GB586744A - Improvements relating to operating mechanisms for change speed gears - Google Patents

Abstract

586,744. Variable-speed gearing. ALBION ENGINEERING CO., Ltd., and HILL, W. H. Sept. 2, 1944, No. 16770. [Class 80 (ii)] Relates to change gear operating mechanism wherein a gear selecting shaft 1, rotatably housed within the gear box 3, is adapted, when turned about its axis by a gear selector lever 2, to select any one of three or more speed ratios, and when positioned intermediate its bottom and second gear selecting positions to be in the neutral position. According to the invention, the gear-selecting lever 2 and a neutral selecting lever 8 are pivoted about separate fulcra, that of the lever 8 being co-axial with the shaft 1, the lever 8 and shaft 1 being so inter-connected that, as the gear lever 2 is actuated to move the shaft 1 from its neutral position to cause a change to a higher gear ratio, the lever 8 moves with the shaft 1, and subsequent displacement of the lever 8 against a stop 14 returns the shaft 1 to its neutral position. As shown, a bush 6 fixed to the shaft 1 is surrounded by the hub of the lever 8. A pointer 7 on the bush 6 passes through a slot 10 in the hub, the circumferential width of the slot being greater than that of the finger. A bolt 12 and springs 13 hold the parts together and prevent rattling. In the neutral position, Fig. 2, the lever 8 abuts the adjustable stop 14. The lever 2 is arranged so that after each operation it returns to a central position. Upward movement of the lever 2 will cause clockwise movement of the shaft 1 and bring in the lowest speed ratio, the slot 10 permitting this movement. Successive depressions of the lever 2 will bring in the higher gear ratios, during which operations the finger 7 will move the lever 8 anticlockwise away from the stop 14. Whatever gear ratio, other than the lowest, is in operation, depression of the lever 8 against the stop 14 will bring the gear to the neutral position.