A transmission is presented, including a spool having a bore. An outer member disposed on the spool, and a cord is configured to at least partially wrap around the outer member. The outer member is configured to constrict and unconstrict to a force applied to the outer member. In this way, rotation of the spool causes a tension force to be applied to the cord, and a greater tension force in the cord will cause the outer member to constrict more than a lower tension force in the cord.

A transmission is presented, including a spool having a bore. An outer member disposed on the spool, and a cord is configured to at least partially wrap around the outer member. The outer member is configured to constrict and unconstrict to a force applied to the outer member. In this way, rotation of the spool causes a tension force to be applied to the cord, and a greater tension force in the cord will cause the outer member to constrict more than a lower tension force in the cord.

In a pulley apparatus, belt supporting portions of belt support pieces, which support a belt from a radially inside thereof, are arranged along a circumferential direction of a power shaft and each have a predetermined circumferential length. In a pulley driven mode, the belt support pieces rotate about corresponding first supporting members in a direction making the belt supporting portions become closer to the power shaft with second supporting members being relatively moved in corresponding elongated holes toward radially outer ends thereof, causing the belt supporting portions to be reduced in radius. In a pulley driving mode, the belt support pieces rotate about the corresponding first supporting members in a direction making the belt supporting portions become further from the power shaft with the second supporting members being relatively moved in the corresponding elongated holes toward radially inner ends thereof, causing the belt supporting portions to be increased in radius.

In a pulley apparatus, belt supporting portions of belt support pieces, which support a belt from a radially inside thereof, are arranged along a circumferential direction of a power shaft and each have a predetermined circumferential length. In a pulley driven mode, the belt support pieces rotate about corresponding first supporting members in a direction making the belt supporting portions become closer to the power shaft with second supporting members being relatively moved in corresponding elongated holes toward radially outer ends thereof, causing the belt supporting portions to be reduced in radius. In a pulley driving mode, the belt support pieces rotate about the corresponding first supporting members in a direction making the belt supporting portions become further from the power shaft with the second supporting members being relatively moved in the corresponding elongated holes toward radially inner ends thereof, causing the belt supporting portions to be increased in radius.

The transmission comprises a chainring (12) rotatable around an axis of rotation (x), at least one sprocket (13) and a chain (14) for transmitting to said at least one sprocket (13) the rotary motion of the chainring (12) around the axis of rotation (x). The chainring (12) comprises a disc (16) and a plurality of meshing devices (22; 122) which are mounted in radially movable manner on the disc (16) and are arranged to enable engagement of the disc (16) with the chain (14) for transmitting motion from the chainring (12) to the at least one sprocket (13) by means of the chain (14). The transmission further comprises shifting means (18, 60) for varying the radial position of the meshing devices (22; 122) in order to change the transmission ratio with which the chainring (12) transmits motion to the at least one sprocket (13). Each meshing device (22; 122) comprises a support body (24; 124) and a tilting fork (28; 128) which is supported on the respective support body (24; 124) for tilting around a first tilting axis (x) parallel to the axis of rotation (x) of the chainring (12), and comprises at least one tooth (28a; 128a) for engaging a link (14a) of the chain (14). Each meshing device (22; 122) further comprises braking means (32, 38, 40; 132, 138, 140, 178) for preventing the respective tilting fork (28; 128) from tilting around the first tilting axis (x).

The transmission comprises a chainring (12) rotatable around an axis of rotation (x), at least one sprocket (13) and a chain (14) for transmitting to said at least one sprocket (13) the rotary motion of the chainring (12) around the axis of rotation (x). The chainring (12) comprises a disc (16) and a plurality of meshing devices (22; 122) which are mounted in radially movable manner on the disc (16) and are arranged to enable engagement of the disc (16) with the chain (14) for transmitting motion from the chainring (12) to the at least one sprocket (13) by means of the chain (14). The transmission further comprises shifting means (18, 60) for varying the radial position of the meshing devices (22; 122) in order to change the transmission ratio with which the chainring (12) transmits motion to the at least one sprocket (13). Each meshing device (22; 122) comprises a support body (24; 124) and a tilting fork (28; 128) which is supported on the respective support body (24; 124) for tilting around a first tilting axis (x) parallel to the axis of rotation (x) of the chainring (12), and comprises at least one tooth (28a; 128a) for engaging a link (14a) of the chain (14). Each meshing device (22; 122) further comprises braking means (32, 38, 40; 132, 138, 140, 178) for preventing the respective tilting fork (28; 128) from tilting around the first tilting axis (x).

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.

A Cone with One Torque Transmitting Member and One Non-Torque Transmitting Member for CVT's that can be used with a commercially available Transmission Belt, which is Transmission Belt for which the teeth of said Transmission Belt are shaped below the belt of said Transmission Belt. In order to provide a Level Resting Place for its Transmission Belt on the conical (sloped) surfaces of its Cone, which are surfaces that are not covered by its Torque Transmitting Member or its Non-Torque Transmitting Member, its Torque Transmitting Member and its Non-Torque Transmitting Member each have a Leveling Extension. The Leveling Extension of its Torque Transmitting Member can enter and exit its Non-Torque Transmitting Member as required; and the Leveling Extension of its Non-Torque Transmitting Member can enter and exit its Torque Transmitting Member as required.

A window regulator assembly for a motor vehicle includes a pulley assembly with integrated module plate for redirecting a cable. The pulley assembly includes a base element and a cable pulley rotatably coupled with the base element. The base element has a pair of fingers and a stepped area for engaging with an integrated module plate. The integrated module plate has a pulley assembly receiving site for placing the pulley assembly. The pulley assembly receiving site of the integrated module plate has at least one aperture, a slot and a mating portion for easily engaging with the pulley assembly. The mating portion includes a third support surface for supporting the edge of the stepped area of the base element.

A control device for controlling a transmission ratio between a traction means and a sprocket set rotatable about an axle may include at least two sprockets alternatively wrapped around by the traction means. At least one of the sprockets may include several independently adjustable rim segments. Adjustment of the rim segments in relation to a fixed plane may be effected by a control device in a direction substantially transverse to the plane. The control device includes at least one electrically actuatable control element, e.g., a servomotor. The at least one control element is configured to rotate with the sprockets.