GB131816A - - Google Patents

Abstract

131,816. Rose, M. Jan. 3, 1919. Variable speed toothed gearing. - A variablespeed and reversing gear for motor-vehicles &c. comprises a circular plate 2 driven by bevel gearing from the driving shaft 1. engaging a sphere 5 connected to the driven shaft 6. The plate has a number of circular rows of projections 9, 10, 11 adapted to gear with depressions in the sphere arranged in great circles passing through two poles 8, the sphere being rolled over the face of the plate to vary the speed. The sphere rotates with a sleeve 7 on the shaft 6, but is enabled to roll by the provision of slots 20. In the neutral position, a central projection on the plate fits into a hole in the sphere. If rolled beyond this position, a reverse drive is obtained. The sleeve 7 is moved along the shaft by a fork 22 and sector 25. To ensure that it can only be moved when the axis 8 of the sphere is horizontal, a rod 26 connected to an eccentric strap 37 engages a number of recesses 27, one for each speed, and is withdrawn by the eccentric once in each revolution, when the axis 8 is horizontal. The sleeve 7 may be disconnected from the shaft 6 by swing- ing a pivoted key 28 into a slot 31 by a fork 35, and the sphere is then moved into the neutral position by a spring 36. The gearing may be rendered continuously variable by providing friction surfaces on the plate and sphere between the rows of teeth.