Abstract: An improved eight speed chainless drive includes a gear case housed within the hub of the driving wheel of a utility tricycle with a drive shaft on the axis of the wheel. Three counter shafts rotatably mounted on ball bearings in the gear case are equally spaced around the drive shaft with six gears fixed on each counter shaft. The two gears on one end of each counter shaft are in constant mesh with two drive gears which can be selectively locked to the drive shaft, and the four gears on the other end are in constant mesh with four gears rotating freely on a driven gear carrier rotatably mounted on a ball bearing on the drive shaft, with provisions for selectively locking any one of the four to the driven gear carrier. Spring-loaded pawls mounted on steel pins in the end of the driven gear carrier engage a ratchet ring fixed in the wheel hub for driving the wheel.

Abstract: An Ellipticycle features a conventional bicycle front wheel assembly which is joined by two parallel lengths of bicycle tubing to a cast aluminum gear case within which a multiple speed transmission is enclosed. A crank shaft extends out through bearings in the left and right side halves of the gear case at its forward end with a crank arm fixed on each end of the crank shaft. A pedal beam is rotatably mounted near its center on a spindle fixed in the end each crank arm. A cam roller bolted on each side of the gear case at its aft end engages a short length of steel angle riveted on the inside of each pedal beam providing a downward force to counter balance the weight of the rider on the cantilevered forward portion of the pedal beam. A length of aluminum tubing is bolted on each side of the gear case at its aft end and encloses a drive shaft which passes out through bearings in the gear case.

Abstract: An improved eight speed chainless drive includes a gear case housed within the hub of the driving wheel of a utility tricycle with a drive shaft on the axis of the wheel. Three counter shafts rotatably mounted on ball bearings in the gear case are equally spaced around the drive shaft with six gears fixed on each counter shaft. The two gears on one end of each counter shaft are in constant mesh with two drive gears which can be selectively locked to the drive shaft, and the four gears on the other end are in constant mesh with four gears rotating freely on a driven gear carrier rotatably mounted on a ball bearing on the drive shaft, with provisions for selectively locking any one of the four to the driven gear carrier. Spring-loaded pawls mounted on steel pins in the end of the driven gear carrier engage a ratchet ring fixed in the wheel hub for driving the wheel.