An improved translatory drive linkage type of power transmission apparatus, which, in one preferred form, comprises an improved tape drive type of power transmission apparatus primarily for transmitting power applied thereto at a power entry point to a longitudinally spaced power exit point at a desired power output location. In one form, it includes improved rotary-to-translatory movement apparatus for coupling an input rotary powered driving element to a longitudinal power transmission tape and in one form, it includes novel translatory-to-rotary movement power transmission means for coupling a longitudinally driven tape to a rotary output element, and in one preferred form, it includes both of same, with the arrangement being such that the longitudinal translatory movement portion of a power transmission operation can occur in a compressional mode providing for effective compressional force-transmitting operation of a flexible drive tape, constrained to be non-flexible in its direction of greatest compliance by guiding channel means whereby to make possible the compressional force-transmitting mode of operation along any desired open or closed path having a desired configuration as determined only by the governing configuration of a guiding constraining channel, and this being possible whether or not the flexible longitudinal drive tape used is tensionally connected along its length or is in the form of a plurality of discrete separate segments constrained by the guiding channel means to be in forced end-to-end abutment.