GB310564A - An improved free-wheel clutch for motor vehicles and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

310,564. Miller, W., and Lamb, H. T. Jan. 28. 1928. Clutches, ratchet; facilitating changing speed.-A ball, roller, or ball-androller free-wheel clutch for motor vehicles &c. comprises a . driving- member 2, Figs. 1 and 2, mounted on an extension 1 of the gear-box tailshaft and carrying in each of its slots 2b preferably two rollers &c. 4, 5, the inner rollers 5 contacting with the boss of the propeller-shaft member 3 and the outer rollers 4 with doubleended sliding wedges 6, which coact with the interior of the part 3, this construction resembling the ratchetgear clutch shown in Fig. 9 of Specification 271,338, [Class 80 (iii), Linkwork &c.]. Stops 7 on a sliding collar 8 normally engage the wedges 6 to prevent their reverse slopes 6<b> from being operative, but can be withdrawn by a manual control 15 acting through linkage 10, 12 - - 14 on a fork 9, if the engine is to be used as a brake, and when so withdrawn, are obstructed by the wedges until the engine again drives. The control 15 lies in the path of the change-speed lever 16, so that the clutch is automatically rendered bidirectional when reverse-gear is engaged. Elastic " takeup " of the clutch is ensured by the presence of oil between the wedges 6 and member 3. A single roller in each slot 2b may be used if clearance is provided in the slots to allow, free rolling action. The double-ended wedges may be replaced by sets of forward and reverse singleended wedges, Fig. 4 (not shown), arranged either alternately or side-by-side in two rows, the stops 7 acting only on the reverse wedges. Fig. 3 shows a modification, in which the rollercarrier 19 is loose, a single or other odd number of rollers 20 in each slot coacting with the inner driving-member 17 and with the double wedges 6, which grip the outer driven member 18. The stops 7 slide on the loose cage 19.