Patent GB-191316012-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Gear Shifting Mechanism.
Inventor: GRAY EDWARD ELISHA
IPC: F16H63/30
Filed: 1912-07-11
Granted: 1914-01-15
Abstract: 16,012. Gray, E. E. July 11, 1912, [Convention date]. Controlling different functions by same lever; relay or power apparatus.-Relates to fluid pressure apparatus for operating sliding toothed change - speed gearing for automobiles &c., the valves being controlled by movement of the main clutch pedal. Rods 34, 35, Figs. 4 and 6, are connected to the sliding wheels of the speedgear, and are required to be moved in both directions from the neutral position shown. Pinions 42 gear with racks 37 on the rods 34, 35 and with racks 47 on parallel rods 44, 45, so that the rods 34, 35 and 44, 45 move in opposite directions. A spindle 56 carries a piston 54 moving in a cylinder 50, and a bevelended spring - pressed pin 64 which may be turned so as to engage with slots 38 in either of the rods 34, 35, 44, 45 by movement of an 'indicating-lever 101 on the steering-handle 102. The lever 101 is secured to a shaft 99 inside the steering column carrying a pinion 98 gearing with a pinion 97 connected to a toothed segment 73 engaging a long pinion 72 on the spindle 56. A non- rotatable plate 58, sliding with the spindle 56 when in the neutral position, engages all the rod ends and also one inclined end 105 of a pivoted rod 103, so that its other end 108 is kept out of the path of an arm 107 connected to the main clutch pedal-lever 15. A valve chamber 74 is divided, by a disk 75 on the central shaft 82, into two parts, to one of which fluid is admitted by a pipe 81 from a reservoir 87. In the other chamber part is arranged an exhaust orifice 76 and a block 78 secured to the shaft 82 and provided with holes 79, 80 communicating with the pressure chamber and adapted to be moved, by an arm 83 and a slotted link 84 connected to the clutch pedal, into engagement with passages 52, 53 connected to opposite sides of the piston 54. A checkvalve 88 in the pipe 81 has an arm 89 acted on by a spring 91 tending to open the valve, a rod 92 connected to the arm 89 bearing on an arm 95 on the pedal-lever 15 to keep the valve closed while the clutch is engaged. When it is desired to change the gear, the lever 101 is moved on its indicator to move the pin 64 into position to engage with its appropriate rod. The clutch pedal is then lowered, the first movement disengaging the clutch and opening the valve 88 so that the fluid pressure passes through the hole 79 and passage 53 and returns the piston 54 to neutral, so that the plate 58 returns the rod last operated, and the gearwheel connected thereto, into its neutral position. At the same time, the bevel pin 64 engages with the notch in its appropriate rod. On further movement of the pedal, the slotted link 84 engages the arm 83 and the block 78 is rotated to connect the passage 52 to the pressure fluid so that the spindle 56 moves axially, carrying with it the rod selected, and re-engaging the gear. When the pedal is released the valve moves back into the position shown, the valve 88 is closed, and the clutch re-engaged. The end 108 of the lever 103, when released by the movement of the plate 58, is moved by a spring 109 into the path of the arm 107, so that the clutch pedal cannot be fully depressed until the plate 58 has returned to the neutral position,