Dynamically pivotable friction drive

A friction drive transmission comprising:

• a drive pulley comprising an engaging face;
• a tip plate that supports the drive pulley and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the engaging face of the drive pulley;
• and
• a friction ring that drives an axle, wherein the friction ring contacts the engaging face of the drive pulley and is moveable relative to the engaging face of the drive pulley to transition between forward rotation and reverse rotation;
• wherein, when the friction ring moves into a reverse rotation position for reverse rotation of the axle, the tip plate pivots, with the drive pulley, about the pivot axis from a first position into a second position, the first position being different from the second position;
• wherein the friction drive transmission further comprises a mounting member;
• wherein the tip plate further comprises a securing aperture and a securing slot;
• wherein the mounting member is disposed within the securing aperture and the securing slot;
• wherein the securing slot has a dimension that is larger than the securing aperture to permit the tip plate to pivot relative to the mounting member;
• and
• wherein the pivot axis is located at an engagement point between the mounting member and the securing aperture.

A friction drive transmission comprising:

• a drive pulley comprising an engaging face;
• a tip plate that supports the drive pulley and is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of the engaging face of the drive pulley;
• and
• a friction ring that drives an axle, wherein the friction ring contacts the engaging face of the drive pulley and is moveable relative to the engaging face of the drive pulley to transition between forward rotation and reverse rotation;
• wherein, in response to an engaging force between the friction ring and the engaging face, the tip plate is configured to pivot about the pivot axis to:
• align a centerline of the engaging face with a centerline of the friction ring when the friction ring is in a reverse rotation position, and
• move the centerline of the engaging face below the centerline of the friction ring when the friction ring is in the forward rotation position.