Importance

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Abstract

A variable speed belt drive of the type having a pair of shiftable discs received on respective input and output shafts with a drive belt entrained thereabout further includes a cooperating housing backbone and support bracket. The housing backbone supports one axial end of the output shaft, and supports the support bracket, which extends through the loop of the drive belt to support the opposite end of the output shaft. The straddle support arrangement permits use of a nonload bearing housing cover and permits the performance of maintenance procedures for the drive belt and input shaft without disengaging alignment and support of the output shaft. One end of the input shaft is supported by the housing and the opposite end is supported with a thrust bearing which is received in a pivot mounted shifting yoke. The yoke cooperates with a member which is axially moved along a shifting screw, to transmit axial shifting force through the thrust bearing to the input shaft so as to change speeds for the variable belt drive. The output shaft support bracket cooperates with the housing to support the shifting screw. The body of the housing serves an alignment function for the fixed constant speed disc of the input shaft. Mounting the support bracket automatically aligns discs on the output shaft per snap rings received in predetermined slots on such shaft for axially situating bearings supporting the output shaft.

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First Claim