Hardgeared infinitely variable transmission

A hardgeared infinitely variable transmission comprising:

• a transmission input shaft, said input shaft providing an input drive in the form of repeated strokes;
• at least one quick return mechanism, each having an input side and an output side, said input side driven at a fixed ratio by said transmission input shaft, said output side of said quick return mechanisms moving at a near constant linear velocity for a portion of said stroke and then returning to its original position before said stroke by a rapid return motion;
• a transmission output shaft;
• conversion means to convert said near constant linear velocity motion of said output side of each of said quick return mechanisms into rotation of said transmission output shaft;
• engagement/disengagement means to engage said output side of each of said quick return mechanisms with said output shaft during said near constant linear velocity portion of said motion of said output side and to disengage said quick return mechanisms from said output shaft during said rapid return motion;
• and
• input/output speed ratio adjustment means to provide a variable amount of said near constant linear velocity motion of said output side of said quick return mechanism to said conversion means so as to thereby change an input/output speed ratio of said transmission;
• wherein said transmission input shaft contains at least one crankarm, each of said crankarms drivingly engaging one of said quick return mechanisms, and wherein each of said quick return mechanisms comprise:
• a linkage capable of oscillating about a pivot point and having an open interior portion;
• a slider block to which said crankarm is attached, said slider block suitably disposed within said interior portion of said linkage;
• and
• a slider suitably disposed within said interior portion of said linkage such that said slider is free to slide within said interior portion of said linkage.

A hardgeared infinitely variable transmission comprising:

• a transmission input shaft, said input shaft providing an input drive in the form of repeated strokes;
• at least one quick return mechanism, each having an input side and an output side, said input side driven by said transmission input shaft, said output side of said quick return mechanisms moving at a near constant linear velocity for a portion of said stroke and then returning to its original position before said stroke by a rapid return motion;
• a transmission output shaft;
• conversion means to convert said near constant linear velocity motion of said output side of each of said quick return mechanisms into rotation of said transmission output shaft;
• engagement/disengagement means to engage said output side of each of said quick return mechanisms with said output shaft during said near constant linear velocity portion of said motion of said output side and to disengage said quick return mechanisms from said output shaft during said rapid return motion;
• and
• input/output speed ratio adjustment means to provide a variable amount of said near constant linear velocity motion of said output side of said quick return mechanism to said conversion means so as to thereby change an input/output speed ratio of said transmission;
• wherein said transmission input shaft contains at least one crankarm, each of said crankarms drivingly engaging one of said quick return mechanisms, and wherein each of said quick return mechanisms comprise:
• a linkage capable of oscillating about a pivot point and having an open interior portion;
• a slider block to which said crankarm is attached, said slider block suitably disposed within said interior portion of said linkage;
• and
• a slider suitably disposed within said interior portion of said linkage such that said slider is free to slide within said interior portion of said linkage;
• wherein said conversion means further comprises:
• at least one linear to rotary conversion input housing, each of said conversion input housings secured to one of said sliders within said interior portion of said quick return mechanisms by a pin, said conversion input housings further containing said engagement/disengagement means;
• an endless flexible member passing through said conversion input housings, said endless flexible member being engaged and disengaged to said conversion input housings by said engagement/disengagement means;
• a first interim output shaft;
• a first sprocket connected to said transmission output shaft;
• a second interim output shaft;
• and
• a second sprocket connected to said second shaft, wherein said endless flexible member simultaneously engages said first and said second sprockets and thereby supplies an output rotation to both said interim output shafts.

A hardgeared infinitely variable transmission for use in a bicycle having a bicycle frame, a pedal assembly and a front sprocket, said transmission comprising:

• a transmission housing secured to said bicycle frame;
• a transmission input shaft, said transmission input shaft providing an input drive in the form of repeated strokes, each of said strokes comprising a full 360.degree. rotation of said bicycle pedal assembly;
• a first transmission sprocket driven by said input shaft;.
• a chain;
• a second transmission sprocket, said chain simultaneously engaging said first and second sprockets, said second sprocket including at least one crankarm;
• at least one quick return mechanism, each of said quick return mechanisms having an input side and an output side, each of said quick return mechanism input sides being driven by one of said crankarms of said second sprocket, such that said output side of said quick return mechanism moves at a near constant linear velocity about a pivot point for a portion of said input drive stroke followed by a rapid return to its position prior to said stroke;
• a transmission output shaft;
• conversion means for converting said motion of said output sides of said quick return mechanisms to a rotational motion of said output shaft;
• engagement/disengagement means to engage each of said quick return mechanisms with said output shaft during said near constant linear velocity portion of said stroke and to disengage each of said quick return mechanisms from said output shaft during said rapid return motion;
• and
• input/output speed ratio adjustment means to provide a variable amount of said near constant linear velocity motion of said output side of said quick return mechanism to said conversion means so as to thereby change an input/output speed ratio of said transmission.

A hardgeared infinitely variable transmission, said transmission comprising:

• a transmission input mechanism, said transmission input mechanism providing an input drive in the form of repeated strokes;
• at least one quick return mechanism, each of said quick return mechanisms having an input side and an output side, each of said quick return mechanism input sides being driven by said transmission input mechanism at a fixed ratio, such that said output side of said quick return mechanisms moves at a near constant linear velocity about a pivot point during an advancing portion of said input drive stroke followed by a rapid return to its position prior to said stroke;
• a transmission output shaft;
• conversion means for converting said motion of said quick return mechanisms to a rotational motion of said output shaft;
• engagement/disengagement means to engage each of said quick return mechanisms with said output shaft during said near constant linear velocity portion of said stroke and to disengage each of said quick return mechanisms from said output shaft during said rapid return motion;
• and
• input/output speed ratio adjustment means to provide a variable amount of said near constant linear velocity motion of said output side of said quick return mechanism to said conversion means so as to thereby change an input/output speed ratio of said transmission.