Abstract: A transaxle comprises a transmission differential unit including a frictional transmission mechanism and a differential mechanism. The frictional transmission mechanism includes an input shaft, a drive disc provided on the input shaft, and a driven disc whose outer peripheral edge frictionally contacts a disc surface of the drive disc. The differential mechanism includes a pair of coaxial output shafts, and a differential casing differentially connecting the output shafts to each other. The driven disc is ring-shaped and is fitted at an inner peripheral portion thereof on an outer peripheral portion of the differential casing so as to be unrotatable relative to the differential casing and so as to be slidable on the outer peripheral portion of the differential casing in the axial direction of the output shafts.

Abstract: A driving apparatus in a printing press includes a plate cylinder driven by a printing press motor, an inking device drive-coupled to the plate cylinder, and a driving connecting/disconnecting mechanism. The mechanism connects and disconnects transmission of driving from the plate cylinder to the inking device, and includes first and second gears which are engageable with each other, supported rotatably, and constantly drive-coupled to one and the remaining one, respectively, of the plate cylinder and inking device. The second gear has a second engaging portion engageable with a plurality of first engaging portions of the first gear which have the same shape and are equidistantly arranged in a rotational direction of the first gear. When the first and second engaging portions engage, the plate cylinder and inking device are drive-coupled; when they are disengaged, they are disconnected.

Abstract: A self-propelled power implement having a friction drive system to transmit rotation from the engine to the wheels. The friction drive system includes an output disc and a friction disc. The output disc rotates in response to rotation from the engine's output shaft. The friction disc is coupled to the implement's wheels, and contacts the output disc and rotates in response to rotation of the output disc. The location on the output disc that the friction disc contacts determines the rotation speed of the friction disc. A flexible member is interconnected to the friction disc and a controller, and movement of the controller causes the flexible member to actuate the friction disc radially in relation to the output disc. The flexible member adjusts the location on the output disc that the friction disc contacts, and thereby adjusts the rotation speed of the friction disc and the wheels.

Abstract: A variable speed friction drive apparatus for a lawn mower includes a pair of drive cones supported by a frame for rotational movement about a common first axis, and a pair of drums supported by carriages for rotation about axes transverse to the lengths of the carriages. Each carriage is supported on the frame for movement between a neutral position in which the associated drum is disengaged from either of the cones and a plurality of driving positions in which the drum engages either of the cones. A universal joint connects the rear end of each carriage to the frame for universal pivotal movement about the joint, and both ends of each carriage are independently biased toward the neutral position.