Abstract: A transmission utilizing oscillating torque to vary the mechanical power transmitted to a load was previously patented by this inventor (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,062,096, 6,044,718, and 7,481,127). The transmission has a rotatable input member and a rotatable mass. The transmission also has a member with an eccentric offset, with the rotatable mass rotatably coupled to the offset and being eccentric with respect to the offset. The present invention provides several improvements to the previous patents including belt or chain for the rotating masses to improve load carrying capacity and improvements to the control system using inertia control. FIG. 1 shows the fully assembled transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus converts rotary motion of a motor drive shaft into oscillatory motion of a work piece, for example, in a power tool. The apparatus comprises a planetary gear assembly connected to the motor for rotating an output gear. The output gear meshes with a drive gear including a drive pin. The drive pin fits in a yoke slot for reciprocation of the yoke upon rotation of the drive gear. The yoke is operatively connected to the work piece. An air flow system cools the power tool housing. The housing has an inlet aperture in the handle portion and an outlet aperture for placing the interior of the housing in communication with the atmosphere. A wall integral with the handle portion engages the body of the motor housing between a first end and openings in the body. The wall provides a barrier to minimize air flow between an intake air portion of the interior of the housing and an exhaust air portion.

Abstract: An apparatus converts rotary motion of a motor drive shaft into oscillatory motion of a work piece, for example, in a power tool. The apparatus comprises a planetary gear assembly connected to the motor for rotating an output gear. The output gear meshes with a drive gear including a drive pin. The drive pin fits in a yoke slot for reciprocation of the yoke upon rotation of the drive gear. The yoke is operatively connected to the work piece. An air flow system cools the power tool housing. The housing has an inlet aperture in the handle portion and an outlet aperture for placing the interior of the housing in communication with the atmosphere. A wall integral with the handle portion engages the body of the motor housing between a first end and openings in the body. The wall provides a barrier to minimize air flow between an intake air portion of the interior of the housing and an exhaust air portion.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for setting the position of a singulator in a seed meter. The singulator comprises an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot adjacent a seed disk. A shaft with an eccentric connection to a radially outward portion of the arm has a lever pivotally connected on it. The lever has a cam mechanism to displace an actuating sleeve into a resilient sleeve to lock the shaft in a given position when the lever is extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of the shaft. When the lever is moved to a right angle orientation the shaft is free to pivot and thus set the position of the arm.

Abstract: A transmission utilizes oscillating torque to vary the mechanical power transmitted to a load. The transmission has a rotatable input member and a rotatable mass. The transmission also has a member with an eccentric offset, with the rotatable mass rotatably coupled to the offset and being eccentric with respect to the offset. The input member is coupled to the rotatable mass by a linkage so that the rotation of the input member causes the rotatable mass to rotate and apply centrifugal force to the member with the eccentric offset. First and second one-way clutches are coupled between the eccentric offset member and an output member. The first one-way clutch drives the output member in one direction and the eccentric offset member is driven in the one direction and the second one-way clutch prevents the output member from rotating in the other direction.

Abstract: This transmission utilizes an adjustable fulcrum to accomplish variable speed and torque conversion. The component utilizes multiple circular eccentric cams fixed to an input shaft at equal rotational intervals to apply vertical movement to an equal number of perpendicular torque converter shafts spanning the distance between the parallel input and clutch shafts. To provide control, yet allow for free horizontal and rotational movement, the torque converter shafts operate through separate sleeves attached to the cams and to a common adjustable fulcrum located between and parallel to the input and clutch shafts. Output ends of the torque converter shafts are attached, in a pinion fashion, to different unidirectional roller clutches mounted on the clutch shaft. These clutches can then, based upon adjustable fulcrum settings, translate modified cam movements into a wide range of rotary output motions with an infinite number of speed and torque ratios.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for bicycles having a transmission mechanism including a plurality of link units for converting rotary motion of an input shaft rotated by a pedal-operated crankshaft into swinging motion, and a one-way clutch for converting the swinging motion into rotary motion of an output shaft. The link units have drive links pivotally mounted on an eccentric ring which rotates in unison with the input shaft. The continuously variable transmission is disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel of a bicycle in the longitudinal direction thereof and disposed either upwardly of a hypothetical plane which contains the axes of rotation of the front wheel and the rear wheel or upwardly of a position below and near the hypothetical plane. The transmission so configured provides better bicycle maneuverability, lower cost, while suffering almost no danger of contacting the ground.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission comprising a lay shaft that rotates in response to the input power from the engine. A crank on the lay shaft and a drive rod translate the rotation of the lay shaft into linear motion. An output rod rotatably mounted at a transmission shaft translates the linear motion of the drive rod into rotational motion. A one-way clutch interconnects the output rod with the transmission shaft so that rotational motion of the output rod in one direction is coupled to the transmission shaft to rotate it while rotational motion of the output rod in a second direction is not coupled to the transmission shaft. The distal end of the drive rod is linked to the output rod at a selectable location along the output rod to control the speed of the output rod and hence the transmission shaft. The controllable linkage position therefore also controls the ratio of the transmission from input power to output power.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for bicycles having a transmission mechanism including a plurality of link units for converting rotary motion of an input shaft rotated by a pedal-operated crankshaft into swinging motion, and a one-way clutch for converting the swinging motion into rotary motion of an output shaft. The link units have drive links pivotally mounted on an eccentric ring which rotates in unison with the input shaft. The continuously variable transmission is disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel of a bicycle in the longitudinal direction thereof and disposed either upwardly of a hypothetical plane which contains the axes of rotation of the front wheel and the rear wheel or upwardly of a position below and near the hypothetical plane. The transmission so configured provides better bicycle maneuverability, lower cost, while suffering almost no danger of contacting the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gear transmission with a steplessly adjustable translation ratio for converting of rotary speeds and of torques of shafts. The uniform rotary motion of a drive shaft is transferred to a driven shaft with the aid of time staggered operating gear transmission units. The rotary motion is transformed by a cam transmission initially into a uniform translational motion and in the following this uniform translational motion is transformed into another, also uniform translational motion, with a speed depending on the translation ratio setting with a translation device. Finally this translational motion is transferred again into a uniform rotary motion by a further planar cam transmission and transferred to the driven shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable rotational transmission assembly 10 coupled to and provides adjustment of final drive ratio for a driven device 12, such as a bicycle, moped, motorcycle, vehicle, etc. Transmission assembly 10 adjusts rotation or drive radius and drive circumference to adjust final drive ratio to the driven device 12. Transmission assembly 10 provides infinitely variable drive ratios within a range by adjusting the size of the drive circumference path for movement of drive cable/chain ends. Assembly 10 allows shifting or adjusting of drive ratio with or without requiring any drive rotation of assembly 10. A first example embodiment 14 of the present invention assembly 10 has adjustable transmission crank arms 22. Crank arms 22 are adjusted to retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A gear engaging stepless speed variator having orientational ON-OFF properties of worm transmission for a gear transmission mechanism to realize ON-OFF orientation, so as to achieve stepless speed change of gear engagement. The variator has an orientational ON-OFF device having two sets of ON-OFF mechanisms, each set of ON-OFF mechanisms contains a driving worm, driven worm, a pair of driving gears, a pair of driven gears and a worm wheel. The power output device has two sets of differential gear composed of a frame and four bevel gears mounted in the frame, and an output shaft, and is provided with a speed adjustment device such that through an eccentric mechanism and the speed adjustment device it realizes output of rotary motion with stepless change of speed.

Abstract: A mechanical continuously variable torque transmission, in particular for flywheel driven, fuel efficient, low emission cars, trucks and locomotives includes structure as follows: three eccentrics 20, 21, 22, mounted on input shaft 18 and carrying needle bearings 23, 24, 25, rotate freely inside three loops of flexible bands 57, 58, 59. One end of each flexible bands is mounted on an oscillating member 36, 37 or 38, which contain overrunning clutches, able to drive output shaft 30. The oscillating members 36, 37, 38 are each held in a home position by a spring 63 and stop 60, 42. The other ends of the flexible bands are each mounted on a pulley 49, 50, or 51, which are themselves mounted on torsion bars 71, 72, 73. The torsion bars are adjustable in angular position as well as in their elastic length.Rotation of pulleys 49, 50, 51 tightens the flexible bands so that rotation of the eccentrics causes torque to the oscillating members and pulleys in the first half of a cycle of rotation of each eccentric.

Abstract: The mechanism consists of a crankshaft and connecting rods driving two rods which extend through the full length of the cylinder of the taper. The rods reciprocate 180.degree. out of phase with each other and pass through a piston assembly. Clutch mechanisms in the piston assembly engage when the rods are moving toward the head assembly and do not engage for the opposite motion. As a result the piston assembly advances toward the head assembly an increment of motion each time one of the rods moves in that direction. A mechanism in the piston assembly engages the head end of the cylinder as the piston assembly approaches the head end and prevents the clutches from engaging so that the piston assembly does not jam against the head end of the cylinder. Also, mechanism is provided to disengage both clutches and keep them disengaged so that the piston assembly is free to move as the cylinder is being filled. This mechanism involves rotating the rods to drive cams which engage the clutches to hold them disengaged.

Abstract: A hardgeared infinitely variable transmission (IVT) is provided in which at least one quick return mechanism is hardgeared to the rotating transmission input shaft. The quick return mechanisms convert the rotating motion of the transmission input shaft to a variable motion consisting of a near constant linear velocity portion and a rapid return portion for each cycle of input rotation. The near constant linear velocity portion of the motion of each quick return mechanism is selectively engaged to a conversion device which translates the motion to an output rotation. The input/output speed ratio is adjusted by varying the amount and direction of quick return mechanism motion which is selectively engaged to the conversion device. An infinite range of speed ratios can be produced, as well as output rotation in both forward and reverse directions relative to the input rotation.

Abstract: A transmission for providing continuously variable speed and torque comprises a housing, an input shaft, a system of variable throw eccentrics, control means for changing eccentric throw of the variable throw eccentrics, connecting links for receiving eccentric throw from the system of variable throw eccentrics and transmitting it as reciprocal motion and removing ripple from the output, one-way clutches for receiving reciprocal motion from connecting links and transmitting it as rotational motion, and an output shaft. The control means comprise a control shaft rotatably disposed around the input shaft so that both shafts have the same rotational axis and with a fork fixed to the control shaft, a pin fixed at one end to an eccentric and engaged between the prongs of the fork, and means for rotating the control shaft with respect to the input shaft, thus changing the eccentric throw and the transmission ratio.

Abstract: An input shaft includes a cam configured to have a variable diameter profile. An oscillating arm tracks the cam profile. Oscillating motion of the arm is converted by roller clutches back to rotary motion. Speed variation is accomplished by moving the arms axially so that they contact the cam at points of varying cam diameter. The cam is configured to eliminate torque surges at all speed ratios, resulting in smooth delivery of torque under all conditions. An appropriate cam surface providing this result is disclosed.

Abstract: A stepless speed change gear that is small in size, light in weight, simple in construction, secure in operation, long in service life and capable of high-output speed changes. An input shaft crank (3) and an input side member (4) are mounted on an input shaft (1) and an output shaft (2) via a one-way clutch mechanism (100), respectively, and the respective members are coupled to each other by means of an input connecting rod (5) and an output connecting rod (6). Also, a speed-change link (7) is coupled to a junction point (B) of these links at one end thereof, and the other end thereof (Q) is allowed to move to any position within a certain range and to be fixed at that point. Also, the one-way clutch is a rolling bearing clutch. Variable speed change can securely be obtained with a simple mechanism. In a case where the rolling bearing clutch is used, high-output speed change is possible with the stepless speed change gear that is small in size and light in weight.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus transmits power from a rotatable cam to an output mechanism. A variable length lever, comprised of first and second lever sections, is pivoted to a lever support by a fulcrum. The lever sections telescopingly or otherwise interconnected to allow the over-all length of the lever to vary. In addition, the first lever section includes a cam following end portion which is drivenly coupled to the cam. Also, the second lever section has an output end portion which is pivoted to the output mechanism. The lever oscillates when the cam following end portion is driven by the cam and drives the output mechanism. A drive adjustment device moves the fulcrum relative to the cam following and output end portions of the first and second lever sections. This varies the throw of the output end portion with the zero drive being possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improvements made to the infinitely variable rotary drive transmission U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,161 dated Dec. 10, 1985, having an input member and an output member rotatably mounted to a housing. Two articulated shafts are rotatably mounted on two slides such that the degree of articulation can be varied in infinite increments by operating a lever mounted on the housing. The two articulated shafts are connected rotatably and synchronously. The input member through a substantial speed reduction drives the articulated shafts. The articulated shafts are connected by rods to a pair of cooperating overrunning clutch assemblies mounted on an intermediate shaft which in turn is rotatably mounted on the housing. Another clutch assembly is mounted on the intermediate shaft to restrict its movement to one direction only. The intermediate shaft through a substantial speed increase drives the output member.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission, method of controlling an infinitely variable transmission, and an apparatus utilizing the method. The infinitely variable transmission provides a lever or walking beam having a variable fulcrum point. Power is supplied to one end of the lever, for example by cams on a driving shaft. Power is taken from the other end of the lever by use of a rack cooperating with a gear mounted to a one-way clutch on a driven shaft. The method controlling the infinitely variable transmission includes measuring the intake manifold pressure of the internal combustion engine driving the transmission and displacing the fulcrum point of the lever in response to the measurement obtained to vary the transmission ratio.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus includes a housing to which input and output shafts are journalled. The input shaft is rotated by a motor or prime mover to thereby drive a cardioidal-shaped cam. The cam reciprocates a drive rod which has a first end slidably and pivotally connected to one end portion of a plural-section lever. The lever is pivoted to a lever supporting structure for oscillating movement, in response to reciprocations of the drive rod. The lever pivots about a fulcrum pivot axis which is fixed relative to the lever and positioned intermediate the ends of the lever. A first end portion of an output rod is slidably and pivotally connected to the other end portion of the lever. A drive speed adjustment mechanism is provided for shifting the lever supporting structure, and thereby the lever, relative to the input and output loads.

Abstract: The impulse variable speed device comprises an input shaft (2) and output shaft (2) both axially aligned. The input shaft is kinematically connected to a mechanism for converting rotary motion of the input shaft into an oscillating motion of an intermediate link. The output shaft is connected to a mechanism for converting the oscillating motion of the intermediate link into rotary motion of the output shaft, the mechanism comprising free-wheeling clutches and of heterodirectional action kinematically connected with the intermediate link. The mechanism for converting rotary motion into an oscillating motion comprises a bow-shaped guide rod fixed on the input shaft and having the center of curvature thereof on the axis of the input and output shafts and, which center is a single center of the variable speed device. A slider is put on said guide rod for displacement along the guide rod. The slider is pivoted to one end of a lever whose axis crosses the single center of the variable speed device.

Abstract: Cams carried by a power input shaft reciprocate a pair of yokes along perpendicular paths with the ends of each yoke coupled to a pair of oscillating arm members, all carried by a shift ring. Disposed for rectilinear travel between each pair of arm members is a gear plate. Rack gears on the gear plates impart rotation to driven gears of multiple drive assemblies, each of which assemblies includes a driving gear in mesh with an output shaft mounted gear. Rectilinear movement of the gear plates in one direction in response to arm oscillation imparts rotation to the driving gear of each drive assembly while a unidirectional clutch in each drive assembly permits overrunning of the driving gear during return travel of its associated gear plate. Infinite speed changes result from shifting the axes of arm oscillation toward or away from the gear plate ends by positioning of the arm carrying shift ring.

Abstract: An infinite speed transmission having aligned input and output shafts with the input shaft driving a pair of eccentrics each of which oscillates an arm which in turn drives a gear plate housing in a rectilinear manner. Each gear plate housing slidably carries a gear plate equipped with multiple gear racks which drive a pinion gear mounted on the transmission output shaft. Gear plate and pinion engagement for unidirectional rotation of the pinion gear is controlled by a cam which shifts the gear plates within their respective housing. Speed changes are effected by relocating the eccentric driven arms relative the gear plate housings driven by the arms. Repositioning of the cam results in the output shaft mounted pinion being driven in a reverse direction.

Abstract: The dynamic power booster is an apparatus which utilizes rotational input power for driving a crank lever in circular rotation. The crank lever drives a pivotally mounted lever assembly, having a first and a second lever slidably connected with one another, in a reciprocating and oscillating movement.An oscillating arm is movably mounted by its first end portion on the second lever adjacent to the assembly pivot mounting arrangement, and the second end portion of the oscillating arm is attached to one way clutches which are attached to an output shaft.Upon rotation of the crank lever, the combination lever assembly moves into an oscillating and reciprocating motion and simultaneously oscillates the oscillating arm, which in turn via the one way clutches rotates the output shaft.