Patent ID: 6267699
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: B62M,F16H

Abstract:
A drive mechanism having a first pulley, a second pulley and an endless flexible drive member extending therebetween for transmitting motion from said first pulley to said second pulley wherein at least one of said pulleys is a variable ratio pulley assembly comprising:a planar disk of non-magnetic material having an engagement face and an opposite retraction face and further having at least one circular row of apertures therethrough;at least one fixed magnet having a first pole and a second pole defining a polar orientation, said at least one fixed magnet affixed to said planar disk wherein said polar orientation is substantially transverse to said planar disk;a plurality of drive segments of non-magnetic material positioned in said row of apertures forming at least one circular row of drive segments wherein each of said segments is selectively translatable along an axis transverse to said planar disk between a retracted position substantially flush with said engagement face and an engaged position extending from said engagement face in a cantilevered fashion, and further wherein each of said segments includes an actuating magnet therein, each said actuating magnet having a first end of a first polarity and a second end of a second polarity aligned parallel to said transverse axis and polarly oriented opposite to said polar orientation of said at least one fixed magnet; andan actuator for selectively engaging and retracting said at least one circular row of drive segments.