Transmission

Claim 2

A transmission comprising input and output members; a traction planetary drive unit including a reaction member, a second member mounted for rotation with said output member, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said reaction and second members, and a carrier member for separating and driving said planet pinions; at least one radially extending clutching surface formed on one of said carrier and input members, said surface having a predetermined degree of taper formed thereon; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said tapered clutching surface; resilient means for urging said wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into frictional engagement with said tapered clutching surface and operatively connecting said input member to said planetary drive unit at all input speeds below a predetermined value for completing the drive connection between said input and output members and overdriving said output member; and one-way clutch means mounted intermediate said input and output members, overrunning while said transmission is in overdrive, and serving to operatively connect said output member to said input member for direct drive upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said tapered clutching surface at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 3

A transmission comprising input and output members; a planetary drive unit including a first member mounted for rotation with said output member, a second member, means for securing said second member against rotation, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said first and second members, and a carrier member for separating and driving said planet pinions; at least one radially outwardly tapering wedge clutching face formed on one of said input and carrier members; weight members having at least one tapered clutching face formed thereon for frictionally engaging said wedge clutching face; resilient means for urging said weight members into rotational engagement with said wedge clutching face at all input speeds below a predetermined value to effectuate rotation of said output member at a different speed with respect to the speed of said input member; and one-way clutch means operatively connected between said input and output members, said one-way clutch means serving to operatively connect said output member to said input member for rotation therewith in a direct drivE relationship upon radial outward releasing movement of said tapered clutching face of said weight members from said wedge clutching face formed on said one of said input and carrier members under the action of centrifugal force at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 4

A transmission comprising input and output members; a planetary drive unit including a first member mounted for rotation with said output member, a second member, means for securing said second member against rotation, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said first and second members, and a carrier member for separating and driving said planet pinions; at least one radially outwardly tapering wedge clutching face formed on one of said input and carrier members; weight members having at least one tapered clutching face formed thereon for frictionally engaging said wedge clutching face; resilient means for urging said weight members into rotational engagement with said wedge clutching face at all input speeds below a predetermined value to effectuate rotation of said output member at a different speed with respect to the speed of said input member; and one-way clutch means operatively connected between said input and output members, said one-way clutch means serving to operatively connect said output member to said input member for rotation therewith in a direct drivE relationship upon radial outward releasing movement of said tapered clutching face of said weight members from said wedge clutching face formed on said one of said input and carrier members under the action of centrifugal force at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 5

A transmission comprising input and output members; a traction planetary drive unit including a reaction member, a second member mounted for rotation with one of said input and output members, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said reaction and second members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; at least one radially extending clutching surface formed on one of said carrier, input or output members, said surface having a predetermined degree of taper formed thereon; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said tapered clutching surface; resilient means for urging said wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into frictional engagement with said tapered clutching surface and operatively connecting the other of said input and output members to said planetary drive unit at all input speeds below a predetermined value for completing the drive connection between said input and output members and overdriving said output member; and one-way clutch means mounted intermediate said input and output members, overrunning while said transmission is in overdrive, and serving to operatively connect said output member to said input member for direct drive upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said tapered clutching surface at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 6

A transmission comprising input and output members; a traction planetary drive unit including a reaction member, a second member mounted for rotation with one of said input and output members, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said reaction and second members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; at least one radially extending clutching surface formed on one of said carrier, input or output members, said surface having a predetermined degree of taper formed thereon; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said tapered clutching surface; resilient means for urging said wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into frictional engagement with said tapered clutching surface and operatively connecting the other of said input and output members to said planetary drive unit at all input speeds below a predetermined value for completing the drive connection between said input and output members and overdriving said output member; and one-way clutch means mounted intermediate said input and output members, overrunning while said transmission is in overdrive, and serving to operatively connect said output member to said input member for direct drive upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said tapered clutching surface at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 7

A transmission comprising an input pulley means and an output shaft; a planetary drive unit including a sun member secured to said output shaft, an outer ring member, reaction means for securing said outer ring member against rotation, intermediate ball planet pinions frictionally contacting said sun member and said outer ring member, and a carrier for separating and driving said ball planet pinions; means for operatively connecting said carrier to said input pulley means including drive means connected to said input pulley means, at least one radially extending clutching surface formed on one of said carrier and drive means, centrifugal weight members having at least one matching clutching surface formed thereon and mounted adjacent said carrier and said drive means, and resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly for rotational engagement of said clutching surface thereof with said clutching surface of one of said carrier and said drive means at all input speeds below a predetermined value to overdrive said sun member and said output shaft; and a one-way clutch rotatably mounted between said output shaft and said drive means, said one-way clutch serving to connect said drive means to said output shaft for direct drive thereof upon radial outward releasing movement of said matching clutching surfaces of said centrifugal weight members from said clutching surface of said one of said carrier and drive means in response to the action of centrifugal force at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 8

A transmission comprising an input pulley means and an output shaft; a planetary drive unit including a sun member secured to said output shaft, an outer ring member, reaction means for securing said outer ring member against rotation, intermediate ball planet pinions frictionally contacting said sun member and said outer ring member, and a carrier for separating and driving said ball planet pinions; means for operatively connecting said carrier to said input pulley means including drive means connected to said input pulley means, at least one radially extending clutching surface formed on one of said carrier and drive means, centrifugal weight members having at least one matching clutching surface formed thereon and mounted adjacent said carrier and said drive means, and resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly for rotational engagement of said clutching surface thereof with said clutching surface of one of said carrier and said drive means at all input speeds below a predetermined value to overdrive said sun member and said output shaft; and a one-way clutch rotatably mounted between said output shaft and said drive means, said one-way clutch serving to connect said drive means to said output shaft for direct drive thereof upon radial outward releasing movement of said matching clutching surfaces of said centrifugal weight members from said clutching surface of said one of said carrier and drive means in response to the action of centrifugal force at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 9

The transmission described in claim 4 wherein said planetary drive unit is preloaded a predetermined amount in order to transmit maximum output torque.

Claim 10

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a sun member formed integral with said output means, a fixed outer ring member, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said sun member and said outer ring member, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; connector means between said carrier member and said input means; a groove having tapered side walls formed on the outer periphery of said carrier member; centrifugal weight members mounted in said groove; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight memberS into rotational engagement with said side walls of said carrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value to cause said sun member to be overdriven by said carrier member; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to connect said output means to said input means in a 1:1 speed ratio upon radial outward movement of said centrifugal weight members away from said tapered side walls at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 11

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a sun member formed integral with said output means, a fixed outer ring member, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said sun member and said outer ring member, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; connector means between said carrier member and said input means; a groove having tapered side walls formed on the outer periphery of said carrier member; centrifugal weight members mounted in said groove; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight memberS into rotational engagement with said side walls of said carrier member at all input speeds below a predetermined value to cause said sun member to be overdriven by said carrier member; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to connect said output means to said input means in a 1:1 speed ratio upon radial outward movement of said centrifugal weight members away from said tapered side walls at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 12

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a sum member mounted for rotation with said output means, a fixed outer ring member, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said sun member and said outer ring member, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; a flat clutch face formed on said carrier member; a tapered clutch face formed on said input means; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted intermediate said clutch faces; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into rotational engagement with said clutch faces at all input speeds below a predetermined value, causing said carrier member to overdrive said sun member; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to directly connect said output means to said input means for rotation therewith upon radial outward disengaging movement of said centrifugal weight members from said clutch faces at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 13

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a sum member mounted for rotation with said output means, a fixed outer ring member, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said sun member and said outer ring member, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; a flat clutch face formed on said carrier member; a tapered clutch face formed on said input means; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted intermediate said clutch faces; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into rotational engagement with said clutch faces at all input speeds below a predetermined value, causing said carrier member to overdrive said sun member; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to directly connect said output means to said input means for rotation therewith upon radial outward disengaging movement of said centrifugal weight members from said clutch faces at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 14

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a first race member mounted for rotation with said output means, a slidably mounted second race member, means for securing said second race member against rotation, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said first and second race members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; bearing means operatively connected to said second race member; centrifugally-actuated means for operatively interconnecting said second race member and said input means; resilient means for urging said centrifugally-actuated means into rotational engagement with said bearing means and said input means at all input speeds below a predetermined value for urging said slidably mounted second race member into frictional contact with said planet pinions to overdrive said output means; and one-way clutch means operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch means serving to operatively connect said output means to said input means for direct drive rotation therewith upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugally-actuated means from said bearing means and said input means at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 15

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a first race member mounted for rotation with said output means, a slidably mounted second race member, means for securing said second race member against rotation, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said first and second race members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; bearing means operatively connected to said second race member; centrifugally-actuated means for operatively interconnecting said second race member and said input means; resilient means for urging said centrifugally-actuated means into rotational engagement with said bearing means and said input means at all input speeds below a predetermined value for urging said slidably mounted second race member into frictional contact with said planet pinions to overdrive said output means; and one-way clutch means operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch means serving to operatively connect said output means to said input means for direct drive rotation therewith upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugally-actuated means from said bearing means and said input means at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 16

The transmission described in claim 8, wherein first and second radially extending tapered wedging surfaces are formed on said input means and on said centrifugally-actuated means, respectively, for frictionally controlling said releasing movement of said centrifugally-actuated means from said bearing means and said input means at a first predetermined speed, and for controlling the reengagement thereof at a second lower predetermined speed.

Claim 17

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a first race member mounted for rotation with said output means, a slidably mounted second race member, means for securing said second race member against rotation, intermediate ball planets frictionally contacting said first and second race members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said ball planets for rotation therewith; bearing means mounted adjacent said slidably mounted second race member; centrifugally-actuated means for operatively connecting said second race member to said input means; resilient means for urging said centrifugally-actuated means inTo rotational engagement with said bearing means and said input means at all input speeds below a predetermined value for urging said slidably mounted second race member into frictional contact with said ball planets for driving said first race member in overdrive; and one-way clutch means operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch means serving to connect said output means to said input means for direct drive rotation therewith upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugally-actuated means from said bearing means and said input means at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 18

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a first race member mounted for rotation with said output means, a slidably mounted second race member, means for securing said second race member against rotation, intermediate ball planets frictionally contacting said first and second race members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said ball planets for rotation therewith; bearing means mounted adjacent said slidably mounted second race member; centrifugally-actuated means for operatively connecting said second race member to said input means; resilient means for urging said centrifugally-actuated means inTo rotational engagement with said bearing means and said input means at all input speeds below a predetermined value for urging said slidably mounted second race member into frictional contact with said ball planets for driving said first race member in overdrive; and one-way clutch means operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch means serving to connect said output means to said input means for direct drive rotation therewith upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugally-actuated means from said bearing means and said input means at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 19

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a sun member mounted for rotation with said output means, a fixed outer ring member, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said sun member and said outer ring member, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; a tapered clutch face formed on said output means; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted intermediate said tapered clutch face and said outer ring member; bearings mounted in intermediate rotational contact with oppositely disposed faces of said centrifugal weight members and said outer ring member; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into rotational engagement with said tapered clutch face and said bearings at all input speeds below a predetermined value, the resultant axial component of the radial force serving to frictionally engage said planet pinions with said sun and said fixed outer ring members for overdrive; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to connect said output means to said input means in a 1:1 speed ratio therewith upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said tapered clutch face at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 20

A transmission comprising input and output means; a planetary drive unit including a sun member mounted for rotation with said output means, a fixed outer ring member, intermediate planet pinions frictionally contacting said sun member and said outer ring member, and a carrier member operatively connected to said planet pinions for rotation therewith; a tapered clutch face formed on said output means; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted intermediate said tapered clutch face and said outer ring member; bearings mounted in intermediate rotational contact with oppositely disposed faces of said centrifugal weight members and said outer ring member; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into rotational engagement with said tapered clutch face and said bearings at all input speeds below a predetermined value, the resultant axial component of the radial force serving to frictionally engage said planet pinions with said sun and said fixed outer ring members for overdrive; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to connect said output means to said input means in a 1:1 speed ratio therewith upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said tapered clutch face at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 21

A transmission comprising input and output means; a traction-drive unit including an output race member mounted for rotation with said output means, a slidably mounted input race member, intermediate rolling members frictionally contacting said input and output race members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said intermediate rolling members and to said input means for rotation therewith; a tapered clutch face formed on said input means; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted intermediate said clutch face and said input race member; bearing means mounted intermediate said slidably mounted input race and said weight members; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into rotational engagement with said tapered clutch face and said bearing means at all input speeds below a predetermined value, the resultant axial force component across said bearing means causing said input race member to become a fixed reaction member loading said rolling members to drive said output race member in overdrive; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to directly interconnect said output means and said input means upon radial outward disengaging movement of said centrifugal weight members from said tapered clutch face and said bearing means at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 22

A transmission comprising input and output means; a traction-drive unit including an output race member mounted for rotation with said output means, a slidably mounted input race member, intermediate rolling members frictionally contacting said input and output race members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said intermediate rolling members and to said input means for rotation therewith; a tapered clutch face formed on said input means; wedge-shaped centrifugal weight members mounted intermediate said clutch face and said input race member; bearing means mounted intermediate said slidably mounted input race and said weight members; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members radially inwardly into rotational engagement with said tapered clutch face and said bearing means at all input speeds below a predetermined value, the resultant axial force component across said bearing means causing said input race member to become a fixed reaction member loading said rolling members to drive said output race member in overdrive; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to directly interconnect said output means and said input means upon radial outward disengaging movement of said centrifugal weight members from said tapered clutch face and said bearing means at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 23

A transmission comprising input and output means; a traction-drive unit including a pair of oppositely disposed race members, intermediate rotatable members frictionally contacting said pair of race members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said intermediate rotatable members for effectuating rotation thereof; connector means between said carrier member and said input means; centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said connector means; slidably mounted clutch means intermediate said weight members and one of said race members; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members into rotational engagement with said connector means and rotatable on said slidably mounted clutch means for urging said clutch means into frictional contact with said one of said race members and thereby securing said one of said race members against rotation at all input speeds below a predetermined value so as to frictionally engage said rotatable members between said pair of race members to overdrive the other of said race members; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to connect said output means to said input means for direct drive rotation therewith upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said connector means and said clutch means at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 24

A transmission comprising input and output means; a traction-drive unit including a pair of oppositely disposed race members, intermediate rotatable members frictionally contacting said pair of race members, and a carrier member operatively connected to said intermediate rotatable members for effectuating rotation thereof; connector means between said carrier member and said input means; centrifugal weight members mounted adjacent said connector means; slidably mounted clutch means intermediate said weight members and one of said race members; resilient means for urging said centrifugal weight members into rotational engagement with said connector means and rotatable on said slidably mounted clutch means for urging said clutch means into frictional contact with said one of said race members and thereby securing said one of said race members against rotation at all input speeds below a predetermined value so as to frictionally engage said rotatable members between said pair of race members to overdrive the other of said race members; and a one-way clutch operatively connected between said input and output means, said one-way clutch serving to connect said output means to said input means for direct drive rotation therewith upon radial outward releasing movement of said centrifugal weight members from said connector means and said clutch means at all input speeds above a predetermined value.

Claim 25

The transmission described in claim 13 and additional resilient means for causing said pair of race members and said carrier member to operate as a unit after said releasing movement of said centrifugal weight members.