Abstract: A pulley guard to protect a pulley from debris. Such pulley guard can be positioned proximate a driven pulley of a belt-pulley system. Such belt-pulley system can be part of a working vehicle, such as a mower or other self-propelled vehicle, which includes an endless belt. A pulley to be protected against debris can be an output pulley of a power source that is used to drive mower blade(s) and/or drive wheels of the vehicle. One or more pulleys to be protected against debris can include any pulley of the belt-pulley system of a vehicle, such as a belt tensioning or idler pulley.

Abstract: A milling machine for milling a surface of a roadway includes a frame and a milling assembly having a cutter drum that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The cutter drum has a drive shaft on which a sheave is mounted. A primary drum drive assembly is adapted to rotate the cutter drum with respect to the frame. The primary drum drive assembly includes a drive belt that cooperates with the sheave on the drive shaft for the cutter drum to rotate the cutter drum. A belt lift assembly may be operated to selectively disengage the drive belt from the sheave of the drive shaft for the cutter drum.

Abstract: An idler assembly includes a cam, an idler pulley, a baseplate, an idler pulley bracket, and a belt. The cam is pivotally mounted to an idler pulley bracket, the cam may pivot between a first position and a second position via a first pivot. The idler pulley is mounted to a baseplate. The baseplate is pivotally mounted to an idler pulley bracket. The baseplate may therefore pivot between a first position and a second position relative to the idler pulley bracket. The belt may be easily mounted on the idler pulley when the baseplate and cam are in the second position. The belt is in tension when the baseplate and cam are moved from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A drive belt compensating tensioning device, comprising: a base frame portion comprising a square or rectangular planar bottom surface and a top surface; a vertical frame portion affixed to the base frame portion forming about a 90 degree angle with the base frame portion thereof; a pivot assembly affixed to a top end of the vertical frame portion; a tensioner arm horizontally pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly; a belt tensioning wheel rotatably affixed to the tensioner arm; a lower pivot arm rotatably affixed to the base frame portion; a cam adjustment portion rotatably affixed to a first aperture of the lower pivot arm; a first horizontal frame portion comprising an lower pivot arm engagement portion; and a spring comprising a spring first end and a spring second end.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling an electric motor providing assistance to a bicycle rider based on measuring the mechanical power generated by the rider. The power generated by the rider is measured by measuring tension in a bicycle chain (or belt) and RPM. A chain (or belt) roller is carried at the free end of a cantilevered beam and the chain (or belt) rides over the roller. The resulting deflection of the cantilevered beam provides a measurement of chain tension. A control signal for the electric motor is generated based on a smoother version of the power generated by the rider.

Abstract: A tensioner includes a base and an idler support assembly slidably retained on the base, the idler support assembly including a support element having a cam surface at a first end. A spring loaded handle assembly includes a tension bar rotatably mounted to the base, and a handle longitudinally adjustably mounted to the tension bar, an engagement element, and a biasing element intermediate the engagement element and the handle. The handle is assembly rotatable between a first position and a second position. The engagement element disengages the cam surface in the first position and the engagement element engages the cam surface in the second position.

Abstract: A belt positioner 1 for installing a flexible belt into a grooved periphery 12 of a pulley 11. The positioner 1 comprises a belt guiding ramp 2, a pulley flange engaging mechanism 3, a handle 4 and a belt guiding rim 5. The belt guiding ramp 2 is extendible across the grooved periphery 12 and a belt-bearing slanting surface 20 of the ramp 2 enables the belt to be moved into engagement with the grooved periphery 12 when the pulley 11 is rotated about its rotational axis. The pulley flange engaging mechanism 3 comprises a groove 30 extending across the positioner 1 for receiving a pulley flange 13 bordering the grooved periphery 12 and a shoulder 31 bordering the groove 30 for bearing against a side face 14 of the pulley flange 13, wherein the engaging mechanism 3 locks the positioner 1 to the pulley 11 whilst the belt bears against the slanting surface 20. The handle 4 extends from the ramp 2 and provides a gripping surface 42 for fingers adjacent the ramp 2.

Abstract: An emergency braking system for use in connection with a drive apparatus including a drive belt and pulley system for transferring power from a prime mover to a transmission or transaxle. The braking system includes a pulley engaged to the drive belt and a spring engaged to the pulley to provide a bias force thereto. When tension from the belt is removed from the pulley, the spring forces the pulley into engagement with an actuator to engage a brake mechanism.

Abstract: A retainer for keeping an endless drive member of a drive system in a desired position. In one embodiment, the endless drive member is configured as a belt, wherein the retainer keeps the belt in position for engagement with an associated sheave even when the belt is slackened. The retainer may be configured as an elongate member having a first end fixed to a structure and a second unsupported end opposite the first end. The retainer may be positioned near the sheave and may be elastically deflected to permit removal of the belt when desired. In one embodiment, the retainer is configured as a coiled compression spring.

Abstract: A bicycle derailer assembly that is mounted concentrically with an axle of a rear wheel assembly. The derailer is constructed to be mounted to the bicycle such that the derailer is pivotable about a common axis with the rear wheel and such that the rear wheel can be removed from the bicycle without interfering with the connection of the derailer to the bicycle. The derailer system provides a derailer that is robust and reduces interference of the derailer with the performance of bicycle maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for efficiently removing a belt from a drive assembly of an agricultural implement in which a flywheel and a header framework cooperatively define a gap therebetween which is smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the belt and thereby prevent the belt from being simply passed through the gap and removed from the remaining components of the drive assembly. A radially inwardly extending notch in the periphery of the flywheel is configured and dimensioned to allow a portion of the belt to be received within the notch. The notched flywheel, with the portion of the belt received in the notch, is rotatable such that the portion of the belt is moveable past the gap to thereby permit the belt to be removed from the remaining components of the drive assembly in the distal direction without requiring the removal of either the flywheel or the framework.

Abstract: A guide useful to install or remove a belt from a belt module is shown. This guide is made up of an elongated structure with a center aperture over which an endless belt is initially draped during installation. Once rotably attached to a belt module, the guide is moved downwardly to form a belt form over a top of the top drive rollers. A tube is attached to a bottom drive roller to help transfer the belt to the bottom drive roller and form the belt around the entire module. Once the belt is slidably positioned adjacent each drive roller, the belt is transferred from the guide and tube to the drive rollers for final installation.

Abstract: A belt drive configured to cooperate with a drive mechanism is disclosed. The belt drive includes a drive belt pulley reciprocally coupled to the drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism reciprocally translates between a power stroke and a return stroke, a driven pulley reciprocally coupled to the drive belt pulley via a drive belt such that the drive belt include a plurality of asymmetrical drive teeth configured to cooperate with a plurality of asymmetrical driven teeth disposed on the driven pulley, and an engagement mechanism disposed substantially adjacent to the drive belt and the driven pulley such that the engagement mechanism is configured to cooperate with the drive belt during the power stroke, and the drive belt substantially disengages the driven pulley during the return stroke.

Abstract: A belt-driven transmission having an endless torque-transmitting member that is operatively connected with two power transmitting elements. The transmission includes at least one guide rail assembly that engages the endless torque-transmitting member with free play and that has an outer guide rail and an inner guide rail so that the endless torque-transmitting member runs within a guide rail channel defined by the outer and inner guide rails of the guide rail assembly. The endless torque-transmitting member includes one surface that is at least partially provided with outwardly-extending tabs and another, tab-free surface. The guide rail assembly is pressed against the endless torque-transmitting member on the tab-free surface to limit vibratory amplitude of the endless torque-transmitting member during operation of the transmission.

Abstract: Clutch arrangement which includes a movable actuating device and a pivotally mounted idler device. The idler device includes a guide wheel and an idler wheel. The idler wheel is arranged to engage a mechanism which transfers drive between at least two drive mechanisms. The guide wheel is arranged to engage or abut the actuating device. The idler device experiences pivotal motion when the actuating device is moved into engagement with the guide wheel.

Abstract: In a multi spindle drive belt tensioning assembly a motor is mounted to a frame and the drive pulley is coupled for rotation to the motor shaft. At least two driven pulleys are each coupled to a driven member rotatably mounted to the frame. The driven pulleys are spaced apart relative to one another and at least one belt is in engagement with the drive pulley and each of the driven pulleys. In either pulley is rotatably coupled to the frame between two of the driven pulleys and engageable with the belt. The idler pulley is movable relative to the belt to increase or decrease the tension thereof and the degree of engagement between the belt and the driven pulleys. The idler pulley is adjustable relative to the belt to allow a desired belt tension in engagement between the belt and the driven pulleys such that the belt extends approximately 180 degrees around the circumference defined by each of the driven pulleys.

Abstract: A pulley belt installer has a pulley holder (6) for holding one pulley (2) of a pair of pulleys, a held pulley width expander (5) for expanding the groove width of the pulley held by the pulley holder, a pulley belt holder (8) for holding a pulley belt in the condition in which part of the pulley belt (PB) is located in the groove of the pulley held by the pulley holder, and a pulley rotator (16) for rotating the other pulley (1) at least 90 degrees in the condition in which another part of the held pulley belt is located in the groove of the other pulley, so that the center axes of both pulleys about a rotation axis intersecting with the center axis of the other pulley are parallel, thereby assembly the pulley belt without causing overlap between the surfaces of the two V-grooves of the pair of pulleys.

Abstract: The present invention is a control apparatus for an implement transmission. The transmission is operably coupled to a plurality of driven mechanisms for providing a driving power from a prime mover to the plurality of driven mechanisms. A shift assembly has a first and a second actuator apparatus. The first actuator apparatus is operably coupled to the transmission for selectively controlling the transmission of a driving power to at least a first driven mechanism, and the second actuator apparatus is operably coupled to the transmission for selectively controlling the transmission of a driving power to at least a second driven mechanism. The second actuator apparatus has a biasing apparatus for exerting a variable, selective bias on the transmission. A clutch for selectively engaging and disengaging a prime mover and the transmission has a rotatable stop member and an idler-stop assembly.

Abstract: A belt tension adjusting device provided on a scanner transmission belt to adjust the tension of the transmission belt, includes a helical spring that helps maintain the tension of the transmission belt, a retaining post for fixing the position of the helical spring, and a toothed recess for connecting the scanner to the transmission belt.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a continually variable drive mechanism having one sheave assembly fixed to an intermediate shaft and the input sheave assembly supported on an input shaft, gearset driveably connected to the input shaft and an output shaft, a fixed ratio drive mechanism in the form of a chain drive providing a torque delivery path between the intermediate shaft and the carrier of the gearset, a transfer clutch for connecting and releasing the first sheave of the variable drive mechanism and input shaft, a low brake, and a reverse brake.

Abstract: For use in determination of chain transmitted power, the combination comprising a tensioned chain having a succession of chain links with undulating edges; an idler supported to be driven in rotation by the chain, and having an undulating perimeter surface having a sine wave configuration and whose width dimension exceeds the width dimension between outermost chain surfaces; and certain of the chain undulating edges engaging portions of the idler undulating perimeter surfaces, whereby the chain changes direction as it travels lengthwise relative to the idler and rotatably drives the idler.

Abstract: A derailleur for a bicycle for changing the speed of the bicycle. The derailleur can be distinguished from prior parallelogram designs in employing stationary guide rods over which a pulley wheel assembly is caused to slide as the bicycle's drive chain is shifted between various drive sprocket wheels. Gear shifting is done in a linear motion while being able to center the derailleur's pulley assembly without the use of a return spring which is currently employed by present day parallelogram derailleurs.

Abstract: A belt installation and removal tool is provided for installing and removing a belt on a pulley and includes a handle assembly which includes a hand-grip portion, an extension portion connected to the hand-grip portion, and a finger-containing portion connected to the extension portion. A first finger and a second finger are connected to the finger-containing portion of the handle assembly. A spacer element is connected to the finger-containing portion of the handle assembly and is located between the first finger and the second finger. The spacer element projects a spacer distance out from the finger-containing portion so that the fingers extend completely past the belt. The finger-containing portion includes a reception area for receiving a third finger. The third finger includes a knurled portion which facilitates gripping of the third finger.

Abstract: A belt driven system (1) employs a dynamoelectric machine (11) to rotate a pulley (7) on which is positioned a drive belt (13). An improvement is a belt locator (19) for locating the belt on the pulley. The locator is effective to properly locate the belt on the pulley if it is initially mis-installed with respect to the pulley, and maintains the belt position if the belt begins to slip off the pulley during operation of the system.

Abstract: A holder for bicycle chains consisting of two primary and necessary elements, see drawing 1, the outwardly curved channel shaped chain retainer element 1, and the elongated box shaped dropout receiver element 2, these two elements are integrated to form a mechanical structure, or chain holder, which may be used to retain a bicycle drive chain upon the bicycle frame dropout thus freeing the bicycle sprocket assembly from its chain and thereby facilitating the removal and reinstallation of the bicycle rear wheel almost as if the chain were not there.A holder for bicycle chains embodying the above primary elements 1 and 2 plus a secondary element 3 which is a handle, said handle provides good hand control of the chain holder and also provides a spring action snap on-off effect to retain the holder on the chain during a manipulation of the chain by the chain holder.

Abstract: A clutching mechanism for a suspended belt driven mower assembly that automatically removes the mower drive belt from the pulley system when the mower assembly is raised. A brake contacts the endless drive belt when the mower is in the raised position to prevent movement of the belt. A belt retainer is positioned about one of the pulleys of the pulley system to retain the belt adjacent the pulleys when the belt tension is released. An electrical interlock system is provided to prevent the motor from being started in any position other than the mower assembly raised position.

Abstract: A drive unit preferably employed with a self-propelled lawn mower for driving at least one pair of wheels of the mower. An axle pulley is fixed on the axle of the drive wheels and a directional pulley is rotatably mounted above and in a spaced apart relation to the axle pulley. A drive belt is trained over an upper portion of the directional pulley and about a lower portion of the axle pulley and is then trained about an upper portion of a directional roller. The drive unit has a drive condition and an idle condition in which a portion of the drive belt, between the directional roller and the axle pulley, is in a generally vertical run.

Abstract: The stationary drive station comprises a gear chain guided over three sprocket wheels. One sprocket wheel is driven by a drive motor. A tensioning wheel is rotatably journaled at a pivotably mounted lever acted upon by a tension spring. The tensioning wheel acts on the outer side of the gear chain and on the idle run thereof. The driving run of the gear chain extends at its outer side around part of the circumference of a further sprocket wheel. This further sprocket wheel is seated on a shaft carrying a winding core for winding-up printed products and other flat products. The shaft is journaled in a mobile frame which may be removed from the drive station. The driving connection between the gear chain and the further sprocket wheel can be released by upwardly pivoting a holding or holder structure about the axis of the one sprocket wheel driving the gear chain. The two remaining gear chain-sprocket wheels of the aforementioned three sprocket wheels are rotatably journaled at the holding structure.

Abstract: A drive belt release mechanism for magnetic disk drives for disengaging a drive belt from and engaging a drive belt onto a spindle drive pulley. To disengage the belt, the mechanism lifts the belt from the drive pulley and simultaneously permits the drive motor to pivot to relieve the tension in the drive belt. To engage the belt, the mechanism seats the belt on the pulley and forces the motor to a drive position which yields the desired drive tension in the belt. The mechanism is completely mechanical and manually operable.