Automatic transmission with stepless, continuously variable speed and torque ratio
OwnerWilliam T. Bealeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automatically and smoothly continuously variable transmission, particularly for a bicycle, for transmitting input mechanical energy from a crank to the drive wheel. A ratchet, having an oscillatory, alternating motion member and a continuous rotary motion member, connected to the driven wheel, has a drive spring drivingly linked between the ratchet alternating member and the crank for driving the ratchet alternating member in one direction of motion. A return spring is linked to the ratchet alternating member for applying a return force upon the ratchet alternating member to return the alternating member in the opposite direction.
Claims20
A mechanical transmission for transmitting input mechanical energy from an input driving member which is drivable in alternating motion by a source of input mechanical energy to an output driven member, the transmission having an automatic, continuously variable drive ratio, the transmission comprising:
- (a) a ratchet including an alternating motion member and a continuous motion, output member forming said output driven member;
- (b) a drive spring drivingly linked between the ratchet alternating member and the input driving member for transmitting a force applied to the input driving member to the ratchet alternating member in one direction;
- and
- (c) a return spring drivingly linked to the ratchet alternating member for applying a return force upon the ratchet alternating member opposite to the force applied by the drive spring.
A mechanical transmission for transmitting input mechanical energy from an input driving member which is drivable in alternating motion by a source of input mechanical energy to an output driven member, the transmission having an automatic, continuously variable drive ratio and converting alternating motion to rotary motion, the transmission comprising:
- (d) a ratchet including an alternating motion member and a continuous motion, rotary, output member forming said output driven member;
- (e) a drive spring drivingly linked between the ratchet alternating member and the input driving member for transmitting a force applied to the input driving member to the ratchet alternating member in one direction;
- and
- (f) a return spring drivingly linked to the ratchet alternating member for applying a return force upon the ratchet alternating member opposite to the force applied by the drive spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.