Abstract: Fixed belt tensioners for a belt system, such as for an exercise bicycle or other belted exercise equipment. The tensioners have the pulley-bearing assembly fixedly attached to the tensioning arm, which is attached to the equipment frame or to a bracket via the same aperture that forms the axis by which the pulley-bearing assembly is attached to the tensioning arm. The arm includes a protrusion or other feature that provides a pivot point for use during the belt installation process. The tensioning arm also incorporates a tensioning adjustment, such as a hex or square hole or protrusion for engagement with a torque wrench or a simple wrench.

Abstract: An arrangement for balancing axial forces in driver and driven clutches of a continuously variable transmission system that may include but is not limited to a pulley, a sheave mechanism, a driver clutch mechanism, or driver clutch, a driven pulley mechanism, a driven clutch mechanism, or driven clutch, and a shifting mechanism, servo, actuator mechanism, or actuator. The torque transmitted by the continuously variable transmission system is converted to axial forces acting upon belt. The forces in driver and driven clutches are balanced to minimize the force required for speed changes by shifting mechanism.

Abstract: Ring tensioners having a plurality of rungs that extend from a first side to an opposite second side of the ring tensioner, in use, the rungs engaging between the teeth of a toothed belt. Both the first side and the second side of the ring tensioner are not continuous but have gaps. The gaps on the first side alternate with the gaps on the second side. The ring tensioners may be formed from a single length of wire.

Abstract: Fixed belt tensioners for a belt system, such as for an exercise bicycle or other belted exercise equipment. The tensioners have the pulley-bearing assembly fixedly attached to the tensioning arm, which is attached to the equipment frame or to a bracket via the same aperture that forms the axis by which the pulley-bearing assembly is attached to the tensioning arm. The arm includes a protrusion or other feature that provides a pivot point for use during the belt installation process. The tensioning arm also incorporates a tensioning adjustment, such as a hex or square hole or protrusion for engagement with a torque wrench or a simple wrench.

Abstract: A synchronous belt drive system having: a synchronous belt with a tensile cord of high-modulus fiber such as glass, carbon, PBO, or aramid; a driver sprocket and at least one driven sprocket, at least one of which is an obround sprocket; and a tensioner having: a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially with a radially outer surface and a receiving portion, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm. Preferably, no one of the eccentric arm, pulley, or torsion spring is axially displaced along an axis A-A from the others. The obround sprocket has a toothed surface and at least one linear portion disposed between two arcuate portions having a constant radius, the linear portion having a predetermined length.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.

Abstract: A synchronous belt drive system having: a synchronous belt with a tensile cord of high-modulus fiber such as glass, carbon, PBO, or aramid; a driver sprocket and at least one driven sprocket, at least one of which is an obround sprocket; and a tensioner having: a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially with a radially outer surface and a receiving portion, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm. Preferably, no one of the eccentric arm, pulley, or torsion spring is axially displaced along an axis A-A from the others. The obround sprocket has a toothed surface and at least one linear portion disposed between two arcuate portions having a constant radius, the linear portion having a predetermined length.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a bracket, a first swing arm pivotally mounted to the bracket, a first pulley journalled to the first swing arm, a second swing arm pivotally mounted to the bracket, a second pulley journalled to the second swing arm, and a damping member connected between the first swing arm and the second swing arm, the damping member having a asymmetric damping characteristic.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.

Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a cylindrical portion extending axially, the cylindrical portion comprising a radially outer surface and a receiving portion that is radially inward of the radially outer surface, an eccentric arm pivotally engaged with the radially outer surface, a torsion spring disposed within the radially inward receiving portion, the torsion spring applying a biasing force to the eccentric arm, and a pulley journalled to the eccentric arm.

Abstract: A CVT transmission comprising a shaft journalled to a housing, a first sheave fixed to the shaft, a second sheave moveable parallel to an axis of rotation of the shaft, the second sheave locked in rotating relation with the first sheave by a first sheave member cooperatively engaged with a second sheave receiving member, the second sheave receiving member disposed at a helical angle (HA) with respect to the axis of rotation, a sprocket journalled to the housing, the sprocket threadably engaged with a movable member, a bearing disposed between the movable member and the second sheave, the movable member engaged with the housing whereby movement of the movable member is parallel with the axis of rotation, an electric actuator engaged with the sprocket, and the second sheave is axially movable upon a rotation of the sprocket.

Abstract: This disclosure generally includes description of a secondary driven clutch system for a continuously variable transmission. The secondary driven clutch system may be coupled adjacent a shaft that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The system may include a movable sheave including a slot, where the movable sheave may be movable closer to or further from a stationary sheave along the longitudinal axis. The slot may be generally at an angle from the longitudinal axis and configured to reduce the longitudinal force needed to move the moveable sheave along the shaft along the longitudinal axis, as compared to a slot generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A CVT transmission comprising a shaft journalled to a housing, a first sheave fixed to the shaft, a second sheave moveable parallel to an axis of rotation of the shaft, the second sheave locked in rotating relation with the first sheave by a first sheave member cooperatively engaged with a second sheave receiving member, the second sheave receiving member disposed at a helical angle (HA) with respect to the axis of rotation, a sprocket journalled to the housing, the sprocket threadably engaged with a movable member, a bearing disposed between the movable member and the second sheave, the movable member engaged with the housing whereby movement of the movable member is parallel with the axis of rotation, an electric actuator engaged with the sprocket, and the second sheave is axially movable upon a rotation of the sprocket.

Abstract: A transfer case comprising a rotational input member, a rotational output member, a rotational planetary gear portion operatingly engaged between the input member and the output member, a moveable cam member selectively engagable with the planetary gear portion, whereby the rotation of the planetary gear portion is stopped when the cam member is engaged with the planetary gear portion, the rotational direction of the output member is in the same direction as the input member when the cam member is not engaged with the planetary gear portion, and the rotational direction of the output member is opposite the rotational direction of the input member when the cam member is engaged with the planetary gear portion.

Abstract: A rotary machine is provided having rotating forward and rearward work members having cyclic non-constant angle motion there between, the machine includes a rotating shaft and a first gear eccentrically mounted with the rotating shaft. A reaction gear in mesh with the first gear causes the first gear to rotate with respect to the rotating shaft. First and second connecting rods are pivotally connected with the first gear. First and second crank arms are pivotally connected with the respective first and second connecting rods. First and second coaxial shafts are connected with the respective first and second first crank arms. The first shaft is connected with at least one forward work member. The second shaft is connected with at least one rearward work member.