Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-02-15
IMPORTANT ARTICLE
ON THE ELECTRIC
GEAR SHIFT
Considered by an Eminent
Writer on Automobiles as
the Most Valuable improve
ment Made in Past Year.


Richard II Watkins Of New y ort
city, contributes the following inn
portant article on the electric gear
shift for the Motor Magazine, which
viii be read with interest by automo-
bio owners and prospective purchas-
ers In the southwest Mr. Watkins
suya
Undoubtedly the electric gearshift
| Is the most valuable Improvement OF
tho past year In the motor world.
This new application Of electrical
power to the automobile VIII, IN a'l
probability rival fig general use other
Inventions such us electric seif-start-
ling and lighting Which have SO m
creased the popularity ana efficiency
Of the motor car II has now been
tested for considerable length o.
time in actual service. and has been
proven practical IN all respects
This device requires no extra bat
tories, complicated electric mechan-
ism or wiring is fully protected from
Injury In the RearbOX, and needs "a
lcurrent Of only fifteen amperes for the
Ibriof time occupied in shifting gears.
Ilt rs simple yet positive Application
iof electromagnetic power TO the
shifting Of gears. TO each of the gear
shifting arms Is attached the SOFT
iron core Of an electro magnet or sole
mold Each magnet itself is attached
10 the gearbox IN such position that
when It IS ouefglzed by o current
flowing through iis coils tho core Us
instantly and powerfully attracted TO
liz Consequently. the gears are shifted
in remarkably quick time
The current which momonturly
Imagnetlaes the solenoid. Is taken from
the battery operating the electric
lighting or starting circuit This bat
Itefg Is kept charged by dynamo
luu hy the engine and requires very
little care
ON the steering wheel are "a nuns
Der Of push-buttons one Tor cach
speed and oue for the neutral posi-
tIon When button No ! y depressed
and the Gluten Is Withdrawn, the low
speed gears ere instantly engaged Io
lohange to intermediate. button No z
Ii pressed and the clutch again olsen
naged. button Ne automatically
lapringing up as No is pressed fhe
electric circuit which magnetizes the
Iaolenoid f broken IN two places, con-
tact being undo in the irst by press
INK the hutton and in the second pS
IdlsongaRng the clutch completely
This absolutely prevents the gears
from being stripped on injured since
lid II impossible to shift them unlos'
1.-THE clutch il thrown out to It's fullest
rxtent. and the gears always pass
through neutral position before
change IL made.
This Ingenious invention greatly
.dmpliflps the operation OF ear. IN
doing away with the change speed
lever the necessity for taking one
hand from the steering wheel Is re-
moved. and the whole attention OF
the driver is conferred upon the steer
ing Of the car Very often "a car %
driven for considerable distance ul
a hin or along a bad stretch Of roae
with the engine laborng IN hish gear
because the driver does not wish l'
change to lower gear FOR Tear o.
losing speed while he struggles VIII
the hand lever The advantages oI
. changing gears quickly anu silently II
crowded cites streets without remoN
Ing the hand from the wheel are to'
numerous and obvious TO mention
Tho action of the electric gear shit
+ is far more rapid ana positive thal
the hand et the most experienced
{ motorist Tor force OF opproNmat'N
: 100 pounds Is tNefted upon the gear
shifting arm the moment the eiul''
Is depressed
1t Is also possible tn press tine pu'
ton controlling the gear which th'
! driver anticipates hc viii use. an'
then when ne wishes To make 'h'
, change. he can DO go hN simply throw
ing cut the clutch
The invention Is 9 lone step toWar'
+ standardization Of control Tor "a pres
ent each mike Of ear has = dinefen
arrangement Of speeds IN the quau
. rapt This rs not intrpQueutlY rAur
aecideot or I'm injury 1. TO- inc .' ,o. 20,
d one arranscmcnt of speeds finds