Machine element or mechanism – Mechanical movements – Rotary to intermittent unidirectional motion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-19
2001-10-09
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Mechanical movements
Rotary to intermittent unidirectional motion
C074S594200, C074S119000, C074S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298740
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transmission assembly, and, in particular, to an adjustable rotational transmission assembly for a driven device.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Many driven devices, such as bicycles, motorcycles, motor vehicles, etc., require the use of a transmission assembly in order to translate driving forces to drive the driven device. Typically, these transmission assemblies allow the adjustment of the final drive ratios of these devices to optimize the translation of input power to the driven device.
For example, chain and sprocket with a deraileur assembly have been used and implemented on conventional bicycles. One problem with the chain and sprocket type assembly is that the gears are discrete. Also, the chain at times becomes misaligned from the sprocket and/or deraileur assembly causing inconvenience and possible injury to the cyclist. Furthermore, this type of assembly requires the cyclist to pedal in order to shift gears. Additionally, the use of chains to sprockets/gears does not allow for a smooth continuous transition between drive ratios.
Therefore, various transmission assemblies have been developed in attempting to overcome some of the above limitations of the chain, sprocket, and derailleur type transmission assembly. For example, transmission assemblies have been developed to provide infinitely variable drive ratios within a range to overcome having to only provide discrete gears/drive ratios. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,889,974; 3,922,005; 3,954,282; 3,984,129; 4,271,712; 4,467,668; 4,574,649; 4,630,839 disclose examples of such infinitely variable drive ratio transmission assemblies, and these prior art patents are incorporated by reference herein. These transmission assemblies use cables and chains and various other components that act in a reciprocating manner. However, a problem with the transmission assemblies is that they require an up and down type motion or back and forth type motion of the pedals or driving devices. A user of these transmission assemblies find these types of motions unsatisfactory since they are more accustomed to a fluid circular driving motion of the pedals/driving devices. Therefore, the use of these transmission assemblies may provide discomfort to the user.
Thus, transmission assemblies that allow adjustment of the pedal arm lengths were developed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,516; 4,519,271; 5,095,772 disclose examples of such transmission assemblies, and these prior art patents are incorporated by reference herein. These transmission assemblies provided a circular driving motion for the user. However, these types of transmission assemblies still did not provide a very fluid or comfortable motion for the user since the user would have to extend or retract his/her legs or pedaling motions respectively according to the adjustment of the transmission assemblies.
Therefore, transmission assemblies that provide infinitely variable drive ratios within a range, that implement reciprocating components, and that provide a circular driving motion for the user were developed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,133,550 and 5,833,257 disclose specific examples of such transmission assemblies, and these prior art patents are incorporated by reference herein. However, the need and desire to develop and improve these types of transmission assemblies and provide new apparatuses and methods to implement such transmission assemblies continues to exist.
Therefore, the present invention discloses and provides an adjustable rotational transmission assembly, and the present invention overcomes the problems, disadvantages, and limitations of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Set forth is a brief summary of the invention in order to solve the foregoing problems and achieve the foregoing and other objects, benefits, and advantages in accordance with the purposes of the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein.
It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved transmission assembly.
It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable rotational transmission assembly.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a new and improved transmission assembly that provides infinitely variable drive ratios within a range, that implements reciprocating components, and that provides a circular driving motion for the user.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved transmission assembly that provides continuous smooth transition between adjustment of drive ratios.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a new and improved transmission assembly that allows adjustment of drive ratios with or without the requirement of application of external force in driving the transmission assembly.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved transmission assembly that provides continuous and smooth translation of input power or force to driving power or force.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a new and improved transmission assembly that provides continuous and smooth translation of circular motion to reciprocating motion.
It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable rotational transmission assembly to be used in and coupled to driving components and/or shifting components of a driven device, such as a bicycle, motorcycle, moped, motor vehicle, etc.
The above objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by a rotational transmission assembly for a driven device. The assembly comprises a transmission housing, an input power drive gear, and at least one reciprocating component attachment. The input power drive gear is rotatably coupled to the transmission housing and is able to be driven by external input power components of the driven device. The at least one reciprocating component attachment is rotatably coupled to the input power drive gear. The at least one reciprocating component attachment is positioned at a drive radius relative to a rotational axis of the input power drive gear, and at least one reciprocating component is attachable to the at least one reciprocating component attachment. Rotation of the input power drive gear causes the at least one reciprocating component attachment to move along a rotational drive circumference and be able to cause and provide reciprocating motion to the at least one reciprocating component. The assembly further comprises at least one bearing assembly that rotatably couples the input power drive gear to the transmission housing. A rotational mount assembly is tranversely mounted through and coupled to the input power drive gear. The rotation of the input power drive gear rotates the rotational mount assembly. The at least one reciprocating component attachment is rotatably coupled to the rotational mount assembly.
One example embodiment of the present rotational mount assembly further comprises at least one transmission assembly mount transversely coupled to an interior portion of the input power drive gear and at least one transmission crank arm mounted to the at least one transmission assembly mount. The at least one reciprocating component attachment is rotatably coupled to the at least one transmission crank arm. The at least one transmission assembly mount further comprises at least one transmission crank arm slide opening, and the at least one transmission crank arm slidingly mounts within the at least one transmission crank arm slide opening to allow adjustment of a position of the at least one transmission crank arm which adjusts the drive radius and the drive circumference and a final drive ratio to the driven device.
A shifter assembly is coupled to the at least one transmission crank arm wherein the shifter assembly adjusts the position of the at least one transmission crank arm. The shifter assembly further comprises a crank arm adjustment gear rotatably coupled to the at least one transmission assembly mount and engagingly coupled to the at least one transmission crank arm, a pinion gear coupled to the crank arm adjustment gear, at least
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