Patent GB-190704160-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Variable Speed Mechanism for Motor Road Vehicles.
Inventor: HAMPSON FRANK GEORGE
Filed: 1907-02-19
Granted: 1908-02-19
Abstract: 4160. Hampson, F. G., Saunderson, S., and Gretton, J. Feb. 19. Variable-speed and reversing gearing.-In a variablespeed gear, applicable for use in motor road vehicles, a series of eccentrics upon one shaft drive a second shaft through ratchet-acting clutches. Specifications Nos. 107 and 16,120, A.D. 1900, are referred to. The device comprises (1) a construction of variable-throw eccentric, (2) means for simultaneously adjusting a series of such eccentrics, and (3) separate toothed reversing-gearing upon the driven shaft. (1) The tubular driving-shaft 1, Figs. 2 and 5, carries a series of fixed eccentrics 4 upon which are mounted adjustable eccentrics 7 with internal teeth 8 in mesh with pinions 6 upon a secondary co-axial shaft 5, by the rotation of which the eccentricity of the outer member 7 may be adjusted from zero to a maximum. The co-axial shafts 1, 5 normally rotate together. (2) Two devices for causing relative rotation of the shafts 1, 5 for adjustment of the eccentrics are described. (a) The inner shaft 5, Fig. 6, carries a slidable wormwheel 13. Connected to the outer shaft 1 by a dog clutch 19 is a carrier 20, surrounding the worm-wheel 13 and connected to the same by worms (not shown). This frame 20 has a tubular extension 29, within which is slidably arranged a nut 30 engaging the screw-threaded extremity of the shaft 5. When the carrier frame &c. 20 is pushed to the right or left by a control lever 45, friction rollers 25 engage one of the fixed annular tracks 18 or 36, and the worms are caused, through gearing 26. 44, to rotate the worm-wheel 13 and shaft 5 relatively to the carrier and shaft 1, the nut 30 being meanwhile traversed until, upon meeting one of the abutments 37, 29<a>, it slightly displaces the carrier 20 and throws the friction rollers 25 out of action. (b) Alternative adjusting-means are shown in Fig. 9. A nut 48 slidably connected to an extension 51 of the outer shaft 1, and engaging a helical thread 47 on the extension of the inner shaft 5, is moved longitudinally to cause relative rotation of the shafts by means of a pair of parallel screwed shafts, engaging a frame or carrier 53 embracing the nut. These shafts are intergeared by a pinion 59, and rotated when required by external means. (3) The independent reversing-means is arranged between the driven shaft 12, Fig. 11, and a loose sleeve 72, which is connected to the wheel or other part to be driven, this sleeve being mounted with a bush 73 upon the reduced end of the shaft extension 12. An intermediate member 71 is slidably mounted upon the squared exterior of the coupling-sleeve 72, and carries clutch teeth 69 and a bevel pinion 68. Thus a direct clutch may be effected by the parts 67, 69, or a reverse obtained by the pinion 68, driven from the bevel-pinion 62 through loose pinions 64 upon fixed pins 65, the clutch member 67 and the pinion 62 being fixed upon the shaft 12. The member 71 is moved longitudinally for the above purposes or for disconnexion, by rotating an outer sleeve 75 having a screw - threaded engagement with the fixed casing 63.