Positive Patents (Class 192/108)
  • Patent number: 6905011
    Abstract: A transmission gear with a dog clutch gear in which the dog clutch gear has clutch teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface of a ring part and tapered inversely so that the tooth thickness of each tooth decreases gradually from a chamfer portion at a tip end toward a base end portion thereof, and the dog clutch gear is integrally fitted onto a boss portion of the transmission gear which portion is coaxially and integrally formed on a side surface of the transmission gear, characterized in that a flange is provided on the ring part to be located on the side corresponding to the base end portion of the clutch teeth, and plurality of surfaces between the ring part and the transmission gear is performed by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: O-Oka Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Ooka
  • Patent number: 6848558
    Abstract: A sintered selector or sliding sleeve, or gear shift sleeve, has internal claw toothing. The individual teeth are delimited on their ends with secondary surfaces having ends that extend radially inward and outward from the root circle of the inner tooth surfaces. The novel geometry of the secondary surfaces extending radially outward from the root circle provide advantages in the manufacture of such selector sleeves by powder metallurgy, compared with those having prior art tooth geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sinterstahl GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Rau, Lorenz Sigl, Heinrich Wiedemann
  • Publication number: 20040216975
    Abstract: A one-way clutch includes a first member having multiple first recesses, and a second member having multiple second recesses that are alignable with the first recesses. Each recess includes a load-bearing surface. The clutch also includes multiple engaging elements that are engageable with the load-bearing surfaces of the recesses to effect one-way torque transfer between the first and second members. At least one of the engaging elements comprises a non-metallic, compressible material and is configured to compress upon engagement with a respective load-bearing surface of each member to inhibit relative movement of the members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Ruth
  • Patent number: 6757975
    Abstract: A compliant mechanism and method of manufacturing the same includes a plurality of layers formed from stamping a plurality of layers from a layer of thinner material and stacking the layers together. Compliant mechanisms can include clutches, switches, derailleurs, brakes and other mechanisms. The compliant mechanism includes rigid and flexible sections of integral construction. The rigid and flexible sections provide an integral device capable of achieving motion by elastic deformation. The flexible section is deflectable, and stores energy in the form of strain energy when deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Robert H. Todd, Larry L. Howell, Spencer P. Magleby, Aaron L. Herring
  • Patent number: 6745881
    Abstract: A clutch assembly (10) having an inner race (12), an outer race (14), and an engagement mechanism (16) disposed between the inner and outer races. The engagement mechanism (16) is operable to move between a disengaged position wherein the inner and outer races may freely rotate in one direction relative to one another and an engaged position wherein in the inner and outer races are locked so as to translate torque therebetween in the opposite rotational direction. The inner race (12) and outer race (14) may be defined by a plurality of plates (18, 12) and layers of elastomer (20, 24) that are disposed between adjacent plates in laminated fashion. The inner race and/or outer race may further include at least one bearing surface through which a force may be translated. The bearing surface is defined by a plurality of plates (70, 76) that are offset relative to an adjacent plate by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Kremer
  • Patent number: 6745882
    Abstract: A locking clutch comprises a toothed member and a slide assembly which are connectable to drive and driven parts. The two members are movable between an engaged position in which the clutch transfers power and/or torque to the driven part and a disengaged position in which power and/or torque is not transferred. The toothed member comprises a cylindrical surface and a plurality of teeth spaced about and extending from the cylindrical surface. The slide assembly comprises a body having a circumferential surface with a plurality of channels formed in said surface. Slide members are received in the channels to be movable between an extended position in which they can engage the teeth of the toothed member and a retracted position in which they do not engage the teeth of the toothed member. A resilient member biases the slide members to their extended positions. The slide assembly can be formed so that the slide members move either axially or radially relative to the slide assembly body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Xiaolan Ai
  • Publication number: 20040104092
    Abstract: A synchronizer sleeve adapted for use in a gear synchronizer mechanism of a power transmission, the synchronizer sleeve being formed at its inner periphery with inner spline teeth for meshing engagement to be meshed with a clutch gear of a change-speed gear train and inner spline teeth for synchronization positioned among the inner spline teeth for meshing engagement in a circumferential direction to be meshed with a synchronizer ring, wherein the inner spline teeth for meshing engagement and for synchronization are provided respectively at their one ends with a pair of chamfer surfaces formed by plastic deformation in a press-process, and wherein the inner spline teeth for synchronization are formed shorter in axial length than the inner spline teeth for meshing engagement. In the synchronizer sleeve, a ridge of each pair of the chamfer surfaces and an intersection of each of the chamfer surfaces and each tooth flank of the inner spline teeth are rounded off by plastic deformation in the press-process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN AI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakai
  • Patent number: 6729458
    Abstract: In a synchronizing device (22) for shift clutches, specially of selector transmissions (2) for motor vehicles, having at least one pair of wheels of which the gearwheel coaxial with a sliding sleeve (28) has a clutch body (46) with outer tooth (48) which by axial displacement of the sliding sleeve (28), non-rotatably connected with a shaft (8) via a synchronizer body (24) and having an inner tooth (26), can be switched in and off the power flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Blechschmidt, Wolfgang Bernau, Kurt Bathe, Heinz Bassner, Thomas Ebert
  • Publication number: 20040079611
    Abstract: A sliding collar has claw internal toothing and teeth projecting from at least one of the end surfaces. The individual teeth have lateral surfaces configured as lateral surfaces of a cone segment or as lateral surfaces of a cone segment and one or more truncated-cone segments. The novel geometry of the lateral surfaces which extend outward from the root circle results in both manufacturing technology and functional advantages over sliding collars with known tooth geometries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Gunter Rau, Lorenz Sigl, Thomas Kalchschmid
  • Publication number: 20040079609
    Abstract: A transmission gear with a dog clutch gear in which the dog clutch gear has clutch teeth formed on an outer circumferential surface of a ring part and tapered inversely so that the tooth thickness of each tooth decreases gradually from a chamfer portion at a tip end toward a base end portion thereof, and the dog clutch gear is integrally fitted onto a boss portion of the transmission gear which portion is coaxially and integrally formed on a side surface of the transmission gear, characterized in that a flange is provided on the ring part to be located on the side corresponding to the base end portion of the clutch teeth, and plurality of surfaces between the ring part and the transmission gear is performed by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: O-OKA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Ooka
  • Publication number: 20040079610
    Abstract: A clutch gear having a boss part with a spline which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the boss part formed on an axial end surface of the clutch gear having jaw clutch teeth formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, in which the boss part, with the spline formed on outer peripheral surface thereof, is formed integrally and coaxially with the clutch gear having the jaw clutch teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof by forging, the diameter of the boss part is shorter than that of the clutch gear, and an end part of an effective portion of the spline comes to at least an end surface of the clutch gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: O-OKA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Ooka
  • Patent number: 6701796
    Abstract: A transmission device between a primary motor shaft and an output shaft (1) includes a casing (2) within which are disposed a reducing mechanism constituted by a driving member (3) in engagement with a driven member (4), the driven member (4) mounted freely rotatably on the output shaft (2) being adapted to be coupled with or uncoupled from the shaft (2) by a clutch mechanism mounted on the output shaft (2). The driven member (4) is a tangent toothed wheel, of synthetic material, at least the constituent material of the teeth (5) of the toothed wheel (4) incorporating a mineral or organic load increasing the resistance to the wear of the teeth (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20030183479
    Abstract: A sintered selector or sliding sleeve, or gear shift sleeve, has internal claw toothing. The individual teeth are delimited on their ends with secondary surfaces having ends that extend radially inward and outward from the root circle of the inner tooth surfaces. The novel geometry of the secondary surfaces extending radially outward from the root circle provide advantages in the manufacture of such selector sleeves by powder metallurgy, compared with those having prior art tooth geometries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Gunter Rau, Lorenz Sigl, Heinrich Wiedemann
  • Publication number: 20030116397
    Abstract: A gear retaining mechanism is provided for a transmission comprising a rotary shaft, a hub fixed on the rotary shaft, a clutch slider axially slidably fitted on the hub, and a gear relatively rotatably provided on the rotary shaft. The hub is provided on an outer periphery thereof with a male spline having an axially tapered portion. The clutch slider is provided on an inner periphery thereof with a female spline meshing with the male spline of the hub. The gear is provided on an outer periphery thereof with a male spline to mesh with the female spline of the clutch slider. The male spline of the gear includes an axially tapered portion. The clutch slider is slid along the rotary shaft and located so as to fix the gear to the rotary shaft through the hub so that the female spline meshes with the male spline of the gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Akihiro Ima
  • Publication number: 20030106762
    Abstract: In a synchronizing device (22) for shift clutches, specially of selector transmissions (2) for motor vehicles, having at least one pair of wheels of which the gearwheel coaxial with a sliding sleeve (28) has a clutch body (46) with outer tooth (48) which by axial displacement of the sliding sleeve (28), non-rotatably connected with a shaft (8) via a synchronizer body (24) and having an inner tooth (26), can be switched in and off the power flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Dirk Blechschmidt, Wolfgang Bernau, Kurt Bathe, Heinz Bassner, Thomas Ebert
  • Patent number: 6572480
    Abstract: A universal joint adapted to interconnect a pair of rotating shafts at an angle relative to one another including a first member and a second member wherein the first member has a first longitudinal axis and includes an elongated semi-spherical head having a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially outward facing facets which are curved along the first longitudinal axis and the second member has a second longitudinal axis and includes a pocket adapted to receive the elongated head. The pocket further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially inward facing facets which correspond to the plurality of radially outward facing facets on the elongated head and are tapered relative to the second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hsin-Hong Huang
  • Patent number: 6527094
    Abstract: A freewheel arrangement, in particular for a guide wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter, permits a relative rotation between two elements in essentially only one relative rotational direction with respect to one another about an axis of rotation. At least one pawl is pivotably supported on a first of the two elements and has a pawl section which can come into contact with a blocking surface of the second of the two elements. At least one pawl is formed by a plurality of pawl plate elements which can be stamped from sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, André Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 6520305
    Abstract: A collar for a clutch, particularly a clutch used in selectively connecting and disconnecting a source of drive torque with a co-axial driven shaft. More particularly, the present invention relates to a collar wherein meshing surfaces of the torque source and the driven shaft are designed such that the collar is under a neutral axial force while under torque. The shift collar is splined to a rotating shaft and is slideable along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Translation of the shift collar is preferably performed by means of a shift mechanism in association with a detent ball, used to self-lock the shift collar in place under torque load. When the shift mechanism and detent ball are moved to release the shift collar, the angle teeth and splines cause the shift collar to disengage, even under high torque load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Spicer Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley M. Dick
  • Patent number: 6516930
    Abstract: A ratchet mechanism for tools includes a ring member having first bevel teeth and second bevel teeth respectively defined in an outer periphery of the ring member. The first bevel teeth and the second bevel teeth are separated by an annular groove defined in the outer periphery of the ring member. Two pawl members are connected by a spring and each pawl member has third bevel teeth and fourth bevel teeth so as to respectively engage with the first bevel teeth and the second bevel teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 6478128
    Abstract: A hub and methods of propulsion thereof are disclosed wherein fail safe engagement is provided for particular components of a hub assembly. Preferred embodiments may provide for a secondary pressure spring which provides redundancy to a first pressure spring to ensure engagement of particular drive elements. Additional preferred embodiments may provide back-up drive elements as a replacement for drive elements of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Anthony G. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20020153220
    Abstract: A collar for a clutch, particularly a clutch used in selectively connecting and disconnecting a source of drive torque with a co-axial driven shaft. More particularly, the present invention relates to a collar wherein meshing surfaces of the torque source and the driven shaft are designed such that the collar is under a neutral axial force while under torque. The shift collar is splined to a rotating shaft and is slideable along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Translation of the shift collar is preferably performed by means of a shift mechanism in association with a detent ball, used to self-lock the shift collar in place under torque load. When the shift mechanism and detent ball are moved to release the shift collar, the angle teeth and splines cause the shift collar to disengage, even under high torque load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Wesley M. Dick
  • Publication number: 20020100655
    Abstract: The synchronizing mechanism for shift clutch of mechanical transmissions in motor vehicles has one sliding sleeve with meshing teeth and one clutch with meshing teeth. The half angles a1, a2; b1, b2 of the ridge edges 5, 5′; 6, 6′ and the ridge edges of the meshing teeth of the sliding sleeve and of the clutch are disposed asymmetrically relative to the respective tooth central axes 3, 3′; 4, 4′.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Jens Patzner, Wolfgang Bernau, Dirk Blechschmidt, Kurt Bathe
  • Patent number: 6370979
    Abstract: In a coupling tooth formation, in particular in a gear box, either on a gear sleeve or on a gear wheel, the teeth are fitted to the base end of a cylindrical base (12) in relation to the rotational axis, elongate in axial direction and provided at their coupling end with a roof outline sloping from the tooth base towards the tooth head, comprising a rounded roof edge (5); the radius of the roof edge rounding increases from the tooth base towards the tooth head according to a pre-set function in order to design the procedure of the tracking process after the initial contact as smoothly running as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: BLW Praezisionsschmiede GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Tauschek, Peter Gutmann, Gerd Weissmann
  • Patent number: 6354417
    Abstract: The transmission includes a number of male dowels disposed on gear shifters for engaging female dowels on gears. The male dowels are arranged in sets of high and low male dowels, the high and low male dowels being alternately arranged on a side surface of a gear shifter. The male dowels have curved engaging surfaces for engaging respective female dowels. The contact point between the male dowels and the female dowels is radially outward from a radial center of the male dowels, so that a thicker portion of the male dowels absorbs the impact between male and female dowel. The low male dowels need not be machined, which reduces the cost of producing the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Narita, Noriaki Takano
  • Publication number: 20010054531
    Abstract: An improved ratchet wheel structure of a ratcheting wrench, having a restricting base at the bottom of the ratchet wheel, wherein the external diameter of the restricting base is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom hole on the fixing base of the ratchet wheel, and it extends to the intersection point of the ratchets of the ratchet wheel to form a serrated disk, and the ratchets aligned in parallel with the axial direction in the middle section of the ratchet wheel, and it extends to the intersection point of the positioning area such that the tip of the ratchets is corresponsive to the external diameter of the ratchet wheel, and a latching groove being disposed around an appropriate position in the positioning area such that a C-shaped buckle being latched into the latching groove for positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 6296100
    Abstract: To guide it in the circumferential directions, a clutch tooth of a selector sleeve of a gear wheel clutch for coupling a gear wheel to its shaft has two central guide faces and additional guide faces on its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Martin Schetter, Ralf Sperber
  • Patent number: 6286649
    Abstract: A unidirectional drive for a multi-part construction toy. A circular first drive element is received within the cylindrical wall of a second drive element. Each drive element has angularly oriented fixed drive teeth projecting toward the other. The outermost dimension of the first drive element is such as to enable it to rotate in one direction within the second drive element, without driving engagement to cause the second element to rotate. At least one of the drive elements is free to move radially with respect to its axis of rotation such that, when rotated in a driving direction, relative radial displacement between the two drive elements causes the respective drive teeth to become positively engaged for maintaining the two drive elements in positive driving relation. An extraordinarily simple and inexpensive one-way clutch drive is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Connector Set Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Robert Gleim
  • Patent number: 6276043
    Abstract: A clutch retaining device for use in a clutch collar and clutch assembly. The clutch retaining device includes multiple cover clips which extend downwardly from the cover and have a substantial L-shape. The clutch collar has corresponding cover clip notches which correspond to the cover clips of the clutch collar cover. The clutch collar assembly includes a first and second clutch collar cover. The entire assembly includes a series of drive springs and drive pins which are compressed in place by the first and second clutch collar covers. A method for assembling the clutch collar assembly is also included. The method includes the steps of inserting drive pins into drive springs into drive pin receptors, aligning cover clips of a clutch cover with cover clip notches on a clutch collar, and connecting the clutch cover to the clutch collar and thereby depressing the drive pins and the drive springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Martin D. Marsic
  • Patent number: 6244413
    Abstract: The invention concerns a morphology matrix for forming the cross-sectional shape of a short gearing tooth, in particular on toothed wheels of motor vehicle gearboxes. The short gearing teeth are formed on a cylindrical section of a gear wheel or gear shift sleeve, the axis of this section coinciding with the displacement axis of the gear shift sleeve. Each tooth comprises a tip which is chamfered in roof-like manner and has lateral flanks (3) which are shaped towards the tooth base (1) so that they have a relief at least over part of their height. The lateral flanks (3) terminate in a radiused tooth base (4), all of the teeth, or some thereof defined according to a regularly changing pattern, having at least a morphology defining the shape of the lateral flanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: BLW Praezisionsschmiede GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Gutmann, Georg Tauschek, Gerd Weissmann
  • Patent number: 6244406
    Abstract: A drive clutch for connecting a drive shaft (12) with an exchangeable cylinder (10) of a printing machine, such that, at one end of the cylinder (10), a locking part (24) is provided and that, in or on the drive shaft, a spanner (32) is disposed, which has a recess (38), which opens up radially and into which the locking part (24) can be introduced positively, and that the spanner (32) can be retracted axially, in order to pull the cylinder (10) with the help of the locking part (24) against the end of the drive shaft (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Fischer & Krecke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Wilfried Kolbe, Klaus Schirrich, Manfred Terstegen, Bodo Steinmeier
  • Patent number: 6193629
    Abstract: In a shifting mechanism housed in a case a first relatively rotating member rotates about an axis. A second relatively rotating member is selectively coupled and decoupled with the first member. The coupling has a first spline tooth with a first axial length, and a second spline tooth with a second axial length longer than the first spline tooth. The second spline tooth has an end having a frusto-conical shape. One of the first and second members has a plurality of third spline teeth for engagement with the spline teeth of the coupling. The third spline teeth have a complimentary frusto-conical shape. A selector is moveable for actuating the coupling to mutually connect and disconnect the members. A resilient connection is provided between the coupling and selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Tenzor, Rex A. Corless
  • Patent number: 6165103
    Abstract: In a shifting mechanism housed in a case a first relatively rotating member rotates about an axis. A second relatively rotating member is selectively coupled and decoupled with the first member. The coupling has a first spline tooth with a first axial length, and a second spline tooth with a second axial length longer than the first spline tooth. The second spline tooth has an end having a frusto-conical shape. One of the first and second members has a plurality of third spline teeth for engagement with the spline teeth of the coupling. The third spline teeth have a complimentary frusto-conical shape. A selector is moveable for actuating the coupling to mutually connect and disconnect the members. A resilient connection is provided between the coupling and selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Tenzor, Rex A. Corless
  • Patent number: 6112873
    Abstract: A mechanical drive clutch is provided for mounting on a rotatable shaft. The drive clutch includes a drive gear having a plurality of gear teeth projecting therefrom. A sleeve is slidably mounted on the shaft for rotational movement therewith. The sleeve includes a plurality of gear engagement recesses therein of arcuate lengths greater than the predetermined arcuate lengths of the gear teeth. The sleeve is moveable between a first retracted position and a second engaged position wherein the gear teeth are received within corresponding gear engagement recesses in the sleeve in order to translate rotation of the drive gear to the shaft. A plurality of anti-backlash elements are provided to compensate for the difference in the arcuate lengths of gear teeth and their corresponding gear engagement recesses in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Prasse, Anthony Lamela
  • Patent number: 6095303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling toothing in a gearbox between two rotationally symmetrical coupling structures (5,6) which can be coupled with each other. The toothing comprises the following features to increase the strength thereof: (a) both coupling structures (5,6) have claws on opposing sides which project axially from a base surface (10); (b) in a first of the two coupling structures (6), the claws (14,15,16) are arranged on the inner peripheral surface (17) of an outer collar (18) delimiting the base surface (10); (c) in the second of the two coupling structures (5), the claws (7,8) are arranged on the external periphery surface (9) of an inner collar (13) delimiting the base surface (10); and (d) the coupling surfaces of the two claws each have an undercut profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: BLW Praezisionsschmiede GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Gutmann, Georg Tauschek
  • Patent number: 6082515
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a coupling structure of driving force transmitting members, wherein the variety of complex-type driving force transmitting parts to be combined by using a plurality of driving force transmitting members can be increased as many as possible. Respective gear members are provided with concave coupling portions on one sides in the axial line direction and convex coupling portions on the other sides in the axial line direction. The respective convex coupling portions are fitted into the respective concave coupling portions, whereby the gear members are coupled to integrally rotate. Thus, it is possible to selectively combine a plurality of gear members and construct many kinds of complex-type gear members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michinobu Oono, Hiranaga Yamamoto, Kiyoshi Sasoh
  • Patent number: 6073742
    Abstract: A self-centering dog clutch includes two coupling-parts is arranged in a simple manner such that components serving for centering purposes are not necessary. Contact faces of the two coupling-parts are off-set relative to the rotational axis of the dog clutch. This results in a radial component of force which serves to center the two coupling-parts. The recesses in the first, driven coupling-part have a larger surface area than the drive claws engaging therein of the second, driving coupling-part. The two coupling-parts can thereby rotate against each other through a predetermined angle. This dog clutch is particularly suitable for use with agricultural machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Gersmann
  • Patent number: 6066062
    Abstract: A gear change for an automobile vehicle comprising a box, a main train, an input shaft of which is connected to the engine and a primary shaft of which can be connected angularly to the input shaft by a plurality of pairs of gears, and an auxiliary epicyclic gear train comprising, in turn, a sun gear angularly coupled to the primary shaft, a train carrier angularly rigid with an output shaft of the gear change and comprising a plurality of planet gears engaging with the sun gear, and an outer crown having inner teeth engaging with the planet gears, which crown can be displaced along the longitudinal axis between a first operating position in which it is coupled to the box by the engagement of a first and a second toothed wheel and a second operating position in which it is coupled to the train carrier by the engagement of a third and a fourth toothed wheel; the sun gear, the planet gears and the inner teeth of the crown comprising respective helical teeth and the first, second, third and fourth toothed wheels
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Iveco Fiat S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gian Maria Pigozzi
  • Patent number: 6044951
    Abstract: In the case of a claw toothing for a gearbox or the like, of which the claws are designed with an undercut and, viewed in cross-section with respect to the longitudinal axis of the claws, have a flat or convex roof profile, it is provided to improve the engagement that the plan view of the claws tapers into a wedge shape towards the rotational axis of the claw toothing and that the generatrices (5a, 5b) of the roof profile and/or the sides, in the longitudinal direction of the claw, are straight lines which go through the rotational axis (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: BLW Praezisionsschmiede GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Gutmann, Georg Tauschek
  • Patent number: 6039162
    Abstract: A clutch retaining device for use in a clutch collar and clutch assembly. The clutch retaining device includes multiple cover clips which extend downwardly from the cover and have a substantial L-shape. The clutch collar has corresponding cover clip notches which correspond to the cover clips of the clutch collar cover. The clutch collar assembly includes a first and second clutch collar cover. The entire assembly includes a series of drive springs and drive pins which are compressed in place by the first and second clutch collar covers. A method for assembling the clutch collar assembly is also included. The method includes the steps of inserting drive pins into drive springs into drive pin receptors, aligning cover clips of a clutch cover with cover clip notches on a clutch collar, and connecting the clutch cover to the clutch collar and thereby depressing the drive pins and the drive springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Martin D. Marsic
  • Patent number: 5960925
    Abstract: A synchronizing apparatus for transmissions and a method of manufacturing a synchronizing member therefore are disclosed. The synchronizing member is adapted to be shifted along a shift direction during gearshift. The synchronizing member has teeth protruding from a synchronizing member surface. The teeth have a trapezoidal cross-section along a direction perpendicular to the shift direction and are configured with a tip along the shift direction. A front apex line of the tip projects under a first angle (.phi.) from the synchronizing member surface. The tip is constituted by two inclined front surfaces extending on both sides of the apex line. The front surfaces intersect under a second angle (.gamma.) in an upper tooth surface. For making the second angle (.gamma.) as small as possible the front surfaces are provided with an upper section canted away from the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: Georg Helms, Petra Kohler
  • Patent number: 5871071
    Abstract: An improved one-way clutch assembly according to this invention includes a drive member and a driven member each having a generally planar annular surface and assembled for rotation about a common axis with the planar annular surfaces in opposed spaced relation. A coupling system is mounted between the driving and driven members and rotatably fixed for rotation with the drive member. The coupling system includes a plurality of struts or pawls supported one on one end of each of a plurality of elongated, resilient arms for movement between a retracted position within a recess in the drive member and a drive position engaging a shoulder in a pocket in the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny R. Sink
  • Patent number: 5855263
    Abstract: A one-way clutch assembly (15) including a driven member (37) defining a plurality of driven pockets (41), with a radially moveable pawl (59) disposed in each pocket. The pockets (41) are interconnected by circumferentially-extending grooves (47), and disposed in each groove (47) is a spring member (53). Each spring member (53) includes a retaining portion (55) engaging a radially outer surface (67) of one pawl (59a), to retain the pawl in its pocket (41), and a spring portion (57) engaging a radially inner surface (69) of another pawl (59b), biasing part of the pawl toward the drive position (FIG. 6). The arrangement of the invention makes it practical to provide a one-way clutch having as few parts as possible, and being adapted for "drop-in" assembly of the clutch within a device such as a torque converter stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Donald J. Fergle
  • Patent number: 5816378
    Abstract: A clutch cam (9) with mating claws (17) is fitted into the bottom end of a driven pulley (6) through which a driven shaft (10) is inserted. The clutch cam (9) has upwardly tapered guide portions (18) and slide grooves (20) formed on the inner wall thereof. A cam sleeve (12) is fitted over an upper portion of the driven shaft (10) and rotated integrally with the driven shaft (10) due to a key (11). Clutch claws (16) are formed at the lower end of the cam sleeve (12). The key (11) has a tapered bottom end (11a). When the driven shaft (10) is lowered to the clutch cam (9), the tapered bottom end (11a) is brought into contact with one of the guide portions (18) into one of the slide grooves (20), placing the clutch claws (16) in a proper position relative to the mating claws (17) for smooth clutch engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5749263
    Abstract: A toothed-wheel gear change with power distribution over several layshafts (6, 7) having a radially and axially supported input shaft (2) and an output shaft (main shaft) (9) which is floating. At least one input gear (3, 4) provided on said input shaft (2) transmits the torque to gears (8) meshing therewith and firmly connected with the layshafts. The loose gears (10) are axially secured but radially free on the input and output shafts. A movable securing device (12, 13) makes possible the radial fixing of the input gear (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Buri, Josef Bader
  • Patent number: 5706922
    Abstract: A transmission and torque-limiting joint able to disengage the driven member from the driving member upon exceeding a maximum value of the transmitted torque and to allow re-engagement at a lesser value of the relative velocity, with cooperating recesses (5) and sliders (20); the sliders (20) are wedge-shaped so as to cooperate with pairs of shaped pads (10) urged towards one another by springs (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Edi Bondioli
  • Patent number: 5699871
    Abstract: In a driving force transfer apparatus for a part-time four-wheel driving vechicle, a dog clutch structure is provided at both sides of first and second output axles, the first output axle being connected toward driven road wheels such as rear road wheels and the second output axle being connected toward non-driven road wheels such as front wheels. The dog clutch structure serves to connect the first output axle to the second output axle so that the four road wheels are forced into a four-wheel drive state during a low-speed gear range position switched through a sub transmission mechanism lever. In a first embodiment, a play in each tooth space structure constituting the dog clutch structure is provided so as to make a smooth mesh of the clutch structure, thus an operating force applied to a lever of the sub transmission mechanism can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Hara, Kenichi Tobita, Tsutomu Niimi, Izumi Amemiya, Toshiharu Takasaki
  • Patent number: 5673777
    Abstract: A spacer system for a differential lock assembly having a fixed clutch and a sliding clutch with a sliding-clutch collar. The spacer system comprises a shift fork member and a bearing adjuster which contact when the sliding clutch and fixed clutch are engaged so as to prevent the shift fork member from binding within the sliding-clutch collar, without requiring a manual adjustment to account for tolerance stackups or gear or bearing positional adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: James F. Ziech
  • Patent number: 5651439
    Abstract: The invention concerns a transmission shift system with a synchronizing arrangement. A rotary shaft and a gear rotating at different speeds can be coupled together with positive engagement at synchronous speed, by means of an annular sliding sleeve axially movable by a gearshift force, wherein a clutch gearing of the sliding sleeve meshes in a corresponding clutch gearing of the gear or of a clutch body connected with the gear. Between the sliding sleeve and the gear is situated a synchronizer ring. Parts of the gear or of the clutch body together with parts of the synchronizer ring form a positively engaged clutch. In the absence of synchronism, the axial movement of the sliding sleeve is locked by blocking faces of a locking device, the clutch gearing (4, 12) and the locking device (8, 16) being separated from each other. The clutch gearing (4) of the sliding sleeve (6) and the clutch gearing (12) of the gear or clutch body (14) have stub ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Bailly
  • Patent number: 5626213
    Abstract: Engaging device in a motor vehicle gearbox, having an engaging sleeve (8) with a toothed rim with internal engaging teeth (11) and a toothed rim (4) joined to a gear (2, 3) and having external teeth (5). The engaging teeth of the engaging sleeve have first flank surface portions (23) adjacent to pointed end portions (22) and second flank surface portions (26) connected via a step (25) thereto. The flank surface portions (23, 26) are inclined inwards, as seen from the end of the tooth, towards the longitudinal axis (24) of the tooth, the first surface portions (23) having a greater incline than the second surface portions (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Grzegorz Janiszewski
  • Patent number: 5613321
    Abstract: A releasable drive mechanism is provided, having a sprocket and gear rotatable about a central axis, the gear being rotatably secured to a shaft extending along the central axis. The sprocket and the gear are each configured to provide a coplanar portion extending parallel with the central axis that interfaces the surface of the other. A clutch engageable with the sprocket and the gear is provided, having projections or keys being positionable between the interfacing surfaces for releasably coupling the sprocket and the gear for joint rotation. A lever is provided for disengaging the clutch and the clutch may be biased to facilitate engagement of the clutch. A clip may also be provided to prevent lateral movement of the sprocket on the shaft when the clutch is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Ricon Corporation
    Inventor: Roy R. Rizkovsky