Gear changing mechanism

Claim 2

In a torque transfer mechanism, the combination comprising input means including first and second outer races, output means including an inner race, first and second bi-directional clutches between said first and second outer races, respectively, and said inner race, and shifting means engagable with said first clutch for positioning said first clutch in a freewheeling mode and rendering said second clutch positionable in a torque transferring mode in response to the application of torque to the mechanism, said shifting means being disengagable with said first clutch and engagable with said second clutch upon a momentary torque interruption for positioning said second clutch in a freewheeling mode and rendering said first clutch positionable in a torque transferring mode in response to torque applied to the mechanism.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1, said inner race defining a plurality of plane facets, and each of said clutches including a retainer supporting a plurality of roller elements, each retainer being rotatable relative to said races between said freewheeling mode in which each roller element is loosely supported between a facet and an outer race, a driving mode in which each roller element is wedged between a facet and an outer race for torque transfer in one direction, and a coasting mode in which each roller element is wedged between a facet and an outer race for torque transfer in the opposite direction.

Claim 4

The invention according to claim 2, said shifting means being slidable relative to said races between first and second positions selectively engaging said first and second retainers for said engaging and disengaging of said first and second clutches, respectively.

Claim 5

The invention according to claim 3, resilient means associated with said shifting means for completing selective engagement of said shifting means with said retainers upon a momentary torque interruption.

Claim 6

A torque transfer mechanism comprising an inner race adapted for connection in a power train, a pair of outer races each adapted for connection in the power train, said outer races being spaced from each other and from said inner race, a pair of retainers each supporting a plurality of roller elements between said inner race and an outer race, said retainers defining a plurality of inwardly facing grooves, said retainers being movable relative to said races between a freewheeling position in which said roller elements are loosely supported between said inner and outer races, a driving position in which said roller elements are wedged between said inner and outer races for torque transfer in one direction, and a coasting position in which said roller elements are wedged between said inner and outer races for torque transfer in another direction, and shifting means between said retainers and movable selectively into said grooves for engaging one of said retainers in said freewheeling position and freeing the other of said retainers for movement to a torque transferring position in response to the transfer of torque through the power train.

Claim 7

A torque transfer mechanism comprising an inner race adapted for connection in a power train, a pair of outer races each adapted for connection in the power train, said outer races being spaced from each other and from said inner race, a pair of retainers each supporting a plurality of roller elements between said inner race and an outer race, said retainers defining a plurality of inwardly facing grooves, said retainers being movable relative to said races between a freewheeling position in which said roller elements are loosely supported between said inner and outer races, a driving position in which said roller elements are wedged between said inner and outer races for torque transfer in one direction, and a coasting position in which said roller elements are wedged between said inner and outer races for torque transfer in another direction, and shifting means between said retainers and movable selectively into said grooves for engaging one of said retainers in said freewheeling position and freeing the other of said retainers for movement to a torque transferring position in response to the transfer of torque through the power train.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 5, said retainers being rotatable relative to said inner race between said positions, and said shifting means being slidable relative to said inner race between said grooves.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 5, said shifting means being movable from said one retainer engaging position to an intermediate position, and being movable from said intermediate position to the other retainer engaging position in response to a momentary torque reversal.

Claim 10

The invention according to claim 7, resilient means associated with said shifting means for moving said shifting means from said intermediate position to an engaging position upon said momentary torque reversal.

Claim 11

The invention according to claim 7, said shifting means being movable manually from said one retainer engaging position to said intermediate position.

Claim 12

The invention according to claim 7, said shifting means being in engagement with said one retainer when in said intermediate position.