Forward and reverse power control apparatus

A power control apparatus for an engine comprising:

• an engine having an output shaft,
• a first pulley connected with said output shaft having a first V-grooved shaped outer peripheral section and a second circumferentially flat outer peripheral section, said second outer peripheral section having a larger diameter than said first outer peripheral section,
• a second pulley having a third V-grooved shaped peripheral section and a fourth circumferential flat outer peripheral section, said fourth flat outer peripheral section being provided with a flat rubberized friction surface on its outer periphery and being larger in diameter than said third peripheral section,
• a pivotable control arm upon which said second pulley is mounted for movement relative to said first pulley,
• a tension-compression spring for biassing said control arm to a predetermined neutral position,
• a control rod connected to said control arm for pivoting said control arm about a predetermined axis,
• a control lever,
• a tube coupled to axially move said rod, said tube being pivotably coupled to said control lever, such that movement of said control lever causes movement of said tube, axial displacement of said control rod, and pivotal movement of said support arm,
• a sprocket assembly coupling said second pulley to an output sprocket,
• a belt connecting the V-shaped portion of said first pulley with the V-shaped portion of said second pulley,
• a pair of belt engaging arms for constraining said belt from looping outward of said first pulley when said second pulley is moved towards said first pulley a predetermined amount by rotation of said control arm, said control lever being operative such that upon forward movement thereof said control rod moves forward to pull said second pulley away from said first pulley to tighten said belt about said first and second pulleys, the slippage between said belt and said first and second pulleys being controlled by the amount of forward movement of said control lever, said control lever further being operative in a reverse position, to move said second pulley towards said first pulley to a position where said rubberized friction surface on said second pulley engages with the flat section of said first pulley to cause reverse rotation of said second pulley, said belt engaging arms touching said belt at a predetermined position of the movement of said second pulley towards said first pulley to constrain said belt from forming a loop thereby ensuring the complete slippage of said belt about said first pulley, and
• a safety means connected with a seat of said vehicle and operative such that when said vehicle seat is unoccupied, said control arm is biased to a neutral position, said safety device comprising a seat frame biased to a raised position by a biasing means, a strike plate mounted for rotative movement with said seat frame, said strike plate, when said seat frame is in a raised position, being arranged to contact with said tube to force said rod and control arm connected therewith to a neutral position, said strike plate being rotatable upon said seat being placed in its operative position, to release said tube and allow its movement by said control lever.