Patent ID: 6893369
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A drive wheel for pulling a chain therearound comprising (A) a drive shaft with its longitudinal axis in an x-axis direction; (B) at least two chain-engaging means positioned around said drive shaft for engaging said chain, each on a radial axis that extends from said drive shaft; (C) modules that support said chain-engaging means and permit each of said chain-engaging means to move in a circumferential direction relative to its radial axis a distance sufficient to engage said chain; (D) module locks that prevent a each of said chain-engaging means from moving relative to its radial axis when it engages said chain, but permit such movement when it does not engage said chain; (E) extenders connecting said modules to said drive shaft that change the distance between a module and said drive shaft while said drive shaft is rotating; and (F) at least one extender lock that prevents said extenders from changing the distance between a module and said drive shaft when a chain is engaged by the chain-engaging means supported by that a module, but permit such change when said chain is not so engaged.