Patent GB-427471-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to gear shifting mechanism
IPC: F16H63/30
Filed: 1933-08-18
Abstract: 427,471. Controlling variable-speed gearing. REO MOTOR CAR CO., 1331, South Washington Avenue, Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A. Aug. 18, 1933, No. 23115. Convention date, Dec. 27, 1932. [Class 80 (ii)] Relates to means for operating from a handle T, Fig. 11, mounted on the cowl S of a vehicle a two-speed and reversing gear such as is shown in Fig. 1, which is used in series with automatically-changing gearing such as that described in Specification 427,470, so that each forward-speed setting of the handle will result in a drive which is variable automatically within limits. To change from the neutral position of Fig. 1, C being the driving-shaft, to the high-speed position of Fig. 1A, a gear H and a gear cluster E must both be moved left, so that both forks I, F, Fig. 2, must be operated. To change from neutral, Fig. 1, to the low-speed position of Fig. 1B, the cluster E alone, and therefore the fork F alone must be moved. To change from neutral, Fig. 1, to reverse, Fig. 1C, again both forks I, F, Fig. 2, must be moved, but right of Fig. 1 instead of left. The forks I, F are connected to sliding racks L<1>, K<1> engaged by toothed sectors M<2>, M<1>. The sector M<2> is loose on the end of a rock-shaft M with which the sector M<1> is integral. The loose sector M<2>, shown also in Fig. 15, is locked to the sector M<1> by a ball 0 except for one movement. The ball 0 is carried in a long notch O<2>, Fig. 14, in the sector M<2> and is normally held in engagement with a notch O<1> in the sector M<1> by a cylindrical envelope P, Fig. 16. A slot P<1> on the inner surface of the envelope P is right over the ball O in the neutral position shown in Fig. 6. The rock-shaft M is adapted to slide, and for forward speeds is in the position of Fig. 2 and is held there by a spring U and a lock plate V. Each change is effected from the neutral position of Fig. 6. Change to the high-speed position of Fig. 4 is effected by rocking the shaft M clockwise when a shoulder P<5>, Fig. 14, engages a shoulder P<6> so that the segment M<2> must move with the segment M<1>, and both forks are operated. The ball O locks the segments together on return to neutral. Change to low speed is effected by rocking the shaft M anticlockwise. A shoulder M', Fig. 6, on the segment M<2> is immediately stopped by a lug P<2>, Fig. 16, on the envelope P and, as the segment M<1> begins to turn, it thrusts the ball away out of the notch O<1>, Fig. 15, so that the ball rides up into the notch P<1>, Fig. 6, and leaves the segment M<1> free to turn alone anticlockwise moving the fork F only and bringing the cluster E from the position of Fig. 1 to that of Fig. 1B. This rocking of the shaft M has been effected by axial sliding of a rack bar Q <1>, Fig. 2, which engages a quadrant Q fast on the shaft M and is connected by a flexible shaft R, Fig. 11, to the handle T which is thus moved axially to change between high and low forwards speeds each of which is varied automatically by the auxiliary gearing. To bring in reverse, the handle T is brought to middle position with the sectors in neutral, Fig. 6. The handle T is now turned so that the rack bar Q<1> is turned so as to slide the shaft M right of Fig. 2, a notched flange V<2> then passing over to the other side of the lock plate V to the position of Fig. 10, stressing the spring U. The teeth of the sector M<2> now engage both racks L<1>, K<1> so that when the handle T is again moved axially these racks and both forks must move together, as is necessary to change from the neutral of Fig. 1 to the reverse of Fig. 1C.