Abstract: Contained within a wheel hub housing is a variable ratio friction drive transmission. A chain drive input sprocket drives direction reversing spools arrayed around a central axis on shafts set at an angle to the central axis. A spool driven element rotates in the opposite direction. The spool driven element drives double cone elements on the shafts. A cone driven element then drives the wheel in the same direction as the input. The double cones are axially movable relative to the cone driving and driven elements. In a first axial position, for low torque, the driving element contacts a small diameter cone portion, and the driven element contacts a large diameter cone portion. As torque increases, the cones are moved by a cam mechanism so that the output ratio reverses and rapid input rotation produces high torque, slow output. A clutch and brake may be included.

Abstract: This invention pertains to gear reducers using the nutating principle. The tooth form is epicycloidal, but with the root or stem of the tooth also epicycloidal so that tooth contact between meshing teeth is essentially for one hundred eighty degress of arc of tooth contact with a uniting rather than a separating force. This tooth formation is used with a pinion beam rather than a pinion with two areas of teeth. This pinion beam has two rows of gear teeth with a relief therebetween for oil circulation. Cooling fins are provided on the housing which has a mechanism for restraining the rotational movement of the outer housing.