven gear in a gear train of the variable center distance type in which the driven gear is meshed with a drive gear and rotates about an axis which is not fixed, at least radially, relative to the axis of the drive gear. The biasing mechanism includes spring means engaged with the driven gear for biasing the same substantially radially toward the driven gear into mesh therewith at a force which provides appropriate relatively low-level engagement forces between the meshed gear teeth. A stop is provided for limiting deflection of the spring means in a direction corresponding to unmeshing of the drive and driven gears. The stop is positioned to limit such deflection of the spring means to an amount less than the deflection required for unmeshing of the gears.

Abstract: In a globoid worm type compressor or expander comprising a casing, a globoid worm rotor in the casing and pinions meshing with the worm rotor, provision is made to effect sealing between the thread of the worm and each tooth of the pinions. The arrangement is such that the pinion is mounted on its shaft with the intermediary of a resilient member so that each tooth may be slightly displaced in both circumferential and diametric directions whereby to adapt itself to the thread of the worm to provide gas-tight seal between the tooth and the thread of the worm.

Abstract: A flexible, cantilevered, gear wheel support, comprising a flexible pin mounted at one end in a rotating carrier and carrying at the other end a gear wheel the axis of which, when the pin flexes, remains parallel to the position of this axis in the pin unflexed condition; the pin between its mounting on the carrier and its part that carries the gear wheel presenting a greater resistance to bending in planes radial of the rotational path of the carrier than it presents to bending in planes tangential to this path.

Abstract: A flexible, cantilevered, gear wheel support, comprising a flexible spindle united at one end with a carrier and at the other end with a gear wheel support sleeve by means of welds effected by electron beam welding.

Abstract: A variable speed drive consisting of a control gear train made up of a central gear which is eccentrically adjustable, an intermeshing walking gear and an overrunning gear form a speed control gear train with the gears connected together by a linkage which includes a hinge connection between the gears. The speed control gear train develops an output speed for the overrunning gear which is a direct function of the degree of the eccentricity of the central gear. The overrunning gear is operatively connected through a second gear train to an output. By controlling the eccentric position of the central gear it is possible, while the gears are running, to control the output speed by simply regulating the eccentric position of the nonrotatable central gear of the speed control gear train.

Abstract: A thin walled metal tubular spacer disposable in use in a compressed state between a pair of spaced pinion shaft bearings in a final drive unit to preload the pinion bearings. The tubular spacer is generally cylindrical and has a circumferential bulged portion to facilitate longitudinal compression of the tubular spacer, and has a cylindrical portion having at least one elongated opening therethrough. The elongated opening is oriented with its major dimension extending in the longitudinal dimension of the tubular spacer and facilitates torsional deformation of the cylindrical portion having at least one elongated opening therethrough.

Abstract: An oven for heating tubular parisons has a conveyor passing therethrough with parison holders rotatably mounted thereon for vertically supporting the parisons. To assure uniform heating of the parisons around their circumferences, the parison holders are rotated about their axes. For this purpose teeth projecting out from the parison holders engage a group of stiff brush-like bristles, arranged either as tufts or as a continuous stand thereof, fixedly arranged alongside the conveyor path at a distance therefrom to be engaged by the said teeth.

Abstract: A gear wheel support of composite construction and comprising a gear wheel support sleeve with an internal abutment pillar secured in abutting relationship with an abutment pillar protruding from a face of a carrier, these pillars together comprising a flexible spindle co-axial with the sleeve with an annular clearance between this spindle and the sleeve.

Abstract: A driving and a driven spur gear, lying in a common plane, are operatively coupled with each other through the intermediary of an idler gear in mesh therewith, the idler gear being radially shiftable against a resilient force in the common plane of rotation. The tangent to any tooth flank of both the driving and the driven gear at its point of contact with a tooth of the idler gear includes a pressure angle .alpha. with the common diameter of the meshing gears; the angle .delta. between the two common diameters should be so chosen that the two tangents are substantially perpendicular to each other, with .delta. - 2.alpha. = 90.degree. for rotation in one direction and .delta. +2.alpha. =90.degree. for rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An improved rotor and gear assembly for rotary mechanisms of the trochoidal type, in which a rotor having a central bore is mounted for rotation on a shaft, and an internally toothed ring gear is secured to a side face of the rotor for engagement with a stationary gear to maintain phasing between the rotor and its trochoidal housing during the planetary and rotary motion of the gear within the housing. The ring gear is mounted on the rotor by resilient tubular pins circumferentially disposed, the pins being angularly slanted with respect to the rotor axis in such a manner as to maintain concentricity of the rotor and gear while permitting differences in thermal expansion therebetween, restraining the gear from axial displacement, and providing resilience for intermittent circumferential shock loading of the gear without imposing undue stresses or causing distortion of the gear or the rotor.