Sliding Clutch Operator Patents (Class 74/372)
  • Patent number: 8272655
    Abstract: A mini bike for strengthening a leg muscle, and for enjoying amusement and a leisure time is provided. The mini bike having a pedal as a power generator includes: a driver having a first bevel gear in order to transmit rotation power generated by a rolling motion of a pedal; a second bevel gear installed to transmit rotation power generated in the driver; a first power transmission gear coaxially installed in the second bevel gear to transmit rotation power to a spline shaft; a clutch positioned at the spline shaft to selectively connect rotation power of the first power transmission gear to a first gearshift and a second gearshift and for controlling a low speed and a high speed; a first driving gear and a second driving gear for rotating by selection of the clutch; and a driving controller including a gearshift in which the clutch is connected to the cable in order to select the first gearshift and the second gearshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Mi Nar Kim
  • Patent number: 8245590
    Abstract: A device (1) for transmitting torque from a first shaft (2) to a second shaft (3) of a transmission device, in particular a counter shaft transmission. The device (1) has a first gear (5) supported on the first shaft (2) by a bearing device (4) and which, in an assembled state, engages a second gear (6) arranged on the second shaft (3). The first gear (5) can be shifted into an activated state in which the first gear is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first shaft (2). A supporting mechanism (18) is associated with the first gear (5), next to the bearing device (4), via which tilting moments present and acting on the first gear (5), at least in a connected state, are transmitted to and supported by the first shaft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Mark Mohr, Ralf Dreibholz, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger
  • Patent number: 8245589
    Abstract: A device (4) for actuating a component mounted to rotate on a shaft (3), preferably a gearwheel (3A to 3D) made as a loose wheel of a transmission device (1). The component can be shifted by an engaging device (4A, 4B) that includes at least one electric actuator (5, 17) to an engaged condition in which the component is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the shaft (3), and such that the component can be acted upon with the actuation force needed for its engagement or disengagement from inside the shaft (3) outwardly. The electric actuator (5, 17) is at least partially arranged inside the shaft (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mark Mohr, Matthias Reisch, Ralf Dreibholz
  • Patent number: 8215197
    Abstract: A device for actuating a gearwheel of a transmission device. The gearwheel rotates on a shaft and can be shifted by way an engagement mechanism that includes at least one actuator that is arranged at least partially inside the shaft. The actuator can be actuated by a pressure medium to fix the gearwheel to the shaft. The actuation force required for engaging or disengaging the gearwheel can come from within the shaft. The actuator is a piston-cylinder unit which is either rotationally fixed to the shaft or rotationally fixed relative the shaft. When the actuator is rotationally fixed relative to the shaft, the active connection between the actuator and the gearwheel, which is to be shifted, includes a drive decoupling unit between the actuator and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Mark Mohr, Matthias Reisch
  • Patent number: 8001865
    Abstract: An electromagnetic shifting device for a transmission (1) with an electronic control unit (22) and toothed gear wheels (6, 7), which are mounted to rotate on a transmission shaft (2) about an axis (3). To implement a gear stage, the toothed gear wheels can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the transmission shaft by moving a shifter pawl (4) axially along the axis. The shifter pawl is moved axially along the axis by a linear motor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernd Müller
  • Patent number: 7997159
    Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a gear selector assembly including a tube with at least one engagement feature, arranged to be disposed within a drive shaft for a transmission, the transmission including at least one gear and the drive shaft including at least one gear actuation assembly; and a differential rotation element coupled with the tube and arranged to be coupled with the drive shaft so that the tube is differentially rotatable with respect to the drive shaft. The tube is arranged to differentially rotate such that the engagement feature engages the actuation assembly and the transmission engages a respective gear from the at least one gear. The assembly includes a means for displacing a portion of the differential rotation element such that the tube axially and rotationally displaces with respect to the drive shaft. The portion axially and rotationally engages with an interface element to controllably position the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hemphill, Mavinkal Jayaram, Brian Lee, Robert Southam
  • Patent number: 7882758
    Abstract: The driving force can be transmitted at the time of both acceleration and deceleration in an engaged state where a first engagement face of a strut is forced to protrude inside a cutaway of a gear. The driving force is transmitted at the time of acceleration and the transmission of the driving force can be cut off at the time of deceleration in a one-way state where the first engagement face of the strut and the cutaway of the gear are made either to engage with or to disengage from each other in accordance with the rotational direction of the gear relative to the rotational shaft. The transmission of the driving force can be cut off at the time of both acceleration and deceleration in a disengaged state where the first engagement face of the strut is forced to withdraw from the cutaway of the gear. In addition, the decreasing of the transmission efficiency caused by friction between the strut and the gear can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Kubo, Ryo Matsui, Kouhei Ohsono, Toshio Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 7597638
    Abstract: A transmission including an input cog assembly mounted to an input shaft and an output cog assembly mounted to an output shaft. The input and output cog assemblies include a plurality of varying diameter input and output cogs, respectively, arranged sequentially. A chain links a pair of input and output cogs for transmitting power from the input cog assembly to the output cog assembly. The chain, in operation, has a high-tension side and a low-tension side. A derailleur is engageable with the low-tension side of the chain to laterally urge the chain from a current output cog to a destination output cog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: James A. Cooke
  • Patent number: 7434488
    Abstract: A transmission for a tractor comprises a transmission case having an opening that opens to exterior of the transmission case and a speed change device that is housed in the transmission case. The transmission also includes a cover removably attached to the transmission case for closing the opening of the transmission, a main speed change shift fork supported by the cover and capable of engaging with and moving a main speed change shifter, and a sub speed change shift fork supported by the cover and capable of engaging with and moving a sub speed change shifter. The cover is capable of mounting a creep speed change device having a creep speed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Tsuji, Toshimitsu Yazaki, Toshinobu Owada
  • Patent number: 7055403
    Abstract: A clutch assembly has a driving assembly and a transmission assembly. The driving assembly has an input axle and at least one driving gear. The transmission assembly is connected to the driving assembly and has an output axle, at least one driven gear, an inner axle and a unidirectional transmitting device. The driven gear is rotatably mounted on the output axle and engages with the driving gear. The inner axle is slidably mounted in the output axle and is engaged with the output axle to rotate with the output axle. The unidirectional transmitting device is mounted in the output to make the inner axle being driven by the at least one driven gear rotate in a unidirectional manner and to provide a clutching effect when the inner axle slides relative to the output axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Ho-Tung Liu
  • Patent number: 6978692
    Abstract: An automated transmission device with torque transfer having an input shaft (18) that supports drive pinions (20), each of which is engaged with a driven pinion (22) that is mounted freely rotating on a output shaft (12); controlled unidirectional locking mechanism (24) which are mounted between the shaft (12) and the driven pinions (22); and mechanical device for activating the locking mechanisms (24) in a positive manner including at least one cam (26) which translationally moves inside the output shaft (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Pascal Thery
  • Patent number: 6883395
    Abstract: A transmission shift system for idler wheels comprising at least one actuating device that actuates a respective sliding sleeve non-rotatably connected with a main shaft in order to bring the sliding sleeve to positive fit with an idler wheel to be shifted. It is provided that the shiftable idler wheel is disposed upon the main shaft directly juxtaposed in axial direction and that the respective actuating devices are provided as unit on the main shaft outside the group of idler wheels, each actuating device being connected with the respective sliding sleeve via at least one connecting element extending along the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hermann Lanz
  • Patent number: 6830208
    Abstract: A fishing reel has high speed and low speed gears that are indexed to one another. They are free to rotate relative to one another on a gear shaft, but cannot move axially relative to one another. This gear set can be translated along the gear shaft, into engagement with two separate drive means; one for the low speed gear and one for the high-speed gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Penn Fishing Tackle Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Peter T. Datcuk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6789441
    Abstract: A transmission between a drive member and a drive shaft (1) of an automotive engine comprising, in a housing (2), a friction clutch constituted by at least one rotatable driving element (3) and at least one driven element coming into bearing contact with variable gripping to obtain a variation of the couple transmitted to the output shaft (1) under the action of a control device that at least partially projects from the housing (2). The control device is automatically actuated by two separate inertial forces, one, generated by the driver of the engine, tending to bring together the drive element (3) and the driven element when the resistance to forward movement of the engine increases, the other, generated by the mass of the engine tending to uncouple the drive element (3) and driven element when the resistance to advance of the engine decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: France Reducteurs
    Inventor: Robert Blanchard
  • Patent number: 6435057
    Abstract: A gear constructional unit with a gear housing is provided. In order to make the effective diameter of the inner gear elements greater, as well as to ensure a simple assembly and exchangeability of the individual gear elements, for example coupling arrangements and planetary wheel sets, there are provided at least two bar-form guide elements, which extend, as viewed in an axial direction, over at least a part of the axial extent of the cylindrical inner space, on which a large number of gear elements are mounted in fixed position with respect to the housing. The bar-form guide elements are located adjacent to the cylindrical inner space, outside of a zone having the greatest dimension of the cylindrical inner space relative to the gear housing dimension, and are arranged in recesses in the gear housing which are connected with the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tillmann Korner, Achim Paul Schieder
  • Patent number: 6360977
    Abstract: A change-speed construction is adapted for use in a fishing reel, and includes a rotary arm pivotally mounted on a side plate of a reel body at an inner end thereof, a handle unit fixed on an outer end of the rotary arm, and a control shaft mounted on the inner end of the rotary arm. The control shaft is biased to an extended position relative to the reel body. A hollow housing is fixed on the inner end of the rotary arm, and permits extension of the control shaft therethrough. The control shaft is axially movable from the extended position to a retracted position. A spring member is disposed in the housing. A retaining member includes an elongated retaining plate that has an inner end pivotally connected to a pivot member disposed in the housing, and a push knob connected fixedly to an outer end of the retaining plate in such a manner that the knob is exposed outwardly from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Liang-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 6357312
    Abstract: A gear wheel construction for use in a constant mesh gear box, the gear wheel construction characterized by a single gear wheel (100) provided about a shaft (18) in a rotatable and engageable manner, the gear wheel (100) being divided longitudinally (axially) into two components, the first being a synchro-gear wheel (102) and the second gear being a partially toothed gear wheel (104), wherein the synchro-gear wheel (102) is provided in constant mesh with a gear wheel (106) forming its gear wheel pair whilst the partially toothed gear wheel (104is meshed therewith intermittently during rotation, the synchro-gear wheel (102) and the partially toothed gear wheel (104) having provided therebetween at least one biasing means (108) allowing momentary asynchronous rotation therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: PreLoad International Limited
    Inventor: William Wesley Martin
  • Patent number: 6325315
    Abstract: A change-speed construction for a fishing rod includes a hollow cylindrical shaft, and a control shaft that is movable within the cylindrical shaft between an outer position and an inner position. A key member is carried on a carrier, which is disposed axially and movably within the cylindrical shaft. A coiled small compression spring has two ends that are fastened respectively to the carrier and the control shaft. Two gears are sleeved rotatably on the cylindrical shaft. The key member is engaged within a keyway unit in one of the gears when the control shaft is located at the outer position, and within a keyway unit in the other one of the gears when the control shaft is located at the inner position. As such, the key member is urged by the small compression spring to move smoothly between the keyway units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Liang-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 6065361
    Abstract: A gear system characterized by providing at least one gear-wheel (58a) about a shaft (34), the shaft (34) having as least one pawl member (84) located therein, the or each pawl member (84) being caused to move into and out of engagement with a gear-wheel (48a) normally rotating freely with respect to the shaft (34) passing therethrough by the positioning of a roving magnet (48) withing the shaft, the engagement of the pawl member (84) with the gear-wheel (48a) thereby causing that gear-wheel (48a) to rotate with the shaft (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Preload International Limited
    Inventors: William Wesley Martin, Michell Newton
  • Patent number: 5992254
    Abstract: A gear shift mechanism in a transmission connecting a drive source to an output via a clutch. The gear shift mechanism acts on a plurality of gear pairs to select one thereof during a speed change when the clutch is disengaged. The gear shift mechanism has a hollow shaft which can be the input or output shaft of the transmission. One of the gears of the gear pairs are idly mounted on the hollow shaft and the other of the gears of the gear pairs are secured to the output shaft or a further shaft connected thereto. Alocating tube rotates with the hollow shaft and is slidable therein. The locating tube and hollow shaft have a plurality of angularly aligned radial holes and when one of the idler gears of the gear pairs is selected for engagement, the locating tube is displaced to align the radial holes therein with holes in the selected idler gear. Each of the radial holes slidably supports an engagement pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton LTDA
    Inventor: Aryoldo Machado
  • Patent number: 5950490
    Abstract: A multi-clutched transmission system which may be implemented in an automobile or other motor vehicle. A common drive shaft is generally coupled to a number of clutches comprising a number of inner drive portions and a number of outer portions. A number of gears may be provided that are in contact with a selected one of the clutches. A pressurized hydraulic input chamber may move within the system to engage one of the clutches with a particular gear. When a particular one of the clutches is engaged, a specific torque is generated at the output drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Alfonso Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 5689998
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus for changing the speed of a driven member relative to the speed of a driving member for transmitting effectively continuous torque transfer between the members. The apparatus includes cam gears driven by a driving member, driven gears in continuous engagement with the cam gears, and a driven member which journals the driven gears for rotation. One section of the driving member is hollow and has a plurality of radially extending apertures, each containing a reciprocating detent for engaging an inner cam surface of a corresponding cam gear. A shift member mounts within a bore of the driving member and rotates about the longitudinal axis of the driving member to cause the detents to reciprocate between a cam gear engaged position and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: The Anchored Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Lee
  • Patent number: 5611556
    Abstract: A speed change mechanism, principally for use on a bicycle, is provided in which a plurality of driving gears and an associated plurality of driven gears are coupled by a plurality of drive chains, such that each driving gear and its associated driven gear form a gear pair, with each gear pair providing a different input-to-output drive ratio. The driving gears are fixedly mounted to a driving shaft that is operatively coupled to a power input, such as a pedal and crank assembly of a bicycle, and the driven gears are rotatably disposed around a driven hub, with means provided for shifting between and engaging one of the driven gears to the driven shaft, with the driven shaft further operatively coupled to an output gear that will transmit power to a rear wheel of a bicycle, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Robert P. Davidow
  • Patent number: 5592855
    Abstract: A shift key mechanism using a lateral pivot riding on milled ridges on the outer surface of a shift shaft in order to index a spring biased shift key to a gear location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Weirich, Kurt E. Vogt
  • Patent number: 5570608
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission for coupling to an engine includes a gear box or housing having an input and an output shaft, each rotatably mounted in the housing and extending therefrom. A clutch is coupled to releasably engage the input shaft to thereby couple the input shaft to an engine or the like. A plurality of first gears freely rotate on the input shaft while a plurality of second gears are mounted to the output shaft to rotate with the output shaft. Each of the second gears are intermeshed to constantly couple to one of the first gears. The input shaft has a bore extending thereinto from one end thereof and has a plurality of side openings into the center bore. A plurality of first gear engaging members are located between the input shaft in each of the first gear members for selectively engaging each first gear to the input shaft such that only one first gear is engaged to the input shaft at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Robert H. Miller
  • Patent number: 5560250
    Abstract: A variable speed mechanism includes a drive shaft, a plurality of drive gears each fixedly mounted around the drive shaft, a plurality of driven gears each respectively meshing with a corresponding one of the drive gears, a plurality of single direction needle bearings each fixedly mounted in a corresponding one of the plurality of driven gears, a driven shaft mounted in the plurality of single direction needle bearings, an elongated sleeve slidably mounted around the driven shaft, the elongated sleeve being slidable on the driven shaft between a first position where an enlarged free end thereof is fitted into a corresponding one of the single direction needle bearings such that the elongated sleeve is rotated by the associated driven gear, thereby rotating the driven shaft therewith, and a second position where the enlarged free end thereof is not in contact with any one of the single direction needle bearings such that the elongated sleeve and the driven gear stop rotating, a rack slidably mounted in parall
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Jung-Lin Hua
  • Patent number: 5542309
    Abstract: This gearbox whose arrangement is derived from that of motorcycle gearboxes, comprises organs according to the invention enabling it to be adapted, in particular for a motor vehicle.The selector shaft (10) which ensures the ratio shift by means of forks (29, 30, 31) may be decoupled from the latter thanks to a decoupling shaft (11) which disengages the counter-cams forming one piece with the forks from their respective cams provided on the selector shaft (10).One can thus select any ratio shift without having to shift through the intermediate ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: SMH Management Services AG
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, Hans R. Jenni, Andreas Wuthrich
  • Patent number: 5542310
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus for changing the speed of a driven member relative to the speed of a driving member while providing continuous torque to the driven member. The apparatus includes reducing gears driven by a driving member, annular cam gears in continuous engagement with the reducing gears, and a rotatably mounted hollow drum having a plurality of radially extending apertures each containing a detent arranged for reciprocating movement for engaging an inner cam surface of a corresponding cam gear mounted for rotation about an outer drum surface. A cam member mounted within the drum for reciprocal movement along the drum axis has an outer cam surface for respectively reciprocating the detents between a cam gear engaging position and a disengaged position. The inner cam surface of the cam gears have peak sections and valley sections, and axial movement of the cam member to initiate a gear shift is timed relative to the positions of the peak sections and valley sections on adjacent cam gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: The Anchored Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Lee
  • Patent number: 5540456
    Abstract: A hub for a bicycle can typically have an axle for being non-rotationally connected to a frame of the bicycle, a hub body rotatably mounted about the axle, and a drive element rotatably mounted on the axle. A plurality of transmission elements can preferably be disposed between the axle and the hub body for transmitting a drive force from the drive element to the hub body, and a selection between various gearing ratios provided by the transmission elements can preferably be provided by a selectively engageable ratchet mechanism and a control device for selectively engaging and disengaging the ratchet mechanisms. The ratchet mechanism can be provided by at least one pawl, biased radially inward by at least one spring, to non-rotationally couple a ring body in one direction of rotation with the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Meier-Burkamp, Werner Steuer
  • Patent number: 5537888
    Abstract: A constant-mesh manual/automatic transmission is disclosed. The transmission comprises a set of drive gears and a set of driven gears wherein each of drive gears constantly meshes with its counterpart of driven gears thereby enabling a plurality of the drive and driven gears to be packed within a reasonably small volume. The plurality of the drive and driven gears provides for a smooth power flow and decrease of energy loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Pavo Pusic
  • Patent number: 5445044
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus for changing the speed of a driven member relative to the speed of a driving member without interrupting the torque transfer between the members. The apparatus includes reducing gears driven by a driving member, annular cam gears in continuous engagement with the reducing gears, and a driven member which journals the cam gears for rotation. One section of the driven member is hollow and has a plurality of radially extending apertures each containing a reciprocating detent for engaging an inner cam surface or a corresponding cam gear. A shift member mounts within the bore of the driven member and moves along the rotational axis of the driven member to cause the detents to reciprocate between a cam gear engaged position and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: The Anchored Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Lee
  • Patent number: 5404768
    Abstract: A speed changing arrangement for the bicycle having a changing arrangement mounted on the frame of the bicycle and positioned between the left and right pedals. The speed changing arrangement generally includes: a speeding changing gear set engaging an output gear set, a gear shifting shaft and a hand lever to manipulate the gear shifting shaft. The hand lever can be utilized to manipulate a neutral gear cable and a gear shifting cable, so that the gear shifting shaft can be moved within a spacing between the speed changing gear set of the desired gear stage and the output gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventors: Tan J. Hwang, Chin K. Lo
  • Patent number: 5305651
    Abstract: A mechanical transmission (10) in particular for toy automobiles includes a substantially cylindrical element (19) rotating axially in kinematic connection with the motion output (22) of the transmission. On the cylindrical element (19) there are fitted in a rotating manner toothed gears (17, 18) each of which is in kinematic connection at a different ratio with the motion input of the transmission. Inside the cylindrical element (19) a cursor (24) is axially sliding between the gears (17, 18) for selective sequential radial engagement between the cylindrical element (19) and the gears (17, 18) so as to realize motion transmission with a different ratio between input and output through selection of engagement between the cylindrical element and a gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Peg Perego Pines, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianluca Perego
  • Patent number: 5214974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a central shaft (7) with desmodromic channels, coaxial and internal to a driven shaft (1), slidable in the two directions and exhibiting a plurality of longitudinal grooves (8) inside which, for every second cogged wheel (2) a corresponding plurality of heads (9a) of pivots (9) are housed and blocked, which pivot heads (9a) are destined to exit, with their free end and on a longitudinal sliding action of the said central shaft (7), from corresponding radial seats (10) realized on the said driven shaft (1); to key each single cogged wheel (2) to the said driven shaft (1), locking means (11) are envisaged in rotation, arranged on each second cogged wheel (2) and acting on each pivots (9) which exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Morbidelli S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Morbidelli
  • Patent number: 5109722
    Abstract: A variable speed, draw key transmission having a number of gears of different gear ratios rotatably journalled on a shaft. The shaft includes a keyway containing a slidable key that may be selectively moved between the gears to change the output speed of the transmission. The key includes a bump and the keyway a series of notches forming a detent for indicating to the operator the gear engaging positions of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Hufnagle, Steven J. Svoboda
  • Patent number: 5076111
    Abstract: A modular drive axle having left and right drive wheels and axles that are coupled to a differential. The left and right axles are in line and define a transverse axis. A bevel gear assembly having first and second bevel gears mounted on a drive shaft directs rotary motion from a transmission to the differential for driving the drive wheels. The bevel gear assembly drive shaft is perpendicular to the transverse axis and the transmission which is operatively coupled to the bevel gear assembly and arranged parallel to the transverse axis. The transmission is a collar shift transmission having an input collar with two output surfaces. The first output surface of the input collar drives a fixed countershaft gear having first and second output surfaces. The first and second output surfaces drive first and second intermediate gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Mahlon L. Love
  • Patent number: 5063794
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved key for an in-line transmission. The key is located within a channel in the shift shaft and selectively engages keyways of gears disposed about the shift shaft. A shift fork and collar axially move the key within the shift shaft by engaging and moving the base of the key. The key includes a shoulder which connects the head and the shank portion of the key, with the shoulder being thicker than the shank to cause more of the key to be supported within the shift shaft channel and thereby the key is better able to withstand the shearing forces which result from the rotational coupling of the shift shaft and the gears. The shoulder includes the portion of the key which extends out of the channel to the keyway and connects with the head, and which also faces the same direction as the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Roland L. von Kaler
  • Patent number: 5058447
    Abstract: A change-speed construction for a fishing reel. The construction has a cylindrical shaft for transmitting force from a handle arranged at an outer end position, a first gear rotatably fitted on the cylindrical shaft for high-speed winding, a second gear rotatably fitted on the cylindrical shaft for low-speed winding. The construction further has an engaging element for engaging either the first gear or the second gear for transmitting power from the cylindrical shaft, with the engaging element being slidable along an axis of the cylindrical shaft, an anti-slant portion having a slanting motion thereof restricted relative to the cylindrical shaft, and a posture maintaining mechanism including a portion attached to the anti-slant portion and a further portion attached to the engaging element. These portions come into sliding contact with either each other for preventing slant or `twist` of the engaging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Shimano Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Ikuta
  • Patent number: 4984478
    Abstract: A gear drive unit with an equalized shift is set forth. The gear drive unit is specifically a two-shaft transaxle having multiple forward speeds and at least one reverse speed. The transaxle specifically utilizes an existing transaxle housing originally designed to provide even more forward speeds. Certain existing internal components are also utilized. With the transaxle having fewer forward speeds, the forward speed gears are spaced farther apart on a shaft in the existing housing. To provide an equalized, in-line shift pattern, a shift coupling is employed between certain forward speed gears. The shift coupling connects one of the gears to the shaft when the coupling itself is engaged by a shift key of shift mechanism in the transaxle. Shifting through all gears is thereby accomplished by equal incremental movements of the shift mechanism of the transaxle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Crawford, James E. Hall
  • Patent number: 4867392
    Abstract: A speed changing device is provided for a fishing reel, which includes a first low speed gear engageable with a second low speed gear, a first high speed gear engageable with a second high speed gear, a shifter for selectively transmitting rotation of a handle shaft to the first low speed gear or the first high speed gear, and a wait mechanism having first and second springs which function so that, when the shifter is hindered from moving during the operation of the operating member, the movement of the shifter is temporarily delayed, and, when the hindrance is eliminated, the shifter automatically engages with the first low speed gear or the first high speed gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Shimano Industrial Company Limited
    Inventor: Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 4841794
    Abstract: Within a transmission casing (3) having therein a drive shaft (4), driven by an engine (1) through a main clutch (2), and a hollow speed-change shaft (5), a key-shift transmission mechanism (8) is disposed which comprises a plurality of meshing gears (9I-9V, 10I-10V) mounted respectively on the drive and change shafts. An axle (6) drivingly connected to left and right drive wheels (7) extends through the hollow change shaft. One end of the change shaft is spaced from an inner wall surface of the transmission casing for disposing therebetween an auxiliary clutch (13) which is operable between the change shaft and axle. Both of the main and auxiliary clutches are operated together.The transmission mechanism is provided for a plurality of variable speeds of a mower in a compact fashion owing to a co-axial arrangement of the hollow change shaft and the axle passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisaku Hikishima
  • Patent number: 4771636
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a straight input shaft, a first group of large and small gears rigidly mounted on the input shaft and adapted to turn with the shaft, a straight transmission shaft installed near and parallel to the input shaft; a second group of large and small gears rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft, the sizes of the gears being in opposite relationship with those of the gears in the first group on the input shaft, a third gear rigidly mounted on the transmission shaft, a back gear rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft, partition rings installed between each of the gears in the second group, the third gear, and the back gear with no gap between the partition rings and the gears, and engagement grooves in the second group formed in the internal surface of the gears the third gear and the back gear. The engagement grooves are separated from each other by the partition rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Iseki & Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yasushi Fujita
  • Patent number: 4716777
    Abstract: A ten-speed transmission which is located inside the hub of the driving wheel of a pedal powered vehicle, and which includes a pedal drive shaft mounted in bearings on the axis of the wheel, is used to provide a compact, low maintenance alternative to the chain and derailleur system used for conventional multiple speed bicycles. Three idler shafts divide the pedal torque between three gear teeth permitting the gear widths to be one third that which would be required for a transmission using a single idler shaft. The resulting narrow gears coupled with a shift arrangement which adds nothing to the transmission width, permits the width between the pedals to be approximately that of a conventional chain driven bicycle. This transmission is particularly well suited for use in recumbent front wheel drive bicycles and tricycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Dirck T. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 4713983
    Abstract: A transmission, especially for use with small tractors and the like, provides a number of higher speed drives, typically associated with mowing, and a number of extremely slow "creep" speed drives to make said tractor more compatible with snow blower and tiller implements. All speed drives are available in a single range with each being selected sequentially by movement of a single gearshift lever. A unique reduction train exploits one or more higher speed drives to drive the "creep" speed pinions and a safer reverse speed drive at reduced rotational speed. The extremely wide speed ratio range will also dismiss the smallest pinions and severe speed increasing drives presently employed in these transmissions to greatly increase capacity and to reduce costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Rundle
  • Patent number: 4702119
    Abstract: Shifting mechanism for shifting gears in a gear box. The gear box has a housing, a gear shaft in the housing, a plurality of gears on the shaft, a shift key movable along the shaft for individually connecting the gears to the shaft, a shift collar positioned around the shaft and engaged with the shift key, and a shift fork for moving the collar along the shaft. The shift key moves along a longitudinal groove in the shaft and has a lug with an extended position and a retracted position. The gears have bores through which the gear shaft extends so that the gears are rotatably supported on the shaft. At least one of the gears has a plurality of uniformly spaced recesses circumferentially located around the bore to receive the lug of the shift key so that the gear rotates with the shaft. The recesses have ramps extending regularly in common directions from the bottoms of the recesses toward a common face of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: The J. B. Foote Foundry Co.
    Inventor: Douglas F. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4560355
    Abstract: Threaded pinion drive gear apparatus (2) for a marine drive lower gear case (4) includes a pinion gear (12) thread mounted at the bottom end of a vertical drive shaft (10) for driving rotatable driven gears (14 and 16) which drive a propeller shaft (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel F. McCormick
  • Patent number: 4532821
    Abstract: A modified manual synchronized automobile transmission for use in racing cars eliminates second gear and imparts initial rotary motion from the engine to the output shaft via a by-pass of gearing including a normally disengaged clutch. Brief engagement of the clutch causes power to feed through this by-pass gear train for just so long as the clutch is engaged and, depending on the setting of interlocked collar selector forks, will cause reverse motion of forward motion in low gear. When the car is in racing modality and moving forward in low gear, it is then possible, without further reference to the clutch, to place the main gear train in direct drive, linking the main drive shaft of the motor and the output shaft of the transmission to achieve "lock up". The invention obviates the need for a flywheel. The invention may be practiced by physical modification of an existing manual synchronized transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hager
  • Patent number: 4510816
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for changing the direction of rotation of a rotating shaft without changing the direction of rotation of the motor driving the shaft. The present invention includes a drive gear which causes two driven bevel gears to rotate in opposite directions. A control shaft having cam surfaces selectively forces one of two sets of balls into engagement with one of the driven gears to couple that gear with the driven shaft to rotate the shaft in one direction. Rotation of the driven shaft is reversed by changing the position of the control shaft which uncouples one set of balls from the driven shaft and couples the remaining set of balls to the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Harry A. Linden
  • Patent number: 4419905
    Abstract: A collar on the drive shaft of a bicycle pedal hub is mounted with means to displace the collar longitudinally along the shaft. The displacement is accomplished by a limited reverse rotation of the pedals and shaft. The direction of the displacement may be in either longitudinal direction and depends upon the position of the collar before the reverse rotation of the pedals and shaft. Displacement of the collar causes a bicycle transmission to shift gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Inventor: Fernand S. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 4395240
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a propeller shaft supported in a lower unit against axial movement and for rotary movement relative to the lower unit and including an axial bore extending from one end of the shaft, which bore defines an annular wall including first and second axially spaced series of circumferentially spaced cylindrical apertures communicating with the bore and having radially extending axes, respective balls in each of the apertures, first and second axially spaced facing bevel gears mounted in the lower unit co-axially with the propeller shaft for rotation relative to lower unit and propeller shaft and against axial movement relative to the lower unit and the propeller shaft, which first and second bevel gears include respective axial bores having therein respective first and second series of circumferentially spaced sockets opening radially inwardly and located in axial alignment with the first and second series of apertures in the propeller shaft, and an actuator
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Ourboard Marine Corporation
    Inventor: Clarence E. Blanchard