Patents Examined by Lawrence J. Gotts
  • Patent number: 4339962
    Abstract: A switching device for variable speed gears in machine tools having an assembly which includes a plurality of axially disposed, rotatably-driven cam discs, each of which is associated with an electric microswitch. Non-rotatable spacers serve to position the cam discs. A spherical key bed clamp axially clamps the cam discs together while permitting rotation of individual ones thereof. A non-rotating indicating disc displays the present RPM or respective gear stage. A shock absorber in the individual gear trains between switching bars and their respective electric motors provides sufficient damping and cushioning to prevent a hard start-up impact when the motor is switched on or when a sliding gear block is engaged. The shock absorber may include an elastic linkage or an elastic spur gear in a toothed wheel gear reduction unit located between the motor drive shaft and the link shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Maho Werkzeugmaschinenbau Babel & Co.
    Inventor: Werner Babel
  • Patent number: 4334440
    Abstract: A continuously varying transmission employs gears only, and includes three gear sets A, B and C, each including first, second and third gears; the first gears of the A and C sets are interconnected to rotate together, and the first gear of the B set is connected to the third gear of the C set to rotate as a unit; and the second gear (or gears) of the A set is connected by carrier structure to the third gear of the B set to rotate as a unit and to allow rotation of the second gear (or gears) relative to the third gear of the B set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Inventor: Hugo Fonck
  • Patent number: 4327604
    Abstract: A continuously variable ratio power transmission for a motor vehicle consists of two planetary gear sets and overrunning clutches to continuously modify said transmission reduction ratio as a function of the output shaft load conditions. A continuously variable ratio power transmission for a motor vehicle wherein one planetary gear set divides the input shaft torque and speed between two driven members of said planetary gear set which comprise the driving members of a second planetary gear set whose direction of angular motion is determined by overrunning clutches to limit the maximum reduction ratio range possible. A transmission of the aforementioned configuration allows a continuous change of reduction ratio as the magnitude of the torque delivered to the input shaft approaches the magnitude of the torque demanded by the output shaft load. The continuous change of reduction ratio allows the input shaft, and hence, the engine, to operate at nearly constant load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Inventor: Rix E. Evans
  • Patent number: 4324552
    Abstract: A belt drive system comprising a drive sheave, a driven sheave, a belt providing driving engagement between said sheaves and a clutch for engaging and disengaging said driving engagement. The clutch is engaged and disengaged by moving an idler pulley assembly toward and away from the belt and by moving the driven sheave away from and toward the drive sheave. The clutch further includes an actuator member for providing simultaneous coordinated movement of the idler pulley assembly and driven sheave for engagement and disengagement of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sidney J. Boushek, Jr., Travis B. Unterzuber
  • Patent number: 4319499
    Abstract: In a final drive gearing of a power transmission unit, which comprises a drive pinion shaft supported by a pair of axially spaced bearings carried on an upright partition wall of a trans-axle casing and including a pinion in mesh with a crown wheel, an abdominal cavity is provided on the partition wall to receive lubrication oil dipped up by rotation of the crown wheel, and a lateral hole is provided through the partition wall to communicate the cavity into an annular space around the drive pinion shaft between the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Sanui, Kaoru Wakahara, Yasuyoshi Yasui
  • Patent number: 4317389
    Abstract: A vehicle drive transmission system includes a continuously variable speed-control unit of the expansible pulley type whose output shaft is drivingly connected via a reduction gear unit to a differential gear. The differential gear has two coaxial output shafts which are connected to the half shafts of the vehicle's driving wheels. Both the reduction gear unit and the differential gear are epicyclic in form and are arranged coaxial with the output shaft of the speed control unit. To accommodate this compact arrangement, both the output shaft of the speed control unit and the input shaft of the reduction gear unit are made hollow so that one of the output shafts of the differential gear can extend therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianluigi Falzoni
  • Patent number: 4291591
    Abstract: Motion transmitting apparatus includes a case member, a pair of coaxial shaft members, and a pair of shuttle members. The members rotate about the shaft axis in unison as a differential mechanism, with differential action between the shaft members provided by oscillation and reciprocation of the shuttle members in opposite directions relative to another axis perpendicular to the shaft axis. Grounding the case member causes this opposite oscillation and reciprocation of the shuttle members to provide a reversal of the direction of rotation of the shaft members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Ross