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: An auger brake clutch and drive assembly and related methods for a power equipment device such as a snowblower are provided. In use with a snowblower, the auger brake clutch assembly and related methods can be used for driving both the auger and driven wheels of a snowblower. The auger brake clutch can include a transmission wheel rotatably movable for rotating at least one wheel with the transmission wheel having a contact surface. A drive pulley can be provided that has a drive surface. The drive pulley is rotatable and configured for causing the transmission wheel to rotate when the drive surface and the contact surface of the transmission wheel are in contact. An actuation plate is movable to move the drive pulley in and out of contact with the contact surface of the transmission wheel. A friction member can be provided to be selectively rotated by the drive pulley and configured to transfer the rotation to an output shaft, which can attach for example to at least one of an auger or blower blades.

Abstract: A differential drive mechanism comprises a cage, which is rotatable about a first axis and represents the input, two coaxial output shafts which are rotatable with respect to the cage about the first axis, a coupling which is connected eccentrically to the two output shafts to transmit relative contra-rotational movement between them by connections which permit relative rotation of the coupling and the output shafts about a second axis parallel to the first axis and a restraint member which is coupled to the cage and to the coupling such that the coupling is rotatable with respect to the cage about a third axis perpendicular to the axis and capable of reciprocation in a direction perpendicular to the first axis but prevented from movement in a direction parallel to the first axis. The eccentric connections are constituted by a respective eccentric hole in the inner end of each output shaft in which the associated end of the coupling is received.

Abstract: Traction drive transmissions which may be utilized as speed increasers or speed reducers for various power and rotary motor applications including for use in transmissions for helicopter main rotor and tail rotor drives wherein power from the primary input source is transmitted to output shafts or driven elements which may be disposed at a variety of angular relationships with respect to the input source through multiple rollers which are shaped and in frictionally driven contact with one another so as to effectively divide the input load into multiple power paths to the output shafts or driven elements and wherein the rollers are oriented so as to reduce or eliminate the radial loading of stresses on the bearings in which the rollers are mounted.