Patent ID: 8568269

Claim:
A linearly adjustable torque transmission system for a power driven machine, the system comprising: (a) a first wheel adapted to be rotatably driven; (b) a second wheel positioned proximate the first wheel and engaging the first wheel such that rotational movement of the first wheel imparts rotational movement to the second wheel; and (c) the second wheel being coupled to a shaft with bearings between the second wheel and the shaft such that the second wheel is movable along the shaft in a lateral direction along a line that intercepts and runs perpendicular to an axis about which the first wheel is rotatably driven to any of a plurality of parallel positions while the second wheel is coupled to the shaft wherein rotational movement of the second wheel rotationally moves the shaft, wherein the shaft comprises at least one groove defined on an outer surface of the shaft; wherein the second wheel and the shaft together define a first bearing channel, a second bearing channel, a third bearing channel, and a fourth bearing channel for engaging one or more ball bearings, the at least one groove of the shaft forming at least one inner race that defines at least one or more areas of the first bearing channel, the second bearing channel, the third bearing channel, and the fourth bearing channel for engaging one or more bearings in both a forward direction and a reverse direction, wherein the second wheel includes a first outer channel, a second outer channel, a third outer channel, and a fourth outer channel therein in communication with the first bearing channel, the second bearing channel, the third bearing channel, and the fourth bearing channel, respectively, to form a first track, a second track, a third track, and a fourth track through which the one or more ball bearings can rotate, wherein each of the first bearing channel, the second bearing channel, the first outer channel, and the second outer channel is aligned along a first plane that is parallel to but spaced apart from a center longitudinal axis of the shaft, and wherein each of the third bearing channel, the fourth bearing channel, the third outer channel, and the fourth outer channel is aligned along a second plane parallel to the first plane.