Patent · US Expired

Variable speed drive system

US5377774A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
20References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 1993
Grant dateJan 3, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D51/004
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A variable speed drive system for use with a self-propelled device is coupled by a belt to an engine which is mounted to the device. The variable speed drive system includes a variable pitch pulley held in spaced-apart relation to the drive shaft by a fixture and rotates about the drive shaft between a first position proximal to the engine and a second position distal to the engine. In the first position, the drive system is disengaged from the engine and the speed of the self-propelled device is zero, the belt being slack and providing no drive force to the drive system. In the second position, the drive system is moved a maximum amount about the drive shaft and is positioned to achieve a maximum speed. The drive system can also assume any intermediate position between the first and second positions, with the speed of the self-propelled device being determined by the amount of movement about the drive shaft toward the second position. A speed control lever and a control cable assembly are included for limiting the amount of movement of the drive system about the drive shaft to control the speed of the self-propelled device

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.