US3915023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speed selector control for torque-converter systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-11
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A clutch driver pulley (of a V belt type of automatic torqueconverter) has the outboard (sliding) part connected by screws or bolts to a cupped side cover which is sandwiched by a set of inner and outer thrust bearings (located on centerline) and connected, through a metal cable, to a sport console type of shift arm or control. The positioning (and locking) of the shift arm for the selected speed ratio, restricts (through tension on the cable) the automatic inboard movement of the outboard sliding part of the driver pulley, and limits the automatic movement (in closing only) of the driver pulley to the maximum speed selected while still permitting automatic movement (under variable speeds and/or torques) from maximum selected speed ratio down to neutral, or back to the maximum speed ratio selected. This selection through the shift arm would permit any selections like neutral, first, second, third, or fourth, etc.; the selection being made through the pull exerted (on the inner thrust bearing) by the metal cable, while still permitting automatic movement between neutral and the maximum speed ratio selected. A finger, at the driver''s end of the cable, prevents it from twisting. The outer thrust bearing would serve only for a temporary restricted push inwards (through a mechanical mean like pivoting arm) to force the driver pulley to close enough for engaging to first speed (from neutral) when the motor is idling, and when compression is required, like when going downhill.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Paul Lacroix
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:58
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G5/00; G05G5/06; F; F16; F16H; F16H63/00; F16H63/02; F16H63/04; F16H63/06; F16H63/067; G05G5/12; G05G5/14; G05G5/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20018; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20213; Y10T74/2022; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20408; Y10T74/2042; Y10T74/20438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
Speed selector control for V belt type of automatic torqueconverters, for selective control of any one of the forward speed ratios, including neutral, in a practical and similar way to a sport car selective type of shifting on a sport console and yet, without interfering in any way, except if so selected, with the usual automatic features of the V belt type of automatic torqueconverter systems, and especially for the types used on selfpropelled vehicles, and comprising: - a thrust bearing assembly sandwiching an adaptor, with a first thrust bearing of said thrust bearing assembly on the inside of said adaptor, and moving longitudinally with it; - said adaptor solidly secured to the outboard sliding assembly of a clutch driver pulley and rotating with it; - a cable assembly secured at one end to said thrust bearing assembly, and at the other end to a selector shifting arm; - said selector shifting arm bearing a ratchet type of stop arrangement, and secured in a pivoting fashion within said sport type console, while extending above said console for visual selection of either neutral or of any one of the forward speed ratios.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
Speed selector control for V belt type of automatic torqueconverters, for selective control of any one of the forward speed ratios, including neutral, in a practical and similar way to a sport car selective type of shifting on a sport console and yet, without interfering in any way, except if so selected, with the usual automatic features of the V belt type of automatic torqueconverter systems, and especially for the types used on selfpropelled vehicles, and comprising: - a thrust bearing assembly sandwiching an adaptor, with a first thrust bearing of said thrust bearing assembly on the inside of said adaptor, and moving longitudinally with it; - said adaptor solidly secured to the outboard sliding assembly of a clutch driver pulley and rotating with it; - a cable assembly secured at one end to said thrust bearing assembly, and at the other end to a selector shifting arm; - said selector shifting arm bearing a ratchet type of stop arrangement, and secured in a pivoting fashion within said sport type console, while extending above said console for visual selection of either neutral or of any one of the forward speed ratios.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
336 words
- Speed selector control for V belt type of automatic torque-converters, for selective control of any one of the forward speed ratios, including neutral, in a practical and similar way to a sport car selective type of shifting on a sport console and yet, without interfering in any way, except if so selected, with the usual automatic features of the V belt type of automatic torque-converter systems, and especially for the types used on self-propelled vehicles, and comprising: - a thrust bearing assembly sandwiching an adaptor, with a first thrust bearing of said thrust bearing assembly on the inside of said adaptor, and moving longitudinally with it; - said adaptor solidly secured to the outboard sliding assembly of a clutch driver pulley and rotating with it; - a first cable assembly secured at one end to said thrust bearing assembly, and at the other end to a selector shifting arm; - said selector shifting arm bearing a ratchet type of stop arrangement, and secured in a pivoting fashion within said sport type console, wHile extending above said console for visual selection of either neutral or of any one of the forward speed ratios; and wherein the said speed selector control for torque-converter systems, for selective control of from anywhere from neutral to any one of the forward speeds selected, would also include additional features permitting to bring on motor compression, on demand, and which comprises: - a second thrust bearing of said thrust bearing assembly, on the outside of the cupped adaptor, and moving longitudinally with it; - a bracket for holding a pivoting arm, two stops and a tension spring; - said pivoting arm, pivoting within said bracket and pressing from the top, on demand, on the said second thrust bearing; - a second cable assembly secured at one end to the lower end of the said pivoting arm and at the other end to a foot pedal assembly; - said foot pedal pivoting assembly rotatably secured to and conveniently located in the driver''s compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
336 words
- Speed selector control for V belt type of automatic torque-converters, for selective control of any one of the forward speed ratios, including neutral, in a practical and similar way to a sport car selective type of shifting on a sport console and yet, without interfering in any way, except if so selected, with the usual automatic features of the V belt type of automatic torque-converter systems, and especially for the types used on self-propelled vehicles, and comprising: - a thrust bearing assembly sandwiching an adaptor, with a first thrust bearing of said thrust bearing assembly on the inside of said adaptor, and moving longitudinally with it; - said adaptor solidly secured to the outboard sliding assembly of a clutch driver pulley and rotating with it; - a first cable assembly secured at one end to said thrust bearing assembly, and at the other end to a selector shifting arm; - said selector shifting arm bearing a ratchet type of stop arrangement, and secured in a pivoting fashion within said sport type console, wHile extending above said console for visual selection of either neutral or of any one of the forward speed ratios; and wherein the said speed selector control for torque-converter systems, for selective control of from anywhere from neutral to any one of the forward speeds selected, would also include additional features permitting to bring on motor compression, on demand, and which comprises: - a second thrust bearing of said thrust bearing assembly, on the outside of the cupped adaptor, and moving longitudinally with it; - a bracket for holding a pivoting arm, two stops and a tension spring; - said pivoting arm, pivoting within said bracket and pressing from the top, on demand, on the said second thrust bearing; - a second cable assembly secured at one end to the lower end of the said pivoting arm and at the other end to a foot pedal assembly; - said foot pedal pivoting assembly rotatably secured to and conveniently located in the driver''s compartment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
- A system according to claim 2, having a bracket arrangement connecting the said first and second cable assemblies in such a way so as to permit different angles of approach, and which comprises: - a set of pulleys, for a change in direction of said cable assemblies, and which said pulleys are rotatably secured to a holding bracket; - said bracket for holding the cable pulleys, pivoting arm, stops and tension spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
- A system according to claim 3, wherein said first and second cable assemblies are actuated by hydraulic means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
- A system according to claim 3, wherein said first and second cable assemblies are actuated by pneumatic means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
- A system according to claim 3, wherein said first and second cable assemblies are actuated by electrical means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |