GB190629216A - Improvements in Three-speed Gears for Cycles and other Vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

29,216. Sangster, C. T. B. Dec. 22. Driving-mechanism.-In three-speed gears for cycles and other vehicles of the twin epicyclic-train type, wherein the planetary pinions a, b of both trains are mounted on spindles h' in a common cage c, c<1> incapable of lateral movement, a clutch plate h, having teeth h<3> to engage with the teeth of the internal wheels a<1>, b<1>, is slidably mounted on the spindles h<1> so as to rotate therewith. The clutch plate and sun-wheels a<2>, b<2> are mounted between end disks k, k<1> joined by pins k<2>, the clutch plate and wheels sliding together but the sun-wheels being capable of rotating independently. The sunwheels have ratchet teeth a<3>, b<3> to engage similar teeth on a ring j formed on the fixed spindles. The internal wheel b<1> of the high-speed train is connected to the hub either directly or through a free-wheel clutch f<1>, f<2>; in the latter case, the internal ring a<1> of the low-speed train is connected to a sleeve e on which the sprocket-wheel is fixed, and this sleeve may be formed with one element n of a back-pedalling brake clutch. In the high-speed position, the sun-wheel b<2> is locked to the spindle d, the wheel a<2> being free ; the clutch plate h locks the internal wheel a<1> to the planet cage, the low-speed train thereby rotating as a whole and not transmitting any of the drive. For the intermediate speed, both sun-wheels are free, and the clutch plate connects the internal wheels together ; the drive is then transmitted through the internal wheels of the two trains. For the low speed, the sun-wheel a' is locked to the spindle d, and the clutch plate locks the wheel b<1> and planet cage together ; the planet cage and internal wheel then form the driven member of the gear, the high-speed train being cut out of the speed transmission between the sprocketwheel and the hub. The sun-wheels and clutch plate may be moved by coupling one of the wheels to cross-pins, passing through slots in the spindle d and connected to a slidable rod working in the hollowed spindle ; or mechanism such as described in Specification No. 29,216A, A.D. 1906, may be used.