Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8167108 | Clutch, continuously variable transmission, engine unit including them, and straddle-type vehicle including them A clutch includes a clutch inner and a clutch outer that houses the clutch inner and that transmits or interrupts torque between itself and the clutch inner. The clutch outer has a thick portion that has a larger thickness than the other portions of the clutch outer... | 05/01/2012 |
| 7438170 | Clutch release arrangement A clutch release arrangement (1) for a clutch release (pressure plate) (6) used in vehicles is provided. The clutch release arrangement (1) includes a control lever (2), which forms one unit together with a housing (3) and also a c... | 10/21/2008 |
| 7395910 | Clutch with adjustable pack clearance The present invention allows for the pack clearance of a clutch pack to be adjusted during the manufacturing process to the proper amount, even if there are variations in friction disc thickness and steel disc thickness. The present invention is an electromagnetic c... | 07/08/2008 |
| 7367440 | Variable engagement centrifugal clutch assembly A centrifugal clutch assembly includes a clutch cover attachable to a rotatable input member. Friction plates are clamped between pressure plates in response to rotation of the clutch assembly. Rotation of the clutch assembly causes at least one centrifugal weight t... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7350634 | Method for adjusting an incremental path measurement unit in an actuation device of a pressure-closed clutch as well as an actuation device Actuation devices are disclosed for a pressure-closed clutch where the position of an actuation member is acquired by an incremental sensor. In an embodiment of the actuation device, the signal of the incremental sensor is acquired in case of a sudden change in the ... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7328785 | Low electrostatic discharge conveyor A conveyor for transporting objects sensitive to electrostatic discharge. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a roller conveyor with conductive rollers in electrical communication with an electrical ground. The rollers preferably have about 105 ... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7325662 | Dry friction launch clutch for an automatic transmission and method A powertrain for a vehicle includes a dry friction clutch connected between an engine output member and a transmission input member. The dry friction clutch is selectively engagable to transfer torque from the engine output member to the transmission input member to... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7311183 | Adjustable clutch brake and method of use thereof A clutch brake device comprising two concentric ring-shaped plate sections, threadably and adjustably secured together via four screws. The screws pass through the periphery of the exterior plate and extend into depressions on the interior plate. The interior plate ... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7306085 | Clutch device for motorcycle A clutch device for a motorcycle includes a body, at least two centrifugal weights pivotably mounted on a side of the body, and at least two springs. Each centrifugal weight includes a through-hole extending from an inner side thereof through the outer periphery fac... | 12/11/2007 |
| 7306084 | Dynamic modification of centrifugal clutch A centrifugal clutch assembly includes movable centrifugal weight reaction surfaces that provide for actuation at varying rotational speeds. A radially movable front plate with a ramped surface changes the radial position at which the centrifugal weight begins movin... | 12/11/2007 |
| 7275630 | Flexible coupling with misalignment compensation A flexible coupling assembly interconnects an output shaft and an input shaft. The flexible coupling assembly includes a first hub operatively coupled to the input shaft for rotation therewith. A second hub is operatively coupled to the output shaft for rotation the... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7163092 | Clutch linkage with vibration isolation and damping Attenuation of transmission of noise along a clutch linkage for a manual transmission clutch is achieved by providing a segmented linkage. A clutch pedal side segment has a substantially greater mass than does the clutch lever side segment. Bi-directional force betw... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7118502 | Drive arrangement A scooter drive arrangement which includes a first shaft, with a one-way bearing and a clutch, which is connected to a driven wheel, and a second shaft, which is rotated by an engine, through a centrifugal clutch, which has two fixed pulleys which respectively drive... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7100464 | Splined connection A splined connection comprises a shaft with longitudinal radially outwardly protruding ridges and intermediate grooves, a hub provided with correspondingly shaped ridges and intermediate grooves and is adapted to being fitted in engagement with the shaft ridges and ... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7070527 | Ventilated clutch assembly with reduced-slip sheave surfaces The invention provides an apparatus and method for cooling a V-belt in a clutch assembly of a CVT. As previously mentioned, the CVT is comprised of a drive clutch assembly, a driven clutch assembly, and an endless V-belt disposed about the drive and driven clutch as... | 07/04/2006 |
| 7070033 | Flexible coupling with misalignment compensation A flexible coupling assembly interconnects an output shaft and an input shaft. The flexible coupling assembly includes a first hub operatively coupled to the input shaft for rotation therewith. A second hub is operatively coupled to the output shaft for rotation the... | 07/04/2006 |
| 7044872 | Methods and apparatus for providing reverse drive in a recreational vehicle A vehicle with a continuously variable transmission (continuously variable transmission) includes a torque responsive clutch having a cam and at least one coupling. The cam has a plurality of projecting surfaces, and a plurality of slots being defined between the pr... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7044280 | Method for adapting the clutch characteristics in a twin-clutch system The invention relates to a method for adapting the clutch characteristics in a twin-clutch system (PSG) which comprises in a first train a first clutch (A) and a first partial transmission (iA) mounted downstream thereof, and in a second train a second clutch (B) an... | 05/16/2006 |
| 6988603 | Disc-packet unit that can be mounted and method for mounting the same A disk-packet unit comprising a pre-tensioned disk packet for mounting on guide elements in a transmission component. The packet comprises at least two adjacent elements that form frictional surfaces, which can be intercoupled in a frictional engagement by means of ... | 01/24/2006 |
| 6938508 | Ventilated clutch having exhaust hub The invention provides for cooling an endless belt in a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT is comprised of a drive clutch, a driven clutch, and an endless belt disposed about the drive and driven clutches. Both the drive and driven clutches include an... | 09/06/2005 |
| 6905007 | Drive power transmission comprising electromagnetic clutch In a power transfer device composed of a bottomed cylindrical housing 20a rotatably mounted on an inner shaft 20b and a main friction clutch 20c and a pilot friction clutch 30a coaxially assembled within a cyli... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6896113 | Manually operated tool A manually guided implement is provided and has an internal combustion engine and a power take-off housing to which the engine is secured. A centrifugal clutch is provided for achieving a positive connection, as a function of engine speed, between a drive part, whic... | 05/24/2005 |
| 6880689 | Pulley apparatus with built-in roller clutch and assembly method thereof Excellent durability and reliability are provided and assembling work is made easy. The clutch retainer 28a of the roller clutch 10a is prevented from being displaced in the axial direction. It is prevented that part of the clutch ... | 04/19/2005 |
| 6814207 | Friction clutch assembly for an automotive vehicle powertrain A friction clutch assembly that is adapted particularly for use in a powertrain for a vehicle for controlling transfer torque to traction wheels for the vehicle. The torque capacity of the clutch assembly is modified by adjusting the effective clutch engaging force.... | 11/09/2004 |
| 6745883 | Electric power tool In an electric power tool having a clutch ring for adjusting a fastening torque, an outer member 3 which are lower in hardness than a base member 2 of the clutch ring 1 has a plurality of projections discontinuously arranged on the outer periphe... | 06/08/2004 |
| 6725991 | Driving device and fixing device A driving device, which can maintain a sufficient rated torque of the non-magnetization type electromagnetic clutch, comprises a driving motor and a driving gear. The driving motor and the driving gear are connected by a non-magnetization type electromagnetic clutch... | 04/27/2004 |
| 6708809 | Clutch shaft stress relief An improved clutch drum and input shaft assembly or intermediate shaft for the transfer of torsional force in a vehicle transmission having a fillet or concave groove structure and a hardened steel shaft. The improved clutch drum and input shaft has additional mater... | 03/23/2004 |
| 6655518 | Housing arrangement for a pressure plate assembly, pressure plate assembly for a friction clutch On a housing for a pressure plate assembly of a friction clutch, at least one mass part is provided, especially a motion stop for a clearance-producing arrangement of the pressure plate assembly provided for detecting wear. An imbalance-compensating forma... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6536574 | Adjustable centrifugal clutch A kinematically simple centrifugal clutch to minimize frictional induced hysteresis. The centrifugal clutch includes a rotatable output driven member, two drive plates, and at least one clutch disc disposed adjacent to the drive plates. A drive hub is ada... | 03/25/2003 |
| 6533093 | Torque adjusting device for a drill A torque adjusting device of an electric drill includes an annular member with notches in an end and grooves in an outer periphery thereof. A driving part connected to an output shaft is received in the annular member and operationally connected to the mo... | 03/18/2003 |
| 6478129 | Centrifugal clutch A centrifugal clutch comprises centrifugal masses (3) pivoted on a first surface (2a) of a first support disk (2) having an axis of rotation (X); each mass (4) is provided with a friction pad (8) which, during rotation, by effect of the centrifugal force,... | 11/12/2002 |
| 6478132 | Output shaft of automatic transmission An output shaft of an automatic transmission is constituted by a first output shaft outputting a driving force from a gear train of an automatic transmission and a second output shaft connected to the first output shaft so as to be movable in an axial dir... | 11/12/2002 |
| 6409003 | Clutch control apparatus A clutch control apparatus includes a clutch disk, which is engaged with a flywheel, by means of a diaphragm spring; a release mechanism (including a rod and an electric motor) for pressing a central portion of the diaphragm spring; and a clutch control c... | 06/25/2002 |
| 6354419 | Clutch mechanism with wear take-up device comprising balancing means The invention concerns a clutch mechanism, in particular for motor vehicle, comprising a cover (2), a pressure plate (1), support means (3) borne by the pressure plate (1), clutching means (4, 41), and a wear take-up device (30, 200) comprising a box (30)... | 03/12/2002 |
| 6311818 | Dual position clutch release fork A clutch fork assembly for use with a motor vehicle clutch includes a shaft and a fork. The shaft has an axis of fork rotation at a first location. The fork has a pair of tines and a lever arm. Each tine has a first bearing engagement point at a first bea... | 11/06/2001 |
| 6286651 | Clutch adjusting ring The externally threaded surface of a clutch adjusting ring is provided with circumferentially spaced friction-enhancing plugs, preferably formed of nylon. The plugs are friction fit into bores located between the first and last threads of the externally t... | 09/11/2001 |
| 6151766 | Method for pre-setting a self-adjusting friction torque device A method and apparatus for pre-adjusting, prior to engagement of an engine and a transmission, a self-adjusting clutch such as a self-adjusting clutch manufactured by Dana Corporation's Spicer Clutch Division of Auburn, Indiana, known as the Spicer Solo, ... | 11/28/2000 |
| 6102183 | Motorcycle clutch and clutch release A hydraulic motorcycle clutch system includes a master cylinder, and a slave cylinder. The slave cylinder operates as a clutch release mechanism to disengage a clutch in response to the master cylinder. The clutch release provides a pulling force on the c... | 08/15/2000 |
| 6039163 | Clutch friction disc balancing method A method of balancing a clutch disc using one or more balancing weights inserted into balancing voids formed in the clutch disc carrier plate which are trapped between the friction facings. A first method involves determining the imbalance of the complete... | 03/21/2000 |
| 5967286 | Adjustable driven clutch An adjustment mechanism for use with a driven clutch of continuously variable transmission has an adjustor ring that receives a first end of a spring. A follower plate be carried by one of the pulley halves has a surface to interact with the other pulley ... | 10/19/1999 |
