Patent ID: 7331889

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling a variable-speed transmission, comprising: (a) a pulley structure comprising first and second pulley members for free rotation together about an axis, the second pulley member comprising a pulley contact surface disposed generally opposite to the first pulley member, the second pulley member being axially translatable relative to the first pulley member between a disengaged position and an engaged position and, while in the engaged position, among variable speed positions; and (b) a coupling member rotatable about the axis and comprising a coupling member contact surface at least generally facing the pulley contact surface wherein, at the disengaged position, the pulley contact surface is axially spaced from the coupling member contact surface and, at the engaged position, the pulley contact surface frictionally engages the coupling member contact surface for enabling the pulley structure to rotatably drive the coupling member at variable speeds.