US3916718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transmission control
Assignee: Borg Warner Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-24
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A multiple speed sliding gear transmission is characterized by the provision of shift rails interconnected by linkage for effecting rotary and longitudinal movement of one in response to opposite movement of the other. The linkage provides a mechanical advantage in effecting both rotary and longitudinal movement and is curved or wrapped around an associated power shaft, thereby allowing compact placement of the shift rails adjacent to the power shaft within a transmission housing. The transmission is further characterized by the provision of a shift tower having a shift control lever connected to one shift rail for rotational movement thereof about the axis of the shift rail, and the provision of a floating pivot about which the shift control lever rotates on an axis spaced from the shift rail so as to provide longitudinal movement thereof. Further, the shift tower and its associated elements are easily assembled, and in particular provide a shift control lever in the form of a sub-assembly which may be inserted into the shift control tower by an easy snap-in movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald W Kelbel
- 👤 John W Holdeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H3/00; F16H3/02; F16H3/08; F16H3/087; F16H3/091; F16H3/0915; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; F16H59/04; F16H59/042; F16H57/00; F16H57/02; F16H2057/02039; F16H2057/02043; F16H2200/00; F16H2200/003; F16H2200/0047; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20018; Y10T74/20085; Y10T74/20104; Y10T74/20396
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
In a transmission, a housing, input and output shafts respectively journalled in said housing, said input shaft defining an input gear, at least one ratio output gear rotatably supported on said output shaft, a cluster gear assembly journalled in said housing and defining a drive gear meshing with said input gear and at least one ratio input gear in meshing relationship with said ratio output gear, means supported by said output shaft and axially movable for clutching said ratio output gear to said output shaft, first and second shift rails supported adjacent said output shaft in said housing for rotational and axial movement, said clutching means being engageable by said second shift rail upon rotational movement thereof and being axially movable thereby upon axial movement thereof for said clutching, and linkage means extending about said output shaft and connecting said shift rails for effecting movement of said second shift rail in response to movement of said first shift rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a transmission, a housing, input and output shafts respectively journalled in said housing, said input shaft defining an input gear, at least one ratio output gear rotatably supported on said output shaft, a cluster gear assembly journalled in said housing and defining a drive gear meshing with said input gear and at least one ratio input gear in meshing relationship with said ratio output gear, means supported by said output shaft and axially movable for clutching said ratio output gear to said output shaft, first and second shift rails supported adjacent said output shaft in said housing for rotational and axial movement, said clutching means being engageable by said second shift rail upon rotational movement thereof and being axially movable thereby upon axial movement thereof for said clutching, and linkage means extending about said output shaft and connecting said shift rails for effecting movement of said second shift rail in response to movement of said first shift rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention according to claim 1, said linkage means including first and second links respectively connected to and movable with said first and second shift rails, said second link being frictionally engaged by said first link for rotational movement thereby, whereby rotational movement of said first shift rail in one direction causes rotational movement of said second shift rail in the opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
The invention according to claim 1, said linkage means including first and second links respectively connected to and movable with said first and second shift rails, said first link curving partially around said output shaft and engaging said second link for axial movement thereof, a fulcrum supported by said housing and engageable by said first link between said first shift rail and said second link, whereby axial movement of said first shift rail in one direction causes pivotal movement of said first link about said fulcrum, thereby causing axial movement of said second shift rail in the opposite direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination, a housing, first and second spaced rails supported in said housing for rotational and axial movement, first and second link members, a pivot pin securing said first link member to said first rail for movement therewith, said second link member secured to said second rail for movement therewith, said first and second link members defining a ball and socket forming a friction connection, a fulcrum supported in said housing and engageable by said first link member between said pivot pin and friction connection upon axial movement of said first link member, whereby rotational movement of said first rail and first link member is transmitted through said friction connection resulting in opposite rotational movement of said second link member and second rail, and whereby axial movement of said first rail causes pivotal movement of said first link member about said fulcrum resulting in opposite axial movement of said second link member and second rail, and means supported by said housing for selectively effecting rotational and axial movement of said first rail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination, a housing, first and second spaced rails supported in said housing for rotational and axial movement, first and second link members, a pivot pin securing said first link member to said first rail for movement therewith, said second link member secured to said second rail for movement therewith, said first and second link members defining a ball and socket forming a friction connection, a fulcrum supported in said housing and engageable by said first link member between said pivot pin and friction connection upon axial movement of said first link member, whereby rotational movement of said first rail and first link member is transmitted through said friction connection resulting in opposite rotational movement of said second link member and second rail, and whereby axial movement of said first rail causes pivotal movement of said first link member about said fulcrum resulting in opposite axial movement of said second link member and second rail, and means supported by said housing for selectively effecting rotational and axial movement of said first rail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention according to claim 4, said first link member defining a slot therethrough, said fulcrum extending through said slot, said first liNk member being slidable along said fulcrum during rotational movement of said first rail and being pivotal about said fulcrum during axial movement of said first rail.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a transmission, a housing, an input shaft journalled in said housing and defining input gear means, an output shaft journalled in said housing, ratio output gear means rotatably supported by said output shaft, a countershaft journalled in said housing and defining drive gear means in meshing relationship with said input gear means and defining ratio input gear means in meshing relationship with said ratio output gear means, synchronizer means supported by said output shaft and movable for selectively clutching said ratio output gear means to said output shaft for selectively effecting a drive ratio, a pair of shift rails in said housing linked together for opposite rotational and axial movement and connected to said synchronizer means, whereby rotational movement of said shift rails selectively engages said synchronizer means and axial movement of said shift rails effects said clutching, and means for effecting rotational and axial movement of said shift rails.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a transmission, a housing, an input shaft journalled in said housing and defining input gear means, an output shaft journalled in said housing, ratio output gear means rotatably supported by said output shaft, a countershaft journalled in said housing and defining drive gear means in meshing relationship with said input gear means and defining ratio input gear means in meshing relationship with said ratio output gear means, synchronizer means supported by said output shaft and movable for selectively clutching said ratio output gear means to said output shaft for selectively effecting a drive ratio, a pair of shift rails in said housing linked together for opposite rotational and axial movement and connected to said synchronizer means, whereby rotational movement of said shift rails selectively engages said synchronizer means and axial movement of said shift rails effects said clutching, and means for effecting rotational and axial movement of said shift rails.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
The invention according to claim 6, said movement effecting means including a frame supported by said housing and defining a guide opening, a fulcrum element supported in said guide opening for sliding movement transverse to the axis of one of said shift rails and for rotational movement in a plane including said axis, a shaft supported by said fulcrum element for movement therewith and connected with said one shift rail by a pivot pin extending transverse to said axis, said shaft being pivotable about said axis with sliding movement of said fulcrum element for effecting rotational movement of said shift rail, said shaft being rotatable with rotational movement of said fulcrum element for effecting axial movement of said shift rail.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention according to claim 7, resilient means supported by said frame and engageable with said fulcrum element for centering said shaft in said guide opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention according to claim 7, said shaft defining a bore and a groove communicating with said bore, a clip retained in said groove and extending into said bore, a control rod extendable into said bore and defining a notch engageable by said clip for locking said control rod to said shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
148 words
A transmission shift control mechanism comprising a support having a pair of first guide surfaces straddling a longitudinal axis and a pair of second guide surfaces straddling a perpendicular axis such that said guide surfaces define a guide opening in said support, a pair of resilient elements supported by said first guide surfaces and extending into said guide opening, a fulcrum element in said guide opening and frictionally contacting said second guide surfaces for rotational movement in the plane of said longitudinal axis and for sliding movement along said perpendicular axis, said fulcrum element frictionally contacting said resilient elements when in a central position in said guide opening, and a shift element extending through and movable with said fulcrum element, said shift element adapted for connection to an associated transmission shift rail oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis by a pivot pin oriented parallel to said perpendicular axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
A transmission shift control mechanism comprising a support having a pair of first guide surfaces straddling a longitudinal axis and a pair of second guide surfaces straddling a perpendicular axis such that said guide surfaces define a guide opening in said support, a pair of resilient elements supported by said first guide surfaces and extending into said guide opening, a fulcrum element in said guide opening and frictionally contacting said second guide surfaces for rotational movement in the plane of said longitudinal axis and for sliding movement along said perpendicular axis, said fulcrum element frictionally contacting said resilient elements when in a central position in said guide opening, and a shift element extending through and movable with said fulcrum element, said shift element adapted for connection to an associated transmission shift rail oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis by a pivot pin oriented parallel to said perpendicular axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
A transmission shift control mechanism comprising a frame, a support element guided by said frame for sliding movement along a first axis and rotational movement in a plane transverse to said first axis, a shaft carried by and movable with said support element, said shaft extending from said support element and having an end portion adapted to engage an associated transmission shift rail along a second axis transverse to and spaced from said first axis, whereby sliding movement of said support element along said first axis causes pivotal movement of said shaft about said second axis adapted to rotate the associated transmission shift rail, and whereby rotational movement of said support element and said shaft in said plane is adapted to move the associated transmission shift rail along said second axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
A transmission shift control mechanism comprising a frame, a support element guided by said frame for sliding movement along a first axis and rotational movement in a plane transverse to said first axis, a shaft carried by and movable with said support element, said shaft extending from said support element and having an end portion adapted to engage an associated transmission shift rail along a second axis transverse to and spaced from said first axis, whereby sliding movement of said support element along said first axis causes pivotal movement of said shaft about said second axis adapted to rotate the associated transmission shift rail, and whereby rotational movement of said support element and said shaft in said plane is adapted to move the associated transmission shift rail along said second axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 11, said support element guided by said frame for sliding movement along a third axis transverse to said first axis as said support element rotates in said plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention according to claim 11, said shaft defining a bore, a resilient element extending into said bore, a control stick defining a notch, said control stick extending into said bore such that said resilient element engages said notch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention according to claim 11, said shaft defining a bore and a pair of grooves communicating with said bore, a spring clip in said grooves and having arms extending into said bore, a control stick having a tapered end adapted to spread said arms as said stick is inserted into said bore and a notch engageable by said arms to lock said stick in said bore.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 14, a cross pin carried by said support element, said tapered end straddling said cross pin when said stick is locked in bore.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 11, said support element being formed from nylon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
125 words
A transmission shift control mechanism comprising a support having a pair of first guide surfaces straddling a longitudinal axis and a pair of second guide surfaces straddling a perpendicular axis such that said guide surfaces define a guide opening in said support, a pair of resilient elements supported by said first guide surfaces and extending into said guide opening, a fulcrum element in said guide opening and frictionally contacting said second guide surfaces for rotational movement in the plane of said longitudinal axis and for sliding movement along said perpendicular axis, said resilient elements being in contact with said fulcrum element, and a shift element in said support movable with said fulcrum element, said shift element adapted for connection to an associated transmission shift rail.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
125 words
A transmission shift control mechanism comprising a support having a pair of first guide surfaces straddling a longitudinal axis and a pair of second guide surfaces straddling a perpendicular axis such that said guide surfaces define a guide opening in said support, a pair of resilient elements supported by said first guide surfaces and extending into said guide opening, a fulcrum element in said guide opening and frictionally contacting said second guide surfaces for rotational movement in the plane of said longitudinal axis and for sliding movement along said perpendicular axis, said resilient elements being in contact with said fulcrum element, and a shift element in said support movable with said fulcrum element, said shift element adapted for connection to an associated transmission shift rail.
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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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |