Plural Belts In Series Via Countershaft Patents (Class 474/88)
  • Patent number: 11148525
    Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include a prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: ARCTIC CAT INC.
    Inventor: Brian G. Eck
  • Patent number: 11092217
    Abstract: A belt drive system comprising a belt having a plurality of longitudinally spaced belt teeth, the belt further comprising a longitudinal groove extending in the endless direction of the belt through the belt teeth, a sprocket comprising a plurality of sprocket teeth on an outer circumference of the sprocket, each of the sprocket teeth extending parallel to the rotation axis, and each sprocket tooth configured to be received between adjacent belt teeth, and a first planar fin extending from at least one side of a sprocket tooth, the first planar fin configured to cooperatively engage the longitudinal groove, the first planar fin extending in a direction normal to a sprocket axis of rotation, the first planar fin having a width no greater than 20% of a sprocket groove width (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Cody
  • Patent number: 11079002
    Abstract: A bearing carrier or a housing part includes a base body, a first component and at least one second component mounted in the base body, and a belt or a cable or a roving connected to the base body and to the first component and the second component such that the belt or the cable or the roving at least partially transmits forces that act on the first component to the second component. The first and second components may each be formed as rings having a cylindrical inner surface and an outer surface having a groove, and the element may pass through the grooves of the first and second components and be embedded in the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Hubert Herbst, Manfred Aigner, Jürgen Barthelme, Helmut Hauck
  • Patent number: 9903348
    Abstract: Drive device for a wind mill comprising a large pulley disposed on a main shaft and at least one belt or chain adapted to transfer rotation from the pulley to a generator. The pulley is rotationally coupled to at least two secondary shafts, which are disposed parallel to the main shaft. One or more belts, which transfer the rotation, extend over the pulley and the secondary shafts. The secondary shafts are in turn rotationally coupled to at least one, preferably two, electric generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Gaute Tjensvoll
  • Patent number: 9528584
    Abstract: A belt drive mechanism comprising a first disc in rotational relation to a secondary shaft, a first flexible member engaged between the first disc and the secondary shaft to rotationally drive the secondary shaft about its axis of rotation, the first flexible member having a segment with a tensile load of approximately zero newtons during operation, a second flexible member engaged between the secondary shaft and an output shaft to rotationally drive the output shaft, the second flexible member having a segment with a tensile load of approximately zero newtons during operation, and the output shaft connectable to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GATES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jing Yuan
  • Patent number: 9493306
    Abstract: As part of a system for processing workpieces, a workpiece support arrangement, separate from a process chamber arrangement supports at least two workpieces at least generally in a stacked relationship to form a workpiece column. A transfer arrangement transports at least two of the workpieces between the workpiece column and the process chamber arrangement by simultaneously moving the two workpieces at least generally along first and second transfer paths, respectively, that are defined between the workpiece column and the first and second process stations. The transfer arrangement can simultaneously move untreated and treated workpieces. Vertical motion swing arms and coaxial swing arms are described. A pair of spaced apart swing arms, the workpiece column and the processing stations can cooperatively define a pentagonal shape. Timing belt backlash elimination, a dual degree of freedom slot valve and low point chamber pumping, for removing chamber contaminants, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Leszek Niewmierzycki
  • Patent number: 9377097
    Abstract: A drive system includes a drive housing and one or more drivetrain cartridges. The one or more drivetrain cartridges enables better manufacturability by allowing drivetrain components to be installed together outside the housing and then installed as a unit together into the housing. Serviceability is improved by allowing one or more of the drivetrain cartridges to be removed individually from the housing for maintenance or repair. The housing may include mounting surfaces to securely engage the one or more drivetrain cartridges to the housing to prevent play. The housing may include a bottom or side panel with installation mounts to fasten the drivetrain cartridge or cartridges securely to the bottom or side panel of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KUHN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Hoffman, Todd Gibson, Casey Fennell, Patrick Henry
  • Patent number: 9163706
    Abstract: A sprocket box for increasing the gas mileage of a vehicle with an automatic transmission is positioned between the back of an engine block and the torque converter. The sprocket box is fed the rotational motion from the engine and doubles the rotational motion being fed into the torque converter in order to increase the fluid pressure felt within the torque converter. Thus, the sprocket box is used to increase the fuel economy of the vehicle. The rotation motion from the engine is transferred and modified by the sprocket box by using an input assembly of sprockets and a roller chain and by using an output sprocket of more sprockets and another roller chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Greg Seblante, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9090439
    Abstract: A drive device for a winch (8) comprising a large belt pulley (1) or chain pulley, a winch drum which is connected to the large belt pulley (1). The large belt pulley (1) is rotatably connected to at least one prime mover such as a motor (7). The device has at least two rotatable secondary shafts (4, 4?), each being parallel to the rotational axis of said belt pulley (1). The secondary shafts (4, 4?) are in rotational connection with the large belt pulley (1) via at least one belt/chain. The motor is in rotational connection with one of the secondary shafts. Drive devices according to the same principles for a floating vessel propeller, a hydro turbine and a wave power plant are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Fobox AS
    Inventor: Gaute Tjensvoll
  • Publication number: 20150045162
    Abstract: A belt transmission comprising a housing, a first belt trained between a first shaft and a first intermediate shaft, a second belt trained between the first intermediate shaft and a second intermediate shaft, a third belt trained between the second intermediate shaft and a second shaft, a first tensioner and second tensioner each engaged with the housing and each engaged about the first intermediate shaft whereby each tensioner exerts a force upon the first intermediate shaft which thereby imparts a tension to the first belt and to the second belt, and a third tensioner and fourth tensioner each engaged with the housing and each engaged about the second intermediate shaft whereby each tensioner exerts a force upon the second intermediate shaft which thereby imparts a tension to the second belt and to the third belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Dean Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140265525
    Abstract: A transmission system is provided for transmitting power from an engine to a milling rotor in a cold planer. The transmission system includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a shaft. The first circuit is disposed in a first plane and configured to be operatively driven by the engine. The second circuit is disposed in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane and configured to operatively drive the milling rotor. The shaft couples the first circuit to the second circuit wherein the engine and the milling rotor are axially offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Thomas Schafer, Jason Robert Bjorge
  • Publication number: 20130203533
    Abstract: An assembly provides an indirect, rather than direct, drive from a power source to a rotating machine powered by the power source. The assembly includes one or more first pulleys that are connected to the drive source by one or more first belts, and one or more second pulleys that are connected to the rotating machine. Power is transmitted by the power source to the one or more first pulleys, to the one or more second pulleys by a shaft, and to the rotating machine by one or more second belts connecting the one or more second pulleys to a pulley of the rotating machine. The assembly provides for greater speed of and/or torque transmission to the rotating machine with fewer associated problems than if the rotating machine were connected directly to the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Yvon Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 8323002
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink, a cooling fan, an electric motor and a belt. The cooling fan includes a fan housing and an impeller. The impeller includes a hub, a plurality of fan blades and a shaft extending from the hub and having a distal end protruded out of the fan housing. A fan pulley is fixed to the distal end of the shaft. The electric motor includes a driving pulley. The belt has one end engaging with the driving pulley of the electric motor and an opposite end engaging with the fan pulley of the cooling fan. Rotation of the driving pulley of the electric motor is transferred to the fan pulley via the belt to cause the impeller to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xin-Xiang Zha, Ye-Fei Yu, Jun Ding, Jer-Haur Kuo
  • Publication number: 20120217758
    Abstract: A rotary disk acceleration mechanism for exercise equipment includes a stationary axle; a first large rotary disk; at least one acceleration disk assembly; a first belt, which is coupled between the acceleration disk assembly and the first large rotary disk; a first bearing, which is mounted to the stationary axle; a second small rotary disk, which is rotatably mounted by the first bearing to the stationary axle and is coaxial with the first large rotary disk; and a second belt, which is coupled between the acceleration disk assembly and the second small rotary disk, so that the acceleration disk assembly drives, via the second belt, the second small rotary disk to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: BION INC.
    Inventor: YI-LUN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120201571
    Abstract: A synchronized drive unit, including a drive member including a pulley; a driven member including a pulley; a relay member including to transmit a power; and timing belts hung around the drive and driven members through the relay member with tension and rotates the drive and driven members in synchronization, wherein each of the timing belts is formed of plural narrow timing belts parallely placed in a rotational axis direction of the pulley and the narrow timing belts are located on the driven member so as to counteract their eccentric components each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Ricoh Company., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiharu Yamazaki, Masahiro Ishida, Yohei Miura, Noriaki Funamoto, Shinya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8083622
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic belt tensioning in low speed, low volume fluid recovery. A required amount of tension is maintained across the recovery system's belt driven components under changing torque loads and operating speeds. This is accomplished by adjusting the distance between a motor output and a speed reducer input in response to a change in torque load between the motor and speed reducer. The required amount of tension is further achieved by adjusting the distance between an output of the speed reducer and a crank wheel in response to a change in torque load between the speed reducer and crank wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jerry L. Watson
  • Patent number: 7918315
    Abstract: A limited slip differential transmission of the closed type in which a pressurized lubricant is fed to the rotating gears and a series of limited slip clutch plates. The clutch plates are engaged by pressurized control fluid. A valve assembly having a spool valve is responsive to engagement pressure to permit discharge of a portion of pressurized fluid from the clutch plates to a sump chamber and the transmission to purge debris that may have accumulated in the clutch plates. The spool valve is arranged so that fluid is passed only during an intermediate movement of the valve to minimize any pressure loss from the lubricating fluid for the transmission and limited slip clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Thomas Hung Vu
  • Patent number: 7798928
    Abstract: A dual ratio belt drive system comprising a clutch unit mounted directly to a driver rotating shaft, a one-way clutch mounted directly to the driver rotating shaft, a plurality of rotating accessories rotatably connected to the clutch unit and rotatably connected to the driver rotating shaft through the one-way clutch such that the accessories are driven by the clutch unit at a first speed ratio and driven directly by the driver rotating shaft through said one-way clutch at a second speed ratio, with the clutch unit operating at a predetermined value of an engine operating condition thereby defining the transition between the first and second speed ratios, and the clutch unit being engaged at engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Serkh
  • Patent number: 7070526
    Abstract: An engine accessory drive that has a primary drive driveable by a crankshaft of the engine is disclosed. The accessory drive includes a rotational member mounted on a drive shaft and driveable by the primary drive, the drive shaft having an axis of rotation offset from the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. The accessory drive further includes a secondary drive having a flexible continuous secondary drive member external of the engine and driveable by the rotational member, and at least one engine accessory driveable by the secondary drive. The at least one engine accessory includes at least a balance shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Howard J. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6929276
    Abstract: Improved mechanical structure for increased efficiency in the transfer of the peddling force applied to a pedal crank assembly to the rear wheel of a bicycle is disclosed. This structure increases efficiency by decreasing the loss of exerted energy when peddling at dead spots, which dead spots are the common terminology used to refer to when the legs are either at down-stroke and up-stroke positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Cyrus Varan
  • Patent number: 6875140
    Abstract: Engine auxiliary unit driving equipment for transmitting an engine driving force from a crank pulley to a plurality of engine auxiliary units include an alternator and a driven poly-V pulley, provided at least in the alternator, has a plurality of grooves extending in a circumferential direction. A poly-V belt, which has a plurality of projections extending in a longitudinal direction to correspond to grooves of the poly-V pulley, bridges between a crank pulley and the poly-V pulley. The poly-V belt is substantially divided in an axial direction of the driven poly-V pulley into two pieces each having plural pieces of the projections. Accordingly, a tensile strength acting in a width direction of the poly-V belt is substantially divided midway between the divided poly-V belts to reduce cracking in the round poly-V belt, resulting in longer life of the poly-V belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigenobu Nakamura, Hitoshi Irie, Atsuo Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 6557444
    Abstract: A wood lathe includes a driving pulley unit disposed around a rotating inner rod, a driven pulley unit disposed around an output shaft that is used to rotate a workpiece, a V-belt unit trained on the driving and driven pulley units, and a speed-adjusting unit. When a rotary knob is rotated, amovable inner half of the driven pulley unit moves toward or away from a fixed outer half of the driven pulley unit so that the V-belt unit moves a movable outer half of the driving pulley unit away from or toward a fixed inner half of the driving pulley unit. As such, the position of the V-belt unit can be adjusted relative to the driving and driven pulley units to change the rotational speed of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Juei-Seng Liao
  • Patent number: 6282873
    Abstract: A belt tension mechanism for tensioning an associated belt drive system on an associated vehicle is provided. The associated belt drive system includes a double stacked pulley, a first belt for providing power from a power mechanism to the double stacked pulley and a second belt for providing power from the double stacked pulley to an associated implement. A first tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the first belt and a second tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the second belt. A tension arm selectively simultaneously tensions the first and second belts from an inoperative condition to an operative condition or from an operative condition to an inoperative condition. A balancing mechanism is also provided for balancing tension on the first and second belts as the implement is selectively height adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Douglas J. Wilken
  • Patent number: 6165089
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a chain operatively engaged with a driver sprocket assembly and a driven sprocket assembly, a tensioner bracket including a roller engaged with the chain, a tensioner rod including a plurality of spaced apart flange portions engageable with a brace and a threaded portion extending through an opening formed in the tensioner bracket and screwably attached to a plate. An operator may unscrew the tensioner rod and pass at least one of the flange portions through a slot in the brace to slacken the chain. The operator may also position at least one flange portion in a narrow end of the slot, and screw the tensioner rod to press that flange against the brace to tighten the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventors: Timothy R. McGreal, Thomas A. Olson, Guntis Ozers, Ryan Schultz
  • Patent number: 6161445
    Abstract: A guide sprocket assembly for use in combination with a non-driven, rotating tail shaft. The guide sprocket assembly includes a lock plate assembly securely fixed to the tail shaft for rotation along with the tail shaft. The lock plate assembly includes an annular sprocket groove that receives an annular guide sprocket having a plurality of projecting teeth spaced along its outer circumference. The guide sprocket is retained within the annular sprocket groove by a sprocket retainer. The combination of the guide sprocket and sprocket retainer are freely rotatable within the annular sprocket groove relative to the lock plate assembly. The teeth of the guide sprocket engage a drive chain, and the guide sprocket can rotate either in the direction of rotation of the tail shaft or in an opposite direction to properly align the individual links of the drive chain with the teeth formed on the guide sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Svedala Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Worringer
  • Patent number: 6146296
    Abstract: A multiple speed transmission for connecting an air conditioner compressor of an automobile to a prime mover of the automobile. The transmission includes driving apparatus, driven apparatus, and mounting apparatus. The driving apparatus operatively connects to the prime mover of the automobile. The driven apparatus is operatively connected to the driving apparatus for operatively connecting to the air conditioner compressor of the automobile. The mounting apparatus mounts the driving apparatus and the driven apparatus to the prime mover of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Mauricio C. Apostolo
  • Patent number: 6120401
    Abstract: A belt tension mechanism for tensioning an associated belt drive system on an associated vehicle is provided. The associated belt drive system includes a double stacked pulley, a first belt for providing power from a power mechanism to the double stacked pulley and a second belt for providing power from the double stacked pulley to an associated implement. A first tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the first belt and a second tensioning mechanism is provided for tensioning the second belt. A tension arm selectively simultaneously tensions the first and second belts from an inoperative condition to an operative condition or from an operative condition to an inoperative condition. A balancing mechanism is also provided for balancing tension on the first and second belts as the implement is selectively height adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Douglas J. Wilken
  • Patent number: 6113509
    Abstract: A media advance system is driven using a fixed-differential, planetary belt drive system. Planetary pulleys, mounted to a mounting structure, orbit a motor shaft as the mounting rotates about the motor shaft. A first planetary pulley is coupled by a drive belt to a fixed pulley. The fixed pulley does not rotate and is aligned to the motor shaft, so the planetary pulley is forced to rotate while orbiting. A second planetary pulley rotates and orbits with the first. An output pulley is coupled to the second planetary pulley by another drive belt. An output shaft is coupled to the output pulley. Drive ratio of the output shaft to the motor shaft is based upon the diameters of the fixed pulley, first planetary pulley, second planetary pulley, and output pulley. Noise is low by using belts rather than meshing gears. Variable differentiation is achieved in another embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Steven P. Downing
  • Patent number: 6086494
    Abstract: A positively controlled raising cylinder raising machine, having a plurality of raising cylinders, circumferentially arranged on a rotary framework, a toothed driving belt for driving the raising cylinders being engaged with a portion of the toothed circular periphery of the raising cylinder, said toothed driving belt being driven by a transmission toothed pulley arranged around a central portion of a circumference defined by the circular periphery of the raising cylinders and operatively coupled to a driving motor, the raising cylinder driving belt being moreover engaged with a pair of switching pulleys holding the driving belt tensioned, the switching pulleys being arranged inside the circular periphery of the raising cylinders on opposite sides of said transmission toothed pulley and near the transmission toothed pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Emanuele Crosta
  • Patent number: 6082513
    Abstract: A clutch device has a shaft rod, a hollow torsion sleeve, a trip device, an outer toothed gear, an inner toothed gear, and a first belt pulley. The outer toothed gear is disposed on the trip device. The hollow torsion sleeve has a plurality of grooves. The trip device has a center hole to receive the hollow torsion sleeve, and a plurality of radiated thread holes. The inner toothed gear is disposed on the first belt pulley. The outer toothed gear engages with the inner toothed gear. Each radiated thread hole receives a ball, a spring, and a stud. Each groove receives the respective ball. The shaft rod is inserted through the hollow torsion sleeve, the first belt pulley, and a second belt pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Kuo-Hao Li
  • Patent number: 6036611
    Abstract: A drive mechanism (10, 110) for driving first and second displacement members (12, 14, 112, 114) disposed in tandem. The mechanism includes first and second driven sprockets (16, 18; 116, 118) for respective ones of the displacement members, a hydraulic motor (20; 120), and first and second driving sprockets (22, 24; 122, 124) disposed on the casing of the hydraulic motor so as to be rotated thereby. The mechanism also includes first and second chains (26, 28; 126, 128) disposed in a chain case (30; 130), each chain being engaged on a respective driven sprocket and on a respective driving sprocket. The hydraulic motor (20, 120) is a low-speed high-torque motor, having radial cylinders and a rotary casing. The motor is substantially contained in the chain case (30; 130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Louis Bigo, Pascal Le Yaouanq, Jean-Noel Pogneau, Gilbert Mahe, Vincent Siquier, Jean-Claude Lallier, Dany Leturque
  • Patent number: 5992644
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a waste water treatment system for removing sludge from within a rectangular clarifying tank as provided. The waste water treatment system includes a plurality of sludge collector flights attached to a pair of parallel chains for collecting sludge and scum within the waste water. Each of the collector flights includes a non-metallic elongated main body portion having spaced top and bottom walls connected by spaced front and rear walls for defining a hollow, interior cavity. Buoyant foam material is disposed within the interior cavity for increasing the buoyancy of the collector flight. The waste water treatment system further includes integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets and a chain drive assembly for driving a pair of parallel drive chains attached to the integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets. The chain drive assembly includes dual drive shafts exterior to the waste water with each extending across half the width of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Polychem Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph R. Hannum
  • Patent number: 5979924
    Abstract: A crank assembly for a bicycle uses a plurality of auxiliary sprockets and chains to achieve high ratios of wheel speed to pedal-rotation speed. The compact crank assembly is especially well suited for use on full-suspension bicycles, as high gear ratios are attained without altering the normal size and layout of the main sprocket and drive chain of the bicycle. The auxiliary sprockets may be coupled by a simple axle or, alternatively, may be coupled by a rider-adjustable transmission to provide greater control over the gear ratio of the crank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Cannoncale Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Mario M. Galasso, Robert H. Humphries, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5976043
    Abstract: An apparatus for increasing wear life of machine members includes a shaft assembly mounted on the machine. Also included are two or more power sources eccentrically aligned in relationship to the shaft assembly of the machine to form an acute angle between the shaft assembly and the two or more power sources. One or more pulleys is attached to the driven shaft which is included in the shaft assembly. One or more drums is attached to each of the drive shafts of each of the engines, and belts are mounted on the drums and pulleys to rotate the driven shaft of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Neil R. Hise
  • Patent number: 5938551
    Abstract: The variable tension pulley system including a drive pulley, a slave pulley, a belt interconnecting the drive pulley and slave, a tensioner assembly positioned between the drive pulley and the slave pulley and in engagement with the belt. The tensioner assembly includes an elongated rack, a drive rod rotatably positioned on the rack, the drive rod having opposing ends and being selectively rotatable in a positive rotation or a negative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Schwinn Cycling & Fitness Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Warner
  • Patent number: 5913741
    Abstract: A "Unique" bicycle is basically a bicycle having three bottom bracket shells namely, a first bottom bracket shell (70) for the crankset (57), located at the down tube (40), a second bottom bracket shell (72) for the first converter (FIG. 6) located at the bottom end of the seat tube (42), and a third bottom bracket shell (74) for the second converter (FIG. 7), located at about the middle of the seat tube (42).Three separate chains are used to interconnect all the gears. The first chain (62) connects the chainwheel (58) to the first converter's small gear (22) and its large gear (24) is connected to the second converter's small gear (22) by means of the second chain (62), while the large gear (24) is connected to the rear wheel gear (64) by means of the third chain (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Jose P. Balajadia
  • Patent number: 5832703
    Abstract: A lawn mower is powered by two vertical shaft engines mounted on the chassis and equispaced about the longitudinal axis of the chassis. A vertical drive shaft is rotatably mounted on the longitudinal axis of the chassis. The outputs of both vertical shaft engines are transmitted through belts and pulleys to the vertical drive shaft, which is rotated by the combined outputs of both vertical shaft engines. Other pulleys are secured to the vertical drive shaft and connected through belting to pulleys which rotate grass-cutting blades and to pulleys which operate motors turning the driving wheels to propel the lawn mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Magic Circle Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Leon Evans
  • Patent number: 5830094
    Abstract: A transmission for reducing the pulley ratio between a drive shaft and a transmission shaft. The transmission is adapted to convert a higher speed rotary motion to a lower speed linear motion. The transmission has two pulleys rigidly mounted together on a shaft and the pulleys have a different number of teeth. A pair of belts are mounted on the drive shaft and a follower shaft, each one of the belts engages one of the transmission pulleys. One belt on the transmission shaft engages a pulley on the top of a first transmission pulley and another on the bottom of a second transmission pulley. When the drive shaft imparts motion to the belts, the belts move the transmission between the drive shaft and the follower shaft. By arresting the movement of one of the belts by a clutch/brake, the transmission can be converted into a two speed transmission. If the belts are independently driven, one each by two motors, the transmission becomes operable in an infinite number of pulley ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Jan F. C. DeNijs
  • Patent number: 5788837
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a waste water treatment system for removing sludge from within a rectangular clarifying tank as provided. The waste water treatment system includes a plurality of sludge collector flights attached to a pair of parallel chains for collecting sludge and scum within the waste water. Each of the collector flights includes a non-metallic elongated main body portion having spaced top and bottom walls connected by spaced front and rear walls for defining a hollow, interior cavity. Buoyant foam material is disposed within the interior cavity for increasing the buoyancy of the collector flight. The waste water treatment system further includes integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets and a chain drive assembly for driving a pair of parallel drive chains attached to the integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets. The chain drive assembly includes dual drive shafts exterior to the waste water with each extending across half the width of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Polychem Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph R. Hannum
  • Patent number: 5730672
    Abstract: A stepless speed change device for cutting metal-working machines includes a drive gear set, a driven gear set, an intermediate gear set and two transmission belts. Each gear set includes an upper disk and a lower disk which are inter-engageable, and a resilient seat disposed therebetween so that the upper disk and lower disk may inter-engage and the upper disk may resiliently displace to open or close an opening defined between the upper and the lower disks. The intermediate gear set includes a first adjusting gear and a second adjusting gear respectively at an upper end and a lower end thereof such that when the first adjusting gear is in an open state, the second adjusting gear is in a closed state, and two rotating devices for controlling the first and second adjusting gears to synchronously displace therewith to control the size of openings through which the transmission belts pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Kwang-Jung Lin
  • Patent number: 5649844
    Abstract: A drive system for a boat having a hull with an inboard motor and two spaced drive units mounted in the hull, including a dual drive package having a housing with first and second output shafts mounted in bearings in the housing and an input shaft mounted in bearings in the housing between the output shafts, first and second drive chain sprockets mounted on and spaced axially along the input shaft, a third drive chain sprocket mounted on the first output shaft, a fourth drive chain sprocket mounted on the second output shaft, a first drive chain coupling the first and third sprockets, a second drive chain coupling the second and fourth sprockets, and arrangements for connecting the input shaft to the motor and each of the output shafts to a respective drive unit. The drive system may further include first and second torque limiters for connecting between the respective drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Hydra Drive System, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Caricof, Neil A. Newman, Warren H. Robbins, Lawrence C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5601223
    Abstract: At least two transporting and take-off rollers (2, 2') interact for the gripping of a cable (1) to be transported. The axes of rotation (3, 3') of the transporting and take-off rollers are each rotatably arranged on a cantilever arm (7, 7') capable of swivelling together about a second turning axis (6) arranged on a turning platform (10) and running perpendicular to the former axis and parallel to a common straight line (5) connecting the said two rollers (2, 2'). At least one of the two transporting and take-off rollers (2, 2') is arranged laterally adjustable in relation to its distance (a) from the second transporting and take-off roller (7). Further, first drive devices (25) connected so that they can swivel together with the turning platform (10), are provided for driving the two transporting and take-off rollers (2, 2').
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Komax Holding AG
    Inventors: Max Koch, Alois Lustenberger, Urs Dober
  • Patent number: 5429015
    Abstract: A two degree-of-freedom robot manipulator is constructed from two rotary drives of prior invention. Each rotary drive consists of a relatively small diameter cylindrical driving member and a relatively larvae diameter cylindrical driven member coupled by a cable system. The driving member of rotary drive 2 is positioned with its axis of rotation coincident with the axis of rotation of the driven member of rotary drive 1. The driven member of drive 2 is rotatably mounted to the driven member of drive 1 to realize the required relative positioning of the driving and driven members of drive 2. The driving members of both rotary drives are mounted in a fixed reference frame. Coordinated control of the driving members allows two axis dynamic control of a tool apparatus mounted to the second driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Steven D. Somes
  • Patent number: 5154574
    Abstract: A gearless air motor utilizes a high speed rotor having turbine buckets defined in epoxy rather than metal to substantially avoid the danger inherent in high speed rotor fragmentation. The unit has a housing which contains the compressed air chamber, the rotor chamber and a speed reduction chamber in which a toothed belt speed reduction system avoids the use of gears for speed reduction, with their relatively high friction and noise output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventors: Ed Reinhorn, Matt Reinhorn, Eric J. Reinhorn
  • Patent number: 5139469
    Abstract: An exercise machine and transmission for converting first and second rotary inputs into a single rotary output. The machine has a first input shaft, a second input shaft coupled to the first shaft, and a shell. The shafts are mounted to the shell on a common axis, and one-way clutches are disposed between the shell and each respective shaft. The torques of the first and second shafts in one rotational direction are combined in the shell for single output to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Hennessey, Joseph A. Soliman, Thomas L. Werking
  • Patent number: 5122097
    Abstract: An apparatus (40) for pre-spinning a container (44) to be treated on an external surface by a treating surface (66) of a rotating treatment device (68) is provided. The apparatus (40) comprises a first circular drive mechanism (50) which is selectively connectable to a first rotatable drive shaft (48) from a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first rotatable drive shaft (48). A second circular drive mechanism (56) mounted on a second rotatable drive shaft (60) is operatively associated with the first circular drive mechanism (50). A third circular drive (62) mounted on the second rotatable drive shaft (60) drives a belt (42) which selectively contacts circumferential portions of the container (44) or container support causing the container (44) to spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Chasteen, Earl Backes
  • Patent number: 4862766
    Abstract: A device for driving a rotatable can plate of a spinning preparation machine. The device includes a drive gear, a driven gear engaged by and driven by the drive gear for rotation in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive gear, an intermediate gear mounted on a lever pivotable about an axis spaced from the axis of the intermediate gear for pivotal movement of the intermediate gear between selective alternate positions for engagement with the drive gear or the driven gear for selective driving of the intermediate gear in opposite directions of rotation, a pair of spaced pulleys driven by a belt trained around a drive pulley fixed upon the intermediate gear for transmitting the rotation of the intermediate gear to the pair of spaced pulleys, and can plate pulleys each driven by a belt trained around one of the pulleys of the pair of spaced pulleys for transmitting the rotation of the pair of pulleys to the can plate pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Zinser Textilemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Molders
  • Patent number: 4832663
    Abstract: A timing gear belt and pulley drive apparatus for a precision winder characterized by permitting a change in wind ratios by varying the speed ratio between the winder traverse assembly and the winder chuck assembly without the removal and replacement of gear pulleys. The precision winder drive apparatus comprises a drive motor for driving the chuck assembly and traverse assembly of the winder off of a common motor drive shaft. A plurality of concentric, differently toothed drive gears are mounted for rotation on the motor drive shaft for driving one of the chuck assembly or traverse assembly. A plurality of concentric, differently toothed driven gears are mounted on one of the chuck assembly or traverse assembly in belt drive alignment with the drive gears mounted on the motor drive shaft. A drive gear is mounted for rotation on the motor drive for driving a driven gear on the other of the chuck or traverse assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: The Bouligny Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Howard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4826191
    Abstract: A velocipede such as a bicycle or tricycle includes a drive sprocket mounted on a frame for adjustment between a plurality of positions defining an arcuate path having an axis of curvature. A second sprocket is rotatably mounted on the axis and is coupled to the drive sprocket by a first chain. A third sprocket is mounted coaxially with and is coupled to the second sprocket for rotation therewith. A fourth sprocket is mounted on the rear wheel and coupled to the third sprocket by a second drive chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Matre, Jeffrey L. Bleustein
  • Patent number: 4721494
    Abstract: A drive transmission structure for a tractor comprising a belt drive system for transmitting power from an engine output shaft to a transmission having a brake mechanism. The belt drive system includes a belt type stepless change speed mechanism having a split pulley assembly and a swing device for swinging the split pulley assembly toward the engine output shaft and the transmission, a first belt for transmitting the power from the engine output shaft to the split pulley assembly, and a second belt for transmitting the power from the split pulley assembly to the transmission. The pulley assembly defines two split pulley sections for engaging the first and second belts, respectively. A control device is provided to change power transmission ratios by actuating the swing device. Further, a tension pulley type clutch mechanism is provided to act on the first belt or the second belt. The brake mechanism and the tension pulley type clutch mechanism are controlled by the clutch and brake control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuaki Hayashi, Hiroshi Itatani, Niro Bando, Mikio Yuki, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Hiroyuki Ogasawara, Mitsuaki Miyata, Kazuaki Kurohara, Fumihiro Ikeda, Yutaka Nakata