Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission is provided. The transmission includes an input assembly that is coupled to receive input rotational motion and an output assembly that is rotationally coupled to a load. An input/output planetary ratio assembly sets an input to output speed ratio. The input/output planetary ratio assembly has a first stator and a second stator. An input speed feedback control assembly is operationally attached to the input assembly. The input speed feedback control assembly includes a spider that is coupled to one of the first stator and the second stator. A movable member is operationally engaged with the spider with at least one shift weight. The moveable member is further operationally coupled to the other of the first stator and second stator. Moreover a torque feedback control assembly applies an axial load force in response to a torque of a load to the input speed control assembly.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission is provided. The transmission includes an input assembly that is coupled to receive input rotational motion and an output assembly that is rotationally coupled to a load. An input/output planetary ratio assembly sets an input to output speed ratio. The input/output planetary ratio assembly has a first stator and a second stator. An input speed feedback control assembly is operationally attached to the input assembly. The input speed feedback control assembly includes a spider that is coupled to one of the first stator and the second stator. A movable member is operationally engaged with the spider with at least one shift weight. The moveable member is further operationally coupled to the other of the first stator and second stator. Moreover a torque feedback control assembly applies an axial load force in response to a torque of a load to the input speed control assembly.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes an input assembly. The input assembly coupled to receive input rotational motion. An output assembly is used to provide a rotational output and is coupled to a load. Moreover, an input/output planetary ratio assembly sets an input to output speed ratio between the input assembly and the output assembly. An input speed feedback control assembly is used to provide an axial speed force in response to a rotation from the input assembly on a shift rod. A torque feedback control assembly is used to provide an axial load force on the shift rod in an opposite direction from the axial speed force in response to a torque of a load coupled to the output assembly. In addition, a shifting member is coupled to the shift rod. The shifting member controls the input/output planetary ratio assembly based on a position of the shift rod.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) system including a primary clutch assembly with an engine braking assembly is provided. The primary clutch assembly includes first and second sheave assemblies, a cylindrical sleeve coupler and an engine braking assembly. The first sheave portion has a centrally extending post. The cylindrical sleeve coupler is rotationally mounted on a portion of the post. The sleeve coupler has an engaging surface that is configured to engage an inner face of a drive belt. The second sheave portion has a central passage that is rotationally mounted on the sleeve coupler.

Abstract: A continuous variable clutch is provided. The continuous variable clutch includes a first sheave member and a second sheave member. The first sheave member includes a first central hub and a first conical-faced surface extending radially from the first central hub. The second sheave member includes a second central hub and a second conical-faced surface that extends radially from the second central hub. The second central hub of the second sheave member is received in a cavity of the first central hub such that the first conical-faced surface of the first sheave member facing the second conical-faced surface of the second sheave portion. The second central hub moving axially within the first central hub based on an amount of torque on the continuous variable clutch. The first sheave member and the second sheave member further forming a central passage to receive an input shaft of a transmission.

Abstract: Controller for an all terrain or utility vehicle for automatically raising and lowering an implement to a pre-selected position using an electric winch. The winch is turned for a predetermined time during with the winch is turned, and based on the selected lowered position and the predetermined time the winch may be raised to the same height, denoting a raised position. Based on that predetermined time, a second predetermined time may be determined to run the winch in the opposite direction, with the time corresponding to the amount of time required the snow plow to the selected lowered position. The time to lower the plow may tend to be less than the time required to raise the plow due to the effect of gravity. The controller may raise or lower the plow after the transmission has been set from neutral to reverse or forward, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a combined wet brake and rear gear assembly supported by a pair of frames. The combined wet brake and rear gear assembly includes a housing having at least one gear and a wet brake provided therein. An input shaft is connected to the gear and to the engine of the vehicle. The wet brake is located between one of the pairs of frames and the input shaft in the transverse direction of the vehicle in a top plan view.

Abstract: An all-terrain or utility vehicle having various combinations of left and right front wheels, left and right rear wheels, a differential rotationally variably coupling the left and right front wheels together with a variable coupling torque and a source of motive power being selectively coupled to the left and right rear wheels in one configuration and coupled to the left and right front wheels as well as to the left and right rear wheels in a second configuration. The coupling torque is relatively stronger when a speed of the vehicle is relatively slower and is relatively weaker when the speed of the vehicle is relatively faster.

Abstract: A brake system (100) utilizes a ring gear assembly (13). The ring gear assembly (13) includes a ring gear (13G) that rotates in the oil in the oil sump formed by the housing (101). The ring gear picks up oil as it rotates and as the oil is carried with to the top of the ring gear it falls by gravity into an accumulation cavity (3C). The oil then travels through an aperture (13A) and is then available for use by the reaction and friction plates (8 and 9) for cooling.

Abstract: A disconnect (128) is provided for use between an engine (126) and differential (130). The differential disconnect (128) provides for a lock out of the disconnect (128) so as to prevent self energizing. The differential may also include a bottom-out feature to limit the amount of torque that may be transferred through the disconnect. In addition, the disconnect (128) may include a design to contain axial forces on the input shaft (14).

Abstract: A motorcycle transmission (100) utilizes a shift fork (45), a shift collar (30) including a plurality of engagement teeth (30c) and a collar rib (30a) and a gear (34) (or one of the other six gears). The engagement teeth (30c) drive the teeth (34a) of the gear (34). A trap door (49), in combination with a threaded retainer (55), reduces axial play in shafts (37) and (75).

Abstract: Friction plates (53, 67) have a friction surface which contacts a friction surface on reaction plates (54, 68) to limit the torque transferred in a drive train, after the engine, in a snowmobile, while still allowing torque transmission at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A brake system (20) includes a differential carrier (22, 121) and output gear (26) operatively connected. At least one carrier rotary friction surface (43) is operatively connected to the differential carrier (22, 121). At least one side gear rotary friction surface (45) is operatively connected to one of the side gears (31, 33). At least one limited rotary friction surface is operatively connected to the case, whereby during a braking operation the carrier rotary friction surface and the side gear rotary friction surface are pressed together causing braking of the differential carrier and the first and second differential side gears (31, 33). The carrier (22, 121) is supported by the first and second differential side gears (31, 33).

Abstract: A differential (100) includes a clutch pack that is activated by rotational movement of a ball ramp (31) that results in a linear force applied to the reaction plates (41) and friction plates (42). The ball ramp (31) is controlled by a DC motor (114) that has a high efficiency of a gear train to allow the use of the DC motor to control the activation of the clutch pack.

Abstract: An all-terrain or utility vehicle having various combinations of left and right front wheels, left and right rear wheels, a differential rotationally variably coupling the left and right front wheels together with a variable coupling torque and a source of motive power being selectively coupled to the left and right rear wheels in one configuration and coupled to the left and right front wheels as well as to the left and right rear wheels in a second configuration. The coupling torque is relatively stronger when a speed of the vehicle is relatively slower and is relatively weaker when the speed of the vehicle is relatively faster.

Abstract: A driven element (100) has a first sheave (13) and a second moveable sheave (9). The sheaves (9 and 13) are rotatably tied together so that there is no relative motion between the two sheaves (9 and 13).

Abstract: A one-way bearing or clutch is provided to decouple a continuously variable transmission from the final drive member during reverse torque conditions.

Abstract: A telescoping mast assembly having a ball drive actuator drive system. A telescoping mast section is housed within a base mast section mounted to a base plate. The base mast section pivots about a pivot axis between a lowered, horizontal position and an upright, vertical position and includes an upper elongate body disposed an upper side of the pivot axis and a bottom end disposed on an opposite side of the pivot axis. A ball actuator drive includes an electrically powered motor that drives a ball screw reciprocally inward and outward along a linear stroke path. A remote end of the ball screw is attached to the bottom end of the base mast section and, by pushing and pulling the bottom end of the base mast section, pivots and maintains the base mast section to alternative positions between the fully raised and the fully lowered positions. A telescoping mast section is housed within the base mast section and telescopes between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An extendible mast assembly is disclosed comprising a base member (12); a base mast section (16) pivotally coupled thereto; and an extendible mast section (20) telescopically received within the base mast section (16). A first ball drive actuator (14) is mounted and coupled to pivotally drive the mast sections between a horizontal “down” position and a vertical “up” position, and a second ball drive actuator (18) is mounted within the base mast section to move the extendible mast section in and out of the base mast section. A wiring harness (106, 108) is routed from the base of the unit up through the base mast section and the extendible mast section for powering the ball drive actuators (14, 18) and any electrically powered device mounted to the distal end of the mast. The uppermost extendible mast section (20) is composed of non-conductive material to prevent the conductance of a charge down the mast to the vehicle to which the unit is attached.

Abstract: A folder and stacker for towels, or other articles, wherein the stacker includes an upwardly concave cradle for receiving a folded article and for providing the folded article with an upwardly concave, cross-sectional configuration, the cradle subsequently opening downwardly to permit the upwardly concave, folded article to drop by gravity onto a receiver therebeneath. Providing the folded article with an upwardly concave, cross-sectional configuration balances the air flows past the article on opposite sides thereof as it descends and thus insures that it will drop straight down under the influence of gravity, whereby a series of upwardly concave, folded articles dropped downwardly onto a receiver will be formed into a neat stack. The receiver may be a conveyor which is advanced one step as each stack is completed.