Transmission shifting apparatus

Claim 2

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its teeth on one side are in driving engagement with teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member having an annular groove around its periphery, the sides of said groove forming two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, said shifter clutch member being constructed of two pieces such that one engaging, lateral surface thereof is formed by one piece and the other engaging, lateral surface thereof is formed by the other piece; and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means including a single, integral, circular piece having two face sides forming two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces, said circular piece being arranged in said annular groove with the engaging, lateral surfaces thereof in facing relation with the respective engaging, lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surfaces to move said shifter clutch member.

Claim 3

The shifting apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising antifriction bearings arranged between said engaging, lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member and said engaging, lateral surfaces of said shifting means.

Claim 4

The shifting apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said antifriction bearings are needle roller bearinGs.

Claim 5

The shifting apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising fluid-actuated control means for applying an axial force to said shifting means in a selected direction to shift said shifter clutch member.

Claim 6

The shifting apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said teeth on the sides of said first and said fourth gear and the teeth on opposite sides of said shifter clutch member are face teeth.

Claim 7

The shifting apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein said face teeth of said first gear, said fourth gear and said shifter clutch member are conically shaped with their axis of revolution being said common axis.

Claim 8

The shifting apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said two pieces of said shifter clutch member are identical.

Claim 9

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its teeth on one side are in driving engagement with the teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member having an annular projection around its periphery, the sides of said projection forming two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, said shifter clutch member being formed of a single, integral piece; and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means including a circular portion forming two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said projection in facing relation to respective ones of said lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surfaces to move said shifter clutch member, said circular portion being constructed of two pieces such that one engaging, lateral surface of the shifter means is formed by one piece and the other engaging, lateral surface of the shifter means is formed by the other piece.

Claim 10

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its teeth on one side are in driving engagement with the teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member having an annular projection around its periphery, the sides of said projection forming two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, said shifter clutch member being formed of a single, integral piece; and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means including a circular portion forming two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces disposed on opposite sides of said projection in facing relation to respective ones of said lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surfaces to move said shifter clutch member, said circular portion being constructed of two pieces such that one engaging, lateral surface of the shifter means is formed by one piece and the other engaging, lateral surface of the shifter means is formed by the other piece.

Claim 11

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having face teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate Axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having face teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having face teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its face teeth on one side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its face teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its face teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member also having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, and said face teeth of said first gear, said fourth gear and said shifter clutch member having a ''''T''''-shaped cross-section; and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces, each disposed in facing relation to a respective one of said lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surface to move said shifter clutch member.

Claim 12

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having face teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate Axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having face teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having face teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its face teeth on one side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its face teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its face teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member also having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, and said face teeth of said first gear, said fourth gear and said shifter clutch member having a ''''T''''-shaped cross-section; and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces, each disposed in facing relation to a respective one of said lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surface to move said shifter clutch member.

Claim 13

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having face teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having face teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having face teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its face teeth on one side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its face teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its face teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member also having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, and said face teeth of said first gear, said fourth gear and said shifter clutch member being dimensioned to have an engaging clearance in the range of 0.010 inch to 0.025 inch, and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces, each disposed in facing relation to a respective one of said lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surface to move said said shifter clutch member.

Claim 14

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having face teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having face teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having face teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its face teeth on one side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its face teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its face teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member also having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, and said face teeth of said first gear, said fourth gear and said shifter clutch member being dimensioned to have an engaging clearance in the range of 0.010 inch to 0.025 inch, and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces, each disposed in facing relation to a respective one of said lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surface to move said said shifter clutch member.

Claim 15

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having face teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having face teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having face teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its face teeth on one side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its face teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its face teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member also having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, and said face teeth of said first gear, said fourth gear and said shifter clutch member having smooth, flat abutting face surfaces; and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces, each disposed in facing relation to a respective one of said lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surface to move said shifter clutch member.

Claim 16

In an automotive transmission having at least two gear ratios, apparatus for shifting gear ratios comprising, in combination: a. an input shaft; b. an output shaft arranged on a common axis with said input shaft; c. a countershaft arranged on a separate axis parallel to said input and output shafts; d. a first gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and coupled to said input shaft, said first gear having face teeth on one side thereof; e. a second gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and in meshing engagement with said first gear; f. a third gear arranged for rotation about said separate axis and coupled for rotation with said second gear; g. a fourth gear arranged for rotation about said common axis and in meshing engagement with said third gear, said fourth gear having face teeth on the side thereof facing said first gear; h. a shifter clutch member arranged for rotation about said common axis between said first and fourth gear and coupled to said output shaft, said shifter clutch member having face teeth on opposite sides thereof and being axially movable between a first terminal position in which its face teeth on one side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said first gear and a second terminal position in which its face teeth on the opposite side are in driving engagement with the face teeth of said fourth gear, the position midway between said first and second terminal positions being a neutral position in which its face teeth on both sides are out of engagement, said shifter clutch member also having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces extending generally perpendicular to said common axis, and said face teeth of said first gear, said fourth gear and said shifter clutch member having smooth, flat abutting face surfaces; and i. shifting means for moving said shifter clutch member in the axial direction between said first and second terminal positions, said shifting means having two continuous, spaced, engaging, lateral surfaces, each disposed in facing relation to a respective one of said lateral surfaces of said shifter clutch member for applying a force to said respective lateral surface to move said shifter clutch member.