Abstract: A compact vehicle having a body frame that contains an automatic transmission. The operating system of the vehicle has either an engine with a crankshaft that is transverse to the axis of movement of the vehicle or is parallel to the axis of movement of the vehicle. Additionally, the crankshaft is an input shaft to a split power transmission and actuates an output shaft to drive the axle and wheels of the vehicle. The split-power transmission uses a power summing device in combination with a plurality of clutches and variable power units in order to provide a shift between a first operating mode and a second operating mode.

Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission having a self actuating clutch assembly. The self-actuating clutch assembly comprises a first and second gear clutching elements and a shaft clutching element that engages a shaft. The shaft clutching element is a cone clutch that is actuated by a ball element that is biased towards the shaft clutching element by a spring element that is disposed through the shaft.

Abstract: An operating system for a vehicle having an engine that provides an input shaft into a split-power transmission to actuate an output shaft that drives an axle and wheels of the vehicle. The split-power transmission uses a power summing device in order to provide a plurality of modes that are associated with a plurality of clutching and variable power units. By using the power summing device in association with the plurality of clutches and variable power units, a controller that is electrically connected to each is able to actuate the clutches and variable power units in order to provide an automatic transmission that shifts at synchronous speeds.

Abstract: A vehicle having a frame with an engine mounted thereon. The engine has an output shaft that is connected to the input shaft of at least one hydromechanical transmission with a drive belt. A second hydromechanical transmission can then be used in association with the engine, first hydromechanical transmission and drive belt in order to provide an output to actuate driving elements in order to drive the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission having a self actuating clutch assembly. The self-actuating clutch assembly comprises a first and second gear clutching elements and a shaft clutching element that engages a shaft. The shaft clutching element is a cone clutch that is actuated by a ball element that is biased towards the shaft clutching element by a spring element that is disposed through the shaft.

Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission having at least first and second three element planetaries directly connected to one another. The first and second three element planetaries work in conjunction with a hydrostatic transmission and a plurality of clutches in order to provide at least first and second forward operating modes having continuous ratios.

Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission that has first and second planetaries each having first, second and third elements. The first element of the first planetary is connected to a first hydrostatic unit while the second element of the first planetary is connected to a second hydrostatic unit with the third element of the first planetary connected to an input. A primary clutch is connected between first and third elements of the second planetary while at least one secondary clutch is connected to the second planetary. When the primary and secondary clutches are selectively engaged at least two operating modes having continuous ratios are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle that has a frame, a front axle secured to the frame near the front thereof and a pair of rear axle shafts secured to the frame near the rear thereof. The vehicle also has a seat for at least two occupants and a dashboard. The vehicle further includes a load bed positioned on the vehicle which extends toward the rear of the utility vehicle from directly proximate the seat and over the rear axle shafts, and a prime mover mounted on the vehicle between the dashboard and the rear axle shafts. Finally, the vehicle has a hydraulic pump secured to the frame and coupled to a prime mover, a hydraulic motor, a gear box with a gear box input shaft driven by a hydraulic motor output shaft, a plurality of gears driven by the gear box input shaft and a differential driven by the plurality of gears.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed within. The utility vehicle includes a front axle, a pair of rear axle shafts, a seat with a minimum capacity of two occupants secured to the vehicle, an engine, having an engine output shaft, mounted between the front axle and the rear axle shafts and a least partially below the seat and a load bed. The utility vehicle also includes a hydraulic pump, driven by a pump input shaft, and a hydraulic motor, which drives a plurality of gears through a motor output shaft. The engine output shaft, the pump input shaft and the motor output shaft are generally parallel to the front axle and the rear axle shafts.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed within. The utility vehicle includes a frame with a front end and a rear end, a front axle secured to the frame, a pair of rear axles secured to the frame and a seat for at least two occupants positioned between the front axle and the rear axle shafts. The utility vehicle also includes a load bed positioned over the rear axle shafts, a prime mover having an output shaft, a hydraulic pump driven by the prime mover by a belt, a gear box with a gear box input shaft, a differential driving the rear axle shafts and a hydraulic motor connected to the hydraulic pump by hydraulic lines and drivingly engaged to the gear box input shaft.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed within. The utility vehicle comprises a front axle, a pair of rear axle shafts, a seat for at least two occupants positioned between the front axle and the rear axle shafts, a load bed positioned over the rear axle shafts, a prime mover with a prime mover output shaft with a pulley attached to the end of the prime mover output shaft. Further, the vehicle has a hydraulic drive system that has a hydraulic pump driven by a pump input shaft, a hydraulic motor located within a common housing with the hydraulic pump, and gears and a differential located in the common housing with the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor. The prime mover output shaft and the pump input shaft are parallel to the front axle and the rear axle shafts.

Abstract: A putter has a center of gravity located rearward from the face and under the stroking pivot point. The polar moment of inertia of the putter is increased by moving the distribution of weight toward the rear of the head away from the contact surface. The sole of the putter has an optimized transverse radius and a raised front edge. The putter has an aiming mark that has a minimum area and a minimum length-to-width ratio and is brightly colored. The putter grip has a flat portion that is oriented to match the player's hand rotational position. The face of the putter has friction and energy transfer characteristics that are selected to influence ball motion if struck with stroking errors. The face loft angle cooperates with the face surface characteristics to influence ball launch angle and rotation.

Abstract: A transmission has an HMT which is in parallel with an HST both driving two planetaries which are used for forward/reverse and for differential steer. A two or three mode HMT is created by having a first HST in parallel with two or three mechanical power paths defined by separate clutches. One clutch has a speed reversing gear to produce reverse output speed. A four-element planetary sums the parallel flow and delivers variable speed and torque to two output shafts. The differential steer is created by two planetaries connected with the outputs of the HMT and a second HST. The planetaries have a speed reversing gear on one power path connection. The second HST controls the differential speed between the output shafts by adding speed to one and subtracting speed from the other.

Abstract: A small engine transmission having a hydromechanical transmission unit providing a first power path, and a mechanical power transmission unit providing a second power path. The mechanical power transmission is a planetary gear system having a planetary carrier. The hydromechanical transmission is associated with the mechanical transmission to decrease average hydraulic power flow of the engine transmission to thereby increase operating efficiency and to permit the reduction of an output speed range to reduce transmitted power for the use of multiple modes to achieve a full torque and speed range of the transmission.

Abstract: A transmission has an HMT which is in parallel with an HST both driving two planetaries which are used for forward/reverse and for differential steer. A two or three mode HMT is created by having a first HST in parallel with two or three mechanical power paths defined by separate clutches. One clutch has a speed reversing gear to produce reverse output speed. A four-element planetary sums the parallel flow and delivers variable speed and torque to two output shafts. The differential steer is created by two planetaries connected with the outputs of the HMT and a second HST. The planetaries have a speed reversing gear on one power path connection. The second HST controls the differential speed between the output shafts by adding speed to one and subtracting speed from the other.

Abstract: A compact vehicle has a frame and an operating position thereon for at least one rider. An engine having a drive shaft is on the frame, as are a plurality of operational wheels. A transmission operatively couples the engine and the wheels. The transmission is a hydrostatic mechanical transmission with at least 2 operational modes.

Abstract: A utility vehicle incorporating a frame, a load bed mounted at the rear of the frame and front and rear axles secured to the fame, has an engine mounted to the frame between the front and rear axles, a mechanical gear box secured to the frame and a differential mounted in the gear box and engaged to and driving the rear axles. A hydraulic pump housing is secured to the frame and has a pump input shaft extending therefrom. A hydraulic motor housing is secured to the frame and hydraulically connected to the pump. A motor output shaft, driven by the hydraulic motor, extends out of the motor housing and is engaged to a gear box input shaft.

Abstract: A transmission has an HMT which is in parallel with an HST both driving two planetaries which are used for forward/reverse and for differential steer. A two or three mode HMT is created by having a first HST in parallel with two or three mechanical power paths defined by separate clutches. One clutch has a speed reversing gear to produce reverse output speed. A four-element planetary sums the parallel flow and delivers variable speed and torque to two output shafts. The differential steer is created by two planetaries connected with the outputs of the HMT and a second HST. The planetaries have a speed reversing gear on one power path connection. The second HST controls the differential speed between the output shafts by adding speed to one and subtracting speed from the other.

Abstract: A putter has a center of gravity located rearward from the face and under the stroking pivot point. The polar moment of inertia of the putter is increased by moving the distribution of weight toward the rear of the head away from the contact surface. The sole of the putter has an optimized transverse radius and a raised front edge. The putter has an aiming mark that has a minimum area and a minimum length-to-width ratio and is brightly colored. The putter grip has a flat portion that is oriented to match the player's hand rotational position. The face of the putter has friction and energy transfer characteristics that are selected to influence ball motion if struck with stroking errors. The face loft angle cooperates with the face surface characteristics to influence ball launch angle and rotation.

Abstract: A transmission has an HMT which is in parallel with an HST both driving two planetaries which are used for forward/reverse and for differential steer. A two or three mode HMT is created by having a first HST in parallel with two or three mechanical power paths defined by separate clutches. One clutch has a speed reversing gear to produce reverse output speed. A four-element planetary sums the parallel flow and delivers variable speed and torque to two output shafts. The differential steer is created by two planetaries connected with the outputs of the HMT and a second HST. The planetaries have a speed reversing gear on one power path connection. The second HST controls the differential speed between the output shafts by adding speed to one and subtracting speed from the other.