Patent ID: 8943922
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An interlock system for a transmission assembly having a gear unit with a plurality of selectable gear ratios, the interlock system comprising: a first range rail with at least one first rail recess, the first range rail being movable between at least one engaged position and a disengaged position, the at least one engaged position of the first range rail corresponding to a selection by the first range rail of at least a first of the selectable gear ratios; a second range rail with at least one second rail recess, the second range rail being movable between at least one engaged position and a disengaged position, the at least one engaged position of the second range rail corresponding to a selection by the second range rail of at least a second of the selectable gear ratios, the first and second range rails being generally parallel to one another and generally defining a plane; a creeper rail with at least one creeper rail recess, the creeper rail being moveable between at least one engaged position and a disengaged position, the at least one engaged position of the creeper rail corresponding to a selection of at least a third of the selectable gear ratios by the creeper rail, the creeper rail being located in a position out of the plane defined by the first and second range rails; a creeper interlock with at least one creeper interlock recess, the creeper interlock being moveable between a creeper lock position and a creeper release position, in the creeper lock position a first portion of the creeper interlock extending into the at least one creeper rail recess to lock the creeper rail in the disengaged position, in the creeper release position the creeper interlock permitting movement of the creeper rail from the disengaged position to the at least one engaged position; a range rail interlock including a first interlock member moveable between a first rail lock position, at which the first interlock member extends into the at least one first rail recess to lock the first range rail in the disengaged position, and a first rail release position, at which the first interlock member permits movement of the first range rail from the disengaged position to the at least one engaged position, the range rail interlock further including a second interlock member moveable between a second rail lock position, at which the second interlock member extends into the at least one second rail recess to lock the second range rail in the disengaged position, and a second rail release position, at which the second interlock member permits movement of the second range rail between the disengaged position and the at least one engaged position; wherein, said creeper interlock is mechanically coupled to the range rail interlock such that, when the creeper interlock is in the creeper release position, the first and second interlock members are positioned, respectively, in the first and second rail lock positions; and wherein, only one of the first range rail, the second range rail, and the creeper rail may be positioned in its respective engaged position at a time.