Patent ID: 8235193

Claim:
A gear synchronizing system, comprising: a component carrier, wherein the component carrier comprises a plurality of walled recesses extending radially from an outer perimeter of the component carrier, wherein the component carrier includes a central aperture formed therethrough, wherein the central aperture is formed so as to accept a splined shaft therethrough and interact with the splined shaft, and wherein interaction between the component carrier and the splined shaft allows transfer of rotation between the splined shaft and the component carrier while also allowing the component carrier to slide axially along the splined shaft between a normal position and an engaged position relative to an associated friction plate; a plurality of friction members, wherein each friction member includes a contact surface, and wherein each friction member is pivotably coupled, via a rotation pin, within a respective one of said plurality of walled recesses of the component carrier, and wherein each friction member is pivotable between a normal position and an engaged position, such that when the component carrier is urged toward the associated friction plate, at least a portion of the contact surface of the friction members initially contacts a surface of the friction plate and, as the component carrier continues to be urged toward the associated friction plate, each friction member is rotated, about the friction member's associated rotation pin, such that at least a portion of the contact surface of each friction member continues to contact a surface of the friction plate; and at least one final engagement component associated with the component carrier, wherein the at least one final engagement component of the component carrier is capable of interacting with a final engagement component of a friction plate when the component carrier is in the engaged position and disengaging from the final engagement component of the friction plate when the component carrier is in the normal position, and wherein the at least one final engagement component associated with the component carrier comprises a friction medium.