Patent ID: 7699728
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A variable speed transmission comprising: a first pulley rotatable about a first axis of rotation and having a primary sheave and a secondary sheave positioned adjacent the primary sheave, the primary sheave movable axially along a path of travel defined by the first axis of rotation; a second pulley rotatable about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation and having a primary sheave and a secondary sheave positioned adjacent the primary sheave of the secondary pulley, the primary sheave of the second pulley movable along a path of travel defined by the second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation; an actuator plate movable along a path of travel parallel to at least one of the first and second axes of rotation, the actuator plate drivingly connected to the primary sheave of the first pulley and the primary sheave of the second pulley for concurrent axial movement of the actuator plate and the primary sheaves of the first and second pulleys in a single direction, the actuator plate being movable independently of the secondary sheave of the first pulley and the secondary sheave of the second pulley; an actuator member rotatably connected to the actuator plate and fixed for concurrent axial movement therewith, the actuator member being positioned at a substantially constant predetermined distance from the primary sheave of the first pulley and the primary sheave of the second pulley; and an input shaft slidably and rotatably engageable with the actuator member, the input shaft being positioned at a substantially constant predetermined distance from the secondary sheave of the first pulley and the secondary sheave of the second pulley, wherein the actuator member includes a helical slot, and the transmission further includes connecting means fixedly attached to the input shaft and engageable with the helical slot of the actuator member whereby rotation of the input shaft relative to the actuator member causes a corresponding axial shift of the actuator member relative to the input shaft.