The invention relates to a transmission comprising two circulating elements and a transmission element, such as a toothed belt. At least one circulating element comprises a number of contact elements for contact with the transmission element which determine a running radius of the transmission element, a radial guide for the contact elements, along which the latter are radially displaceable, displacement means for displacing the contact elements in the radial direction, wherein the transmission element has engagement elements such as teeth. Each of the contact elements comprises a base part which is in contact with the radial guide and with the displacement means, and an engagement member which is connected to the base part and is radially movable with respect to the base part, wherein the engagement member of at least one of the number of contact elements of the respective circulating element is in positive-locking contact with the transmission element.

A continuously variable transmission including an input pulley having a first subassembly supported upon a first rotatably driven shaft and an output pulley having a second subassembly supported upon a second rotatable shaft. Each subassembly includes a plurality of left link elements extending from segmented pulley segments to a first shaft supported rotating element, along with a plurality of right link elements extending from the segmented pulley segments to a second shaft supported rotated element for positioning the segmented pulley segments in an outwardly circumferentially arrayed fashion about each of the first and second shafts. Axial displacement of a first and second pairs of said first and second shaft supporting elements in each of the input and output pulley subassemblies inversely varying a collective diameter formed by said arrangements of segmented pulley segments in order to maintain a constant circumference of a belt supported about the segmented pulley segments for each of the input and output pulleys.

A continuously variable transmission including an input pulley having a first subassembly supported upon a first rotatably driven shaft and an output pulley having a second subassembly supported upon a second rotatable shaft. Each subassembly includes a plurality of left link elements extending from segmented pulley segments to a first shaft supported rotating element, along with a plurality of right link elements extending from the segmented pulley segments to a second shaft supported rotated element for positioning the segmented pulley segments in an outwardly circumferentially arrayed fashion about each of the first and second shafts. Axial displacement of a first and second pairs of said first and second shaft supporting elements in each of the input and output pulley subassemblies inversely varying a collective diameter formed by said arrangements of segmented pulley segments in order to maintain a constant circumference of a belt supported about the segmented pulley segments for each of the input and output pulleys.

A pulley assembly (120) for engaging an endless member (118) includes a first pulley (124), a second pulley (126) and at least one transition segment set (128, 130) comprising one or more transition segments (152, 162a, 162b) that are independently movable between an engaged region and a disengaged region to transition the endless member (118) between the first pulley (124) and the second pulley (126). An actuator system (122) includes a support structure (220), an actuator subassembly (222, 226) secured to the support structure (220) and a stator (224, 228). The actuator subassembly (222, 226) includes a follower (250) and a sled (248), which is movable in a circumferential direction between an advanced position and a retreated position, in response to an electromotive force generated on the sled (248) by the stator (224, 228). The follower engages the cam surface (262) of the sled (248) to move in an axial direction between an extended position and a retracted position as the sled (248) moves between the advanced and retreated positions.

A pulley assembly (120) for engaging an endless member (118) includes a first pulley (124), a second pulley (126) and at least one transition segment set (128, 130) comprising one or more transition segments (152, 162a, 162b) that are independently movable between an engaged region and a disengaged region to transition the endless member (118) between the first pulley (124) and the second pulley (126). An actuator system (122) includes a support structure (220), an actuator subassembly (222, 226) secured to the support structure (220) and a stator (224, 228). The actuator subassembly (222, 226) includes a follower (250) and a sled (248), which is movable in a circumferential direction between an advanced position and a retreated position, in response to an electromotive force generated on the sled (248) by the stator (224, 228). The follower engages the cam surface (262) of the sled (248) to move in an axial direction between an extended position and a retracted position as the sled (248) moves between the advanced and retreated positions.

A CVT variator transmission box for using on a bicycle is provided. The CVT variator transmission box increases or decreases a speed of a rotation of pedals or hands when a form of a motion transmission is provided; and the CVT variator transmission box introduces a new variator gearbox with a CVT variator transmission mechanism capable of transmitting to a front wheel or a rear wheel by increasing or decreasing the speed from the pedals or the hands when the form of the motion transmission is provided. The CVT variator transmission box is positioned on any part of the front wheel, the rear wheel or on a frame of the bicycle.

A pulley assembly (120) for engaging an endless member (118) includes a first pulley (124), a second pulley (126) and at least one transition segment set (128, 130) comprising one or more transition segments (152, 162a, 162b) that are independently movable between an engaged region and a disengaged region to transition the endless member (118) between the first pulley (124) and the second pulley (126). An actuator system (122) includes a support structure (220), an actuator subassembly (222, 226) secured to the support structure (220) and a stator (224, 228). The actuator subassembly (222, 226) includes a follower (250) and a sled (248), which is movable in a circumferential direction between an advanced position and a retreated position, in response to an electromotive force generated on the sled (248) by the stator (224, 228). The follower engages the cam surface (262) of the sled (248) to move in an axial direction between an extended position and a retracted position as the sled (248) moves between the advanced and retreated positions.

An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions.

Provided is a wire driving device including: wires one ends of which are attached to a movable member; pulleys to which the other ends of the individual wires are secured; driven gears that are coaxially secured to the individual pulleys; a drive gear that is connected to a driving source; and movable gears that are disposed between the drive gear and the individual driven gears and that can transmit the motive power of the driving source to the driven gears from the drive gear. The movable gears are provided in a movable manner so that the movable gears engage with the drive gear and the driven gears when the drive gear is rotated in a direction, and so that the engagements of the movable gears with at least one of the drive gear and the driven gears are released when the drive gear is rotated in the other direction.

Provided is a wire driving device including: wires one ends of which are attached to a movable member; pulleys to which the other ends of the individual wires are secured; driven gears that are coaxially secured to the individual pulleys; a drive gear that is connected to a driving source; and movable gears that are disposed between the drive gear and the individual driven gears and that can transmit the motive power of the driving source to the driven gears from the drive gear. The movable gears are provided in a movable manner so that the movable gears engage with the drive gear and the driven gears when the drive gear is rotated in a direction, and so that the engagements of the movable gears with at least one of the drive gear and the driven gears are released when the drive gear is rotated in the other direction.