Speed changing device

Claim 2

A speed changing device comprising, a frame, a stationary female ring gear attached to said frame, a first rotatable female ring gear having a different pitch diameter than said stationary ring gear and rotatably received within said frame in axial alignment with said stationary ring gear, a driven shaft rotated by said first rotatable ring gear, a drive shaft, and gear means comprising a gear housing including a central aperture arranged to receive said drive shaft, a first gear mounted on one face of said housing and meshing with said stationary ring gear and said drive shaft, a second gear freely rotatably mounted on an opposite face of said housing, said second gear meshing with said first rotatable female ring gear and an idler gear engaging said first and second gears; said gear means rotated by said drive shaft and riding about said stationary ring gear while simultaneously engaging and rotating said first rotatable ring gear, whereby a speed change is effectuated at least in part between the drive shaft and driven shaft by the difference in pitch diameters of said ring gears.

Claim 3

The speed changing device of claim 1 wherein said first rotatable ring gear has a smaller pitch diameter than said stationary ring gear whereby speed reduction is effectuated between the drive shaft and driven shaft by the difference in pitch diameters of said ring gears.

Claim 4

The speed changing device of claim 1 further including said frame being cylindrical and having two ends, a flange formed on a first eNd of said frame for attachment in axial alignment to a motor housing, said stationary ring gear formed integrally with said frame and in axial alignment with said drive shaft, a sleeve comprising a second end of said frame, said rotatable ring gear rotatably received within said sleeve, and said driven shaft formed integrally with said first rotatable ring gear, and a hub closing the second open end of said frame and journaling said driven shaft.

Claim 5

A speed changing device comprising a frame, at least first and second rotatable female ring gears rotatably positioned within said frame, a drive shaft, a driven shaft rotated by at least one of said first and second rotatable ring gears, said second rotatable ring gear having a greater pitch diameter than said first rotatable ring gear but smaller pitch diameter than said stationary ring gear, gear means attached to said drive shaft and including a first and second planetary gear both of which comprise a large pitch diameter and a small pitch diameter, said large pitch diameter of said second planetary gear engaging said second rotatable ring gear while simultaneously said small pitch diameter engages said first rotatable ring gear, said large pitch diameter of said first planetary gear engaging said stationary ring gear while simultaneously said small pitch diameter engages said second rotatable ring gear, and a spider for rotatably carrying said planetary gears, whereby a speed change is effectuated at least in part between said drive shaft and said driven shaft by the difference in pitch diameters of said ring gears.

Claim 6

A speed changing device comprising a frame, at least first and second rotatable female ring gears rotatably positioned within said frame, a drive shaft, a driven shaft rotated by at least one of said first and second rotatable ring gears, said second rotatable ring gear having a greater pitch diameter than said first rotatable ring gear but smaller pitch diameter than said stationary ring gear, gear means attached to said drive shaft and including a first and second planetary gear both of which comprise a large pitch diameter and a small pitch diameter, said large pitch diameter of said second planetary gear engaging said second rotatable ring gear while simultaneously said small pitch diameter engages said first rotatable ring gear, said large pitch diameter of said first planetary gear engaging said stationary ring gear while simultaneously said small pitch diameter engages said second rotatable ring gear, and a spider for rotatably carrying said planetary gears, whereby a speed change is effectuated at least in part between said drive shaft and said driven shaft by the difference in pitch diameters of said ring gears.

Claim 7

A speed changing device as in claim 4 wherein said first rotatable ring gear is attached to said driven shaft, said second rotatable ring gear arranged in axial alignment with said stationary ring gear and said first rotatable ring gear and positioned between and rotatably arranged relative to both said first rotatable ring gear and said stationary ring gear; whereby said first and second rotatable ring gears simultaneously rotate at different speeds relative to said stationary ring gear.