US3910131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transmission with snap shift
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1974-03-20
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1994-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A shiftable change speed gear system, particularly a transmission, having resilient shifting mechanisms for simplifying the transmission structure and the shifting thereof. The transmission is preferably provided with multiple countershafts having countershaft gears thereon disposed in meshing engagement with main shaft gears encircling the transmission main shaft, which main shaft gears are axially immovable relative to the main shaft. The main shaft gears are nonrotatably connected to first clutch rings surrounding the main shaft, which clutch rings are axially movable relative to both the main shaft gears and the main shaft. The first clutch rings coact with second clutch rings which are nonrotatably secured to the main shaft. The cooperating pairs of clutch rings have resilient means associated therewith, whereby axial shifting of the cooperating clutch rings permits clutch engagement to be delayed until substantial speed synchronization between the clutch rings is achieved, whereupon the resilient means then causes relative axial movement between the cooperating clutch rings so that they meshingly engage one another to drivingly connect the respective main shaft gear to the main shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Elmer A Richards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H37/00; F16H37/02; F16H37/04; F16H37/042; F16H37/043; F16D; F16D23/00; F16D23/02; F16D23/04; F16H3/00; F16H3/02; F16H3/08; F16H3/087; F16H3/093; F16H3/095; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19219; Y10T74/19233; Y10T74/19284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
A change speed gear device, comprising: first and second substantially parallel shaft members; gear means drivingly connectible between said shaft said shaFt members for providing a plurality of alternately selectable speed ratios, said gear means including a first rotatable gear member supported on said first shaft member and a second rotatable gear member substantially concentric with said second shaft member and meshable with said first gear member, said second gear member being axially fixed relative to said second shaft member; clutch means for selectively drivingly connecting said second gear member to said second shaft member, said clutch means including a first annular jaw clutch member nonrotatably connected to said second gear member for rotation therewith and a second annular jaw clutch member nonrotatably associated with said second shaft member for rotation therewith, said first jaw clutch member also being mounted for axial movement relative to said first gear member; first means coacting with said first jaw clutch member for resiliently urging said first jaw clutch member in an axial direction toward said second jaw clutch member for causing resiliently urged meshing engagement of said jaw clutch member in response to relative axial shifting movement of said first and second jaw clutch members toward one another; and second means coacting with said first jaw clutch member and acting in opposition to the urging of said first means for normally maintaining said first jaw clutch member in a selected axial position relative to said second gear member when said jaw clutch members are disengaged, relative axial movement of said first and second jaw clutch members toward one another causing said first and second jaw clutch member to contact one another whereby said first means causes said jaw clutch members to meshingly engage when substantial speed synchronization is achieved therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
A change speed gear device, comprising: first and second substantially parallel shaft members; gear means drivingly connectible between said shaft said shaFt members for providing a plurality of alternately selectable speed ratios, said gear means including a first rotatable gear member supported on said first shaft member and a second rotatable gear member substantially concentric with said second shaft member and meshable with said first gear member, said second gear member being axially fixed relative to said second shaft member; clutch means for selectively drivingly connecting said second gear member to said second shaft member, said clutch means including a first annular jaw clutch member nonrotatably connected to said second gear member for rotation therewith and a second annular jaw clutch member nonrotatably associated with said second shaft member for rotation therewith, said first jaw clutch member also being mounted for axial movement relative to said first gear member; first means coacting with said first jaw clutch member for resiliently urging said first jaw clutch member in an axial direction toward said second jaw clutch member for causing resiliently urged meshing engagement of said jaw clutch member in response to relative axial shifting movement of said first and second jaw clutch members toward one another; and second means coacting with said first jaw clutch member and acting in opposition to the urging of said first means for normally maintaining said first jaw clutch member in a selected axial position relative to said second gear member when said jaw clutch members are disengaged, relative axial movement of said first and second jaw clutch members toward one another causing said first and second jaw clutch member to contact one another whereby said first means causes said jaw clutch members to meshingly engage when substantial speed synchronization is achieved therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first means comprises spring means coacting with said first jaw clutch member for normally resiliently urging same axially in a direction towards said second jaw clutch member, and said second jaw clutch member being slidably mounted with respect to said second shaft members for relative axial movement therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 2, further including shifting means coupled to said second jaw clutch member for shifting same axially relative to said second shaft member in a direction towards said first jaw clutch member to permit meshing engagement of said first and second jaw clutching members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said second means comprises stop means fixed to said second gear member, and said spring means normally urging said first jaw clutch member into engagement with said stop means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first means comprises spring means coacting with said first jaw clutch member for normally urging same axially of said second shaft member in a direction towards said second jaw clutch member, and said second jaw clutch member being axially fixed relative to said second shaft member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A device according to claim 5, further including shifting means operatively connected to said first jaw clutch member for shifting same axially relative to said second shaft member between a first position wherein said jaw clutch members are spaced from one another and a second position wherein said jaw clutch members are adapted for engagement with one another, and said spring means coacting between said first jaw clutch member and said shifting means for transmitting a shifting force therethrough when said shifting means move said first jaw clutch member from said first position toward said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said second means includes second spring means coacting with said first jaw clutch member and acting in opposition to the urging of said first-mentioned spring means for normally maintaining said first jaw clutch member in said first position, said second spring means being substantially weaker than said first-mentioned spring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A device according to claIm 7, wherein said first and second jaw clutch members are positioned axially on one side of said second gear member, a clutch control member positioned axially adjacent the other side of said second gear member and mounted for axial sliding movement relative to said second shaft member, a connecting member axially slidably supported on said second gear member and extending therethrough, said connecting member being fixedly connected adjacent opposite ends thereof to said first jaw clutch member and said clutch control member, and said first-mentioned spring means coacting between said shifting means and said clutch control member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said first means includes fluid pressure means for urging said first jaw clutch member in a direction axially towards said second clutch member, and said second jaw clutch member being axially fixed relative to said second shaft member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said second means includes spring means with said first jaw clutch member for normally resiliently urging same in opposition to the urging of said fluid pressure means for maintaining said first jaw clutch member in a disengaged position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said fluid pressure means includes an elongated chamber formed within said second shaft member and piston means slidably disposed within said chamber for movement in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of said second shaft member, passageway means communicating with said chamber for supplying pressure fluid thereto to move said piston means axially of said second shaft member, and means interconnected between said piston means and said first jaw clutch member for moving said first jaw clutch member axially towards said second jaw clutch member in response to pressurization of said chamber by said pressure fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said second gear member has an annular recess formed therein in surrounding relationship to said second shaft member, said recess having the outer periphery thereof defined by axially extending splines, and said first jaw clutch member having axially extending splines formed on the outer periphery thereof and disposed in meshing and sliding engagement with the splines formed on said second gear member, said first jaw clutch member also having an annular set of teeth fixedly associated therewith and adapted for meshing engagement with a further set of annular teeth formed on said second jaw clutch member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
252 words
In a transmission, the combination comprising: a housing; a plurality of spaced and substantially parallel countershafts mounted within said housing; a plurality of countershafts ration gears mounted on each of said countershafts, the individual ratio gears on one countershaft being grouped with and radially spaced from identical ratio gears on the other countershafts for defining countershaft gear groups; a main shaft member disposed between and substantially parallel with said plurality of countershafts; a plurality of main ratio gear members disposed substantially concentrically on said main shaft member, each of said main ratio gear members being disposed in continuous meshing engagement with and radially floatably supported by a respective one of said countershaft gear groups; releasable clutch means associated with one of said main ratio gear members for selectively nonrotatably interconnecting same to said main shaft member, said clutch means including first and second annular jaw clutch members nonrotatably associated with said one main gear member and said main shaft member, respectively, at least one of said jaw clutch members being axially slidably mounted on its respective member; first means coacting with said clutch means for axially urging said first and second jaw clutch members relatively toward one another for creating a resilient engaging force to cause said clutch members to meshingly engage when the speed of Said jaw clutch members is substantially synchronized; and second means coacting with said clutch means for normally maintaining said first and second jaw clutch members in an axially spaced relationship when said clutch means is disengaged.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
252 words
In a transmission, the combination comprising: a housing; a plurality of spaced and substantially parallel countershafts mounted within said housing; a plurality of countershafts ration gears mounted on each of said countershafts, the individual ratio gears on one countershaft being grouped with and radially spaced from identical ratio gears on the other countershafts for defining countershaft gear groups; a main shaft member disposed between and substantially parallel with said plurality of countershafts; a plurality of main ratio gear members disposed substantially concentrically on said main shaft member, each of said main ratio gear members being disposed in continuous meshing engagement with and radially floatably supported by a respective one of said countershaft gear groups; releasable clutch means associated with one of said main ratio gear members for selectively nonrotatably interconnecting same to said main shaft member, said clutch means including first and second annular jaw clutch members nonrotatably associated with said one main gear member and said main shaft member, respectively, at least one of said jaw clutch members being axially slidably mounted on its respective member; first means coacting with said clutch means for axially urging said first and second jaw clutch members relatively toward one another for creating a resilient engaging force to cause said clutch members to meshingly engage when the speed of Said jaw clutch members is substantially synchronized; and second means coacting with said clutch means for normally maintaining said first and second jaw clutch members in an axially spaced relationship when said clutch means is disengaged.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transmission according to claim 13, wherein said first jaw clutch member is axially slidably relative to said one main gear member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
A transmission according to claim 14, wherein said first means comprising spring means coacting with said first jaw clutch member, at least when said clutch means is moved into an engaging position, for resiliently urging said first jaw clutch member axially into engagement with said second jaw clutch member to cause meshing therebetween when substantial speed synchronization if achieved between said first and second jaw clutch members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A transmission according to claim 15, wherein said second jaw clutch member is axially slidably mounted on said main shaft member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
98 words
A transmission according to claim 15, wherein said second means comprises second spring means coacting with said first jaw clutch member for normally urging same axially of its respective gear member in opposition to the urging of said first-mentioned spring means, said second spring means being substantially weaker than said first-mentioned spring means, and shifting means interconnected to said first jaw clutch member for causing axial shifting thereof in said axial direction and in opposition to the urging of said second spring means for causing same to be moved axially into engagement with said second jaw clutch member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A transmission according to claim 17, wherein said second jaw clutch member is axially fixed relative to said main shaft member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A transmission according to claim 14, wherein said second jaw clutch member is axially relative to said main shaft member, and wherein said second means comprises spring means for normally maintaining said first jaw clutch member axially spaced and disengaged from said second jaw clutch member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A transmission according to claim 19, wherein said first means includes fluid pressure means interconnected to said first jaw clutch member for moving same axially into engagement with said second jaw clutch member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
250 words
A change speed gear device, comprising: first and second substantially parallel shaft members; gear means drivingly connectable between said shaft members for providing a plurality of alternately selectable speed ratios, said gear means including a first rotatable gear member supported on said first shaft member and a second rotatable gear member substantially concentric with said second shaft member and meshable with said first gear member, said second gear member being axially fixed relative to said second shaft member; clutch means for selectively drivingly connecting said second gear member to said second shaft member, said clutch means including a first annular jaw clutch member nonrotatably connected to said second gear member for rotation therewith and a second annular jaw clutch member nonrotatably associated with said second shaft member for rotation therewith, said first jaw and clutch member also being mounted for axial movement relative to said first gear member, and first means coacting with said first jaw clutch member for resiliently urging said first jaw clutch member in an axial direction toward said second jaw clutch member for causing resiliently urged meshing engagement of said jaw clutch member in response to relative axial shifting movement of said first and second jaw clutch members toward one another, relative axial movement of said first and second jaw clutch members toward one another causing said first and second jaw clutch member to contact one another whereby said first means causes said jaw clutch members to meshingly engage when substantial speed synchronization is achieved therebetween.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
250 words
A change speed gear device, comprising: first and second substantially parallel shaft members; gear means drivingly connectable between said shaft members for providing a plurality of alternately selectable speed ratios, said gear means including a first rotatable gear member supported on said first shaft member and a second rotatable gear member substantially concentric with said second shaft member and meshable with said first gear member, said second gear member being axially fixed relative to said second shaft member; clutch means for selectively drivingly connecting said second gear member to said second shaft member, said clutch means including a first annular jaw clutch member nonrotatably connected to said second gear member for rotation therewith and a second annular jaw clutch member nonrotatably associated with said second shaft member for rotation therewith, said first jaw and clutch member also being mounted for axial movement relative to said first gear member, and first means coacting with said first jaw clutch member for resiliently urging said first jaw clutch member in an axial direction toward said second jaw clutch member for causing resiliently urged meshing engagement of said jaw clutch member in response to relative axial shifting movement of said first and second jaw clutch members toward one another, relative axial movement of said first and second jaw clutch members toward one another causing said first and second jaw clutch member to contact one another whereby said first means causes said jaw clutch members to meshingly engage when substantial speed synchronization is achieved therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |