Abstract: Ring tensioners having a plurality of rungs that extend from a first side to an opposite second side of the ring tensioner, in use, the rungs engaging between the teeth of a toothed belt. Both the first side and the second side of the ring tensioner are not continuous but have gaps. The gaps on the first side alternate with the gaps on the second side. The ring tensioners may be formed from a single length of wire.

Abstract: A CVT transmission comprising a shaft journalled to a housing, a first sheave fixed to the shaft, a second sheave moveable parallel to an axis of rotation of the shaft, the second sheave locked in rotating relation with the first sheave by a first sheave member cooperatively engaged with a second sheave receiving member, the second sheave receiving member disposed at a helical angle (HA) with respect to the axis of rotation, a sprocket journalled to the housing, the sprocket threadably engaged with a movable member, a bearing disposed between the movable member and the second sheave, the movable member engaged with the housing whereby movement of the movable member is parallel with the axis of rotation, an electric actuator engaged with the sprocket, and the second sheave is axially movable upon a rotation of the sprocket.

Abstract: A multiple-ratio drive transmission comprises first and second spaced disc systems, each system of which is composed of three separate discs: (1) a retention disc located at an outermost side; a pin receiving disc located at an innermost side; and, (3) a pin holding disc sandwiched between. Each disc comprises concentric rings of proportionally spaced holes through which corresponding pins are maintained, inserted, retracted, or traversed. As the disc system rotates, each pin on a ring associated for a selected gear passes through a shifting zone in which a ramp mechanism is inserted. A plurality of selection cams rotates to urge a sequential outward deflection of cams. By rotating the selection cam, sequential deflection cams extend into the drive position; they urge a pivoting of a select deflection ramp. The ramp for the pre-selected gear ratio causes the ring to extend to the drive position. As the pins lift, the chain impinges and the gear ratio completely changes during one revolution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuously variable transmission using a belt which comprises: a driving portion including a main cylinder having a space in which oil can be filled and operating as a pulley, a plurality of subsidiary cylinders disposed at a circumferential surface of the main cylinder and expanding in the radial direction due to the centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the driving shaft, the subsidiary cylinders each being formed with belt grooves at the distal end for seating belts thereon; a driven portion having a structure identical to that of the driving portion, and disposed at a position spaced apart from the driving portion by a predetermined distance; belts seated on the belt grooves formed at the subsidiary cylinders of the driving portion and the belt grooves formed at the subsidiary cylinders of the driven portion, for transmitting the power of the driving portion to the driven portion.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission of the continuously variable type. The transmission includes an input pulley having primary and secondary sheaves and an output pulley having primary and secondary sheaves. The primary and secondary sheaves of the input pulley are mounted on a first axle shaft carried by an actuator plate and the primary and secondary sheaves of the output pulley are carried on a second axle shaft carried by the actuator plate. The input shaft of the transmission carries pin mounted roller bearings which are received in skewed slots in an actuator sleeve so that the actuator sleeve is moved axially along the input shaft in response to variations in torque loading. The actuator plate is annular and includes a central circumferential groove receiving pin mounted roller bearings carried by the actuator sleeve so that the actuator plate, and the axle shafts carried thereby, undergoes the same axial movement as the actuator sleeve in response to variations in torque loading.

Abstract: A drive belt for continuously variable transmission for motor vehicles is provided with two pulleys, each including two substantially conical pulley sheaves, between which the drive belt can be held at a variable radial position, which drive belt is provided with transverse elements (32), which on both lateral sides are provided with a flank (40) that is intended for frictional contact with the pulleys, and which, at least in its height direction, i.e. radially relative to the pulleys (1, 2), is provided with a convex curvature, in which flank (40) one or more grooves (41) are provided.

Abstract: A drive mechanism of the type having a first pulley, a second pulley, and an endless flexible drive member extending therebetween for transmitting motion from the first pulley to the second pulley wherein at least one of the pulleys is a variable ratio pulley assembly. The variable ratio pulley assembly includes a planar and includes at least one circular row of apertures through the disk. At least one fixed magnet is affixed to the planar disk wherein the polar orientation of the fixed magnet is substantially transverse to the planar disk. A plurality of drive segments are positioned in the row of apertures and forms at least one circular row of drive segments wherein each of the segments is selectably translatable between a retracted position and an engaged position.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive mechanism, suitable for a bicycle for example, has at least one gear whose effective radius is variable in a stepless manner in response to applied torque and/or in response to an external force. The gear may include a helical spring (10) which is "wound up" as torque is applied, to decrease its radius. Other possibilities include a rim (20) supported by spokes in the form of compressible springs (22), or a series of outwardly biased arcuate members (30) arranged around a central hub.

Abstract: A transmission having at least one variable outer diameter pulley which includes a generally cylindrical pipe having four equally spaced penetrating holes radially disposed in its cylindrical wall, a sealing means having a diaphragm positioned adjacent each of the penetrating holes and fitted to the pipe support, and sliders forming a pulley peripheral face fitted into each penetrating hole to be able to slide smoothly. Each slider is moved by diaphragms in a direction so the pulley outer diameter expands by compressed air supplied through a fluid supply passage in a rotary axle which supports the pulley. Exhausting the compressed air causes the pulley outer diameter to decrease and restores the pulley to its original size by a tension coil spring around the pulley periphery.

Abstract: A oral composition which inhibits plaque formation and reduces gingivitis and caries comprising a substantially water insoluble noncationic antimicrobial agent, such as triclosan and an acid reducing agent, such as xylitol. The composition is a dentifrice containing a siliceous polishing agent.

Abstract: An oral composition such as a dentifrice, mouthwash, lozenge or chewing gum containing a polyphosphate anticalculus agent, such as tetraalkali metal pyrophosphate and antibacterial antiplaque agent compatible therewith. The antiplaque agent is a substantially water-insoluble noncationic antibacterial agent such as 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether (Triclosan). Antiplaque effectiveness is optimized by the presence of an antibacterial-enhancing agent which enhances delivery of said antibacterial agent to, and retention thereof on, oral surfaces.

Abstract: A driver mechanism which operates to transfer power between a pulley and a v-belt which includes a plurality of belted v-sections for wedging frictional engagement with opposed convex-shaped frictional surfaces on the driver member, the belt comprising an arimid fiber strength member integrally made with an urethane resilient material.

Abstract: Continuous speed change gear, especially for two-wheeled vehicles, comprising two cog wheels, a cylindrical support for continuously varying, as desired, their center distances, accompanied by radial translation of the cogs of one of the two wheels, the wheels meshing practically with one cog at a time and at least with one cog of the wheel with translatable cogs, so that, with each variation of the center distance there will be continuous variation of the ratio of transmission between the axles of the two wheels.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive mechanism which operates to adjust the path of an endless drive belt in response to a remotely located control input. A plurality of circumferentially spaced sheave segements are respectively mounted in a plurality of radially extending elongated tracks with opposed tooth-like formations therein. Each sheave segment includes cam/bearing means with multiple camming surfaces and opposed engagement blocks intermediate the cam/bearing means and the tooth-like formations. The engagement blocks are mutually slidably engaged but spring-biased into engagement with the tooth-like formations to thereby detent the sheave segment against radial movement. Each sheave segment has a bearing surface which is engaged by the drive belt when the drive mechanism traverses through a predetermined arc of rotation but is disengaged from the drive belt whe outside the predetermined arc of rotation.

Abstract: A variable ratio drive mechanism which operates to adjust the path of an endless drive belt in response to a remotely located control input. A plurality of circumferentially spaced sheave segments are respectively mounted in a plurality of radially extending elongated tracks with opposed tooth-like formations therein. Each sheave segment includes cam/bearing means with multiple camming surfaces and opposed engagement blocks intermediate the cam/bearing means and the tooth-like formations. The engagement blocks are mutually slidably engaged but spring-biased into engagement with the tooth-like formations to thereby detent the sheave segment against radial movement. Each sheave segment has a bearing surface which is engaged by the drive belt when the drive mechanism traverses through a predetermined arc of rotation but is disengaged from the drive belt when outside the predetermined arc of rotation.

Abstract: The accessories of a prime mover (such as an engine) are automatically maintained at a more constant speed with varying prime mover speed using a flat belt driving a variable diameter pulley wherein a fixed diameter pulley attached to the variable diameter pulley is used to drive another belt coupled to the accessories.The variable diameter pulley assembly includes a shaft and a pair of pulley sheaves each having a pair of relatively movably guideway disks with belt engaging elements extending between the pulley sheaves. Mutual angular changes between the guideway disks causes a corresponding change in the effective diameter of the pulley assembly. A speed responsive actuator assembly is employed and includes a housing with at least a pair of springs. The actuator assembly is positioned by a balance of forces including the centrifugal force of the belt drive elements, the compression force of the actuator springs, and the forces due to the belt.

Abstract: A flat belt CVT is disclosed in which a geared control system is employed to establish and maintain the effective diameter of each pulley assembly by determining the mutual angular relationship between sets of inner and outer guideway disks provided with spirals oriented in the opposite sense and supporting belt engaging elements at their intersections. The sets of guideway disks are coupled through a planetary gear system which includes a component which can be externally manipulated to adjust the angular relationship between the sets of inner and outer guideway disks while rotating. The planetary gear system includes a first sun gear which meshes with star gears whose shafts are fixed in position with respect to the first sun gear. A second sun gear meshes with planet gears which may orbit around the second sun gear while rotating on a planet carrier.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for use on a bicycle is mounted on a bracket that is connected to the rear axle of the bicycle. A first chain connects the chain wheel with a sprocket fixed for rotation with the drive pulley of the transmission. A second chain transmits power from a sprocket fixed for rotation with the driven pulley to the rear wheel hub sprocket. A V-belt is used to transmit power between the drive and driven pulleys. Once a predetermined input torque is reached during pedalling, the transmission automatically changes the speed ratio between the chain wheel and the driven rear wheel of the bicycle. The gear ratio continues to change automatically and steplessly in response to increasing torque through the entire range of gear ratio change, which is approximately equal to the range provided by a standard ten speed bicycle.

Abstract: In an automatic variable speed transmission, expansible pulleys function to change the speed ratio between driving and driven shafts. The pulleys are constructed of segments or arms that are pivoted at one end to swing outwardly. Each arm includes a V-shaped groove for receiving a V-belt. At a minimum diameter, the arms form a composite solid body and at a maximum diameter, when each arm is fully pivoted outwardly, a segmented pulley is formed. Automatic speed ratio change is disclosed in both the forward and reverse direction of rotation by proper combination of the pulleys.

Abstract: Adjustable-drive-ratio multiple-step transmission wherein a multiple-v belt passes around driving and driven pulleys each including movable sheave elements individually shiftable in discrete steps along respective trackways away from or toward the pulley axis for changing effective diameters for changing driving ratio (rotational speed relationship) between the two pulleys. In the appropriate rotation direction, either pulley can be driving or driven. Advantageously, the individual sheave elements are one-piece belt-load-locked units engaged with saw-toothed shaped steps along their respective individual trackways by action of belt force applied off-set to torque each sheave element in the plane of the pulley forcing its saw-toothed shaped gripping teeth into engagement with steps along one side of the trackway automatically retaining each sheave element in its shifted position when under belt loading.

Abstract: An idler pulley, which adjusts itself to variable power transmission speeds by providing a wide range of effective pulley diameters automatically, is disclosed. In its preferred form, the pulley has four spindles with freely rotating sleeves, two directed inwardly from either side, all positioned in the same plane and in changeable circular orbit, for guiding the power transmission belt or chain used with the pulley. The size of the circular orbit of the spindles, corresponding to the effective pulley diameter, is permitted to vary with the power transmission speed by the scissors-like action of the pulley side assemblies which support the spindles.