Patent ID: 7032914
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: B62M,F16H

Abstract:
1. A bicycle comprising: a driving wheel hub with a longitudinal axis; a continuously variable transmission at least partially enclosed by the driving wheel hub further comprising; a rotatable driving member located coaxially about the longitudinal axis and adapted to accept input torque; a rotatable driven member located coaxially about the longitudinal axis and adapted to transmit torque to the hub; a plurality of spherical power adjusters distributed in a plane about the longitudinal axis and between the driving and driven members, wherein each power adjuster rotates about a respective adjuster axis; a plurality of spindles having two ends, wherein each spindle is positioned in a bore of an associated one of the power adjusters and is adapted to tilt the associated power adjuster; a support member providing a support surface that is in frictional contact with each of the power adjusters, wherein the support member is coaxial with and rotates about the longitudinal axis; first and second convex platform discs adjacent to respective first and second ends of the support member that are adapted to translate axial motion of the support member and convex platforms into a simultaneous shift of the orientation of the spindles; and at least one stationary support disc positioned axially adjacent to the plurality of power adjusters and adapted to provide direct angular support, with respect to the longitudinal axis, to the spindles as they shift in their respective planes; wherein each of the power adjusters makes tree-point contact with the driving member, the driven member and the support member.