Centrifugally controlled expansible pulley with torque cam actuation

Claim 1

Infinitely variable transmission comprising a first pulley assembly including a stationary pulley element secured to a first shaft and a movable pulley element movable along and rotatable about the first shaft, said stationary and movable elements defining a V-shaped cricumferential groove therebetween, torsional spring means associated with the movable element of the first pulley assembly for biasing the element in one angular direction, centrifugal means for angularly urging the movable element of the first pulley assembly against the influence of the torsional spring means in accordance with the speed of said first shaft, and cam means for axially displacing said movable element of the first pulley assembly in accordance with angular displacement of the movable element with respect to the stationary element of the first pulley assembly; a second pulley assembly including a stationary pulley element secured to a second shaft and a movable pulley element slidable along the second shaft, said stationary and movable pulley elements defining a V-shaped circumferential groove therebetween, means for biasing the movable element toward the stationary element of the second pulley assembly; and an endless belt having a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration for engaging said V-shaped grooves in the first and second pulley assemblies and extending around and between the pulley assemblies for establishing a power transmitting connection therebetween.