US4182203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuously variable mechanical transmission
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-02-24
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Granted: 1980-01-08
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Expires: 1998-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A continuously variable mechanical transmission comprised of a crankshaft or similar device driven by a suitable power source such as an internal combustion engine, which drives one or more pivotally mounted levers, pushrods and ratchet mechanisms. The levers drive pushrods which in turn drive the ratchet mechanism through a rack gear mounted on each pushrod. The output of the ratchet gear mechanism drives an output shaft and is varied by varying the position of the pushrod attachment to each pivotally mounted lever. Each pushrod is connected to a slot or guide on each lever so that the connecting point can be varied from close to the pivot point or pivot axis to the opposite end of the lever. By this means it can be continuously varied from low speed to higher speed by adjusting the connecting point of the pushrods to the pivoting levers.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcus D. Drury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H29/00; F16H29/02; F16H29/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/16; Y10T74/1625; Y10T74/165; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18088; Y10T74/18096; Y10T74/18216
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A variable speed transmission system comprising: a plurality of lever arms mounted for oscillation about a mutually coincident axis; oscillating means for oscillating said lever arms in a predetermined phase relationship about said axis; a pushrod connected to each lever arm; coupling means for coupling said pushrods to an output shaft; and variable adjusting means for variably adjusting the point of connection of said pushrods to said lever arms with respect to said axis whereby the length of travel of said pushrods is varied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A variable speed transmission system comprising: a plurality of lever arms mounted for oscillation about a mutually coincident axis; oscillating means for oscillating said lever arms in a predetermined phase relationship about said axis; a pushrod connected to each lever arm; coupling means for coupling said pushrods to an output shaft; and variable adjusting means for variably adjusting the point of connection of said pushrods to said lever arms with respect to said axis whereby the length of travel of said pushrods is varied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transmission according to claim 1 wherein: there are at least four lever arms; and said oscillating means is adapted to oscillate said lever arm sequentially 90° out of phase with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The transmission according to claim 2 wherein said oscillating means comprises: a plurality of levers connected to the free end of each lever arm; and a crankshaft connected to said levers and adapted to operate said levers in predetermined phase relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The transmission according to claim 2 wherein said oscillating means comprises: a crankshaft; a plurality of cams on said crankshaft; and said cams engaging each rocker arm in the predetermined phase relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The transmission according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises: a rack gear on each pushrod; a plurality of gears on said output shaft engaged by said rack gear; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
rectifying means for rectifying the output of said gears to drive said output shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
rectifying means for rectifying the output of said gears to drive said output shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transmission according to claim 5 wherein said rectifying means comprises: a plurality of ratchet gears rigidly attached to said output shaft; and a plurality of pawls attached to each of said plurality of gears and engaging each of said ratchet gears.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The transmission according to claim 5 wherein said rectifying means comprises: an overrunning clutch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The transmission according to claim 1 wherein said variable adjusting means comprises: a longitudinal slot in each lever arm; a bearing pad in each longitudinal slot connected to the end of each pushrod; and moving means for moving said bearing pad in said longitudinal slot whereby the end of the pushrod may be moved in or out with respect to said axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transmission according to claim 8 wherein said moving means comprises: a longitudinal rack gear in said slot; connecting means connecting said bearing pads to said rack gear; and electric drive means for driving said rack gear.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transmission according to claim 8 wherein said moving means comprises: a shift arm for moving said bearing pad longitudinally in said slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
A continuously variable transmission system comprising: a plurality of lever arms rotatably secured independently to a common axis; oscillating means for oscillating said lever arm; rectifying means for rectifying the oscillatory motion of said lever arms to linear motion; varying means for varying the amount of linear motion produced by said oscillating lever arms; and output translating means connected to said rectifying means for translating said linear motion to rotary output power.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
A continuously variable transmission system comprising: a plurality of lever arms rotatably secured independently to a common axis; oscillating means for oscillating said lever arm; rectifying means for rectifying the oscillatory motion of said lever arms to linear motion; varying means for varying the amount of linear motion produced by said oscillating lever arms; and output translating means connected to said rectifying means for translating said linear motion to rotary output power.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transmission system according to claim 11 wherein said rectifying means comprises: a plurality of pushrods connected to said lever arms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The transmission system according to claim 12 wherein said output translation means comprises: a shaft; a plurality of ratchet gears on said shaft; and a rack gear on each of said pushrods engaging and turning said ratchet gear.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The transmission system according to claim 12 wherein: said varying means comprises: variable connecting means for varying the connection of said pushrods with respect to said axis whereby the length of the moment arm created by said lever arms may be increased or decreased.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The transmission system according to claim 12 wherein said oscillating means comprises: a master crank; and a plurality of connecting rods connecting said levers to said master crank.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transmission system according to claim 12 wherein said oscillating means comprises: a camshaft; and a plurality of spaced cams on said camshaft abutting each lever arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
The transmission system according to claim 14 wherein said variable connecting means comprises: an elongate slot in each lever arm traversing from the pivot point ot near the opposite end; and a pin engaging said slot connecting said pushrod for adjustment from near the pivot to the opposite end of the lever arm, whereby the moment arm is shortest when the pin is moved to a point near the pivot and is longest when the pin is moved to the opposite end of the slot.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
63 words
The transmission system according to claim 14 wherein said variable connecting means comprises: a channel formed in said lever arm traversing from the pivot point to the opposite end; a bearing pad movably engaged in said channel; a pivot pin connecting the end of said pushrod to said bearing pad; and means for moving said pad along the channel in said lever arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The transmission system according to claim 18 wherein the moving means comprises: a rack gear connected for movement with said bearing pad; and an electric motor geared to said rack whereby the bearing pad may be moved up or down said lever thereby varying the linear motion of said pushrod.
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) | 1983-01-07 | 1983-07-09 | 1984-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-07 | 1987-07-09 | 1988-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-07 | 1991-07-09 | 1992-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |