Abstract: A medical device includes a first link, a second link, and a band. A proximal end portion of the first link is coupled to a shaft. A proximal end portion of the second link is rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of first link about a first axis. The distal end portion of the second link includes a connector coupled to a tool member that is rotatable relative to the second link about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis. The first link defines a first guide channel and the second link defines a second guide channel. A distal end of the band is disposed within the first guide channel and the second guide channel, and is coupled to the tool member. The second link is rotatable relative to the first link about the first axis when the distal end of the band is moved.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses of employing belts for an angular drive. A twisted geometry is applied to a first free span of the belt. A sheave supports the first free span of the belt at a first extremity of the first free span and sheave is at least one of positioning and orienting the rotating sheave or the driven sheave so as to misalign a geometric centerline of the first free span of belt at a given fleet angle with respect to a second extremity of the first free span.

Abstract: A quarter-twist pedal propeller includes a propeller blade and a support frame. A large synchronous wheel is mounted on an upper part of the support frame through a main shaft, a pedal assembly is mounted on each end of the main shaft. A small synchronous wheel is mounted on a lower part of the support frame through a secondary shaft. A waterproof plate is mounted outside the support frame. The waterproof plate is disposed above the propeller blade. A portable cover that covers the large synchronous wheel is provided on top of the support frame. A grabbing part is provided on the portable cover. A balancing pole is transversely connected to the portable cover. The present invention is practical and cost-effective, has novel and simplified structure, and can reduce power loss due to multiple transmissions. It is convenient during pedaling.

Abstract: [Summary] A mower unit includes an idler pulley unit and a single belt routed around an output pulley of a drive source, the idler pulley unit and a plurality of blade pulleys. The idler pulley unit includes a first idler pulley, a second idler pulley and a tension idler pulley. A pulley height of the idler pulley unit is set higher than a pulley height of the blade pulleys, and a forward belt portion from the output pulley and a reverse belt portion to the output pulley extend to pass over and above the blade belt portion.

Abstract: The belt drive assembly includes a frame having a first plate including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, a second plate including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, and a shaft disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The belt drive assembly also includes a first pair of idler pulley wheels positioned coaxially at one end of the first plate, a second pair of idler pulley wheels positioned coaxially at one end of the second plate, a drive pulley wheel rotatably mounted onto the outer surface of the first plate, a driven pulley wheel rotatably mounted onto the outer surface of the second plate, and an endless belt trained on the drive pulley wheel, on each idler pulley wheel, and on the driven pulley wheel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a two-speed bicycle transmission that utilizes a backward pedaling power input mode to provide a higher forward driving speed ratio (“lower gear”) inherently, without the intervention of any other means of rider control. Such bicycle transmissions were popular in the early part of the 20th Century and marketed as “Retro-Direct.” Since, bicycle transmissions offering even greater numbers of selectable forward pedaling mode speeds have been developed, but at the expense of complexity and reliability, thereby causing a growing fraction of the cycling public to prefer single-speed bicycles for reasons of lower maintenance and/or minimalist aesthetics. Accordingly, the focus of the present invention is to provide a useful second speed with a minimum of added complexity by adapting a uniquely configured and functionally improved Retro-Direct transmission to the modern bicycle. Additionally, a beneficial backward pedaling exercise mode is reintroduced.

Abstract: A friction drive belt (B) includes short fibers (14) and carbon black (18) both scattered so as to be exposed at a surface of at least a contact part (13) of a rubber belt body (10) with a pulley. The short fibers (14) include short, high modulus fibers made of polymers having a main chain which does not contain an aromatic compound and having an initial tensile resistance, measured according to JIS L 1013, of equal to or greater than 100 cN/dtex, and the carbon black (18) contain large-particle-diameter carbon black having an iodine absorption, measured according to JIS K 6217-1, of equal to or less than 40 g/Kg, and/or a specific surface area, measured by nitrogen adsorption according to JIS K 6217-2, of equal to or less than 40 m2/g.

Abstract: A method for controlling a normal force exerted in a frictional contact of a friction type continuously variable transmission with a rotatable input shaft and a rotatable output shaft, includes the steps of: generating a first parameter signal that is representative of changes in one of, or a ratio or difference between both of, a rotational speed of the input shaft and a rotational speed of the output shaft, generating a second parameter signal that is representative of changes in the normal force in the frictional contact of the transmission, generating a third parameter signal that is representative of and is preferably proportional to the multiplication of the first and second parameter signals, and: controlling the normal force in the frictional contact in dependence on a characteristic of the third parameter signal.

Abstract: A lawn mower drive arrangement delivers power to a mower deck of a lawn mower vehicle. The drive arrangement includes a prime mover and a drive sheave, at least one mower deck sheave for powering at least one cutting blade and an endless engaging the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The drive sheave is oriented such that its axis of rotation is generally transverse. Guide pulleys engage the tension side and the slack side of the endless belt between the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The guide pulleys are positioned such that the endless belt twists by an acute angle substantially less than 60 degrees between the drive sheave and the guide pulleys.

Abstract: This invention relates to an actuator and has particular reference to linear and rotary actuators, particularly those for use in the control of robotic arms. The invention provides a relatively low cost means of achieving substantially backlashfree rotary and/or linear motion.

Abstract: A lawn mower drive arrangement delivers power to a mower deck of a lawn mower vehicle. The drive arrangement includes a prime mover and a drive sheave, at least one mower deck sheave for powering at least one cutting blade and an endless engaging the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The drive sheave is oriented such that its axis of rotation is generally transverse. Guide pulleys engage the tension side and the slack side of the endless belt between the drive sheave and at least one mower deck sheave. The guide pulleys are positioned such that the endless belt twists by an acute angle substantially less than 60 degrees between the drive sheave and the guide pulleys.

Abstract: A mule drive for use with a mower having a substantially horizontally-disposed output shaft is provided. The mower includes a cutter deck having at least one Rota table cutter driven by a substantially vertically-disposed driven shaft. The mule drive includes a first idler pulley coupled to the mower for rotation about a first axis substantially transverse to the output shaft and the driven shaft, a second idler pulley coupled to the cutter deck for rotation about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, a third idler pulley coupled to the cutter deck for rotation about a third axis substantially parallel to the second axis, a fourth idler pulley coupled to the frame for rotation about a fourth axis substantially transverse to the output shaft and the driven shaft, and a continuous belt.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a roller arrangement and a belt for supporting an elevator car. The roller arrangement has two rollers with approximately parallel axes of rotation and structured circumferential surfaces engaging a complementary structured surface of the belt. The structured surfaces have alternating ribs and grooves. The belt is twisted about its longitudinal axis between the two rollers to keep the structured surfaces in contact and forms an under-looping for support of the elevator car.

Abstract: A drive system is provided comprising two rotatable drive members which have different effective mechanical advantages. The rotatable drive members are directionally linked or indexed in a one to one relationship. A drive link, such as a chain, band or belt, is connected to each of the drive members. The drive link is also linked to a source of potential energy, such as a drive weight or a drive spring. The drive members rotate upon movement of the drive link in reaction to the energy source. While the drive members rotate similarly through the one to one link, the drive link moves in relation to the difference in mechanical advantage between the rotatable drive members. The differential drive system can be used to provide a driving force for a connected device, such as a clock. In some embodiments, a secondary bias force, such as a bias weight, spring, or dampener, is used to take up slack and/or to provide tension for the drive link.

Abstract: A system for the transmission of motion to a winch for sailboats, in particular for racing and/or cruising sailboats, comprises first belt transmission means housed inside a pedestal and second belt transmission means between the pedestal and a winch. The transmission system comprises in particular a drive pulley housed in the pedestal, a driven pulley intended to be coaxially mounted onto the primary rotational shaft of the winch, a single belt between the drive pulley and the driven pulley and a pair of motion deviation pulleys between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The transmission system thus provide for the use of a single belt and a plurality of pulleys; this allows to remarkably reduce the manufacturing costs of the system and simplify its assembly operations onto the boat.

Abstract: A rotary drive apparatus has a drum with a first plurality of generally parallel grooves spaced a predetermined distance apart. A capstan adjacent the drum has a second plurality of generally parallel grooves spaced the same predetermined distance. The capstan may be disposed adjacent the drum with its grooves disposed between the grooves on the drum. The drum and the capstan may have parallel axes of rotation. A continuous cable in the grooves of the drum and the capstan couples the drum and the capstan for joint rotation. A pulley and spring adjacent the capstan tension the continuous cable.

Abstract: A drive device for simultaneously insuring a rotary motion of at least two spindles which are mounted in parallel within a machine comprises a shaft supported within the machine in such a way that it is situated in the vicinity of both spindles. A crank allows a rotation of one of the spindles. In the vicinity of each spindle, at least two pulleys are provided, with one being keyed to the shaft and one being keyed to the spindle and a toothed belt is twisted to extend between the two pulleys.

Abstract: A twisted flat belt drive arrangement transfers rotation between nonparallel shafts. A toothed pulley or gear is affixed to each shaft, and a pair of smooth surfaced idler rollers are mounted to rotate independently on an idler shaft positioned between the two shafts. An endless, flat, toothed belt has end loops meshed with the gears and middle portions twisted to contact a smooth outer surface of the belt with the idler rollers. The twisted flat belt drive arrangement is applied to transferring rotation from a main conveyor line shaft to a line shaft of a branch conveyor intersecting the main conveyor. The arrangement is also applied to providing driving rotation to diverter rollers of a diverter mechanism through an intermediate transmission shaft parallel to the main line shaft. The drive arrangement may be implemented for both purposes on the same conveyor to power diverter rollers of a mechanism which diverts articles onto a branch conveyor which is also powered from the main conveyor line shaft.

Abstract: A system is provided for driving a cooling fan (19) of a vehicle including a transverse, water-cooled engine (E). A main drive pulley (11,13) is driven by the engine and a fan drive assembly (15) is mounted on the vehicle radiator (R) and includes a driven pulley (37). Torque is transmitted from the drive pulley to the driven pulley by means of a power transmission belt (43) including a drive portion (45) and slack portion (47). An idler pulley (55) engages the drive portion of the belt, and a tensioner device (61) and tensioner pulley (69) engage the slack portion of the belt. The tensioning device includes a rotatable arm (65) and is operable to maintain relatively constant belt tension as the engine and drive pulley move relative to the radiator and fan drive assembly.

Abstract: A self orienting power transmission belt is provided which has a round cross-section and a triangular core. The belt is constructed by wrapping a rubberized fabric about a triangular core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending load-carrying members embedded in a rubber compound, and curing the resulting wrapped core in a curing mold having a round cross-section. This belt is particularly useful in a multi-planar drive system.