Patent GB-190417783-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Driving and Variable Speed Mechanism.
Inventor: PRENTICE ANDREW WESTON
Filed: 1904-08-16
Granted: 1905-08-10
Abstract: 17,783. Prentice, A. W., and Shiels, A. Aug. 16. Motor road vehicles.-Relates to variable-speed and reversing gearing applicable to motor road vehicles &c. A number of wheels A, Fig. 1, loosely mounted on the driving-shaft Care in constant mesh with corresponding wheels B arranged to slide on a square &c. portion of the driven shaft D. Each of the driven wheels comprises a hub portion coupled to the rim portion through a free-wheel clutch. Preferably, this clutch comprises pawls b arranged in sockets in the hub portion and adapted to engage teeth on the rim portion ; a flanged friction ring b<3> arranged between the hub and rim and having a greater frictional contact with the rim serves to engage and disengage the pawls. The driving-wheels are provided with clutch parts A<5>, A<6>, and a clutch piece C<1> is fixed to the shaft C. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the gear is out of action, but, by moving the various pairs of wheels laterally, the clutches may be brought into engagement so that the various speeds are brought into action successively ; the free-wheel clutches in the driven wheels permit overrunning as the speeds are increased. In order to move the wheels A, B, arms E, E<1>, E<2>, E<3> engaging collars on each pair of wheels are connected by rods to tubes E<6>, E<9>, E<12>, E<15> provided at the ends with studs adapted to engage suitable slots in a pair of pivoted camplates K, Fig. 4 ; the cam-plates are actuated through links G<5> by a hand-lever G moving over a quadrant J. In order to obtain a reverse motion, a pinion a on the shaft C is geared through a double idle pinion a<1> with a pinion a<3> loose on the shaft D. A sliding clutch part a<5> is adapted to engage a clutch part on the pinion a<3> so as to lock it to the shaft D ; the part a<5> is actuated by links and rods coupled to a tube E<20> provided with a stud engaging a slot in the cam-plates K. Belt, rope, &c. gearing replace the toothed gearing for reversing. In a modification, the tubular rods E<6>, E<9>, E<12> , E<15> are connected directly to the arms by moving the wheels, and the rod E<2> is arranged within the other rods and engages an arm for actuating the clutch a<5>. At each change of speed, the main or engine clutch is temporarily disengaged by the operation of the lever G, through a cam G<6> loosely mounted on the pivot pin of the lever. An arm G<8> on the cam carries a quadrant G<9> provided with notches corresponding to the notches in the quadrant J. The catch-lever G<3> is extended and carries a catch G<11>. When the lever G<3> is raised to withdraw the catch G<2> from the quadrant J, the catch G<11> comes into engagement with a notch in the quadrant G<9>, and upon moving the lever G the cam G<6> is rotated and through the suitable linkwork disengages the main clutch. When the quadrant G<9> is released, the cam is returned by gravity or by a spring. The quadrant G<9> may be arranged on the lever G<3> and the catch G<11> on the arm G<8>. The cam may be arranged to disengage the clutch during increase of speed or during both increase and decrease. The conical member F<2>, Fig. 3, of the main friction clutch is coupled to a sleeve F<3>, made in two parts pressed apart by a spring and connected by teeth in mesh. A sleeve F<6> engaging the sleeve F<3> has a coarse screw thread engaged by a nut portion F<9> taking against an abutment and provided with an operating-lever F<12>. This lever is moved in one direction to disengage the clutch, the spring F* serving to engage the clutch, An arm F<14> of the lever F" is coupled to the piston-rod of a dash-pot M. To prevent shock, a yielding connection is interposed between each driven pinion and its clutch part. This connection comprises a coiled spring N, Fig. 8, arranged within a fluid-tight casing N<1>. One end of the spring is secured to the body of the pinion A, and the other end to the boss A* carrying the clutch parts. The casing is partially filled with a fluid, preferably oil, to render the action of the spring less sudden. This fluid may be supplied to the casing through the shaft. Springs may be interposed between the lever G and the gearing to permit the lever to be moved even if the clutch parts are not in register, and a dash-pot may be arranged in connection with the lever G. This dash-pot may comprise a cylinder fitted with valves for controlling a supply of liquid, and having a piston connected to an arm of the lever.