Tecumseh Products Company

Other

Unipat Ag

Dale I Havens

Roland L Von Kaler

George Duncan Arnold

Christian Helmut Thoma

Norman E Jolliff

Michael R Atkinson

Michael P Weirich

Jerry D Havens

An indexing system for signs consisting of a plurality of indicia bearing vane faces wherein the vane faces are sequentially exposed to view in the manner of a 'wave', such sequential revealing of the sign vane faces generating interest in the sign's message. Each sign vane is rotated by a transmission and the transmissions are interconnected in such a manner as to sequentially operate the vanes to produce the 'wave' action and detents associated with each transmission lock the sign vane in the desired position.

Indexing system for changeable signs

A transmission system for louver type signs wherein the signs consist of a plurality of multiple faced louvers having indicia defined thereon and the side-by-side relationship of the louvers permits pre-selected faces to define a completed image. The adjacent transmissions are operated by a constantly rotating drive shaft and the louvers may be simultaneously rotated or may sequentially operate in a delayed manner wherein the indicia on the louvers is progressively revealed in a 'wave' manner. The drive shafts of adjacent transmissions are interconnected and a plurality of transmissions are operated by a single constantly operating motor drive source, and in the disclosed embodiment, a complete rotation of the transmission's drive shaft produces one-third of a rotation of the output shafts operating the louvers. A positive detent lock operated by a cam formed on the drive shaft gear produces a positive locking of the output shaft and the position of the louver, and the detent is automatically engaged and released in the proper sequence by the cam.

Wave motion sign transmission

A transmission system for louver type signs wherein the signs consist of a plurality of multiple faced louvers having indicia defined thereon and the side-by-side relationship of the louvers permits pre-selected faces to define a completed image and simultaneous partial rotation of the louvers presents a new visible image, and wherein, each louver is operated by a separate 'T' drive bevel gear transmission having an output shaft upon which a louver is mounted operatively connected to a drive shaft perpendicularly related to the output shaft. The drive shafts of adjacent transmissions are interconnected and a plurality of transmissions are simultaneously operated by a single motor drive source. The cost of the transmissions is significantly reduced by the use of a unique bearing support system for the drive and output shafts eliminating the need for separate bearings in that the material of the transmission casing constitutes the shafts' bearing surfaces.

Louver sign transmission system

A self adjusting support for anti-friction bearings wherein one half of the circumference of the outer race of the bearing is accurately positioned by a semi-cylindrical recess formed in a bearing support half having a diameter equal to that of the bearing outer race, and the other half of the bearing support comprises a retainer having a semi-cylindrical configuration recess of a larger diameter than the outer race and a deformable wall wherein upon using tension members to draw the bearing support half and retainer toward each other the retainer wall will deform and cause the recess to conform to the diameter of the bearing outer race to accurately maintain the anti-friction bearing within the bearing support permitting the bearing to be firmly held in position without auxiliary cages, bushings or split rings even though significant tolerances may exist between the bearing support and bearing outer race.

Self-adjusting bearing support

An apparatus for balancing and supporting various loads exerted on the pump cylinder block and associated bevel gear in a radial piston type hydraulic transmission for assuring concentric rotation about the pintle during operation. A hydraulic pressure pad, acting as a hydraulic piston, is located on the outer surface of the pintle at least partially underneath the pump cylinder block hub portion for counteracting the loads exerted against the pump cylinder block and associated bevel gear. A groove circumferentially disposed in the outer surface of the pintle supplies oil to the pressure pad from a bore disposed in the groove and in communication with the high pressure passage of the pintle. The pressure pad is preferably disposed 90.degree. from the input shaft and associated input bevel gear. Additional grooving on the outside circumferential surface of the pintle provides lubrication between the rotating cylinder blocks of the pump and motor, and the pintle.

Bevel gear load balance in a hydrostatic transmission

A method of charging a hydrostatic transmission with deaerated transmission oil wherein a hollow-bodied bellows attached to a housing plate for placement within the hydrostatic transmission housing, and a bleed plug for a bleed hole are removed, and the deaerated oil is caused to fill the transmission housing. Once the transmission has been completely charged such that the oil is at the bleed hole level, the hollow-bodied bellows attached to the housing plate is then secured to the hydrostatic transmission housing causing excess oil and air initially trapped within the hydrostatic transmission housing, to be purged through the bleed hole, while the transmission bleed hole plug is then secured into the transmission bleed hole.

Method of charging a hydrostatic transmission with oil

A fluid pressure independent, mechanically controlled dampener for a hydrostatic transmission pump track ring is shown. In one embodiment, two opposing wedge-shaped blocks are biased against each other by a spring-loaded bolt. A pad, axially adjacent the track ring on one side and axially adjacent and held together with one block by a Z-bracket on the other side, is biased against the track ring by pressure exerted through the spring-loaded bolt and wedging action of the opposing wedges. In another embodiment, a spring-loaded piston disposed within a spring housing, exerts pressure against a first pad axially adjacent the track ring to hold the track ring against another pad axially adjacent and opposite the first pad.

Hydrostatic track ring snubber

A valve mechanism for a hydrostatic transmission having a variable displacement pump and a motor in fluid communication with each other via a closed-loop fluid system. The valve mechanism provides pressure relief and a wide neutral feature within a predetermined range of movement about a zero displacement or neutral position of the pump. The valve mechanism is variably controlled by and in coordination with the movement of the displacement pump control mechanism from a fully open position through a fully closed position, such that as the pump is shifted into and out of neutral from both a forward and reverse displacement position, the valve mechanism is moved therewith. The valve mechanism constitutes a ring surrounding the conduit and is responsive to the pump control mechanism so as to move concentrically therewith. The ring valve includes bores selectively communicating with respective bores in the fluid system such that the fluid system is in selective communication with a cavity formed in the housing. The bores provide a metered leak path from the fluid system within 3.degree. of neutral in either the forward or reverse displacement positions upon actuation of the pump control mechanism into the same displacement position so as to reduce the pressure within the fluid system during engagement of the transmission. Movement beyond 3.degree. completely closes the valve such that full pressure may be developed within the fluid system.

Conduit valve providing wide neutral in a hydrostatic transmission

The present invention is a brake lever arrangement for a small transmission. The brake mechanism is actuated by the rotational movement of the brake lever which causes friction pucks to move into the brake disc. A spring coupled to the brake lever biases the brake lever in a non-braking position and aligns the brake lever with its plane of rotation to prevent dragging of the friction pucks on the brake disc. Also, a bracket may be provided which has an elongated slot for receiving the upper portion of the brake lever. The bracket aligns the brake lever and guides the movement of the brake lever along one direction.

Brake lever arrangement

A hydrostatic transmission includes a fan and pulley, attached to the input drive shaft, the fan and pulley being connected by a coupling device and including aligned air flow holes for drawing the air into the fan. The fan has several types of blades for directing the inflowing air downwardly and outwardly and in cooperation with radially curved fins cast in the transmission casing directly below the fan such that the helical air flow pattern developed by the fan and pulley is helically drawn over the transmission to effect efficient cooling thereof with fresh cool air.

Hydrostatic transaxle having a fan and pulley arrangement

A hydrostatic transaxle has a hydrostatic transmission, including a pump in fluid communication with a motor, the pump including a track ring for eccentrically varying radially displaceable pistons. A control mechanism for the pump is disposed adjacent to the axle assembly on the inboard side of the transmission. The pump track ring pivots about a pin disposed through one end of the pump track ring so as to be eccentrically adjustable about the pintle. The pin is located on the outboard side of the transmission or remote from the axle assembly, and is clampingly held between the portions of the transmission housing having casing bolts extending on either end therethrough.

Control mechanism for a hydrostatic transaxle

A hydrostatic transaxle includes a hydrostatic transmission with a pump and motor, the pump and motor each including a track ring radially surrounding a cylinder in which are disposed a plurality of pistons rotatable on a fixed conduit. The motor track ring includes radially extending lugs disposed 180.degree. from each other that are captured between the upper and lower transaxle casing halves thereby preventing axial or radial movement of the motor track ring.

Hydrostatic transaxle

A transaxle driving apparatus for a small-sized vehicle such as a grass-mowing lawn tractor, formed from a two-piece housing to encapsulate a hydrostatic transmission with associated reduction gearing and mechanical differential member. One housing element is provided with a vertical input shaft which is drivingly engaged to the hydraulic pump of the hydrostatic transmission by means of bevel gearing. A hydraulic motor of the hydrostatic transmission is provided with a motor shaft, a speed reduction shaft, and a differential gear unit attached to the axle shafts, all shafts other than the input shaft being disposed horizontally along the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the transaxle for economy and compactness.

Variable speed transaxle

The present invention is a neutral shifting mechanism for a hydrostatic transmission. A motor track ring has a groove and cam slot for receiving a control rod of the transmission, with the control rod having a cam portion for engaging the cam slot to lock the track ring in a position concentric with the pintle of the hydraulic motor, i.e. a neutral position. In the normal position, the cam portion positions the track ring eccentrically, allowing a speed control shaft to shift the hydrostatic transmission by pivoting the pump track ring about the control rod.

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Addison, MI, United States of America

Dale I Havens