Patent GB-751785-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to gear-changing levers
IPC: F16H59/02
Filed: 1954-02-23
Abstract: 751,785. Change-speed and clutch control. SOC. ANON. FRANCAISE DU FERODO. Feb. 23, 1954 [Feb. 23, 1953], No. 5357/54. Class 80(2) [Also in Group XXXVII] In a two-part gear-shift lever on a motor vehicle, wherein, prior to moving a gear-shift control part 10, an actuating part 19 has yielding movement in any direction relative thereto for operating a switch controlling a main clutch for coincidental clutch release during gear shift, the actual gear-shift movement is' not transmitted through the electrical contacts of the switch but through a direct mechanical connection, e.g. 40, between the two parts 10, 19, the two contact elements 33, 36 of the switch, one or both of which are yieldable, being carried on the respective parts and having a greater range of relative movement than that permitted by the said direct mechanical connection. The actuating part 19 has a part-spherical collar 24 universally mounting it in an extension sleeve 12 screwed and locked at 16 to the shift part 10. relative universal movement being limited by abutment between the actuating part 19 and a bell mouth 40 on the sleeve 12, such mouth being either circular or elliptical (Fig. 5, not shown), to permit less movement in a given direction. Relative movement is opposed by a calibrated centralizing spring 27, inadequate to transmit gear-shift movement, and compressed between the collar 24 and an insulating block 28 fixed in the part 12, and having a tongue-and-groove end connection 48 with the shift part 10 to prevent its rotation. The block 28 carries a silver contact stud 33 connected to a lead 11 and projecting with clearance into a silvered piano-wire or bronze spring 36 screwed on the end of the actuating part 19 which earths through the shift part 10. In operation, during a shift, initial yield. ing of the actuating part 19 against the spring 27 earths the contact 33 through the contact spring 36. which causes clutch-release directly or through a relay, whereafter the contact spring 36 yields and the shift part 10 is moved by direct mechanical abutment at 40. On release of the actuating member after the shift the spring 27 centralizes the said member thus breaking the circuit for clutch reengagement. In Figs. 4 to 6 (not shown), the contact stud 33 and spring 36 are interchanged. In Figs. 7 and 8 (not shown), applicable to a steering-column-mounted shift-lever, concentric helical springs are used for both contacts. In Fig. 10, a shift part 51 is moved by an actuating part 68, universally mounted on the vehicle steering-column, when direct contact is made between the latter and a collar 54 welded to the former, the relative movement previous to such contact occurring in opposition to a compression spring 69 which loads an earthed central contact stud 65 against a contact ball 62 in an insulated carrier 61 connected to a lead 50. Electrical contact is made in the normal position of the lever 68. the clutch being disengaged by the relative movement which breaks the circuit by rolling the contact ball 62 off the central stud 65 on to a concave insulating bowl 64 surrounding the stud, such bowl also transmitting the restoring force of the spring 65 tc the actuating part 68 when the latter is released. Alternatively, the central stud 65 may be the insulator and the bowl 64 the conductor, in which case the circuit is completed by the yielding movement instead of being broken thereby.