Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flexible link drive apparatus. The flexible link drive apparatus comprises a housing that supports an input shaft and an output shaft. An eccentric is located on the input shaft, and a clutch is located on the output shaft. The present disclosure further comprises an adjustable flexible member that has a fixed end coupled to the housing through an adjustable flexible member wherein the eccentric on the input shaft deflects the adjustable flexible member to alter a degree of rotation of the clutch located on the output shaft. The present disclosure additionally relates to a method of providing variable speed power transmission by a flexible link drive apparatus. The method comprises the steps of providing a housing that supports an input shaft and an output shaft. Further, the method comprises the steps of deflecting an adjustable flexible member by an eccentric located on the input shaft which alters a degree of rotation of a clutch located on the output shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flexible link drive apparatus having a housing rotationally supporting an eccentric input shaft and an output shaft. An eccentric roller assembly is coupled to the eccentric input shaft, and the eccentric roller assembly comprising at least one input roller. Additionally, a clutch member is coupled to the output shaft. The present disclosure further relates to a flexible connection member that has a fixed end coupled to the housing through a flexible connection member anchor, and a free end coupled to the housing through a biasing member. The input roller intermittently contacts the flexible connection member and rotates the clutch member and the output shaft. The coupling of the free end of the flexible connection member to the housing by the biasing member causes a greater angle of travel for the clutch member and produces a greater output shaft rotation.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a clutch or connector mechanism that is capable of having the individual bias changed so that it is independent of the torque applied to the clutch. The driving and driven elements may be interchanged and either the driving or driven elements may have indentations formed at different radii to control the torque at one setting in a first rotational direction and reach a different torque at another setting in an opposite rotational direction. The two rotatable members, one driving and the other being driven, form two bearings that provide loading support within the clutch or connector.