Abstract: A drive system for driving accessories associated with the engine of a vehicle and controlled by the speed of the engine crankshaft, constructed such that the rpm of each accessory is substantially constant over at least the major portion of the normal vehicle operating range regardless of increase in the rpm of the engine and its crankshaft. The drive is so constructed that the input rpm to each accessory increases at substantially the same rate as the rpm of the crankshaft to a first, predetermined speed; then the input to each accessory is substantially constant thereafter regardless of increasing engine speed to a second predetermined crank-shaft speed. This second predetermined speed preferably corresponds essentially to the established national speed limit.

Abstract: A power driven transmission assembly for an internal combustion engine, which assembly includes an endless V-belt that extends between a driving and a driven pulley. The driven pulley is subject to varying loads. The driving and driven pulleys each include first half portions which are transversely movable relative to the first half portions. By concurrently moving the second half portions relative to the first half portions, the effective pitch diameters of the driving and driven pulleys relative to the belt is varied for the transmission assembly to automatically deliver rotational power that in magnitude is related to a desired degree to the torque curve or torque capability of the prime mover with which the invention is associated. The effective pitch diameter ratio of the pulley system is changed by varying the pitch diameter of the driving pulley by power means.

Abstract: A drive power transmission element in the form of a wheel adapted to be mounted non-rotatably on a shaft or axle in which the wheel has a peripheral surface provided with a unique groove receiving a flexible power transmission element, such as a rope, in which the groove is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced impressions which are radially and circumferentially curved in configuration and which taper or converge on the line of circumference rather than along the radii of the wheel.

Abstract: An improved variable speed pulley for adjusting the drive ratio between two shafts interconnected through two pulleys and a V-belt. The variable speed pulley has a hub which is attached through to one shaft with a collet. A number of keys of generally square cross sections with two opposed chamfered corners are located at each end of the hub in V-shaped axially directed keyways spaced around the periphery of the hub and in correspondingly spaced V-shaped keyways around interior openings through each of two sheave halves to permit axial movement of the sheave halves on the hub. Bushings retain the four keys within each sheave half. The bushings and the keys are of a compliant material to prevent fretting corrosion. The keys engage the bushings to prevent the bushings from rotating with respect to the sheave half and hub. A helical spring located within a spring housing is compressed between each sheave half and an adjacent one of two retainer rings located in grooves near each end of the hub.

Abstract: A mechanical speed change device designed to occupy minimum space in the ial direction. In operation, a ball type cam follower simultaneously tracks sinuous cam grooves in the drive and driven members. The lead angles of the respective cam grooves are different so that a given axial displacement of the cam follower requires different rotational movements of the drive and driven members. Therefore a given rotational speed of the drive member produces a different rotational speed of the driven member.

Abstract: A transmission capable of providing an infinitely variable drive ratio between a predesigned minimum and maximum ratio, either automatically or manually variable.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is described that provides a speed ratio that is infinitely variable between predetermined limits. Coaxial driving and driven shafts carry discs formed with frusto-conical friction surfaces arranged face-to-face with control spheres in frictional engagement with these surfaces and equidistantly distributed round the discs. Each control sphere has an annular groove in which rolling elements of a rolling bearing run. Each bearing is mounted on one face of a control segment formed on the opposite face with an arcuate surface which rolls on the base of a groove in an adjusting ring, concentric with the shafts, when the adjusting ring undergoes axial movement.

Abstract: A variable speed pulley includes a pair of pulley halves with each half including a central hub portion, defining an annular tapered mounting surface, and a belt engaging formed-plate portion provided with a flanged opening press fit on the mounting surface of the hub. The taper mounting surface of the hub is oriented such that axial forces imposed by the drive belt on the formed-plate portion will tend to wedge the latter even tighter on the hub.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur gear change provides improvements to existing systems which utilize a pivoted yoke carrying the pivots of a chain guide roller and a chain tension roller and a displacement device which includes two parts one of which is fixed to the bicycle frame and the other supports the guiding device and moves relative to the first to move the guiding device transverse to the bicycle wheel and across the gear change sprockets. In the present device the guiding device has a guide lug which pivots relative to the yoke in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the sprockets and common with that of the cheek of the yoke. A mechanical linkage is connected to the displacement device and pivots the lug when the guiding device moves transversely so as to bring the free end of the lug adjacent the selected sprocket corresponding to the position of the guiding device.

Abstract: In bicycles having multi-speed gear arrangements, the automatic shifting of gears in response to foot pedal pressures is effected by fluid or electrical connections from the pedals to the gear-changing mechanism thereby to impart full foot control to shifting with resultant improved pedaling cadence and bicycling comfort.

Abstract: A camera lens drive comprises a small electric motor and a transmission for driving a lens part. The transmission is formed solely by a number of planetary gear sets arranged in series. The planetary gears are ball bearings having adjustable prestressing. The prestress of a group of input sets is adjustable independently of the prestress of a group of output sets.

Abstract: A mechanical gearing with a first rotatable member, three spherical balls in contact with and rotated by the first member, a second relatively flexible member in contact with the balls and a third rigid member fixed with respect to the second member and against which the second member is urged by the balls so that the second and third members rotate with respect to each other.

Abstract: A limited torque, positive drive transmitting arrangement employs a leaf chain and a fluted pulley which co-operates therewith. The positive drive is transmitted via engagement of the leaf chain link edges with the specially formed pulley flutes, and the leaf chain is modified to ensure that the consequential loading of the link edges and any resulting damage thereto is prevented from interfering with the proper articulation of the chain in passing round the pulley.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur gear changer has a device for guiding the chain and the device has chain-guiding and chain-adjusting pulleys which are mounted between the ends of two cheek plates. The device is movable to effect gear changes by transferring the chain from one to another of sprockets attached to the hub of the bicycle rear wheel. The cheek plates are specially shaped with radial extensions adjacent the chain-guiding pulley, the extensions terminating in turned over edges facing away from the pulley to prevent possible jamming of the gear changer when the chain is driven in the reverse direction.This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 539,852 filed Jan. 9, 1975 now abandoned.

Abstract: A mechanism for the parallel connection of infinitely-adjustable looping gearings having planetary and/or differential gearings interconnected with the displaceable pulley halves and control threads that automatically adjust running differences between the different V-belt pulleys as well as providing a means for simultaneously changing the transmission ratio of several coaxially-mounted V-belt pulleys.

Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle of the type having a wheel to which power is to be applied to rotate it and a drive means to provide wheel turning power, includes a cone-shaped member with concentric rings of teeth on its surface adapted to be concentrically attached to the wheel to be powered, and a drive sprocket ring encircling the axis of the cone-shaped member and having engagement means thereon adapted to cooperate with a selected ring of teeth on the cone-shaped member. A shifting means is adapted to shift the sprocket ring so that the engagement means may engage any of the rings of teeth selected. The ring of teeth selected determines the ratio of the transmission.

Abstract: A sintered pulley hub construction for mounting on a bottom wall of a sheet metal pulley cup. A pair of tubular members is pressure formed in a green compact state from a metal powder mixture. One of the members has a cylindrical body which terminates at one end in an outwardly extending annular flange which forms a hub pulling flange. The other member has an interior annular cavity formed in one end and a radially outwardly extending annular flange formed on the other end. The cylindrical body of the one member is telescopically received within the annular cavity of the other member. The members are joined by sintering to form an integral homogeneous body. The outer surface of the other member has a cylindrical portion extending axially between the radial end flange and an annular shoulder for receiving an axially extending flange of a pulley cup, with the shoulder providing a zone for welding the pulley cup to the hub.

Abstract: The 10-speed bicycle has a single manually movable control member for all 10 speeds.

Abstract: A traction roller transmission having a number of traction rollers disposed in an annular space formed between a sun roller rotatable with one shaft and traction rings surrounding the sun roller. The traction rollers are rotatably supported and mounted for movement with another shaft and the traction rings are slightly conical and held in position by cam structures such that a torque transmitted through the transmission forces the conical traction rings toward each other so as to cause firm engagement of the traction rollers with the traction rings and the sun roller. Springs are disposed between the traction rings to provide for return of the traction rings when the torque transmitted through the transmission is reduced.

Abstract: A variable speed drive mechanism in which power is transmitted from an input driving disc to an output driven disc through an intermediate member of spherical configuration. The driving and driven discs are supported with their axes of rotation at an angle and offset. The intermediate spherical member is held by gravity or other means in the trough defined between the two inclined discs. A cage member holds and linearly guides the intermediate member .[.and a wick provides lubrication for the intermediate member.].. The radial position of the spherical intermediate member along the faces of the discs determines the drive ratio between the input and output shafts of the mechanism.