Abstract: A walk power mower has a deck with an upwardly and rearwardly extending handle behind which a user walks when operating the mower. The mower is self-propelled by a variable speed traction drive. The handle includes a slidable handle grip for engaging and selecting a speed of the traction drive to control the ground speed of the mower. Forward ground speed is set by pushing the handle grip forwardly on the handle from a neutral position. Reverse ground speed if available is by pulling the handle grip rearwardly from its neutral position. The handle grip follows a curved path as it moves forwardly or rearwardly to flatten the path of travel of the handle grip from the travel that would have occurred absent the curved path.

Abstract: A variable-speed drive unit, in particular for a variable-speed drive device, such as a riding mower, includes at least one belt transmission between two pulleys, each mounted on a shaft, each pulley including variably-spaced flanges. In this variable-speed drive unit, each pulley has a flange that equipped with a loading device that tends to exert, in a permanent manner and in the active state of the transmission, an axial effort in the direction in which the flanges move toward the pulley to clamp the belt between the flanges, whereby one of the pulleys has a loading device that exerts a lesser axial effort than the other device, and whereby one of the pulleys also includes, independently of the loading device, a manual control element for drawing together or separating flanges that can exert on the flange a slight control effort corresponding essentially to the power difference of the loading devices.

Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission (CVT) with reduced vibration at high engine speeds. A secondary sheave includes a fixed sheave member, a moving sheave member, a compression coil spring, and an outside spring guide. The compression coil spring urges the moving sheave member toward the fixed sheave member. The outside spring guide prevents the compression coil spring from buckling during compression.

Abstract: To obtain a compact structure and to increase at the same time the structural stiffness of an apparatus for plastically deforming and strengthening the links, which are intercoupled by rocker pins, of a complete endless transmission chain, said apparatus comprises a first and a second pair respectively of conical supporting surfaces for the ends which protrude outside said links of the rocker pins of a transmission chain, mounted thereon, said surfaces having a controllable mutual distance, the invention propose to add a third similar pair of supporting surfaces, provided for cooperation with the first and second shaft. This measure also speeds up the treatment of the transmission chain.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for controlling a variable speed transmission including an actuator, a cam follower, and a speed adjustment cam. The actuator is rotatable through a first phase and a subsequent second phase, and includes an actuator cam surface and a variator. The cam follower is movable in response to contact with the actuator cam surface during rotation through the first phase, for actuating a coupler of the transmission between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The variator is movable along the speed adjustment cam during rotation through the second phase for enabling adjustment of a torque transfer mechanism associated with the transmission. By this configuration, control over the coupling of the transmission to a torque input such as a motor and control over the speed of the transmission are both enabled through rotation of a single actuator, and thus can be implemented in a self-propelled machine such as a lawnmower using a single operator-manipulated control.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission of the continuously variable type. The transmission includes an input pulley having primary and secondary sheaves and an output pulley having primary and secondary sheaves. The primary and secondary sheaves of the input pulley are mounted on a first axle shaft carried by an actuator plate and the primary and secondary sheaves of the output pulley are carried on a second axle shaft carried by the actuator plate. The input shaft of the transmission carries pin mounted roller bearings which are received in skewed slots in an actuator sleeve so that the actuator sleeve is moved axially along the input shaft in response to variations in torque loading. The actuator plate is annular and includes a central circumferential groove receiving pin mounted roller bearings carried by the actuator sleeve so that the actuator plate, and the axle shafts carried thereby, undergoes the same axial movement as the actuator sleeve in response to variations in torque loading.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission includes an actuator mechanism that can be remotely activated to cause engagement of a drive unit and to subsequently vary the speed of the drive unit using the same activation mechanism. The variable speed transmission can include a first pulley that has a first and second face that are movable relative to each other by activation of the actuator mechanism. When the first and second faces of the first pulley are located in a first position, a belt located on the first pulley remains motionless. The first and second faces can be moved by the actuator mechanism into a second position where the first and second plates engage the belt with enough frictional force to cause the belt to start moving about the first pulley. The first and second faces of the first pulley can also be moved between the second position and a third position such that the space between the faces becomes smaller.

Abstract: A continuously variable belt drive system includes a driving pulley assembly, a driven pulley assembly and a V-shaped belt engaged to transfer rotary power therebetween. The driven pulley assembly includes a ratio adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of a rear sheave relative to a forward sheave. The adjustment mechanism includes a motor and a worm gear mechanism that rotates an actuation screw. Rotation of the actuation screw is reacted by a split nut that translates the screw rotates along the axis of the driven pulley assembly. In one feature, the driven pulley assembly includes a fail-safe mechanism that operates when power is supplied to the motor to hold the split nut together. In another aspect of the invention, the driving pulley assembly includes a belt tensioning mechanism that maintains proper belt tension at all speeds and drive ratios.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the contact pressure of a transmission element of a continuously variable transmission, especially the traction element of a flexible drive for motor vehicles. The inventive device is provided with at least two levers as the transmission elements that provide the contact pressure depending on torque and ratio. Said levers are pivoted to the driving transmission elements and to the driven transmission elements and act upon an axially displaceable transmission element that indirectly or directly exerts the contact pressure via at least one rolling element each. The lever length effective to exert the contact pressure can be varied in accordance with the selected transmission ratio.

Abstract: A rotary shaft and a rotating body are connected in such a way as to stably control the tilt of a wafer platen in an ion implanter. The rotary shaft has a key way and the rotating body has a boss into which the rotary shaft extends. A key integrates the rotary shaft and the rotary body so that they rotate together without slipping relative to each other. An end cap is screwed onto the rotary body over the end of the rotary shaft and the key. As a result, the wafer platen can be maintained at an accurate orientation or tilt relative to the ion beam produced by the implanter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a speed transmission for a mower, in particular a lawnmower, comprising a speed changer. This transmission is characterized in that the speed changer is constituted by a transmission with a belt (5) between a drive pulley (6) mounted on the motor shaft (1) that bears the blades and a driven pulley (7) mounted on the input shaft (2) of the reducer (4), the drive pulley (6) and the driven pulley (7) each having flanges (6A, 6B) (7A, 7B) that are movable, the movement of the flanges (6A, 6B) of the drive pulley (6), ensuring continuous tensioning of the belt, being controlled automatically as a function of the couple transmitted between said pulleys by means of a member (8) for the continuous adjustment of the tension of the belt (5) while the movement of the flanges (7A, 7B) of the driven pulley (7), ensuring the speed change, is controlled manually by means of a control member (12).

Abstract: A ball screw in a continuously variable speed transmission has an axially immovable pulley half (2) and axially movable pulley half (3) both mounted on a rotary shaft (4). The axially movable pulley half (3) is moved by a ball screw (20) so as to infinitely vary the belt wrapping radius and thus the transmission speed. A nut (22), forming one part of the ball screw (20), is immovably secured in both axial and rotational directions. A screw shaft (21), forming the other part of the ball screw (20), is movable in both axial and rotational directions. The screw shaft 21 is connected to the axially movable pulley half (3). The axially movable pulley half (3) is axially moved by rotating the screw shaft (21).

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: The drive assembly has: an input member and an intermediate shaft; an axial clutch device for connecting the input member and the intermediate shaft in rotary manner; and a pulley connected in rotary manner to the intermediate shaft and defined by two half-pulleys movable axially with respect to each other and engaging a drive belt, the distance between the half-pulleys determining the winding radius of the belt. A push member, movable axially, along the intermediate shaft, between two limit positions, exerts thrust on the two half-pulleys to determine, in direct relation with its own axial position, the axial distance between the two half-pulleys, and alternatively exerts thrust on the clutch device to release the clutch device when moved axially in the direction increasing the distance between the half-pulleys. A control device is also provided to vary, on command, the axial position of the push member.

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 variable speed mechanism for propelling an associated lawn mowing apparatus has a variable pitch pulley assembly, a belt which connects the variable pitch pulley assembly to a transmission, a control arm assembly for controlling the variable pitch pulley assembly, and a speed selector for selectively adjusting the control arm assembly. The speed selector is positioned corresponding to the desired lawn mowing apparatus ground speed. This creates tension in a cable which moves a control arm. When the control arm is moved, it rotates about a pivot shaft adjusting the position of a bearing cup which, in turn, adjusts the position of the moveable pulley half within variable pitch pulley assembly. Once the pulley assembly has been positioned, the effective belt diameter is set. If the effective belt diameter is increased, the speed supplied to the transmission is increased assuming a fixed pulley size on the transmission input.

Abstract: A jig apparatus is used in extending a belt across a pair of pulleys of a variator for a transmission of a motor vehicle. The variator has the pair of pulleys, a groove width of each of which is variable, and a belt for driving the pulleys. A supporting bar and a supporting pipe hold the pulleys such that an axial line of rotation of each of the pulleys becomes parallel to each other. A groove width of at least one of the pulleys is pneumatically or mechanically widened. A sheave half of each of the pulleys is brought into a pulley groove of the other of the pulleys.

Abstract: A drive system suitable for a bicycle and capable of providing various drive ratios comprising first and second pairs of conical members, each pair including primary and secondary conical members, both of which are rotatable about a first or second transverse axis. The conical members each comprise a series of evenly spaced sectors with the sectors of the primary conical member being slidable between the sectors of the secondary conical member in each pair. There is a first shaft for rotating the first pair of conical members. The primary conical member of the first pair is slidably mounted on the first shaft. The secondary conical member of the first pair is fixedly mounted on the first shaft . The conical members of the second pair are mounted on a second shaft. The secondary conical member of the second pair is mounted for axial sliding movement relative to the primary conical member. A continuous V-shaped drive belt extends about both pairs of conical members.

Abstract: A variable diameter belt type power transfer assembly having a drive sheave and a driven sheave, both of which are adjustable and include a pair of opposing coaxial flanges, one of which is axially movable relative to the other, is disclosed wherein both flanges of the drive sheave are provided with first and second belt engaging surfaces flaring radially outwardly with respect to each other so as to define first and second variable diameter belt receiving grooves therebetween. A dual range of velocity ratios between the drive sheave and the driven sheave is obtainable by selectively positioning a drive belt in the respective variable diameter belt receiving grooves. The inner and outer flange portions of one sheave member are constructed to allow the outer sheave portion to be selectively located in an operative position and an axially spaced retracted position relative to the inner sheave portion.

Abstract: A variable diameter belt type power transfer assembly having a drive sheave and a driven sheave, both of which are adjustable and include a pair of opposing coaxial flanges, one of which is axially movable relative to the other, is disclosed wherein both flanges of the drive sheave are provided with first and second belt engaging surfaces flaring radially outwardly with respect to each other so as to define first and second variable diameter belt receiving grooves therebetween. A dual range of velocity ratios between the drive sheave and the driven sheave is obtainable by selectively positioning a drive belt in the respective variable diameter belt receiving grooves.

Abstract: A variable diameter belt type power transfer assembly having a drive sheave and a driven sheave, both of which are adjustable and include a pair of opposing coaxial flanges, one of which is axially movable relative to the other, is disclosed wherein both flanges of the drive sheave are provided with first and second belt engaging surfaces flaring radially outwardly with respect to each other so as to define first and second variable diameter belt receiving grooves therebetween. A dual range of velocity ratios between the drive sheave and the driven sheave is obtainable by selectively positioning a drive belt in the respective variable diameter belt receiving grooves.

Abstract: A precision optical instrument includes an auxiliary focusing mechanism coupled to the primary focusing mechanism such that rotation of the auxiliary mechanism rotates the primary mechanism.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission (20) includes a sprocket (46) mounted on a first shaft (22) for rotation therewith. A variable effective diameter pulley (30) is mounted for rotation on a driven shaft (32). The pulley includes a pair of pulley halves (80, 82) having opposed inclined belt engaging surfaces (84, 86) and splines (90, 94) extending from the pulley halves. The splines are intermeshed so that the pulley halves may be drawn together or separated while rotating as a unit. A split shaft (130), including two half shafts (132, 134), extend within the pulley halves. Each half shaft engages one of the pulley halves such that as the half shafts are moved relative to one another, the pulley halves are moved one relative to the other. A pulley control mechanism (66) is provided for moving the halves of the split shaft simultaneously such that the center line of the pulley remains fixed as the pulley halves move together or apart.

Abstract: A variable and reversible transmission, in which two co-linear shafts are provided with adjustably-locatable generally semi-spherical drive components or heads, with control means for changing and holding selected adjustments of the heads; and the heads drivingly engage one another, in whatever settings they are positioned, by acting through a pulley belt which may be either an idler for only transmitting torque from one head directly to the other, or may be a power member transferring power to another set of such heads, achieving both variability and reversibility of drive.

Abstract: A variable speed pulley or sheave with a broad speed range is designed particularly for self-propelled lawn mowers. The variable speed pulley is mounted on a drive shaft of a gear unit in the form of a transaxle or transmission located on the mower and is driven through a belt connected to the drive shaft of the mower engine. The engine drive shaft can also drive a mower blade, thus eliminating any special power take-off shaft otherwise required to propel the mower. The variable speed pulley includes two pulley members or halves which are designed with inter-nesting tines and recessed hubs which enable the pulley halves to nest together more fully and thereby increase the speed range by more widely varying the effective diameter of the pulley.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively transmitting power between a rotating shaft and a belt including an integral brake member. The apparatus includes a pulley affixed to the shaft and which frictionally engages the belt. The pulley includes a pair of sheave halves which are reciprocable axially with respect to each other between belt engaged and disengaged positions. The integral brake member is mounted about the shaft between the sheave halves and affixed against rotation with the shaft. In the disengaged position the belt drops onto the brake member and is brought to a rapid stop.

Abstract: A variable speed mechanism for propelling an associated lawn mowing apparatus has a variable pitch pulley assembly, a belt which connects the variable pitch pulley assembly to a transmission, a control arm assembly for controlling the variable pitch pulley assembly, and a speed selector for selectively adjusting the control arm assembly. The speed selector is positioned corresponding to the desired lawn mowing apparatus ground speed. This creates tension in a cable which moves a control arm. When the control arm is moved, it rotates about a pivot shaft adjusting the position of a bearing cup which, in turn, adjusts the position of the moveable pulley half within variable pitch pulley assembly. Once the pulley assembly has been positioned, the effective belt diameter is set. If the effective belt diameter is increased, the speed supplied to the transmission is increased assuming a fixed pulley size on the transmission input.