Improvements in Variable Speed Gearing.
Year: 1899

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Variable Speed Gearing.
I, HINSDALE SMITH, of No. 99, Elliott Street, in the City of Springfield and
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, 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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in variable speed and power gearing
of the planetary type, and especially available for use in motor propelled vehicles
and launches.
The object of this invention is to provide a variable speed gearing of the
class indicated which is very simple, and which comprises as a part thereof,
novel operating means conducive to convenience and certainly of action and
the avoidance of the possibility of inadvertently wrongly placing the parts in
their several various connections for the different operative effects.
The invention consists primarily, in a speed gearing, of the combination of
a shaft mounted for rotation, a main or carrier wheel mounted and freely rota-
table upon and relatively to said shaft, a planet axle carried by said main
wheel parallel with said shaft, a pair of united planet wheels on said planet
axle, a gear on said shaft meshing with one of said planet wheels, and means
for locking said gear to the shaft, another gear loose on said shaft, and meshing
with the other of said planet gears, and means for locking the last-named gear
temporarily to the shaft or for locking it temporarily against rotation.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which the mechanism
embodying my present improvements is illustrated,
Figure 1 being understood as a central horizontal section through the speed
gearing and a plan view of the gear-changing mechanism.
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view and partial elevation on a larger scale,
as seen beyond the plane indicated by the line 2-2, Figure 1, and viewed in
the direction of the arrow.
In the drawings, A represents a shaft to be regarded usually as the driven
shaft, and B represents a main or carrier wheel loosely mounted to rotate upon
said shaft, and constituting the driving element of the gearing, the same being
driven by the gear on the shaft 2, although it will be manifest that this
wheel B may be belt-driven or otherwise rotated.
Grepresents a casing, frame or supporting structure for the shaft A and the
gearing, suitable journal bearings being provided at 10, 10 for the shaft A and
at 12, 12, for the shaft 2.
i represents a planet axle loosely rotatable in and through the carrier wheel B
and ranging parallel with the axis of the latter and with the shaft A, its
extremities being extended outwardly and receiving thereon the planet gear
wheel m at one end, and the larger planet gear wheel at the other end, both
of which are fast on the axle.
There is provided on the shaft A, a gear wheel D shown as at the left of
the carrier wheel B, the same meshing with the planet wheel m, while at the

page_text: right of the carrier B, is a second spur gear wheel C, somewhat smaller in
diameter than the one B, and mounted loosely on the shaft A.
Means is shown for locking the gear wheel D to the shaft, the same as illus-
trated being preferably a temporary and shiftable means, to wit, the clutch
consisting of the projections or teeth 13 on the shaft A, near the face of the
loose gear or carrier wheel B, and the recesses 14 in the face or hub portion
of the wheel D.
The hub 15 on the opposite face of the gear wheel D is circumferentially
grooved as shown at 16 and is provided with clutch teeth and intermediate
recesses as indicated at 17 and the casing G suitably adjacent the end of this
hub is similarly constituted a clutch member as represented at 18.
The opposite gear wheel C has its outwardly extending hub 19 formed with
the annular groove 20 and also constructed with the enlargement 22 of circular
form provided marginally with the flange 23 which extends towards the adjacent
side of the frame or casing G, said flange being constructed with its peripheral
surfaces, both internally and externally, beveled to constitute a member of a
double acting clutch coacting with the internal beveled peripheral clutch sur
face 24 formed on the exterior of the stationary part G when properly moved
outwardly and with the externally beveled flange 25 of the disk 26 keyed or
otherwise affixed rigidly on the shaft A.
By clutching the gear wheel D by throwing the portions 13 and 14 into
engagement, with the shaft A, and by clutching the gear wheel C also to the
shaft by bringing the clutch member 23 into clutch with the clutch member 25,
which is to be regarded as a fixed part of the shaft, the rotations of the carrier
wheel B will ensure a movement of the shaft A in unison with the carrier
wheel B.
By leaving the gear wheel B clutched to the shaft, but shifting the gear
wheel C so that its clutch member 23 is freed from the shaft clutch 25, and
comes into clutch with the stationary casing or frame G, a rotation of the
shaft A at a slower speed forward or in the same direction as the rotation of
the carrier wheel B is derived.
Throwing the left hand gear D into clutch with the frame at the left and
throwing the gear wheel C into clutch with the shaft A, the rotation of the
carrier wheel B will drive the shaft A in the reverse direction from that of
the rotation of the carrier wheel, (and while the gears are of the proportionate
diameters substantially as shown, the backward rotation of the shaft A will be
slower than the rotations of the carrier wheel; but the rate of backward rota-
tion might be the same or faster than that of the carrier wheel if the propor-
tionate sizes of the gear wheels C, D, m, j, were varied to derive this result as
might be done in a manifest way by a skilled mechanic).
And again, with the gear wheel 1) clutched to the shaft A, and the gear
wheel C slightly axially moved to bring the clutch portion 23 into frictional
engagement with the frame clutch 24, the rotational movement of the gear
wheel D and of the shaft will be a retarded motion, and more or less rapid
according to the degree of force with which the part 23 is brought frictionally 4
against the part 24; and again by leaving either the gear wheel C or the gear
wheel free or unclutched from the respectively adjacent clutch members,
the rotations of the carrier wheel B will be without effect to turn the shaft A.
I have therefore pointed out that this combination and arrangement of the
gearing (comprised in carrier wheel B, gear wheels D and C of different sizes, 5
the planet gears m and j of different sizes and double clutches for both the
gears D and C whereby they may be each clutched either to the frame or to
the shaft and whereby at least one thereof may be left free at pleasure from
both the frame and the shaft) is susceptible of utilization for five capabili-
ties, viz.,a driving of the shaft at full speed ahead: a driving of the shaft at 5
a determined lessened speed ahead, positively assured by the proportionate
sizes of the gears; a driving of the shaft reversely; a driving of the shaft for-

page_text: wardly at a retarded speed variable in accordance with the pressure exerted
between the friction clutch members 23 and 24 and a non-rotation of the
shaft A notwithstanding the continuation of the motion imparted to the carrier
wheel B.
I might in lieu of having the gear wheel D constructed with a clutch
whereby it becomes as one with the shaft A only temporarily, key the said
gear wheel permanently to the shaft and still retain an operative gearing com-
prising novelty and invention and susceptible of several of the capabilities for
operation as set forth.
I will now describe my novel simplified gear-controlling appliances which
are constructed not only for facility in bringing the different clutch members
into their relations for effecting the different operations of the gears described
but to prevent any such operations of the clutches in an improper manner as
would bring undue strain upon the gearing or cause a breakage thereof.
Suitably adjacent the casing, frame or stationary support G within which
the gearing is enclosed and mounted, I provide an annular bearing or guide
ring o having an undercut rebate or inverted seat 30, said ring being fastened
to the flooring, deck or other available support of a vehicle or boat in which
the gearing is used.
Within this ring o is fitted to turn a plate provided centrally with the clon-
gated slot 32 at the opposite longitudinal margins of which are the upstanding
ear pieces 33, 33, in which is intermediately pivotally hung at 34 the hollow
post or operating handle shaft or lever H.
A connecting rod is pivotally connected at 36 with the said plate at a
point eccentrically of its axis, said rod also having connection with the
clutch-operating lever r, which is understood as forked at its inner end and
engaged with the grooved clutch hub of the gear D).
As shown in Figure 1 with the gear D and its clutches disengaged both from
the shaft and from the stationary support, the plate is turned so as to have
the slot 32 arranged angular to the plane of swinging movement of the handle
post or shaft H, which plane of swinging movement is constrained to be
parallel with the depending opposed bowed guards t t.
The lower end of the operating shaft H has the connecting rod secured
thereto, the same being also secured to the lever u which operates the clutch
of the spur gear wheel C.
The aforesaid shaft H which is formed tubular for the greater portion of its
length is provided at its upper end with the spade handle v.
Extending down through the tubular shaft to near its lower end is the
operating rod w having at its lower end the pawl bar which extends trans-
versely outwardly through the slot 38 therefor near the lower end of the tubular
shaft.
The said rod has at its upper end within the spade handle the sub handle or
upper end enlargement w
The spring w is applied for imparting a downward yielding pressure on
the rod.
The semicircular or bowed guards or runners t t at the middle of their upper
edges have the recesses 40 so that when the handle shaft H is in an upright
position it may be turned to impart either a forcing or a drawing movement
on the connecting rod to operate the clutches of the gear wheel D.
When the gear wheel D is out of clutch and the slot 32 is angular to the
length of the space between the guards tt, the operating shaft cannot be swung
in either inclination, forward or backward from its vertical position because
its lower end which depends through the space between the guards must neces-
sarily swing in a direction angular to the sides of the guards and the swinging
motion would be resisted by coming to contact against the inner side of one or
the other of the guards, but by a rotational movement imparted through the
handle v, to the operating shaft to bring clutch 17 for gear D into engage-

page_text: ment with the clutch 18 of the fixed support or said gear wheel reversely into
clutch at 13 with the shaft, the plate p to which the shaft is articulated, will
therefore have been given such a rotational movement that the slot 32 in the
said plate will range in line with the space between the guards tt, where-
upon the shaft H may be then swung forwardly inclined, or rearwardly inclined,
to throw the clutch member 23 for gear Cinto engagement with either the
clutch 24 of the fixed support or the clutch 25 which is an adjunct of the
shaft A.
In practice it is designed to lift the pawl through the handle wat the
upper end of the pawl-operating shaft H, then swing the shaft in the one direc-
tion or the other as required, and then release the pressure in the upward
direction on the part w³, leaving the pawl to engage the teeth 42 provided at the
upper edge of the guards; and to again lift the pawl through sub handle 103
preparatory to restoring the handle to its upright intermediate position or to
reverse its inclination."
By the engagement of the pawl with the teeth 42 it is ensured that after the
operating shaft has been set in either of its inclined positions, the parts con-
sequently clutched will remain in clutch without the necessity of continuing
the manual pressure on the handle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1 In a variable speed mechanism, a shaft mounted for rotation, a main or
carrier wheel mounted upon and rotating freely on said shaft, a planet axle
carried by said main wheel parallel with said shaft, a pair of united planet
wheels on said planet axle, a gear on said shaft and gearing with one of said
planet wheels, and means for locking said gear to the shaft, another gear loose
on said shaft and engaging the other of said planet gears and means for both
locking the last-named gear to the shaft, and for locking it against rotation.
2 In a variable speed mechanism, a shaft mounted for rotation, a main or
carrier wheel mounted upon and rotating freely on said shaft, a planet axle
carried by said main wheel parallel with said shaft, a pair of united planet
wheels on said planet axle, a gear on said shaft gearing with one of said planet
wheels, and means for locking said gear to, and unlocking it from, the shaft,
another gear loose on said shaft and engaging the other of said planet gears
and means for both locking the last-named gear to the shaft, and for locking
it against rotation.
3 In a variable speed mechanism, a rotatable part, a shaft about which it is
rotatable having two gear wheels of varying sizes both directly mounted on said
shaft, means for connecting one of said gears as a fixture to the shaft, gear
wheels of varying sizes revolubly carried by the said first-named rotatable part
respectively in mesh with said gears concentrically on the shaft, and means for
temporarily restraining the one of the two gears mounted on the shaft, that
is not connected to the shaft, from being turned.
4-In a variable speed gearing, a rotatable part, a shaft relative to
which it is rotatable, having two gears of varying sizes, directly and loosely
mounted on said shaft, means for temporarily connecting and disconnecting
each gear independently to or from the shaft, united gear wheels of varying
sizes revolubly carried by the first-named rotatable part and rotatable thereon,
and respectively in mesh with the said gears on the shaft, and devices inde-
pendently operating to restrain or release said gears which are on the shaft.
5-In a variable speed gearing, a shaft, a wheel B loosely mounted thereon,
gear wheels C and D of varying sizes loosely mounted on said shaft to turn,
at opposite sides of said wheel, a journal shaft revolubly carried by said wheel B
and having fixed thereon at opposite sides of the wheel, gear wheels of different
sizes in mesh with said gear wheels C D, clutch devices independently operating

page_text: for temporarily connecting each said gear C and D) to the shaft, and inde-
pendent restraining means for each said gear wheel C, D, for preventing its
rotation, substantially as described.
6 In a variable speed mechanism, a shaft mounted for rotation, and a casing,
frame, or suitable stationary support, a carrier wheel loosely mounted to rotate
on said shaft and carrying at opposite sides thereof united planet gear wheels
rotatable thereon, a gear wheel D, at one side of the carrier wheel in mesh
with one of said planet gears, and means for locking it to the shaft, another
gear wheel C at the other side of the carrier wheel in mesh with the other
of said planet gears, and provided with a hub extension having the rim or
flange 23 with external and internal beveled faces, a clutch member fixed on
the shaft outside of the hub of said gear wheel C, and having the externally
beveled portion 25, and the internally beveled friction clutch portion 24 pro-
vided on said stationary support, the said clutch portion 23 of the gear wheel D
alternately engaging the beveled faces 24 and 25, and means for reversely
moving said clutch member 23.
7-In a variable speed mechanism, a shaft mounted for rotation, and a casing,
frame, or suitable stationary support, a carrier wheel loosely mounted to rotate
on said shaft and carrying at opposite sides thereof united planet gearing rota-
table thereon, a gear wheel 1) at one side of the carrier wheel in mesh with
one said planet gear provided with clutch members and coacting clutch members
on the shaft and on the fixed support; another gear wheel C at the other side
of the carrier wheel in mesh with the other said planet gear and provided with
a hub extension having the rim or flange 23 with external and internal beveled
faces, a clutch member fixed on the shaft outside of the hub of said gear
wheel C, and having the externally beveled portion 25 and the internally beveled
friction clutch face 24 provided on said support, the said clutch portion 23
alternately engaging the beveled faces 24 and 25, and means for moving said
gear and its clutch member.
8-The combination with a speed gearing having a clutch member and a
clutch-operating arm therewith engaged, of a handle-rod or post pivotally
mounted and having a portion thereof movable alongside a guard, a pawl
movably supported by said post and adapted to engage teeth which are provided
in the adjacent guard, and a pawl-releasing rod carried by the handle post, sub-
stantially as described.
9 The combination with a speed gearing having a clutch member and a
clutch-operating arm therewith engaged, of a tubular bar, provided at its upper
end with the spade handle, pivotally mounted, a curved guard alongside which
said bar moves, a pawl movably supported by said bar and adapted to engage
teeth which are provided in the adjacent guard, and a pawl-releasing rod
arranged within the tubular bar, and having the handle w³, and the spring w
10 In a speed gearing, the combination with double movable clutcli members
and operating rods connecting therewith, of a rotatable part with which one of
said clutch-operating rods is connected, a bar or lever pivotally mounted on
said rotatable part, with which said other rod is connected, and means for per-
mitting and preventing the swinging movement of the lever accordingly as the
plate on which it is mounted is rotationally moved.
11 In a variable speed gearing, the combination with double movable
clutch members thereof, and operating rods respectively connected therewith,
of a rotatable plate p having the slot 82, and to which plate one of said clutch-
operating rods is connected, an operating handle-lever H pivotally secured to
said plate and adapted to have its portion adjacent the plate movable through
said slot, the opposing guard plates between which the extremity of said handle-
lever is extended serving to prevent the swinging movement of the lever while
the slot of the plate is angular thereto, and a connection between the other
clutch-operating rod and the handle-lever, substantially as described.
12-The combination with the speed gearing, consisting of a fixed support

page_text: and oppositely arranged clutch members thereto provided, the shaft A mounted
for rotation within said support and having the clutch members 13 and 25, a
carrier wheel B loosely rotatable on and relative to the shaft and carrying the
united planet wheels m and j, the gear wheel 1) adapted to be clutched to said
shaft clutch 13, or to one of the clutches of the stationary support, the
gear wheel C and the clutch member 23 thereof adapted to engage either the
adjacent shaft clutch or the fixed support clutch, clutch-operating connections q
and r, rotatable plate having the slot 32 to which one of said connections is
secured, the handle-bar H pivotally mounted to swing relatively to and through
the slot of said rotatable plate, and the opposing guards between which
said handle-lever is extended, and parallel with or angular to which the said
slot of the plate may be brought by a rotational movement of the handle-lever,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.