Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A speed change gear comprising: first, second and third planetary gear sets suitably interposed between an input shaft and an output shaft; said first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first planetary gear engaged with said first sun gear, a second planetary gear engaged with said first planetary gear, a first ring gear engaged with said second planetary gear, and a first carrier rotatably supporting said first and second planetary gears; said second planetary gear set includes a second sun gear drivingly coupled to said first carrier, a third planetary gear engaged with said second sun gear, a second ring gear enmeshed with said third planetary gear, and a second carrier rotatably supporting said third planetary gear; said third planetary gear set includes a third sun gear drivingly coupled to said first sun gear and to said second ring gear, a fourth planetary gear interengaged with said third sun gear, a third ring gear engaged with said fourth planetary gear, and a third carrier rotatably supporting said fourth planetary gear and drivingly coupled to said second carrier and to said output shaft; a first clutch for coupling or uncoupling said input shaft to or from said first sun gear, said second ring gear and said third sun gear; a second clutch for coupling or uncoupling said input shaft to or from said first carrier and said second sun gear; a first brake means capable of being actuated for locking said first carrier and said second sun gear to the gear casing; a second brake means capable of being actuated for locking said first ring gear to said casing; and a third brake means capable of being actuated for locking said third ring gear to said casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
A speed change gear comprising: first, second and third planetary gear sets suitably interposed between an input shaft and an output shaft; said first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first planetary gear engaged with said first sun gear, a second planetary gear engaged with said first planetary gear, a first ring gear engaged with said second planetary gear, and a first carrier rotatably supporting said first and second planetary gears; said second planetary gear set includes a second sun gear drivingly coupled to said first carrier, a third planetary gear engaged with said second sun gear, a second ring gear enmeshed with said third planetary gear, and a second carrier rotatably supporting said third planetary gear; said third planetary gear set includes a third sun gear drivingly coupled to said first sun gear and to said second ring gear, a fourth planetary gear interengaged with said third sun gear, a third ring gear engaged with said fourth planetary gear, and a third carrier rotatably supporting said fourth planetary gear and drivingly coupled to said second carrier and to said output shaft; a first clutch for coupling or uncoupling said input shaft to or from said first sun gear, said second ring gear and said third sun gear; a second clutch for coupling or uncoupling said input shaft to or from said first carrier and said second sun gear; a first brake means capable of being actuated for locking said first carrier and said second sun gear to the gear casing; a second brake means capable of being actuated for locking said first ring gear to said casing; and a third brake means capable of being actuated for locking said third ring gear to said casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 1, additionally comprising: a fourth planetary gear set including a fourth sun gear drivingly coupled to said output shaft, a fifth planetary gear engaged with said fourth sun gear, a fourth ring gear engaged with said fifth planetary gear and drivingly coupled to said third ring gear, and a fourth carrier rotatably supporting said fifth planetary gear; and fourth brake means capable of being actuated for locking said fourth carrier to said casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 1, additionally comprising: a fourth planetary gear set including a fourth sun gear, a fifth planetary gear engaged with said fourth sun gear, a fourth ring gear engaged with said fifth planetary gear and drivingly coupled to said third sun gear, and a fourth carrier rotatably supporting said fifth planetary gear and drivingly coupled to said third carrier and to said output shaft; and a fourth brake capable of being actuated for locking said fourth sun gear to said casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 1, additionally comprising: a fourth planetary gear set including a fourth sun gear drivingly coupled to said third sun gear, a fifth planetary gear engaged with said fourth sun gear, a fourth ring gear engaged with said fifth planetary gear, and a fourth carrier rotatably supporting said fifth planetary gear and drivingly coupled to said third carrier and to said output shaft; and a fourth brake capable of being actuated for locking said fourth ring gear to said casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a fourth planetary gear set including a fourth sun gear, a fifth planetary gear engaged with said fourth sun gear, a fourth ring gear engaged with said fifth planetary gear, and a fourth carrier rotatably supporting said fifth planetary gear, one of three members comprising said third sun gear, said third ring gear, and said third carrier of said third planetary gear set being drivingly coupled to one of three members comprising said fourth sun gear, said fourth ring gear, and said fourth carrier of said fourth planetary gear set; one of the remaining two of said three members of said third planetary gear set being drivingly coupled to one of the remaining two of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set; and fourth brake means capable of being actuated for locking the other one of said remaining two of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set to said casing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said one of said three members of said third planetary gear set is said third ring gear; and said one of said remaining two of said three members of said third planetary gear set is said third carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said one of said three members of said third planetary gear set is said third sun gear; and said one of said remaining two of said three members of said third planetary gear set is said third carrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said one of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth ring gear; and said one of said remaining two of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth sun gear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said one of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth sun gear; and said one of said remaining two of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth ring gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said one of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth carrier; and said one of said remaining two of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth sun gear.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said one of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth ring gear; and said one of said remaining two of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth carrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A speed change gear as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said one of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth sun gear; and said one of said remaining two of said three members of said fourth planetary gear set is said fourth carrier.