Patent ID: 8721485

Claim:
An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having a longitudinal axis, the IVT comprising: a main shaft arranged along the longitudinal axis, the main shaft provided with a plurality of helical splines; a plurality of traction planet assemblies arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis; a first carrier member coupled to each of the traction planet assemblies, the first carrier member provided with a plurality of radially off-set slots, the first carrier member configured to guide the traction planet assemblies; a second carrier member coupled to each of the traction planet assemblies, the second carrier member provided with a plurality of radial slots, wherein the first and second carrier members are coupled to a rotational power source; and a shifting mechanism comprising: a shift fork having a pivot pin off-set from the longitudinal axis; a carrier driver nut operably coupled to the shift fork, the carrier driver nut having an inner bore configured to engage the helical splines of the main shaft, the carrier driver nut configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis, wherein a movement of the shift fork about the pivot pin corresponds to an axial movement of the carrier driver nut, and wherein an axial movement of the carrier driver nut corresponds to a rotation of the first carrier member with respect to the second carrier member.