GB882538A - Improvements in and relating to engine and other controls - Google Patents

Abstract

882,538. Change-speed control; rack-andpinion gearing. TELEFLEX PRODUCTS Ltd. June 27, 1960 [Sept. 11, 1959], No. 31132/59. Classes 80 (1) and 80 (2). An engine or other control comprises a single operating lever 21 which effects two distinct purposes, for example the engaging of forward or reverse and progressive opening of the throttle of the engine of a marine vessel from the idle running position by movement of the lever in either direction from a neutral position. Two reciprocable slides 23, 39 are provided, the slide 23 being connected by a cable or other suitable means to the reverse gearing shift means and the slide 39 being connected to the engine throttle. Slide 23 is formed with a short rack portion 22 terminating at each end in a curved part 63, and the rack is meshed by teeth 16 formed on a small part of the periphery of a wheel 14, the rest of the. periphery being of reduced diameter and engaging the parts 63 when the slide is at the extreme ends of its path so that the slide 23 is held stationary during further rotation of the wheel. The wheel has a hub 13 within which a hub 25 is rotatably mounted. A crank-pin 29 is. secured to the hub 25 and has a link 30 and lever 32 connection with the slide 39 controlling the throttle. The two hubs 13, 25 are connected for rotation together by a pin 52 passing through holes in the hubs, the pin being secured to the operating lever 21. In a neutral position of the lever the teeth of wheel 14 mesh the centre of the rack 22 and the slide 39 is in an end position with the crank-pin 29 in a dead-centre position. During initial rotation of the lever 21 the rack 22 is moved to one end position or the other to engage forward or reverse, after which it is held stationary by the untoothed part of wheel 14 engaging one of the parts 63. During this rotation of the lever the slide 39 does not move significantly. Further rotation of the lever 21 moves slide 39 to its other end position in which the throttle is fully open. In the neutral position of lever 21 it can be raised, against the loading of a spring 53 to raise pin 52 out of the hole in the hub 13 so that rotation of the lever will now open the throttle without engaging forward or reverse. The lever must be returned to neutral before it can be lowered to again rotate the hub 13. When the hub 13 is disengaged from the lever it is retained in its neutral position by a spring-pressed pin 54 mounted in the casing engaging its hole.