Shift blocker

Claim 2

A blocker for a movable coupling member adapted to selectively connect two relatively rotatable spaced elements comprising: a first and a second blocker element; means allowing said coupling member to move to connect said spaced elements in a first position of said blocker elements relative to each other and preventing said coupling member from moving to connect said spaced elements in a second position of said blocker elements relative to each other; first means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements towards said second relative position whenever said coupling member is attempted to be moved to connect said spaced elements if an angular velocity difference exists between said spaced elements: second means providing a force urging said blocker elements to said first relative position independent of the position of said coupling member; damper means inhibiting relative movement of said blocker elements, including means biasing portions of said blocker elements into frictional engagement, whereby relative movement of said first and second blocker elements to said second position occurs whenever said first means overcomes said second and damper means.

Claim 3

The blocker of claim 1 wherein said damper means also includes means for providing a damping force against said relative movement in response to said angular velocity difference whereby said damping forces are increased when said angular velocity difference exists.

Claim 4

The blocker of claim 2 further including limiting means preventing further relative movement of said blocker elements beyond said first or second relative position.

Claim 5

The blocker of claim 3 wherein said means providing a damping force in response to said relative angular velocity difference includes means increasing said bias of said blocker element portions into mutual engagement during movement to said second position when said angular velocity difference exists.

Claim 6

The blocker Of claim 4 wherein said means increasing said bias includes camming means between said blocker elements responsive to relative movement therebetween to increase said bias.

Claim 7

The blocker of claim 1 wherein said first means includes a drag coupling comprising: a resilient member drivingly connected to and surrounding one of said blocker elements and surrounded by and in frictional engagement with one of said spaced elements, whereby, when said coupling member is attempted to be moved to connect said spaced elements, said force tending to produce relative rotation of said blocker elements increases with increasing differences in angular velocity of said spaced elements, and said tending force overcomes said force produced by said second and said damper means at a predetermined difference in angular velocity.

Claim 8

The blocker of claim 1 wherein said first means includes: means drivingly connecting said coupling member and one of said spaced elements; means slideably connecting said first blocker element and said coupling member upon movement of said coupling member to connect said spaced elements; a drag coupling providing a force for drivingly connecting said second blocker element with another of said spaced elements, said drag coupling having means for varying said driving force in response to varying velocity differences between said second blocker element and said spaced element.

Claim 9

The blocker of claim 7 wherein said varying means comprises means for increasing said driving force with increases in said angular velocity difference, whereby said coupling member is prevented from moving to connect said spaced elements when said velocity difference is a predetermined amount.

Claim 10

The blocker of claim 8 wherein said second means includes means resiliently resisting said force produced by said first means.

Claim 11

The blocker of claim 8 wherein said damper means includes means increasing said bias in response to said force generated by said first means.

Claim 12

The blocker of claim 10 wherein said means increasing said bias includes cooperating cam surfaces on said blocker elements tending to exert an axial force on one of said blocker elements in response to said force produced by said first means.

Claim 13

The blocker of claim 11 wherein said cam surfaces slide on each other and are disposed so as to increase the contact pressure in response to said force produced by said first means.

Claim 14

The blocker of claim 11 wherein said second means includes resilient means resisting said force produced by said first means, said resilient means including means producing an axially directed force on one blocker element in response to said force provided by said first means and further including a resilient member disposed to resist axial movement of said one blocker element.

Claim 15

The blocker of claim 13 wherein said means producing said axial force includes at least one ramp on one of said blocker elements and at least one cooperating surface on the other of said blocker elements disposed in engagement therewith.

Claim 16

The blocker of claim 1 further including backup means to prevent said coupling member from increasing said bias as it contacts said blocker element when moving to connect said spaced elements, whereby frictional clutching of said blocker elements by said member is eliminated.

Claim 17

A coupling arrangement to selectively connect a first and second member comprising: a coupling member; means drivingly connecting said coupling member and said first member; means connecting said coupling member to said second member after continued travel of said coupling member in a given direction; first and second blocker elements; blocker means allowing said coupling member to move to connect with said second member in a first relative position of said blocker elements, and preventing said coupling member to move to connect with said second member in a second relative position of said blocker elements; first means providing A force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said first relative position when they are displaced toward said second relative position, including means producing a biasing force on said blocker elements directed along the direction of travel of said coupling member in response to relative displacement of said blocker elements towards said second position and further including means responsive to said biasing force to produce said force tending to position said blocker elements in said first relative position; second means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said second relative position whenever said coupling member is attempted to be moved to be connected with said second member if an angular velocity difference between said first and second member exists, whereby said coupling member is prevented from moving to connect with said second member when said force produced by said second means is sufficient to move said blocker elements to said second relative position.

Claim 18

A coupling arrangement to selectively connect a first and second member comprising: a coupling member; means drivingly connecting said coupling member and said first member; means connecting said coupling member to said second member after continued travel of said coupling member in a given direction; first and second blocker elements; blocker means allowing said coupling member to move to connect with said second member in a first relative position of said blocker elements, and preventing said coupling member to move to connect with said second member in a second relative position of said blocker elements; first means providing A force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said first relative position when they are displaced toward said second relative position, including means producing a biasing force on said blocker elements directed along the direction of travel of said coupling member in response to relative displacement of said blocker elements towards said second position and further including means responsive to said biasing force to produce said force tending to position said blocker elements in said first relative position; second means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said second relative position whenever said coupling member is attempted to be moved to be connected with said second member if an angular velocity difference between said first and second member exists, whereby said coupling member is prevented from moving to connect with said second member when said force produced by said second means is sufficient to move said blocker elements to said second relative position.

Claim 19

The arrangement of claim 16 wherein said means responsive to said biasing force includes cam surfaces on said blocker elements engaged with each other tending to produce relative rotation of said blocker elements to said first position, in response to said bias force.

Claim 20

The blocker of claim 17 wherein said means producing said biasing force includes a resilient member and means frictionally connecting said resilient member and one of said blocker elements, whereby said bias force tends to move said blocker elements axially toward each other.

Claim 21

The blocker of claim 17 wherein said cam surfaces includes at least one ramp portion fixed to one of said blocker elements, whereby the force produced by said first means is a function of said ramp angle and said bias force.

Claim 22

The blocker of claim 17 further including backup means for said first blocker element preventing any force exerted by said coupling member upon coming into engagement with said first blocker element from being transmitted to said second blocker element.

Claim 23

The blocker of claim 17 wherein said second means further includes a drag coupling interposed between one of said second blocker member and said second element, whereby a rotative force tending to produce relative movement between said blocker elements is produced when said angular velocity difference exists.

Claim 24

The blocker of claim 21 wherein said drag coupling comprises a coupling spring surrounding said second blocker element and surrounded by a portion of said second member, and wherein said second means also includes a portion of said second blocker element drivingly connected to a portion of said coupling spring, whereby movement of said second member relative to said second blocker element is inhibited in either rotative direction.

Claim 25

The coupling arrangement of claim 21 wherein said second means further includes a drag coupling spring disposed surrounding said second blocker element and surrounded by a portion of said second member having a portion drivingly connected thereto, and wherein said backup means includes means mounting said coupling spring so that it prevents axial forces exerted by said coupling member on said first blocker element from being transmitted to said second blocker element, whereby frictional coupling of said blocker elements by impact of said coupling member is prevented.

Claim 26

The coupling arrangement of claim 16 wherein said force produced by said second means increases with increasing difference in said angular velocity and is effective to move said blocker elements to said second relative position at a predetermined velocity difference between said first and second member, whereby said coupling member may move to connect said first and second members at angular velocity differences below said predetermined difference.

Claim 27

In a change speed planetary gear transmission including driving elements and a stationary element, and adapted to have iNdividual elements connected together or connected to the stationary element by movement of a slideable coupling member to obtain differing ratios, the improvement comprising: a first and a second blocker element interposed between at least one of said coupling members and the element to be connected by said movement; blocker means allowing said coupling member to move to connect said elements in a first position of said blocker elements relative to each other and preventing said coupling member from moving to connect said elements in a second position of said blocker elements relative to each other; first means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said first relative position when they are displaced toward said second relative position and including means producing a biasing force on said blocker elements in response to relative displacement of said blocker elements towards said second position directed along the direction of travel of said coupling member and further includes cam means responsive to said biasing force to produce said force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements towards said second position; second means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said second relative position whenever said coupling member is attempted to be moved to connect a pair of said elements of said planetary transmission whenever an angular velocity difference therebetween exists, whereby such movement is prevented whenever said force produced by said second means overcomes that produced by said first means and frictional resistance.

Claim 28

In a change speed planetary gear transmission including driving elements and a stationary element, and adapted to have iNdividual elements connected together or connected to the stationary element by movement of a slideable coupling member to obtain differing ratios, the improvement comprising: a first and a second blocker element interposed between at least one of said coupling members and the element to be connected by said movement; blocker means allowing said coupling member to move to connect said elements in a first position of said blocker elements relative to each other and preventing said coupling member from moving to connect said elements in a second position of said blocker elements relative to each other; first means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said first relative position when they are displaced toward said second relative position and including means producing a biasing force on said blocker elements in response to relative displacement of said blocker elements towards said second position directed along the direction of travel of said coupling member and further includes cam means responsive to said biasing force to produce said force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements towards said second position; second means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said second relative position whenever said coupling member is attempted to be moved to connect a pair of said elements of said planetary transmission whenever an angular velocity difference therebetween exists, whereby such movement is prevented whenever said force produced by said second means overcomes that produced by said first means and frictional resistance.

Claim 29

A blocker arrangement for a moveable member comprising: a first and second blocker element interposed in the path of travel of said moveable member; means allowing said moveable member to pass said blocker elements in a first position of said blocker elements relative to each other and preventing said moveable member from passing said blocker elements in a second position of said blocker elements relative each other; first means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements towards said second relative position when a predetermined condition exists; second means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said first relative position independent of the position of said moveable member; limit means positively preventing relative travel of said blocker elements beyond said second position; damper means producing a damping force inhibiting relative movement of said blocker elements sufficient to prevent rebound of said elements when acted on by said limit means.

Claim 30

A blocker arrangement for a moveable member comprising: a first and second blocker element interposed in the path of travel of said moveable member; means allowing said moveable member to pass said blocker elements in a first position of said blocker elements relative to each other and preventing said moveable member from passing said blocker elements in a second position of said blocker elements relative each other; first means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements towards said second relative position when a predetermined condition exists; second means providing a force tending to produce relative movement of said blocker elements to said first relative position independent of the position of said moveable member; limit means positively preventing relative travel of said blocker elements beyond said second position; damper means producing a damping force inhibiting relative movement of said blocker elements sufficient to prevent rebound of said elements when acted on by said limit means.

Claim 31

The blocker of claim 26 wherein said damping force is increased whenever said predetermined condition exists.

Claim 32

A blocker arrangement for a shifter member having external teeth thereon and adapted to engage an internally toothed member in order to complete the shift comprising: a first annular blocker ring having internal teeth shaped to allow a mating connection with said shifter member external teeth; a second annular blocker ring having internal teeth thereon shaped to allow a mating connection with said shifter member; means positioning said blocker rings juxtaposed and concentric to each other and with said internally toothed member, including an annular cavity in said member receiving said blocker rings and having a contiguous radially extending shoulder; a coupling spring surrounding said second blocker ring and engaging with its outer periphery said cavity walls, and positioned against said shoulder, and having a driving connection with said second blocker ring tending to expand said coupling spring into firmer engagement with said cavity wall upon relative movement therebetween; a resilient member disposed radially inwardly of said coupling member in said cavity engaging said shoulder and said second blocker ring, exertIng an axially directed resilient resistance to relative axial movement of said second blocker ring; a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings in one of said blocker rings; a plurality of tabs on the other of said blocker rings extending into said openings and having circumferentially extending ramp portions thereon; retainer means engaging said first blocker ring and preventing axial movement of said first blocker ring away from said second blocker ring in response to camming action of said tab ramps and said openings.

Claim 33

A blocker arrangement for a shifter member having external teeth thereon and adapted to engage an internally toothed member in order to complete the shift comprising: a first annular blocker ring having internal teeth shaped to allow a mating connection with said shifter member external teeth; a second annular blocker ring having internal teeth thereon shaped to allow a mating connection with said shifter member; means positioning said blocker rings juxtaposed and concentric to each other and with said internally toothed member, including an annular cavity in said member receiving said blocker rings and having a contiguous radially extending shoulder; a coupling spring surrounding said second blocker ring and engaging with its outer periphery said cavity walls, and positioned against said shoulder, and having a driving connection with said second blocker ring tending to expand said coupling spring into firmer engagement with said cavity wall upon relative movement therebetween; a resilient member disposed radially inwardly of said coupling member in said cavity engaging said shoulder and said second blocker ring, exertIng an axially directed resilient resistance to relative axial movement of said second blocker ring; a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings in one of said blocker rings; a plurality of tabs on the other of said blocker rings extending into said openings and having circumferentially extending ramp portions thereon; retainer means engaging said first blocker ring and preventing axial movement of said first blocker ring away from said second blocker ring in response to camming action of said tab ramps and said openings.