A drive belt includes a hoop and multiple elements joined together in a loop by the hoop. Each element has an assembly space into which one end portion of the hoop is inserted during assembly. Each element is configured such that a first opening width, which is a distance between a first hook and a second hook, is less than a width of the hoop, and a second opening width, which is a distance between the second hook and a contact site where the one end portion of the hoop housed in the assembly space contacts a first pillar, is greater than the width of the hoop. The first hook and the second hook respectively include a first displacement-restriction surface and a second displacement-restriction surface each configured to restrict relative displacement between the element and the hoop by contacting a corresponding one of edges of the hoop.

A drive belt includes a hoop and multiple elements joined together in a loop by the hoop. Each element has an assembly space into which one end portion of the hoop is inserted during assembly. Each element is configured such that a first opening width, which is a distance between a first hook and a second hook, is less than a width of the hoop, and a second opening width, which is a distance between the second hook and a contact site where the one end portion of the hoop housed in the assembly space contacts a first pillar, is greater than the width of the hoop. The first hook and the second hook respectively include a first displacement-restriction surface and a second displacement-restriction surface each configured to restrict relative displacement between the element and the hoop by contacting a corresponding one of edges of the hoop.

Provided is a CVT ring member having a nitrided layer on a surface thereof. The CVT ring member includes a chemical composition containing, by mass, C: 0.43 to 0.70%, Si: 2.50% or less, Mn: 1.00% or less, Cr: 1.50 to 4.00%, Mo: 0.50 to 3.00% and V: 1.00% or less while satisfying a relation of Formula 1: 159C(%)+91Si(%)+68Cr(%)+198Mo (%)+6461,000, and the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The ring member has a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa or more. The nitrided layer has a surface hardness of HV800 to HV950.

Provided is a CVT ring member having a nitrided layer on a surface thereof. The CVT ring member includes a chemical composition containing, by mass, C: 0.43 to 0.70%, Si: 2.50% or less, Mn: 1.00% or less, Cr: 1.50 to 4.00%, Mo: 0.50 to 3.00% and V: 1.00% or less while satisfying a relation of Formula 1: 159C(%)+91Si(%)+68Cr(%)+198Mo (%)+6461,000, and the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The ring member has a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa or more. The nitrided layer has a surface hardness of HV800 to HV950.

Provided is an endless metal ring manufacturing method for manufacturing an endless metal ring by carrying out a barrel polishing step for polishing the endless metal ring by using a barrel of a resin material, a rolling step for rolling the endless metal ring which was cleaned, and a nitriding step for nitriding the endless metal ring which was rolled, wherein after the barrel polishing step and before the rolling step, provided is a resin removing step for removing resin that has adhered to the endless metal ring.

Provided is an endless metal ring manufacturing method for manufacturing an endless metal ring by carrying out a barrel polishing step for polishing the endless metal ring by using a barrel of a resin material, a rolling step for rolling the endless metal ring which was cleaned, and a nitriding step for nitriding the endless metal ring which was rolled, wherein after the barrel polishing step and before the rolling step, provided is a resin removing step for removing resin that has adhered to the endless metal ring.

A metal element for continuously variable transmission and method of producing the same are provided. A rear surface of a metal element includes first contact parts formed at top positions on the outer side in the radial direction of a saddle surface on left and right sides of an ear part, a second contact part formed in a neck part, and third contact parts formed at a top position of the saddle surface on left and right sides of the body part. In a chord on the driving force transmission side of the metal belt, the first to third contact parts are able to be brought into contact with a front surface of another metal element adjacent to the rear side. A plate thickness of the metal element at the second contact part is smaller than the first contact part and is larger than the third contact part.

A metal element for continuously variable transmission and method of producing the same are provided. A rear surface of a metal element includes first contact parts formed at top positions on the outer side in the radial direction of a saddle surface on left and right sides of an ear part, a second contact part formed in a neck part, and third contact parts formed at a top position of the saddle surface on left and right sides of the body part. In a chord on the driving force transmission side of the metal belt, the first to third contact parts are able to be brought into contact with a front surface of another metal element adjacent to the rear side. A plate thickness of the metal element at the second contact part is smaller than the first contact part and is larger than the third contact part.

A transmission belt that is to be mounted on pulleys, for transmitting a force between the pulleys. The transmission belt includes: at least one endless annular hoop; and plate-shaped elements that are held by the at least hoop such that the elements are arranged in a circumferential direction of the transmission belt. The elements, each of which has a pair of flank surfaces at its widthwise opposite ends, are to be clamped between conical surfaces of a substantially V-shaped annular groove of each of the pulleys. A flank angle of each of the flank surfaces is larger than a cone-generating angle of each of the conical surfaces. The elements include first and second elements, such that each of the first elements is to be in contact at the flank surfaces with the conical surfaces, and has a width larger than a width of each of the second elements.

A transmission belt that is to be mounted on pulleys, for transmitting a force between the pulleys. The transmission belt includes: at least one endless annular hoop; and plate-shaped elements that are held by the at least hoop such that the elements are arranged in a circumferential direction of the transmission belt. The elements, each of which has a pair of flank surfaces at its widthwise opposite ends, are to be clamped between conical surfaces of a substantially V-shaped annular groove of each of the pulleys. A flank angle of each of the flank surfaces is larger than a cone-generating angle of each of the conical surfaces. The elements include first and second elements, such that each of the first elements is to be in contact at the flank surfaces with the conical surfaces, and has a width larger than a width of each of the second elements.