Abstract: A figure-eight shaped drive belt for use within a pulley system, including a drive belt having a preformed figure-eight configuration. The figure-eight configuration includes a first circular-shaped loop and a second circular-shaped loop, such that the first and second circular-shaped loops are each integrally connected at two curved center sections to form an endless drive belt having the figure-eight shaped configuration. The figure-eight shaped drive belt is made from a non-expandable plastic resin material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyolefins, styrenic, polyesther and other thermoplastic resins. Alternatively, the invention also relates to elliptical and oval shaped drive belts for similar uses.

Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes a frame which carries a soil compacting plate, and a drive mechanism such as a gasoline engine, is mounted on the frame and has a rotatable drive shaft. A pair of eccentricly weighted shafts are mounted for rotation on the frame and the weights are in the same phase relation on the shafts. The drive shaft carries a pair of pulleys and single belt connects the pair of pulleys on the drive shaft to pulleys on the eccentric shafts. The drive shaft is connected to the drive shaft pulleys through a centrifugal clutch, which acts to selectively connect the drive shaft to one or the other of the drive shaft pulleys to thereby effect forward and reverse travel of the compactor plate of the compactor over the terrain.

Abstract: A vehicle drive assembly includes a rotating shaft driven by an endless belt which engages and travels about forward and reverse pulleys attached to the shaft and also about an idler pulley which indirectly enables rotation of the forward and reverse pulleys in the forward and reverse directions, respectively. The drive assembly also includes an oscillating clutch assembly, operable by a clutch pedal, which allows both selective engagement of clutch plates with either of the forward and reverse pulleys and neutralization of the clutch assembly. The clutch assembly is also operably linked to the vehicle braking system such that actuation of the brake pedal also effects neutralization of the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A reversible drive having a flexible endless belt driven in one direction, a first pair of inside and outside pulleys drivingly engaged by the belt and respectively connected coaxially to an inside drive roller and an outside roller which are engageable alternately with the inside and outside of a first cylinder, and a second pair of inside and outside pulleys drivingly engaged by the belt and respectively connected coaxially to an inside drive roller and an outside drive roller which are engageable alternately with the inside and outside of a second cylinder. The cylinders drive corresponding rotary driven members, such as opposite ground-engaging wheels on a lawn mower.