Connecting mechanism

Claim 2

A connecting mechanism for selectively connecting two adjacent shaft ends for conjoint rotation comprising in combination: a. a first shaft end having a first set of external splines; b. a second shaft end concentric with said first shaft end and having a second set of external splines allochiral with said first set of splines; c. a collar axially slidable and concentric with respect to said first and second shaft ends and having a third set of internal splines in constant mesh with one, and axially slidable with respect to both of said first and second sets of splines; d. an axially slidable yoke connected with said collar; e. means for actuating said yoke to effect immediate engagement between said third set of splines and the other of said first and second sets of splines only when said shaft ends are both axially and radially aligned, said actuating means including means for storing energy, whne said shaft ends are only axially aligned, to effect engagement between said third set of splines and the other of said first and second sets of splines only after said shaft ends are both axially and radially aligned, said actuating means comprising an over-center mechanism and also providing a direct, non-resilient mechanical connection with said yoke for disengagement purposes, with said energystoring means being operative only for engagement purposes.

Claim 3

The connecting mechanism of claim 1 wherein said yoke actuating means includes a movable first lever and a movable second lever, said second lever being pivotally connected near a first end thereof to said first lever, and pivotally and slidably connected near a second end thereof to said yoke.

Claim 4

The connecting mechanism of claim 2 wherein said energy-storing means is yieldably interposed between said yoke and said second lever and operable, if at all, only to effect engagement between said third and the other of said first and second sets of splines respectively.

Claim 5

The connecting mechanism of claim 3 wherein said second lever includes an enlarged end portion and an elongated slot portion near said second end thereof, as well as an abutment means intermediate said first and second ends.

Claim 6

The connecting mechanism of claim 4 wherein said energy-storing means is interposed between said enlarged head portion and said abutment means.

Claim 7

A connecting mechanism for selectively connecting two opposed and aligned members comprising in combination: a. an axially affixed and rotatable first toothed member; b. an axially affixed and rotatable second toothed mamber; c. a rotatable third toothed member in constant mesh with one and axially slidable with respect to both of said first and second toothed members; d. means for axially sliding said third toothed member; e. means for actuating said sliding means to effect immediate engagement between said third toothed member and the other of said first and second toothed members under a first set of conditions, said actuating means including means for storing energy so as to automatically effect engagement between said toothed members after a delay under a second set of conditions, said energy storing means being operative only for engagement purposes, with said second set of conditions including only axial but not radial alignment of said first and second toothed members so that attempted engagement between said third toothed member and one of said first and second toothed members causes only axial abutment but no engagement therebetween, said actuating means comprising an over-center mechanism and including a resilient member acting as said energy-storing means, with said actuating means also providing a non-resilient connection with said yoke for disengagement purposes.

Claim 8

A connecting mechanism for selectively connecting two opposed and aligned members comprising in combination: a. an axially affixed and rotatable first toothed member; b. an axially affixed and rotatable second toothed mamber; c. a rotatable third toothed member in constant mesh with one and axially slidable with respect to both of said first and second toothed members; d. means for axially sliding said third toothed member; e. means for actuating said sliding means to effect immediate engagement between said third toothed member and the other of said first and second toothed members under a first set of conditions, said actuating means including means for storing energy so as to automatically effect engagement between said toothed members after a delay under a second set of conditions, said energy storing means being operative only for engagement purposes, with said second set of conditions including only axial but not radial alignment of said first and second toothed members so that attempted engagement between said third toothed member and one of said first and second toothed members causes only axial abutment but no engagement therebetween, said actuating means comprising an over-center mechanism and including a resilient member acting as said energy-storing means, with said actuating means also providing a non-resilient connection with said yoke for disengagement purposes.