Variable speed drive assembly

A lawn tractor comprising:

• a frame;
• at least a first ground engaging wheel operatively connected to said frame;
• an engine supported by said frame and operatively connected to a drive pulley;
• a drive mechanism comprising:
• a transmission having an input pulley;
• a double pulley;
• a first belt system selectively operatively connecting said double pulley to an associated power supply;
• a second belt system selectively operatively connecting said double pulley to said transmission input pulley;
• a linkage assembly operatively connecting said first and second belt systems to an associated frame, said linkage assembly comprising a first biasing means adapted to tension said second belt system, said first biasing means being positioned at an angle A;
• where the first belt has a longitudinal axis X-X and the first spring has a longitudinal axis Y-Y, where angle A is an angle between those two axis.

A method of adjusting the speed of a vehicle comprising the steps of:

• providing a drive system comprising:
• a transmission;
• a double pulley;
• a transmission input pulley;
• a first belt system selectively operatively connecting said double pulley to an associated power supply;
• a second belt system selectively operatively connecting said double pulley to said transmission input pulley;
• a linkage assembly operatively connecting said first and second belt systems to an associated frame, said linkage assembly comprising a first biasing means adapted to tension said second belt system, said first biasing means being positioned at an angle A;
• where the first belt has a longitudinal axis X-X and the first spring has a longitudinal axis Y-Y, where angle A is an angle between those two axis;
• a first bracket with a first portion, second portion, and third portion;
• said first bracket operative connected to said double speed pulley;
• a second biasing means with a first end and a second end;
• and, said first end of said second biasing means operatively connected to said first portion of said first bracket;
• a second bracket with a first section and a second section;
• a third bracket with a first segment and a second segment;
• said first section of said second bracket operatively connected to said first segment of said third bracket;
• said second section of said second bracket operatively connected to an associated vehicle frame;
• and,
• said second segment of said third bracket operatively connected to said second portion of said first bracket;
• said third portion of said first bracket pivotally connected to said double pulley for movement relative to said transmission input pulley;
• and,
• a speed selector operatively connected to associated vehicle;
• and
• selecting an associated speed range.

A method of disengaging a drive system comprising the steps of:

• providing:
• a transmission;
• a double pulley;
• a transmission input pulley;
• a clutch;
• a first belt operatively connecting said double pulley and said transmission input pulley;
• a second belt operatively connecting said double pulley and an associated power supply;
• a linkage assembly comprising;
• a first belt system selectively operatively connecting said double pulley to an associated power supply;
• a second belt system selectively operatively connecting said double pulley to said transmission input pulley;
• a linkage assembly operatively connecting said first and second belt systems to an associated frame, said linkage assembly comprising a first biasing means adapted to tension said second belt system, said first biasing means being positioned at an angle A;
• where the first belt has a longitudinal axis X-X and the first spring has a longitudinal axis Y-Y, where angle A is an angle between those two axis;
• a first bracket with a first portion, second portion, and third portion;
• said first bracket operative connected to said double speed pulley;
• a second biasing means with a first end and a second end;
• and,
• said first end of said second biasing means operatively connected to said first portion of said first bracket;
• a second bracket with a first section and a second section;
• a third bracket with a first segment and a second segment;
• said first section of said second bracket operatively connected to said first segment of said third bracket;
• said second section of said second bracket operatively connected to an associated vehicle frame;
• and,
• said second segment of said third bracket operatively connected to said second portion of said first bracket;
• said third portion of said first bracket pivotally connected to said double pulley for movement relative to said transmission input pulley;
• and,
• depressing said clutch.