Patent GB-191019169-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the Operation of Change-speed Gear and Brakes of Motor Vehicles.
Inventor: EDINGTON HARRY
IPC: F16H61/02
Filed: 1910-08-15
Granted: 1911-06-08
Abstract: 19,169. Edington, H. Aug. 15. [Cognate Application, 3679/11.] Relay or power apparatus; controlling different functions by same handle or lever; interlocking and guarding against wrong movements and the like.-Pneumatic relay apparatus for controlling motor-vehicles is arranged so that the gear may be changed subsequently to the operation of the clutch, and the brakes regulated by a single lever. A second lever is also provided, whereby emergency brakes may be applied and the clutch disengaged without disconnecting the speed gear. The changespeed and reversing gear, Fig. 8, consists of series of toothed wheels continually in mesh capable of being put into action by clutches on the driving shaft operated by forks l<2> mounted upon a series of spring plungers M. The change-speed lever A, Fig. 4, is locked in one of three forward positions b, b<1>, b<2>, or in the stop position b<3>, or in the reverse position b<4> by a lever C having a handle C'. When the lever A is operated, a cylinder L having a number of openings l is rotated to permit only one or none of the plungers M to be displaced by the springs m to allow the corresponding clutch to be put into engagement. When the lever C<1> is gripped prior to operating the lever A. the spindle d<3> of a valve D is displaced. Compressed air then passes from the reservoir E through a tube e into a chamber d, Fig. 3, and out through a pipe e<1> to a cylinder F, which disengages the clutch. After the plunger F<1> has moved through a certain distance, the air passes through the pipes e<2>, e<3> into a cylinder F<2>. The plunger F<3> of this cylinder is mounted outside the gear-box, and is connected to a lever N, Fig. 1, on a rocking shaft N', Fig. 8, so as to retract the plungers M and disengage the gear prior to the operation ot the lever A. After the lever A has been reset, and the lever C<1> released, the valve D closes and opens the cylinders F, F<2> to exhaust through ports f<5>, f<6>. This effects the putting- in of the gear and the engagement of the clutch, the latter operation being delayed according to the adjustment of a screw g. When the lever A is moved to the stop position b', a disk P, mounted on the lever shaft and forming part of a rotary valve D<2>, is displaced to cause ports therein to register with the pipes e<4>, e<5>. Compressed air then passes to the cylinder F<4> operating the brakes on the rear wheels, and the brakes are held on by a ball valve g<1> until the lever A is moved to a driving position when the port r is cornected to an exhaust port by an elongated aperture in the disk P. The emergency brakes, which, in the form shown in Fig. 1, are arranged on the front wheels, are operated by cylinders F<5> connected to a pipe h<3> leading from a valve D'. This valve is similar to the valve D, its spindle d<11> being operated from the emergency lever A', and being arranged by a port h to operate the piston F<1> to disengage the clutch prior to the actuation of the brake. The quadrant B, Fig. 4, is made deeper at one end, and is engaged by a spring-pressed runner a<4> on the lever A when this is moved beyond the braking position. The increased resistance to motion notifies this to the driver.