Patent ID: 7313982
Filing Date: 2008-01-01
Classification: B60N,E05F,E05Y,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A transmission for driving multiple powered devices from a single drive motor comprising: a plurality of output drive shafts, each of said drive shafts adapted to be coupled to at least one of the devices, each said output drive shaft defining a bearing hole; a plurality of output gears affanged in a serial affangement, each of said output gears in constant operative engagement with at least one adjacent output gear, one of said output gears in constant operative engagement with the motor, whereby operation of the motor is transmitted to each of said output gears from an adjacent said output gear by virtue of said serial arrangement, each of said output gears having a continuously undulating internal surface defining a plurality of internal grooves; and a plurality of clutches, each of said plurality of clutches being uniquely associated with one of said output drive shafts and one of said output gears, each of said clutches selectively coupling one of said output gears to said corresponding drive shafts, each said clutch including at least one bearing and a plunger, said plunger including a cylindrical portion having an end, a neck extending from said end, said neck narrower than said cylindrical portion, and a ramped surface extending from said neck, said plunger movable between a first position and a second position, said end engaging said at least one bearing in said first position, said ramped surface engaging said at least one bearing in said second position to move a portion of said at least one bearing into said bearing hole and into engagement with one of said internal grooves in said output gear to couple said one of said output gears to said corresponding drive shaft.