Patents by Inventor Robert A. Smithson
Robert A. Smithson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20070270270Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, Robert Smithson
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Publication number: 20070270272Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, robert Smithson
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Publication number: 20070270268Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, Robert Smithson
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Publication number: 20070270266Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, Robert Smithson
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Publication number: 20070270271Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, Robert Smithson
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Publication number: 20070270267Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, Robert Smithson
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Publication number: 20070270278Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, Robert Smithson
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Publication number: 20070270265Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, Robert Smithson
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Publication number: 20070270269Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, David Allen, Robert Smithson, Jeffrey Birchak
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Patent number: 7288042Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
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Patent number: 7261663Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
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Publication number: 20070197337Abstract: A traction-drive system that in one embodiment comprises an idler rotatable about a longitudinal axis, a plurality of rotatable and generally disc-shaped planet rollers each having an inner contact surface, a case contact surface and an idler contact surface, the inner contact surface being of a first diameter, the case contact surface being of a second diameter, and the idler contact surface being of a third diameter, the planet rollers distributed about the idler and each planet roller contacting the idler at its respective idler contact surface. The traction drive system of this embodiment also comprises an inner ring rotatable about the longitudinal axis adapted to contact the inner contact surface of each of the planet rollers, and a case ring adapted to contact the case contact surface of each of the planet rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, Robert Smithson
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Patent number: 7250018Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
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Publication number: 20070155567Abstract: Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald Miller, Robert Smithson, Brad Pohl, Charles Lohr, Jon Nichols
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Patent number: 7238138Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
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Patent number: 7238136Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
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Patent number: 7238137Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
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Patent number: 7235031Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
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Patent number: 7232395Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
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Patent number: 7217215Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson, Jeffrey A. Birchak