Improvements in or connected with Variable Gearing, applicable to Wheeled Vehicles Driven by Electricity, Petroleum, Steam, or other Motive Power.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 11th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Variable Gearing, applicable to
Wheeled Vehicles Driven by Electricity, Petroleum, Steam, or
other Motive Power.
We, FRANK FREDERICK WELLINGTON of 100° Queen Victoria Street,
Engineer, and EDWIN PERCIVAL ALLAM of 14 Hatton Garden, Electrical
Engineer, both in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to improved means as hereafter described whereby the
speed of motor driven vehicles may be readily varied or regulated.
According to our invention we employ two conical drums, one of which is the
"driver" and the other the "follower; "these conical drums are mounted on
parallel axes and arranged so that the major diameter of one is opposite to the
minor diameter of the other. The circumference of each cone is divided into or
formed with teeth extending in the direction of its axis, the number of such teeth
increasing as the circumference of each cone becomes larger.
In order to connect the two conical drums we arrange between the said cones a
toothed pinion, and this pinion is free to revolve on an axis parallel to the axes of
the cones, and is moreover free to be moved either to the right or left of its
central position, and whereby the speed of the "follower" is caused to vary from.
that of the "driver" by thus laterally sliding the pinion.
By shifting the pinion so far to the right or left that it is disengaged from the
cones, the "follower" is disconnected from the "driver," and the vehicle can be.
stopped although the engine or other motive power may be still in motion.
To reduce friction, we sometimes place the cones and pinion in an oil bath.
The teeth upon the cones may be tapered or pointed at their longitudinal ends.
to facilitate the lateral movement of the pinion or its equivalent.
In some cases instead of forming teeth on the conical drums and employing a
toothed pinion between same, we roughen the surface of the cones; thus if made
of metal the surface may be cut like the teeth of a file. One of these cones is
the "driver," the other the "follower" as before stated. In order to connect
these roughened conical drums we locate between the two cones a roller such as a
ball or sphere of lead or other suitable material carried by a suitable holder.
This sphere or roller acts as does the pinion previously described and by the
friction between its surface and the roughened surface of the "driver" cone, it
revolves with the latter but in a contrary direction, and causes the "follower"
cone also to revolve. The position of the roller is controlled by the roller holder
which holds it firmly but free to be revolved, and according to the position of the
ball, either in the centre or to the right or left, so is the speed of the "follower"
and either to move slower or faster as
made to vary from that of the "driver
required.
By this invention the change of speed can be made while the machine is in
motion without jar or shock.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Variable Gearing, applicable to
Wheeled Vehicles Driven by Electricity, Petroleum, Steam, or
other Motive Power.
We, FRANK FREDERICK WELLINGTON of 100° Queen Victoria Street,
Engineer, and EDWIN PERCIVAL ALLAM of 14 Hatton Garden, Electrical
Engineer, both in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention refers to improved means as hereafter described whereby the
speed of motor driven vehicles may be readily varied or regulated, and in order
that our invention may be clearly understood we will describe same with reference
to the accompanying drawings, whereon
Fig. 1 is a side elevation and Fig. 2 a plan of variable gearing constructed
according to our said invention,
Fig. 3 is a detail view to shew the particular formation of the teeth, drawn to a
larger scale than the previous figures.
Fig. 4 is a diagram plan view of a pair of cones with a modified form of
connection.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the connecting means detached and drawn to a
somewhat larger scale than the view at Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a similar side elevation
of similar connecting means of varied construction.
According to our invention and particularly referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the
drawings, we employ two conical drums A B, one of which is the driver and the
other the follower; these conical drums A B are mounted on parallel shafts A B
carried in bearings on any suitable framework C, and the drums are arranged so
that the major diameter of one drum is opposite to the minor diameter of the
other drum.
Upon these drums any number of series of teeth D, D', D2, are formed at
regular intervals apart, circumferentially around the drums and these teeth extend
lengthwise in the direction of the axes of the drums A B. Each tooth upon the
drums is formed as shewn at Fig. 3, that is with parallel sides or nearly so, and
with the ends of the teeth tapered or pointed as at D. The several series of
teeth D, D', D2, around the drums are separated by spaces as at E E.
Between the two drums is a toothed pinion G so toothed as to be capable of
engagement with either series of teeth ou the drums, and free to revolve upon an
axis parallel to the sides of the conical drums A B. Such pinion G is carried
say upon a collar or sleeve G¹ free to be slidden laterally, by a forked slide H
or by other convenient means. The width of the pinion G is less than the space
or spaces E E, between the series of teeth and moreover the ends of the pinion
teeth are also tapered or pointed as are those upon the cotical drums A B.
By thus constructing or forming the teeth upon the drums and upon the pinion,
the latter can be slidden from engagement with one series of teeth and brought
into engagement with another set and the relative speed of one of the conical
drums (such as the follower B) thereby varied, the tapered end formation of the
teeth permitting a smooth transference of the teeth of the pinion from one series
of teeth to another upon the conical drums. The separation of the series of
teeth D, D1, D2, by the spaces E E, euables us to start or stop the motion of
the follower B at any time, by but a small motion of the pinion G.
It is proposed in practice to provide an oil coutaining bath or case for the gear
to run in.

page_text: In such variable speed gearing we obtain advantages in that the tapered end
formation of the teeth promotes a smooth and certain transference of the pinion
from one set of teeth to another, while the teeth so formed present a sufficient
length of bearing surface to render the construction applicable, where the ability
to withstand wear and tear is a consideration as in motor driven vehicles, while
in this connection the spaces between the series of teeth permitting of ready-
stopping and starting is also of the utmost importance.
In some cases instead of forming teeth on the conical drums and employing a.
toothed pinion between same as before described, we provide means to cause the
motion of one drum A to be communicated to the other B, as shewn at Figs. 4, 5,
and 6. In the latter arrangement we roughen the surface of the cones shewn at
Fig. 4, thus if the cones are made of metal the surface may be cut in any desired
direction somewhat like the teeth of a file; as in the previous construction one
drum A is the "driver," and the other B the "follower." In order to connect
these roughened conical drums A and B we locate between the cones a roller G
such as a ball or sphere of lead or other suitable material. This ball or roller G
is carried by a holder such as shewn at Figs. 5 and 6, thus if spherical, as at
Fig. 5, it may be carried between cupped jaws G', or if approaching cylindrical
form as at Fig. 6 it may he provided with an axle carried in bearings within the
said jaws G. The sphere or roller G acts as does the pinion G previously
described and by the friction between its surface and the roughened surface of the
"driver" cone A, it revolves with the latter, but in a contrary direction, and
causes the "follower" cone B also to revolve. The position of the roller G is
controlled by the roller holder GX which holds it firmly but free to be revolved,
and 'according to the position of the ball or roller G', either in the centre or to
the right or left, so is the speed of the "follower" B made to vary from that of
the "driver" A, and either to move slower or faster as required.
By this invention the change of speed can be made while the machine is in
motion without jar or shock.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In variable gearing applicable to motor driven wheeled vehicles, and composed
of a driven conical drum and a "follower" conical drum, with their adjacent
sides parallel, and an intermediate pinion capable of being shifted on an axis
parallel to the adjacent sides of the two drums; the teeth arranged longitudinally
with the axes of the conical drums, and in series circumferentially around same,.
with a separating plain space between each series of greater width than the width
of the intermediate pinion; in combination with the tapered or pointed formation
of the ends of the teeth on both of the conical drums, and of those of the pinion,
to facilitate transference of the pinion from one series of teeth to another, all
substantially as described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
2. The construction and combination of parts composing the variable speed.
gearing arranged and acting substantially as described and illustrated with.
particular reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicants..