GB405273A - Improvements in driving mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

405,273. Variable - speed gearing; free-wheel clutches. LANSING, R. P., 11, Grove Terrace, Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.A. April 27, 1932, No. 12067. Convention date, April 28, 1931. [Class 80 (ii).] In a variable-speed gear, the direct drive and one geared drive may be transmitted either positively or through a screw-and-nut operated freewheel friction clutch as desired. The driving shaft 19, Fig. 1, carries rigidly a gear 38, while a gear 93 rotatable on the driven shaft 31 is driven at a reduced speed from the gear 37 on the driving-shaft through a gear 39, countershaft 32, and a gear 41. The free-wheel clutch 64 may be connected, between the driven shaft and either of the gears 38, 93 to give a direct and a reduced drive respectively. The clutch 64, see also Fig. 2, comprises annular plates splined alternately to a barrel 66 and to the nut 63, the screw 74 being keyed to a sleeve 77 splined to the shaft 31, a ball bearing 85 being interposed between the flange 83 on the sleeve 77 and a shoulder in the barrel 66 to take up the thrust of the screw. The movement of the nut is limited by a flange 80 on the screw and a shoulder 80a on the barrel, and at the other end by a lock-nut 75. The movement of the presser-plate 72 is limited by an annular stop 73 on the splined barrel 66, so that in the position shown the plates are just touching. On sliding the barrel 66 to the left, internal teeth 69 thereon engage the driving gear 38, and the slight friction between the clutch plates rotates the screw so that it moves to the left and establishes a driving connection by cumulative action, the torque-transmitting capacity of the clutch being, however, limited according to the pressure exerted by the springs 70 when the nut 63 comes against the stop 75. Further movement of the barrel to the left causes external teeth 77a on the sleeve 77 to engage internal teeth 100 on the driving gear 38, to give a solid drive. On sliding the barrel 66 to the right, internal teeth 88 thereon engage teeth 89 on a rigid extension 90 of the gear-wheel 93, giving a freewheel reduced drive. Further movement of the barrel to the right causes teeth 77b on the sleeve 77 to engage teeth 95 in the extension 90 to give a positive drive. A solid, further reduced drive and a reverse drive may be obtained respectively through gears 42, 43 on the countershaft 32 engaging directly or through an idler 54 respectively a gear 53 splined to the shaft 31. All the changes in drive may be effected by a single lever 115, which may be moved to engage a yoke 118 placed in a groove in the barrel 66, or to engage a collar on the shift-rod 30 of the gear.