Continuously variably reciprocating transmission

A transmission device comprising:

• a first rotational member configured for attachment to a means for rotating said first rotational member about a center of rotation;
• a first translational member configured for transmitting force to a means for using said force;
• connecting means for operatively connecting the first rotational member and the first translational member such that movement of one of said translational member and rotational member causes movement of the other of said translational member and rotational member, wherein a portion of the connecting means is pivotally connected to the first rotational member at a first radial attachment point removed from the center of rotation of said first rotational member such that said first radial attachment point and said center of rotation define a first attachment radius;
• and
• adjusting means (i) varying a location of the first radial attachment point responsive to rotational speed of the first rotational member to thereby increase and decrease the first attachment radius and (ii) maintaining said radius at a first, larger radial length responsive to a faster constant rotational speed of the first rotational member, and maintaining said radius at a second, shorter radial length responsive to a slower constant rotational speed of said first rotational member.

A transmission device comprising:

• a first rotational member configured for attachment to a means for rotating said first rotational member about a center of rotation;
• a first translational member configured for transmitting force to a means for using said force;
• connecting means for operatively connecting the first rotational member and the first translational member such that movement of one of said translational member and rotational member causes movement of the other of said translational member and rotational member, wherein a portion of the connecting means is pivotally connected to the first rotational member at a first radial attachment point removed from the center of rotation of said first rotational member such that said first radial attachment point and said center of rotation define a first attachment radius;
• and
• adjusting means (i) varying a location of the first radial attachment point responsive to rotational speed of the first rotational member to thereby increase and decrease the first attachment radius and (ii) maintaining said radius at a first, radial length responsive to a faster constant rotational speed of the first rotational member, and maintaining said radius at a second, different radial length responsive to a slower constant rotational speed of said first rotational member.

A transmission device comprising:

• a circular wheel having the shape of a circle and being configured for attachment to a means for rotating said circular wheel about a center of rotation;
• a first translational member configured for transmitting force to a means for using said force;
• connecting means for operatively connecting the circular wheel and the first translational member such that movement of one of said translational member and circular wheel causes movement of the other of said translational member and circular wheel, wherein a portion of the connecting means is pivotally connected directly onto the circular wheel at a first radial attachment point removed from the center of rotation of said circular wheel such that said first radial attachment point and said center of rotation define a first attachment radius;
• and
• adjusting means for alternately (i) holding the first radial attachment point at a fixed location on the wheel, with respect to the center of rotation of said wheel, during rotational movement of said wheel, such that the first radial attachment point is prevented from sliding freely with respect to said wheel, (ii) varying a location of the first radial attachment point on the wheel during rotational movement of said wheel to thereby increase and decrease the first attachment radius, and (iii) maintaining said first attachment radius at a first radial length responsive to a faster constant rotational speed of the circular wheel, and maintaining said radius at a second, different radial length responsive to a slower constant rotational speed of said circular wheel;
• wherein all points on the wheel are confined to rotation on a fixed, circular movement path, and wherein the center of rotation of the wheel remains in a substantially fixed orientation with respect to the adjusting means.

A compression braking transmission device comprising:

• a first transmission means for transmitting torsional force, including a first input shaft and a first output shaft and further including first variable ratio means for changing a rotation rate ratio of the first input shaft to the first output shaft;
• a second transmission means for transmitting torsional force, including a second input shaft and a second output shaft and further including a second variable ratio means for changing a rotation rate ratio of the second input shaft to the second output shaft;
• first connecting means for operatively connecting the first output shaft to the second input shaft such that said second input shaft is confined to rotate in tandem with the first output shaft;
• and
• second connecting means for operatively connecting the second output shaft on the first input shaft such that said first input shaft is confined to rotate in tandem with the second output shaft.