Multi-ratio drive

A multi-ratio drive comprising first and second spaced sprockets, an endless flexible member effectively engaging said first and second sprockets to transmit motion therebetween, a plurality of concentric rows of openings in said first sprocket, pins in said openings, and pin-actuating means for selectively extending pins from a retracted position in said concentric rows of openings and retracting said pins into said openings to thereby vary the effective diameter of said first sprocket and thus vary the drive ratio between said first and second sprockets, said pins consisting of magnetic material and said pin-actuating means comprising magnets.

A multi-ratio drive comprising first and second spaced sprockets, an endless flexible member effectively engaging said first and second sprockets to transmit motion therebetween, a plurality of concentric rows of openings in said first sprocket, first pins in said openings, first pin-actuating means for selectively extending said first pins from a retracted position in said concentric rows of openings and retracting said first pins into said openings to thereby vary the effective diameter of said first sprocket and thus vary the drive ratio between said first and second sprockets, a plurality of second concentric rows of openings in said second sprocket, second pins in said second openings, and second pin-actuating means for selectively extending and retracting said second pins from said second concentric rows of openings to thereby vary the drive ratio between said first and second sprockets, said first pins consisting of magnetic material and said first pin-actuating means comprising magnets.

A multi-ratio drive comprising first and second spaced sprockets, an endless flexible member effectively engaging said first and second sprockets to transmit motion therebetween, a plurality of concentric rows of openings in said first sprocket, pins in said openings, first pin-actuating means for selectively extending pins from a retracted position in said concentric rows of openings by magnetic action, and second pin-actuating means for retracting said pins into said openings to thereby vary the effective diameter of said first sprocket and thus vary the drive ratio between said first and second sprockets.

A variable diameter sprocket construction comprising disc means, a plurality of concentric circular rows of holes in said disc means, axially movable pins in said holes, means for mounting said axially movable pins for rotation with said disc means without rotation about their axes as said disc means rotates, and means for selectively moving pins of certain of said rows substantially solely in a direction axially of said pins to cause said pins of certain of said rows to move between retracted positions in said disc means to extended positions wherein they project outwardly from said disc means a greater amount than when in said retracted positions.

A variable diameter sprocket construction comprising disc means, a plurality of concentric circular rows of holes in said disc means, axially movable pins in said disc means, peripheral disc surfaces surrounding said holes, means for selectively moving pins in certain of said rows between retracted positions in said disc means to extended positions in which they project outwardly from said disc means a greater amount than when in said retracted positions, said axially movable pins being entirely supported solely by said peripheral disc surfaces, and means for rotating as a unit said pins and all portions of said disc means including all portions of said peripheral disc surfaces which support said pins.

A variable diameter sprocket construction comprising disc means, a plurality of concentric circular rows of holes in said disc means, axially movable pins in said holes, peripheral disc surfaces surrounding said holes, and moving means located substantially entirely externally of said disc means for selectively moving pins of certain of said rows between retracted positions in said disc means and extended positions in which they project outwardly from said disc means a greater amount than when in said retracted positions, said axially movable pins being entirely supported solely by said peripheral disc surfaces, and means for rotating as a unit said pins and all portions of said disc means including all portions of said peripheral disc surfaces which support said pins.

A variable diameter sprocket construction comprising disc means, a plurality of concentric circular rows of holes in said disc means, axially movable pins in said holes, and means for selectively moving pins of certain of said rows in a direction axially of said pins to cause said pins of certain of said rows to move between retracted positions in said disc means to extended positions wherein they project outwardly from said disc means a greater amount than when in said retracted positions, said axially movable pins being substantially cylindrical throughout their lengths.

A multi-ratio drive comprising first and second spaced sprockets, an endless flexible member effectively engaging said first and second sprockets to transmit motion therebetween, a plurality of concentric rows of openings in said first sprocket, pins in said openings, pin-actuating means for selectively extending pins from a retracted position in said concentric rows of openings and retracting said pins into said openings to thereby vary the effective diameter of said first sprocket and thus vary the drive ratio between said first and second sprockets, said pins including first and second outer ends and a central portion therebetween, said pin-actuating means being located in contiguous relationship to at least said first outer ends and closer to said first outer ends than to said central portion, and retaining means located proximate at least one of the outer ends of said pins for retaining said pins in either said extended or retracted positions in which they were placed.

A variable diameter sprocket construction comprising disc means, a plurality of concentric circular rows of holes in said disc means, axially movable pins in said holes, moving means located substantially entirely externally of said disc means for selectively moving pins of certain of said rows between retracted positions in said disc means and extended positions in which they project outwardly from said disc means a greater amount than when in said retracted positions, and means for moving said moving means in a path generally radially of said disc means.

A variable diameter sprocket construction comprising disc means, a plurality of concentric circular rows of holes in said disc means, axially movable pins in said holes, and moving means located substantially entirely externally of said disc means for selectively moving pins of certain of said rows between retracted positions in said disc means and extended positions in which they project outwardly from said disc means a greater amount than when in said retracted positions, said pins including first and second outer ends and a central portion therebetween, and said moving means being located in contiguous relationship to at least said first outer ends and closer to said first outer ends than to said central portion.