Abstract: An automatic power shift transfer case for a four wheel drive vehicle has a front high-low range planetary gear set and a rear differential planetary gear set aligned symmetrically about the transfer case central shaft axis. The front and rear planetary gear sets are arranged in a back-to-back substantially mirror image manner so as to share a common carrier interposed therebetween. The front planetary gear set with either its low or high range clutch applied selectively delivers a corresponding speed through the common carrier to the rear planetary gear set. The torque flow is split in a predetermined manner wherein a minimum torque to maximum may be selectively delivered to the rear axle, via a rear planetary gear set modulating clutch while the remaining torque is normally delivered to the front axle. Lock-up of the modulating clutch allows the front axle to be disconnected providing a two-wheel drive mode.

Abstract: A shift inhibitor for a manual transmission synchronizer clutch positioned on the main shaft and operative to prevent down-shifting to engage a selected speed gear with the output shaft being driven above a predetermined speed. The synchronizer hub has one or more pairs of diametrically opposed radially extending keyways with each keyway having a blocking key slidably disposed therein. A C-shaped wire spring partially surrounds the main shaft and has hook portions at each of its free ends retaining an associated pair of keys. The spring urges the pair of keys inwardly to a rest position wherein the synchronizer sleeve may be shifted to engage an associated speed gear of the transmission. Upon reaching a predetermined drive shaft rotational speed the pair of keys move outwardly under centrifugal force to a determined extended location whereby the extended keys contact shoulder stop faces of the sleeve internal splines preventing the sleeve from engaging the associated speed gear.

Abstract: A spring-assisted transfer case fork assembly for shifting a synchronizer clutch sleeve from its neutral position to complete lockup of its internal splines with external splines on a transmission shaft speed-change gear. The invention uniquely arranges a dual spring biased bracket on the fork shift rail allowing subsequent lagging travel of the shifting mechanism. The shift fork assembly is affixed to a tube member with forward and aft tube portions adapted to slide on the rail for reciprocal travel between its neutral and complete lock-up positions. A first compression spring operates to constantly bias the bracket's one flange in predetermined space relation with the tube member's opposed end. A second weaker compression spring biases the bracket aft flange forwardly into abutment with the tube member's other end.

Abstract: An improved multi-cone strutless synchronizer has one or more cone rings concentrically disposed intermediate an outer blocker ring and an inner exterior cone surface of a ratio gear journally supported on a speed shaft. The cone ring is formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending drive tangs projecting into an associated window of the ratio gear. Each drive tang is symmetrical about its longitudinal centerline defining a pair of back-angled cam edges diverging outwardly at an acute angle from the centerline. Each window has a side wall disposed in spaced parallel relation with an associated tang cam edge and adapted to be slidably engaged thereby upon the synchronizer sleeve being moved toward the ratio gear whereby the synchronizing torque is increased for a given synchronizer force.

Abstract: An improved clutch shift mechanism for use with a motor vehicle transfer case. A cylindrical drive shell is concentrically positioned around a shaft axis in spaced relation to a relatively rotatable coaxial coupling member formed with external spline teeth. A plurality of axially directed circumferentially spaced slots are provided in the drive shell with each slot receiving a rocker key having an internal spline tooth at each ends of its inner face. The interior of the drive shell has grooves sized to capture therein a center and side annular springs. Each rocker key inner surface has a center notch and side notches receiving their associated springs therein with the key in its neutral position. An axially slidable shift ring surrounds the shell and includes an annular cam surface engaging a central depression in each key.

Abstract: An auxiliary transmission unit having multiple countershafts is disclosed for use in a motor vehicle. The countershafts are disposed about an input sun gear and an output sun gear in such a manner as to provide an opening for a shift fork to reach a central shift mechanism locating the planet gears, one with respect to the other, at angular alignment positions in an unequally spaced manner. A tooth of one sun gear at an alignment position will be aligned with a tooth of the other sun gear at least once during one revolution of a countershaft. The unequal spacing of the countershafts provides reduced height for the auxiliary transmission housing.

Abstract: A manual shift transmission having multiple input and output portions is provided with a control having input and output shift rails. A laterally movable control shaft extends axially through cutouts in respective shift rails and carries cams adapted to cooperate with cam follower surfaces on corresponding cutouts to effect rectilinear movement of the shift rails upon rotation of the control shaft. The cams are arranged on the shaft so that the shaft may be positioned to place respective cams in register with the input and output shift rails while all other cams are out of register with the rail cutouts. The shift movement of respective output and input shift rails is overlapped during the rotation of the control shaft to decrease the throw of the shift lever.

Abstract: A dual path, dual range transmission utilizes two simple planetaries with a sliding shaft shift wherein a first ring gear is in constant mesh with the first planet gear, the second ring gear is connected with the first carrier and the second ring gear is also in constant mesh with the second planet gear. A variable speed device, drivingly connected with the input shaft, controllably varies the rotative speed of a variable speed control shaft which is connected with the first and second sun gears. The input shaft is also independently drivingly connected with the first ring gear and the second planet carrier, with the output shaft being connected with the first carrier.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism of the rocker-shift type has a carrier member interposed between and affixed to one of a rotatable driving and a rotatable driven member. The carrier member has circumferentially spaced rocker arms, having normally self-disengaging clutch portions, that are adapted to be rocked radially, on at least one end thereof, by means of a shift yoke and collar, for selective rocking engagement into coupling engagement with adjacent corresponding normally self-disengaging clutch portions on the other of the driving and driven members.