Fallbrook Technologies Inc.

Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.

Motion Technologies, LLC

David John Allen

Donald C Miller

Charles B Lohr

Brad Philip Pohl

Robert A Smithson

Jon M Nichols

Brandon Dale Sloan

Jeffrey D Juarez

Jan Talavasek

Robb H Jankura

Joseph Edward Buckley

Dennis John Wrobleski

A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.

Continuously variable transmission

Bicycle frame

A frame for a bicycle that has a fork and a handlebar. The frame includes a head tube, a bottom bracket adapted to support a crankset, and a down tube coupled between the head tube and the bottom bracket. The frame also has a fork bumper that is coupled to and is disposed on an underside of the down tube. The fork bumper extends outward from the down tube and includes a base and a resilient outer layer engageable by the fork to prevent contact between the down tube and the fork.

A bicycle having a wheel and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a wheel support and a stay extending from the wheel support. A stay protector engages the stay, and a chain guide member is coupled to the stay protector to support and align the chain. The chain guide member comprises a guide mount and a guide carriage. The guide mount is secured to the stay protector, and the guide carriage is supported by the guide mount. The bicycle chain passes through a channel formed on the guide carriage.

Bicycle chain guide assembly

A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The present invention includes a continuously variable transmission that may be employed in connection with any type of machine that is in need of a transmission. For example, the transmission may be used in (i) a motorized vehicle such as an automobile, motorcycle, or watercraft, (ii) a non-motorized vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, scooter, exercise equipment or (iii) industrial equipment, such as a drill press, power generating equipment, or textile mill.

A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Continuously variable planetary gear set

Growing community of inventors

Soquel, CA, United States of America

David John Allen