Patent ID: 7175563

Claim:
A multiple speed transmission comprising: an input; an output; a first input clutch driveably connected to the input; a second input clutch driveably connected to the input; a gear system comprising first, second, third and fourth planetary gear units, each gear unit including a sun gear, a ring gear, planet pinions meshing with the sun gear and ring gear, and a carrier rotatably supporting the planet pinions, the third gear unit including a second sun gear meshing with the planet pinions of the third gear unit; the carrier of the first gear unit, ring gear of the second gear unit and carrier of the third gear unit being mutually driveably connected and secured to the output; the ring gear of the first gear unit and carrier of the second gear unit being mutually driveably connected; the carrier of the fourth gear unit and ring gear of the third gear unit being mutually driveably connected; the second sun gear of the third gear unit and the sun gear of the fourth gear unit being mutually driveably connected; a first coupler releasably engagable between the second input clutch and alternately the sun gear of the first gear unit, and the ring gear of the first gear unit; a second coupler releasably engagable between the sun gear of the fourth gear unit and alternately the sun gear of the second gear unit, and the mutually connected carrier of the fourth gear unit and ring gear of the third gear unit; a third coupler releasably engagable between a ground member and alternately the ring gear of the fourth gear unit, and the mutually connected ring gear of the third gear unit and carrier of the fourth gear unit; and a fourth coupler releasably engagable between a ground member and alternately the sun gear of the second gear unit, and the mutually connected carrier of the second gear unit and ring gear of the first gear unit.