Variable speed transmission mechanism

Claim 2

A transmission mechanism for continuous and variable speed change between first and second shafts which are in substantially parallel fixed relative positions, comprising a first guide wheel keyed to said first shaft, a friction ring substantially in said plane and encircling the first wheel, with an inner edge of the ring in drive engagement with an adjacent outer edge of said wheel, a second guide wheel comprising two disc parts axially spaced apart, at least one disc spring-biased toward the other, the discs rotatable on said second shaft with at least one disc keyed to said second shaft, said ring having a portion thereof situated between and in frictional engagement with said two discs, said ring being pivotable about said first wheel with an edge of the ring always in contact with said first wheel, and a second portion of the ring engaging said discs along varying radially spaced parts thereof, said ring automatically varying its radial position relative to said second wheel according to the forces exerted on said ring by said wheel, with a resulting change in the speed ratio between said first and second shafts.

Claim 3

A variable-speed transmission mechanism as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an adjusting wheel rotatably mounted in said frame, said ring circumscribes the adjusting wheel, the mechanism further comprising means for displacing said adjusting wheel to pivot said ring to a different position.

Claim 4

A variable-speed transmission mechanism as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the first guide wheel about which the ring pivots comprises an externally toothed gearwheel, and the friction ring has corresponding internal teeth.

Claim 5

A variable-speed transmission mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second wheel further comprises spring elements uniformly distributed around the circumferences of said discs.

Claim 6

A variable-speed transmission mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second wheel further comprises a rim made of a resilient material for biasing together said discs.

Claim 7

A transmission mechanism for continuous, variable speed change between first and second shafts, which are mounted in substantially parallel, fixed relative positions in a frame, comprising: first and second wheels respectively keyed to said shafts, a friction ring circumscribing the first wheel in constant driving engagement therewith, and frictionally engaging the second wheel at positions spaced at variable radial distances from the axis of said second wheel, the radial position of said ring relative to said second wheel being automatically varied as compensation for variation of the forces exerted by the second wheel on said ring.

Claim 8

A transmission mechanism for continuous, variable speed change between first and second shafts, which are mounted in substantially parallel, fixed relative positions in a frame, comprising: first and second wheels respectively keyed to said shafts, a friction ring circumscribing the first wheel in constant driving engagement therewith, and frictionally engaging the second wheel at positions spaced at variable radial distances from the axis of said second wheel, the radial position of said ring relative to said second wheel being automatically varied as compensation for variation of the forces exerted by the second wheel on said ring.

Claim 9

A variable-speed transmission mechanism between two substantially parallel shafts rotatably mounted in a frame, comprising: first and second wheels keyed to said first and second shafts respectively, the two wheels in a plane that is generally normal to said axes of said shafts and wheels, the first wheel having a circumferential contact edge, the second wheel having a friction surface generally in said plane, and a friction ring that circumscribes the first wheel in drive engagement with said contact edge, and contacts the second wheel in frictional engagement with said friction surface, a moment-arm distance being established from the two points of engagement of said ring with said two wheels, said ring being pivotable about said first wheel such that a remote part of the ring contacts said second wheels''s frictional surface at a variable radial distance from its axis with the frictional forces from said contact being operative on the resulting moment-arm distance to the pivot point on said first wheel, said frictional contact point and corresponding forces being automatically variable with a change in speed or load between said shafts.

Claim 10

A variable-speed transmission mechanism between two substantially parallel shafts rotatably mounted in a frame, comprising: first and second wheels keyed to said first and second shafts respectively, the two wheels in a plane that is generally normal to said axes of said shafts and wheels, the first wheel having a circumferential contact edge, the second wheel having a friction surface generally in said plane, and a friction ring that circumscribes the first wheel in drive engagement with said contact edge, and contacts the second wheel in frictional engagement with said friction surface, a moment-arm distance being established from the two points of engagement of said ring with said two wheels, said ring being pivotable about said first wheel such that a remote part of the ring contacts said second wheels''s frictional surface at a variable radial distance from its axis with the frictional forces from said contact being operative on the resulting moment-arm distance to the pivot point on said first wheel, said frictional contact point and corresponding forces being automatically variable with a change in speed or load between said shafts.

Claim 11

A variable-speed transmission mechanism as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the first wheel about which the ring pivots comprises an externally toothed gearwheel, and the friction ring has corresponding internal teeth.