Multi-speed split-power reduction gear

Claim 1

IN COMBINATION WITH A SPLIT-POWER GEAR SET REDUCTION BETWEEN AN INPUT AND OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TYPE EMPLOYING A PRIMARY AND A SECONDARY GEAR SET STAGE EACH WITH A CENTRAL GEAR, INTERMEDIATE GEARS, A CARRIER, AND A RING GEAR, THE PRIMARY GEAR SET CARRIER BEING PLANETARY AND ROTATING WITH THE OUTPUT SHAFT AND THE SECONDARY GEAR SET STAGE HAVING A FIXED CARRIER, SUCH TWO GEAR SET STAGE SPLITPOWER ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYING A DRIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INPUT SHAFT AND THE PRIMARY STAGE CENTRAL GEAR, AND A SECOND DRIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE PRIMARY STAGE RING GEAR AND THE SECONDARY STAGE CENTRAL GEAR, AND A ROTATIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SECONDARY STAGE RING GEAR AND THE OUTPUT LOW SPEED SHAFT, THE COMBINATION THEREWITH OF: AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL GEAR SET STAGE IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID INPUT AND OUTPUT SHAFT AND WITH SAID PRIMARY AND SECONDARY GEAR SET STAGES, SAID ADDITIONAL GEAR SET STAGE COMPRISING A CENTRAL GEAR INTERMEDIATE GEARS, AND A RING GEAR; WITH A CARRIER FOR SAID INTERMEDIATE GEARS; A POSITIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID SECOND STAGE CENTRAL GEAR AND SAID ADDITIONAL STAGE CENTRAL GEAR;