Patent GB-190328577-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Change Speed Driving Gear for Motor Cars and like purposes.
Inventor: CHAMBERS JOHN HENRY
Filed: 1903-12-29
Granted: 1904-12-15
Abstract: 28,577. Chambers, J. H. Dec. 29. Motor road vehicles. - Relates to change-speed gearing for motor cars &c. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, a pinion a, keyed to the driving- shaft b but free to move endwise thereon, gears with pinions c loosely mounted on shafts n carried by a gear box d. Pinions e, f, formed integral with or secured to the pinions c, gear with wheels g, h secured on sleeves l, i arranged about the shaft b. The sleeve i carries a sprocket-wheel k for transmitting motion to the road wheel, and the sleeve l carries a brake drum m. Part of the box d is formed as a brake durm s, and the other part of the box may be cylindrical or approximately rectangular in form. Radial arms o on the box d carry spring-controlled pads p, which are adapted to engage with a flywheel or disc q on the shaft b, and are adjustable by means of screwed sleeves. When a high speed is required, an end thrust is given to the gearing so as to bring the pads p into engagement with the disc q ; in this case, the gearing is locked and the parts rotate bodily at the same speed. The end-pressure device may comprise levers t pivoted to a collar a on the shaft b. One end of each of the levers abuts against a washer at the end of the gearing, and the other end is actuated by a conical sleeve adapted to slide on the shaft. When a slow speed is required, the end pressure is relieved and springs r, or equivalents, press the gearing so as to move the pads p out of engagement. The box d is fixed by applying a brake to the drums z, and the sleeve i is driven through the pinions a, c, f, h. To obtain a reversal, the drum s is released and a brake applied to the drums m so as to fix the pinions g. By inserting additional pinions, controlled by brake drums, additional speeds may be obtained. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the reversal is obtained by the interposition of the sets of friction or toothed wheels 2, 3, which may be brought into engagement with the flywheel or disc q and the exterior of the box d. The wheels may be brought into the engaging position by pedal &c. devices coupled by yokes to the frames carrying the wheels. In order to move the gear along the shaft b, a clutch or sleeve v is arranged to oscillate cam-levers t which act against springs y on the end of the sleeve i. The levers t are pivoted on a pin 5, adjustably carried within the shaft b, as by a block on the end of a screwed rod 7. This arrangement serves for taking up wear and for permitting adjustment. By means of friction &c. wheels engaging the disc q and the box d, additional forward speeds may be obtained. In a modification, shown in Fig. 6, the sleeve i is formed at the end as a clutch member to engage the disc q. Discs x, w arranged on opposite sides of the brake drum carry spindles n on which are loosely mounted pinions c, e, f gearing with a pinion a on the shaft b, a pinion h on the sleeve i, and a pinion g on the boss of a brake drum m respectively. In order to obtain the high speed, cam-levers t, operated by a sliding sleeve v and acting against springs y, press the drum m against the disc w, the disc x against a disc x<1>, and the end of the sleeve i against the disc q. To obtain the slow speed, a brake is applied to the brake drum, and to obtain a reversal a brake is applied to the drum m. Holes are drilled in the discs w, x to allow oil to pass away from between the surfaces. The shaft b is secured to a flywheel by a tapered cottar q<1>, and abuts against a spring q<2> so as to allow of adjustment. The gearing is enclosed in a fixed casing d, which may be arranged to act as an oil bath.