Patent ID: 7699745

Claim:
A multi-speed transmission comprising: an input shaft; an output shaft; first, second and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members; wherein one of said first and second planetary gear sets has a fourth member; wherein only one of said first and second planetary gear sets has a ring gear member; said output shaft being continuously interconnected with a member of said planetary gear sets; said input shaft being continuously or selectively interconnected with a member of said planetary gear sets; a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said first member of said first or second planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set or with a stationary member; said second member of said first planetary gear set being continuously interconnected with said second member of said second planetary gear set; said third member of said first planetary gear set being continuously interconnected with said third member of said second planetary gear set; a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first or second planetary gear set with a member of said third planetary gear set or with said input shaft; a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said third planetary gear set with a member of said first or second planetary gear set, or with said input shaft; a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first or second planetary gear set with a member of said third planetary gear set or with said stationary member; a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first or second planetary gear set with a member of said third planetary gear set or with said stationary member; said torque-transmitting mechanisms being engaged in combinations to establish at least five forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input shaft and said output shaft; wherein the first, second and third members of the respective first and second planetary gear sets and the fourth member of said one of said first and second planetary gear sets include a respective sun gear member; wherein the sun gear member of said first planetary gear set is not continuously connected to any of said members of said third planetary gear set; wherein the sun gear member of said second planetary gear set is not continuously connected to any of said members of said third planetary gear set; and wherein one of said first, second, third and fourth torque transmitting mechanisms selectively interconnects one of said members of said third planetary gear set with one of said members of said first or second planetary gear set.