Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Radcliffe

Thomas R. Radcliffe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4455883
    Abstract: A combined shift control for a motor vehicle driveline comprising a change speed gear transmission and a two speed axle whereby, for instance, a five speed gear box with one reverse gear is effectively extended to provide a seven speed driveline with one reverse gear. The gear box includes three parallel shift rods (12, 13, 14) each carrying a respective selector block (15, 16, 17). The slot (18) of the fourth/fifth selector block (17) is deeper than usual so that the gear lever (21) can operate it in two different transverse positions. In the first position the gear lever (21) actuates the fourth and fifth gears, but in the second position, after overcoming a spring-loaded plunger (20) and operating two micro-switches (24) which serve to change the axle ratio to a higher value, the gear lever (21) effectively actuates two further driveline speeds (sixth/seventh) when selector block 17 is caused to move the shift rod 14 to engage fourth and fifth transmission gears again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Radcliffe