A method for manufacturing a metal element includes performing press processing and punching processing on a band plate-shaped metal element material having a constant cross section by a mold with a main punch in contact with a rear surface of the metal element and a counter punch in contact with the front surface thereof. The main punch or the counter punch has protrusion portions which are in contact with at least a part of the ear portion or the body portion to form a recessed portion, and a bulging portion bulging in the longitudinal direction from the radial direction inner edge of ear portions of the metal element or the radial direction outer edge of a body portion thereof, which is formed by the material extruded from the recessed portion by the protrusion portion.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) system, which turns the rear wheels of a lawn mower or similar vehicle at different speeds in a coordinated method with the front steering wheels in order to achieve the best turning radius (including a tight or zero turn radius, if desired) under most conditions. The system comprises two stages: the first stage comprising a Fixed Center Distance CVT pulley system, and the second stage comprising dual CVTs (e.g., left and right) that input into dual gear reducers (left and right), which are mechanically connected to the rear wheels. The second stage dual CVTs (left and right) are synchronized with the steering wheel, thus achieving different rear wheel speeds and/or directions based on the steering wheel position.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) system, which turns the rear wheels of a lawn mower or similar vehicle at different speeds in a coordinated method with the front steering wheels in order to achieve the best turning radius (including a tight or zero turn radius, if desired) under most conditions. The system comprises two stages: the first stage comprising a Fixed Center Distance CVT pulley system, and the second stage comprising dual CVTs (e.g., left and right) that input into dual gear reducers (left and right), which are mechanically connected to the rear wheels. The second stage dual CVTs (left and right) are synchronized with the steering wheel, thus achieving different rear wheel speeds and/or directions based on the steering wheel position.

A power transmission apparatus for vehicle, incorporated in a vehicle equipped with a transmission, includes a forward-reverse switching mechanism with start function produced by adding a function of a vehicle start clutch to the forward-reverse switching mechanism. Additionally, a power transmission system for vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that is a power source for vehicle driving, the transmission, a torsional vibration damper that transmits torque of the internal combustion engine to the transmission, and the forward-reverse switching mechanism with start function of the power transmission apparatus for vehicle. The forward-reverse switching mechanism with start function is disposed between the transmission, and the internal combustion engine and the torsional vibration damper.

A power transmission apparatus for vehicle, incorporated in a vehicle equipped with a transmission, includes a forward-reverse switching mechanism with start function produced by adding a function of a vehicle start clutch to the forward-reverse switching mechanism. Additionally, a power transmission system for vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that is a power source for vehicle driving, the transmission, a torsional vibration damper that transmits torque of the internal combustion engine to the transmission, and the forward-reverse switching mechanism with start function of the power transmission apparatus for vehicle. The forward-reverse switching mechanism with start function is disposed between the transmission, and the internal combustion engine and the torsional vibration damper.

A driving apparatus for vehicle includes a Ravigneaux planetary gear 501, a friction clutch 502, and a friction brake 503. Input paths 516 and 515 of two systems and an output path 517 of one system are provided for the Ravigneaux planetary gear. Continuously variable adjustment of output of the one system is achievable by adjusting each input of the two systems.

A utility vehicle provided with an engine in a rear portion of a vehicle body is disclosed. The engine is provided with a cylinder head, and has an exhaust gas outlet port formed to be open in a front surface of the engine. An exhaust pipe extends forward from the exhaust gas outlet port, then curves, and extends rearward. A cover that covers a front portion of the exhaust pipe includes: a front-side portion that covers a front side of the front portion of the exhaust pipe; an upper-side portion that extends rearward from an upper end portion of the front-side portion and covers an upper side of the front portion of the exhaust pipe; and an extension portion that extends rearward from a rear end portion of the upper-side portion and covers an upper side of a front portion of the cylinder head.

A utility vehicle provided with an engine in a rear portion of a vehicle body is disclosed. The engine is provided with a cylinder head, and has an exhaust gas outlet port formed to be open in a front surface of the engine. An exhaust pipe extends forward from the exhaust gas outlet port, then curves, and extends rearward. A cover that covers a front portion of the exhaust pipe includes: a front-side portion that covers a front side of the front portion of the exhaust pipe; an upper-side portion that extends rearward from an upper end portion of the front-side portion and covers an upper side of the front portion of the exhaust pipe; and an extension portion that extends rearward from a rear end portion of the upper-side portion and covers an upper side of a front portion of the cylinder head.

A continuously variable transmission system for a hybrid vehicle (100), comprising a belt-type continuously variable transmission (120) adapted to receive torque from more than one power sources (106, 108), wherein said belt-type continuously variable transmission (120) includes a plurality of pulley sets (132, 134, 136), said pulley sets (132, 134, 136) being operatively connected by means of a belt (138) extending over width-variable grooves defined between halves (132a, 132b; 134a, 134b; 136a, 136b) of said pulley sets (32, 134, 136), said belt (138) being held in position by means of belt tightener (150a, 150b, 150c), more than one of the pulley sets (132, 134, 136) being adapted to act as drive pulleys (132, 134) for independently receiving torque from the power sources (106, 108), and at least one pulley set being adapted to act as driven pulley (136) for receiving the torque from said drive pulleys (132, 134) and transmitting said torque to a set of drive wheels for running the vehicle (100).

A continuously variable transmission system for a hybrid vehicle (100), comprising a belt-type continuously variable transmission (120) adapted to receive torque from more than one power sources (106, 108), wherein said belt-type continuously variable transmission (120) includes a plurality of pulley sets (132, 134, 136), said pulley sets (132, 134, 136) being operatively connected by means of a belt (138) extending over width-variable grooves defined between halves (132a, 132b; 134a, 134b; 136a, 136b) of said pulley sets (32, 134, 136), said belt (138) being held in position by means of belt tightener (150a, 150b, 150c), more than one of the pulley sets (132, 134, 136) being adapted to act as drive pulleys (132, 134) for independently receiving torque from the power sources (106, 108), and at least one pulley set being adapted to act as driven pulley (136) for receiving the torque from said drive pulleys (132, 134) and transmitting said torque to a set of drive wheels for running the vehicle (100).