Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Backqround of the Invention
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to control levers and more
particularly has reference to an adjustable mounting for a rotatable
and axially translatable shaft connected to a hand operated control
lever.
Description of the Prior Art
Pertinent United States and foreign patents are found in Class
192, subclasses .096 and .098 and Class 74, subclasses 372, 471R,
475, 476, 477, 483, 491, 504, 511, 519, 523, 872, 875, 876 and 878
of the official classifications of patents in the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
Examples of pertinent patents are United States Patent Nos.
2,254,144; 3,127,785; 3,511,117; 3,581,Z03; 3,842,695 and 3,929,039.
In Patent 3,842,695, the lever and shaft are not capable of
axial movement, but a slider shaft in the lever assembly can be
retracted. When the transmission is in the neutral position,
retraction of the slider shaft disengages key 96 having projection
100 from the driving gear 56, and pulls pin 108 into hole 110.
Patent 3,581,603 discloses a similar mechanism. Patent 3,842,695
differs from the invention in several ways: first, the lock is on
the slider shaft, not the lever; second, the slider shaft is non-
rotatable; third, the lock is not spring hiased. In Patent
3,581,603 the slider shaft :is rotatable.
Patents 3,511,117 and 3,127,785 disclose control levers which
can be pulled outward when in neutral position, to open the throttle
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:~132~31
independently of the shift function. The control lever is spring
biased. In Patent 3,511,117, blocking flange 134 locks against
reverse curved portion 133 of interlocking plate 131 to prevent
accidental shift while in the neutral throttle mode. Lateral wings
135 or 136 are interposed between the blocking flange 134 and gear
38 to prevent axial translation of the control lever 18 except in
the neutral position. Patent 3,127,785 has a similarly functioning
plate 70 and flange 37.
The lever in patent 3,929,039 contains a spring-loaded
coupling shaft which can be disengaged while the lever is in a
neutral position. The coupling shaft has radially extending pins 25
which couple the main shaft to the throttle gear. Pressing in the
coupling shaft against the spring disengages the pins from the gear,
and the gear from the shaft. In operation, this mechanism functions
in the reverse manner from the invention.
Many problems remain in the prior art devices. One problem
lies in mounting restrictions which must necessarily be imposed
in order to assure that the hand lever is placed in a convenient
and accessible position. ~o mechanism is disclosed which allows
the control unit to be mounted in any position while permitting
orientation of a neutral interlock hand lever at any desired position.
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113~3~
Summar~ of the Invention
The present invention overcomes the problems which exist in
the prior art devices. In preferred form, the invention provides
an adjustable interlock, which allows a neutral interlock lever to
S be oriented at any desired position. A collar with external teeth
is mounted on the shaft of the lever; these teeth mate with
internal teeth on a mounting flange. A notch in the collar receives
a projection on the lever when the lever is rotated to the desired
interlock position. The projection prevents axial translation of
the lever except at the interlock position. The projection is
disengaged from the notch to permit rotation of the lever from the
interlock position without axial translation of the lever.
Objects of the invention are, therefore, to provide an improved
adjustable interlock apparatus for a control unit having a shaft
rotatably supported in and axially translatable with respect to a
housing comprising,
a collar disposed about the shaft and having a notch in an
axially outward surface,
engaging means connected to the shaft and having an axially
; 20 inward surface abutting the axially outward surface of the
collar for preventing axial translation of the shaft toward
the housing when the shaft is rotated from a selected interlock
position,
the engaging means further configured to engage the notch
when the sha~t is rotated to the selected interlock position
thereby permitting axial translation of the shaft toward the
housing,
and retaining means connected to the housing and collar for
1~L3Z031
securing the collar in a rotational orientation selected to
permit engagement of the notch and engaging means when the
shaft is rotated to the interlock position,
the collar has an axial portion terminating inwardly in a
radially extending flange,
the axial portion provided with annular serrations on an
exterior lateral surface, and
the retaining means comprise a plate overlying the flange to
hold the flange against the housing and having an opening
sufficiently large to receive the axial portion of the collar,
the plate provided with annular serrations disposed about the
opening configured to matingly engage the serrations on the
collar,
the flange having a sufficiently large transverse dimension
to prevent receipt of the flange within the opening.
These and other and further objects and features of the
invention are apparent in the disclosure which includes the above
and below specifications and claims and drawings.
113~
Brief Description of the Drawinqs
FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal cross section of a single lever
control embodying the features o~ the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a top plan detail of the mounting flange shown
in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a top plan detail of the collar shown in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal cross section taken substantially
along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross section of the hand lever
shown in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 6 is a top plan detail of the throttle gear and
shifting gear shown in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 7 is a rear plan view of the apparatus shown in
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially along
the line 8-8 of FIGURE 1.
.~
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1~3~4~33~
Detailed Description of the Drawinqs
Referring to Figure 1, a single lever control unit 1
is shown attached to a mounting board 2. Preferably, the unit
is adapted to sequentially operate a transmission and throttle
and, selectively, to operate the throttle independently of the
transmission.
The control unit 1 has a shaft 4 mounted in a housing
6 for rotational and axial movement. The shaft 4 is provided
with keys 8 adjacent an annular flange 10. The keys 8 are
configured to engage keyways 12 in a hub 14 rotatably mounted
in the housing 6. The flange 10 abuts an annular shoulder 16
on the hub 14 when the keys 8 and keyways 12 are engaged.
The shaft 4 communicates rotary actuating forces to the hub
14 through the keys 8.
A space 18 is provided adjacent the shaft 4 above
- the annular flange 10 to permit axial translation of the
shaft 4. When translated, the keys 8 and keyways 12
disengage, thereby permitting rotation of the shaft 4 without
consequent rotation of the hub 14. The lower surface of the
keys 8 abut the upper surface of the hub 14 until further
rotation of the shaft 4 causes the keys 8 to realign with the
keyways 12.
~1~3Z~31
A spring 20 surrounds the end of the shaft 4.
The upper end of the spring 20 abuts an annular shoulder 22
on the housing 6. The lower end of the spring 20 abuts a
friction plate 24 mounted on the shaft 4 adjacent a throttle
actuating member 26 rigidly connected to the end of the shaft 4.
The spring 20 continuously urges the keys 8 and annular flange
- 10 on the shaft 4 toward the hub 14. This causes the keys 8
to automatically engage the keyways 12 when the shaft 4
rotates the keys 8 into alignment with the keyways 12.
The hub 14 has a throttle gear portion 30. The
throttle gear 30 is a Geneva type wheel which operatively
engages a Geneva wheel 32 rotatably mounted in the housing 6.
The Geneva wheel 32 is rigidly connected to a shift control
arm 34; the arm 34 and wheel 32 rotating simultaneously. As
shown infigure 6, rotation of the throttle gear 30 causes
rotation of the Geneva wheel shift gear 32 only when the teeth
of the gears 30 and 32 are meshed. Substantial rotation of
the throttle gear 30 in either direction causes the teeth of
the throttle gear 30 and shift gear 32 to disengage. Continued
rotation of the throttle gear 30 causes a reversed curve portion
34 of the shift gear 32 to mate with a curved surface 36 on
; the throttle gear 30 to prevent rotation of the shift gear 32.
~32~3~
The sequential shifting and t~rottliny operations
of the control unit as well as the selective independent
throttling operation of the control unit can now be readily
understood. The throttle control arm 40 is connected to a
engine throttle operator (not shown). Similarly, the shift
control arm 34 is connected to a transmission operator (not
shown). The connections are made in a manner to permit
~ neutral idling of the engine when the throttle gear 30 and shift
gear 32 are aligned as in Figure 6. Rotation of the shaft
4 in one direction rotates the throttle gear 30 in the same
direction. Initially, the shift gear 32 is also rotated in
the same direction. When the reversed curve portion 34 of
the shift gear 32 abuts the cu~ved portion of the throttle
gear 30, the shift gear 32 stops rotating. At this point,
the shifting of the transmission from neutral to an operative
gear, for example, forward gear, is complete. Continued
rotation of the shaft 4 causes rotation of the throttle gear
30 and throttle actuating member 26. Consequently, the
engine is throttled. When the shaft 4 is rotated in the
opposite direction, the throttle gear 30 and throttle
actuating member 26 rotate in a similar direction. Initially,
engine throttle is reduced. Continued rotation of the shaft
4 causes the teeth on the throttle gear 30 and shift gear 32
to mesh. The transmission is shifted from forward gear to
neutral. If the shaft 4 is further rotated, the transmission
is shifted from neutral to reverse gear. Reverse throttle is
.
:
( ~ ~ 3~3~ `
then applied by continued rotation of the shaft 4. In
order to prevent throttling while the shifting gear 32 is
rotating, the throttle control arm 40 is connected to the
throttle operator by an appropriate lost motion device, or
any similarly functioning device.
A locking arm 42 is connected to the friction
plate 24 and is received withir. an opening 44 in the housing
- 6. The end 46 of the spring 20 projects through an opening
in the locking arm 42 and is thereby connected to the locking
arm 42. The throttle gear 30 is provided with a notch 48
configured to receive the locking arm 42 when the notch 48
is aligned with the opening 44 in the housing 6. The notch
48 is positioned to align with the opening 44 in the housing 6
when the throttle gear 30 and shift gear 32 are in neutral
alignment.
Axial translation of the shaft 4 in neutral dis-
engages the keys 8 from the keyways 12 and projects the
locking arm 42 into the notch 48 in the throttle gear 30,
thereby locking the throttle gear 30 and shift gear 32 in
neutral position. Rotation of the shaft 4 throttles the
engine. The sprlng 20 urges the friction plate 24 into
frictional engagement with the throttle actuating member 26
to prevent throttle creep. When the shaft 4 is rotated to
the neutral position, the keys 8 automatically engage the
keyways 12 and the locking arm 42 automatically disengages the
notch 48 in the throttle gear 32 by means of axial loading
created by the spring 20. The end 46 of the spring 20
_ 10 --
113~
,, ' '
connected to the locking arm 42 facilitates removal of the
~ arm 42 from the notch 48 in the throttle gear 30 and supports
the arm 42.
When the throttle gear 30 is rotated from neutral
alignment, the notch 48 in the throttle gear 30 is moved from
alignment with the opening 44 in the housing 6. The locking
; arm g2 prevents axial translation of the shaft 4.
A detent 50 is mounted in the housing 6 adjacent the
throttle gear 30. The detent has a spring 52 which continuously
urges a roller 54 against the side of the throttle gear 30.
The gear 30 is provided with spaced notches 56, 58 and 60
configured to receive the roller 54. The central notch 58
is positioned to receive the roller 54 when the throttle gear
30 is in neutral alignment. The side notches 56 and 60 are
positioned to receive the roller 54 when the reverse curved
portion 34 of the shift gears 32 is first rotated into
;~ contact with the ~urved portion 36 of the throttle gear 30.
Engagement of the roller 54 with the notches 56, 58 and 60
tendsto lock the throttle gear 30 against rotation. The
operator of the control unit 1 is thereby given indications
that the engine is in neutral or forward or reverse gear.
Additionally, the side notches 56 and 60 are positioned to
engage the roller 54 when the control unit 1, operating in
sequential mode, completes the shifting operation and begins
the throttling operation.
~L13~
A friction pad 61 is connected to the end of a
screw 62 threadedly mounted in a housing 6. As best
shown in Figure 8, the pad 61 is positioned to abut a
specially profiled surface 64 of the throttle gear 30.
S The surface 64 has a portion 66 recessed from the friction
pad 61; the arc length of the portion 66 corresponding to
the amount of angular displacement of the throttle gear 30
- during which the throttle gear 30 rotates the shifting
gear 32. When the control unit l operates in the shifting
mode, the friction pad 61 offers relatively little frictional
resistance to the rotation of the throttle gear 30 since
the friction pad 61 is aligned with the recessed portion
66 of the throttle gear 30. In the throttling mode, however,
the friction pad 61 is aligned with the portion 67 of the
lS profiled surface 64 of the gear 30. closely adjacent the
inward surface of the housing 6, thereby offering a relatively
large frictional resistance to the rotation of the throttle
gear 30. The amount of frictional resistance offerred by
the pad 61 to the rotation of the gear 30 can be adjusted
by the screw 62.
It is appreciated that the control unit 1 is readily
adaptable for use with power boat engines. Consequently,
sleeve bearings 68, 69 and 71 are provided to seal the unit 1
and to prevent damage to the components of the unit 1 due to
the environment.
_ 12 --
11~3Z`~l
An interlock collar 70 and a collar retainer 72 are
connected to the control unit l,prior to mounting the control
unit 1 on the mounting surface 2. A neutral interlock hand
lever 74 is connected to the end of the shaft 4 projecting
through the opening 76 in the mounting surface 2. The lower
end of the hand lever cap 78 surrounds a portion of the inter-
lock collar 70 and is provided with means to lock the hand
lever 74 against further rotation when the hand lever 74 is
moved to a neutral position.
As shown most clearly in FIGURE 5, the hand lever 74
has a block 80 slidably mounted within the cap 78. The block
80 is connected to a release button 82 by an arm 84 slidably
mounted within the shaft 86 of the hand lever 74. A spring 88
connected to the arm 84 and the shaft 86 urges the block 80
toward the center of the cap 78. A screw 90 projects through
a slot in the arm 84 and is received within a sliding block
92 formed inside the shaft 86 to keep the arm 84 in proper
alignment. Moving the button 82 in the direction indicated by
the numeral 94 slides the block 80 toward the side of the cap
-78. When the button 82 is released, the spring 88 causes the
block 80 to automatically move toward the center of the cap 78.
The cap 78 is positioned on the collar 70 in a manner
which enables the radially inward surface of the block 80 to
abut the radially outward surface of the upper axial portion
102 of the collar 70. The cap 78 is connected to the shaft 4
and rotates with the shaft 4. ~otation of the shaft 4 causes
the block 80 to move along the surface 102 of the collar 70.
A notch 100 provided in the upper axial portion 102 of the
collar 70 is configured to receive the block 80 when the block
80 is aligned with the notch. Preferably~ the notch 100 is
~1;3'Z03~
positioned to engage the block 80 when the hand lever 74 and
shaft 4 are rotated to a neutral position. Engagement of ~
block 80 and notch 100 prevents further rotation of the hand
lever 74 and shaft 4.
Moving the button 82 in the direction indicated by
numeral 94 moves the block 80 toward the side of the cap 78,
thereby disengaging the block 80 and the notch 100, The hand
lever 74 and shaft 4 can then be rotated from the neutral
position. When the hand lever 74 and shaft 4 are returned to
the neutral position, the spring 88 causes the block 80 to
automatically engage the notch 100 thereby automatically pre-
venting further rotation of the hand lever 74 and shaft 4.
- The collar 70 is held against the housing 6 by the
retainer 72 which overlies an annular flange 104 on the lower
axial portion 106 of the collar 70. The retainer 72 is pro-
vided with serrations 108 configured to engage serrations 110
on the lower axial portion 106 of the collar 70 adjacent the
flange 104. The serrations 108 and 110 prevent rotation of the
collar 70 when engaged. Prior to mounting the control unit 1
on the mounting plate 2, the collar 70 is oriented in the
retainer 72 in any desired position. Preferably, the collar 70
is oriented in a manner which positions the interlock notch 100
to engage the block 80 when the hand lever 74 is in an appropriate
neutral orientation.
Cap 78 is provided with an annular shoulder 112 which
abuts the outward surface of the mounting ~oard 2 when the keys
8 on the shaft 4 engage the keyways 12 in the hub 14. When the
shaft 4 is translated axially to disengage the keys 8 and key-
ways 12, the shoulder 112 is spaced from the surface of the
-- 14 --
11~2~3~
mounting board 2 thereby providing an indication to the
operator that the control unit 1 is in the neutral throttle
mode of operation.
In an alternative embodiment, the cap 78 is positioned
on the collar 70 in a manner which enables the axially inward
surface of the block 80 to abut the axially outward end of
the upper axial portion 102 of the collar 70 when the hand
lever 74 is rotated from the neutral position while th~ control
unit 1 i5 in the neutral throttle mode of operation. When the
hand lever 74 is rotated to the neutral position, the block 80
engages the notch lOO,thereby permitting axial translation of
the shaft 4 and engagement of the keys 8 with the keyways 12
under loading from the spring 20. The hand lever 74 is rotated
from the neutral position in the manner previously described.
While the invention has been described with reference
to a specific embodiment, the exact nature and scope of the
invention is defined in the following claims.
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