Open-ended chain for a traveling chain transmission having reverse bend

Abstract

A torque transmission system for effecting a driving connection between laterally spaced driving and driven shafts. A first wheel is mounted on the driving shaft, and a second wheel is mounted on the driven shaft. Each of the wheels have substantially identical pitch diameters. An endless, flexible torque transmitter operatively connects the first and second wheels. A traveling insert band circumscribes and operatively engages one of the wheels at a time, and when the traveling insert band engages one of the wheels, the insert band is located radially inwardly of the endless flexible torque transmitter. The traveling insert band has leading and trailing ends located in substantially circumferentially opposed juxtaposition when the traveling insert band operatively engages one of the wheels. A mechanism is also provided selectively to derail the leading end of the traveling insert band from that wheel operatively engaged thereby and to limit the reverse radius of curvature that the traveling insert can achieve during transfer. The traveling insert band is adapted, when its leading end is derailed from one of the wheels to travel to the other of the wheels and to circumscribe and operatively engage the other wheel radially inwardly of the endless torque transmitter thereby providing a different speed ratio between said driving and driven shafts.