Abstract: A speed change pulley of the type having a fixed flange, a movable flange and an annular, diaphragm spring urging the movable flange toward the fixed flange. The diaphragm spring has an outer peripheral Belleville spring portion bearing against the rim of the movable flange and radial fingers bearing on a fulcrum element connected axially to the shaft of the pulley and fixed for rotation therewith. Lugs integral with the free ends of the radial fingers fulcrum on part cylindrical portions on the fulcrum element. Edges parallel to the axis of the shaft of the pulley and integral with the fulcrum element are in engagement with the lugs for rotationally coupling the diaphragm spring to the fulcrum element. The lugs may be fixed to the ends of the radial fingers or in one piece therewith. The edges may define surface contact or line contact.

Abstract: A torque transmission system has driving and driven pulley units around which an endless V-belt extends. Each pulley unit has a stationary pulley part rotatable with a shaft and a movable pulley part disposed to define with the stationary pulley part a circumferentially continuous groove for receiving the V-belt. The movable pulley parts of the pulley units are axially resiliently biased so that the radii of the circle along which the V-belt engages the driving and driven pulley units are varied to change the speed-change ratio of the transmission system. The movable pulley part of the driven pulley unit is axially shifted by the action of fly weights held between a stationary plate fixed to the shaft and a holder fixed to the movable pulley part.

Abstract: A device for automatically changing the speed ratio between a drive shaft and a driven shaft, including a pair of pulleys mounted on the drive and driven shafts and each having two opposing flanges of truncated cone shape, the pulleys being linked by a V-belt and one pulley being loaded with centrifugally displaceable weights for the speed-change operation.One of the flanges of each pulley is provided with a cover plate having a flat surface portion perpendicular to the rotational axis in face-to-face relation with a truncated-conical surface of the flange. Centrifugally displaceable weights in the form of rollers are located in contact with and between the flat surface portion and the truncated-conical surface portion displaceably radially outward for the speed-change operation.

Abstract: A speed change pulley is disclosed in which, for relative centering of the movable side plate with respect to the diaphragm, the diaphragm is provided with engagement members projecting therefrom and axially received in notches in the movable side plate. The engagement members also comprise weight members for enhanced sensitivity to centrifugal force.

Abstract: A torque converter with a clutch mechanism in combination wherein an axially movable sheave is movable toward and away from an opposed fixed sheave, the sheaves accomodating a belt therebetween, the movable sheave being movable in accordance with movement of a centrifugal speed responsive device adjacent the movable sheave to vary the effective pitch diameter of the pair of sheaves having their opposed faces engageable by the belt, and in which a clutch mechanism axially aligned with and mounted on the torque converter is actuatable to move the movable sheave from a non-driving position wherein the belt is not in driving engagement with the sheaves to a driving position wherein the belt is in driving engagement with the sheaves, the sheaves being resiliently biased axially apart and the clutch mechanism being resiliently biased away from the movable sheave.

Abstract: A power transmission for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a variable-diameter drive pulley mechanism (2) mounted on a drive shaft (1) connected to an engine (E), a variable-diameter driven pulley mechanism (22) mounted on a driven shaft (18) operatively coupled with a driven wheel (W), and a clutch (36) mounted coaxially on the driven shaft (18) and operatively connected to the driven pulley mechanism (22). The drive and driven pulley mechanisms (2,22) are interconnected by a V-belt (7). The drive and driven pulley mechanisms (2,22) have axially movable members (5,24) located on opposite sides of the V-belt (7) adjacent to the engine (E) and the clutch (36) to allow parallel displacement of the V-belt (7) during the changing of the diameters of the pulley mechanisms (2,22), to prevent belt twisting or distortion and to prevent the belt (7) and pulley mechanisms (2,22) from being loaded while the vehicle is moved around with the engine (E) turned off.

Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission unit provided with an automatic variable ratio transmission mechanism and a supplementary fixed ratio transmission mechanism which transmits torque from an input shaft to an output shaft of the unit in conditions of low speed and high torque. A free wheel clutch allows the variable ratio transmission mechanism to take over the drive when the speed increases, this being accomplished by means of an automatic speed sensitive clutch which engages when the speed of the output shaft reaches a predetermined threshold valve. A torque converter or other progressive coupling device links the input shaft of the unit, via an isolating friction clutch, to the fixed ratio transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A V-pulley of variable pitch type for a drive acting through a tension medium strand includes two sheaves, at least one of which is displaceable in an axial direction relative to the other, each sheave having a running surface for a tension medium strand such as, for example, V-belts, at least one of the sheaves being mounted on a shaft-like member, at least two systems having means mutually connecting the sheaves to each other, the at least two systems being axially spaced from each other. Thus at least one system allows axial displacement of the one sheave linked thereto, and the other system is firmly linked to the other sheave. Two linked portions of the systems are located radially outside with respect to the running surfaces of the sheaves, thereby obtaining friction-free and wear-free entrainment and guidance of the movable sheave, and especially entrainment and guidance without the occurrence of fatigued corrosion to link means.

Abstract: A drive system especially adapted for driving accessories associated with the engine of a vehicle and controlled essentially by the speed of the engine crankshaft. The drive system comprises a pair of variable pulleys interconnected by a flexible belt, one pulley being driven from the engine crankshaft and the other pulley being associated with one or more accessories.