Endless belt power transmission systems or components – System including spaced pulleys interconnected by a belt – Positive drive pulley and friction drive pulley connected by...
Patent
1995-02-01
1997-11-04
Schoeppel, Roger J.
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
System including spaced pulleys interconnected by a belt
Positive drive pulley and friction drive pulley connected by...
474150, 280250, 2802501, 280255, F16H 700
Patent
active
056833210
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates generally to method and apparatus for driving axles driven by chains, belts, cables and the like and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus for driving wheelchairs, bicycles and motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art is replete with apparatus for driving wheel chairs and bicycles. Examples of such apparatus are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,865,344; 4,762,332; 4,652,026; 4,453,729; 4,274,651; 4,063,747; 3,994,509; 3,877,725; 3,666,292; 3,309,110; 1,273,693 and 494,839.
A review of the above patents reveals that none of the apparatus disclosed therein is capable of receiving or transmitting linearly generated power, i.e. power which is generated by power strokes traveling along a straight line or path. All apparatus disclosed in the patents require that the operator move a handle or pedal through some sort of an arcuate or curved path in order to make a power stroke with a device. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,725 to Barroza, it can be seen in FIG. 4 that the wheelchair is driven by moving handle 3 through the arcuate path illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 4. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,747 to Young, it can be seen in FIG. 1 that the bicycle disclosed therein is powered by moving pedals 36 through an arcuate path. It will also be appreciated that the pedal of a conventional bicycle also follows an arcuate path as it revolves about the axis of the bicycle's main sprocket.
One problem with generating power along a curved or arcuate path is that the portion of the path over which maximum power can be generated is very short. For example, in a conventional bicycle, maximum power is generated during that portion of the pedal's path which travels from about +45.degree. from the horizontal to about -30.degree. from the horizontal. As can be visualized, it is difficult to generate significant power outside this portion of the pedal's path since the operator's foot is simply not at an angle with respect to the pedal which enables the generation of much power. The connecting rod/crankshaft attached to the piston of an internal combustion engine suffers from the same problem since the mechanics of the combination are no different than that provided by the bicyclist leg/pedal combination.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the aforementioned problems by providing method and apparatus for continuously transmitting linearly generated power to an axle and the like to rotatingly drive the axle. The invention theoretically maximizes the amount of power that can be generated by an individual with an arm or leg since power generation theoretically can be maximized if the arm or leg moves linearly, i.e. along a straight line during a stroke of the arm or leg for generating power. As such, the power transmitting or drive apparatus of the present invention is ideally suited for use with apparatus that are powered by an individual with his arms or legs. Some examples of suitable apparatus are bicycles and wheelchairs.
It has also been determined that the drive apparatus and method of the present invention more efficiently transmits the power of a linear piston stroke to rotary motion and, as such, is ideally suited for use in an internal combustion engine.
In its broadest sense, the power transmitting or drive apparatus of the present invention includes flexible ratch means such as flexible chain, belt or cable and cooperating first and second power receiving ratch engaging members for releasably engaging the flexible ratch means to continuously drive a sprocket/pulley-type member which, in turn, continuously drives, i.e. rotates an axle or shaft which is axially aligned and connected to the sprocket/pulley type member. The axle could be the axle or driveshaft of a wheelchair, bicycle or motor vehicle and the like which, when driven, would propel the wheelchair, bicycle or motor vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention handle/pedal means, i.e. handles or pedals are also prov
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Barnett Franklin E.
Schoeppel Roger J.
Smith Brian D.
Smith Brian D.
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