Patent US3768323A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3768323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speed responsive variable diameter pulley
Assignee: Coleman Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-27
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A variable diameter pulley of the type commonly used to form an automatic transmission for snowmobiles and including centrifugal weights wherein the improvements includes dissociating the rotative driving function from the axial displacement function, both heretofore imposed to the centrifugal weights. A pulley having a fixed and an axially displaceable flanges, speed responsive devices arranged to cause axial displacement of the axially displaceable flange and a holding member bodily fixed for rotation with the fixed flange, slidably and drivingly engaging the displaceable flange to allow axial displacement of the latter relative thereto, while driving the same. The displaceable flange and the holding member form wall portions radially converging towards each other to define cavities safely enclosing centrifugal weights therein.
Inventors
- 👤 M Houle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/66; F16H61/662; F16H61/66231; F16H61/66245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A variable diameter pulley comprising a first and a second pulley flanges coaxially mounted with respect to each other, said second pulley flange being axially displaceable onto a shaft means relative to said first pulley flange, said first and said second pulley flanges form belt engaging surfaces, facing each other and defining a radially enlarging space between each other relative to the common axis of said pulley flanges, holding means coaxially mounted with said pulley flanges, axially fixed to said shaft means and arranged for concomitant rotation therewith, resilient means urging said first and said second pulley flanges in one axial direction relative to each other, speed responsive means constructed and arranged to bias said second pulley flange in opposite axial direction relative to said one direction, and said holding means is constructed and arranged to drivingly engage said second pulley flange to transmit rotation of said shaft means thereto, while allowing relative axial displacement therewith, said holding means being provided with at least one projection axially slidably engaging said second pulley flange and constructed and arranged to transmit rotation thereto, wherein the improvement comprises said second pulley flange including axial guideways and said holding means including a plurality of projections axially slidably engaging into said guideways and arranged to allow said relative axial displacement between said second pulley flange and said holding means, and said axial guideways constituting axially extending openings defining smooth internal surfaces, all said projections constitute radially extending bosses having low friction material fixed thereto exteriorly thereof and arranged to slidably engage into said axial openings in contact with said smooth internal surfaces thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
A variable diameter pulley comprising a first and a second pulley flanges coaxially mounted with respect to each other, said second pulley flange being axially displaceable onto a shaft means relative to said first pulley flange, said first and said second pulley flanges form belt engaging surfaces, facing each other and defining a radially enlarging space between each other relative to the common axis of said pulley flanges, holding means coaxially mounted with said pulley flanges, axially fixed to said shaft means and arranged for concomitant rotation therewith, resilient means urging said first and said second pulley flanges in one axial direction relative to each other, speed responsive means constructed and arranged to bias said second pulley flange in opposite axial direction relative to said one direction, and said holding means is constructed and arranged to drivingly engage said second pulley flange to transmit rotation of said shaft means thereto, while allowing relative axial displacement therewith, said holding means being provided with at least one projection axially slidably engaging said second pulley flange and constructed and arranged to transmit rotation thereto, wherein the improvement comprises said second pulley flange including axial guideways and said holding means including a plurality of projections axially slidably engaging into said guideways and arranged to allow said relative axial displacement between said second pulley flange and said holding means, and said axial guideways constituting axially extending openings defining smooth internal surfaces, all said projections constitute radially extending bosses having low friction material fixed thereto exteriorly thereof and arranged to slidably engage into said axial openings in contact with said smooth internal surfaces thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A variable diameter pulley as defined in claim 1, wherein said low friction material forms a pair of pads fixed on opposite sides of each of said bosses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A variable diameter pulley as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said bosses includes a radially extending cavity flanked by a pair of generally radially extending sides, and said speed responsive means includes a centrifugal weight means pivotally mounted into each of said cavities about a tangential pivot means supported by the corresponding pair of flanking sides and said centrifugal weight means are constructed and arranged to engage said second pulley flange to urge the latter into said opposite axial direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A variable diameter pulley as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said tangential pivot means form pivot ends protruding outwardly from the corresponding pair of sides and said one of said pads surrounds and is retained onto each of said pivot ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A variable diameter pulley as defined in claim 3, wherein said second pulley flange includes an annular flat surface facing towards said holding means and each of said centrifugal weight means constitutes an excentrically pivoted weight having one end adapted to axially engage said annular flat surface and to urge the second pulley flange towards said first pulley flange upon increase in the speed of rotation of said shaft means and said holding means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A Variable diameter pulley as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means is fixed to said shaft means for bodily rotation therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A variable diameter pulley as defined in claim 1, wherein said second pulley flange includes a hub portion having an annular space therein around said shaft means, said resilient means constitutes a coil spring arranged into said annular space and surrounding said shaft means, and a circular bearing is mounted onto said shaft means intermediate said first and second pulley flanges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |