US2549751A - Speed responsive coupling - Google Patents

Description

April 17, l95l w. J. PENGLER 2,549,751

SPEED RESPONSIVE COUPLING Filed March 28, 1945 Ey? 47/ A Patented Apr. 17, 1951l UNITED: sinresv PATENT OFFICE SPEED RESPONSIVE COUPLING Walterv J. Spengler, Sidney, N. Y.,assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, New York; N. Y., va corporation of Delaware Application March 28, 1945', Serial No. 585,263

` l2-,Clailvns.` (Cl. 64'-25') f l 'Ihisjinventionfrelates particularly to means/for connecting two rotating.` parts,y such 'as partsfof. an .internalV combustiorn' engine".:ignition:` system, soU that automatic angularY adj ustmentsfof said parts' maybe effected? during; rotationethereog wherebyV vthe v timing of the sparks vproducedl byithef'ignition system in' .i the 2 engineI rcylinders" may beA automatically varied;`

Onexof theobjectsxof-:ethe' present invention isi torprovide novel apparatus for mechanically co-upling, two z rotating elements relativeitofrthe other; n

Another object fof' .theinventionI is to 'provide a novelV automaticrvariable"coupling for'rotating parts which functions-.in accordance `with the speedofrotationfoffsaid pants. Y i

A: further; obj ect,` is f to provide: novelmeansY for automatically eiTecti-ng adjustments in the timing of thefignitionisystemiocan internal combustion engine.

Still anotherv object isftoflprovide'f4 novel' coupling; means of the aboveicharacterwhereby two' rotating parts` may.;I be automaticallyangularly adjusted in one::directionrelativev to, eachv other at onevspeeda of rotation:andY in: the otherzdi'rec tion-.at ahigher speedzof rotation. Y

A vstill further-object isf-to provide I a-fnovel, cen-v trifugally responsive device.for.1electing an autol,

matic variable?connectionzbetween two 'rotatable parts.

Another object istoprovidenovel means adapt"y ed for Iuse in .the-ignition system lof .an internalv combustion engine` forv effecting spark? advanceat. onel enginefspeeds ,andf Ya retardation -of the spark-,ata higherfengine: speed or vice-versa Another-objectl-is to provide a novel'v ignition apparatus` for tanz internal combustion.; engine whereby the sparks in the .cylinders of the engine may berboth Yadvanced and retardedsrelative.V to the positie-not the pistons-'in said cylindersy by a single, .centrifugallyzr actuated'. unit for coupling two rotating partsj whiclnareadapted: for` rela-- tive angular movement..

Another :obj ect. is .Y to .provide @coupling means ofthe above characterwhichualso :functions to some extent. as a flexible .-couplingtoavoid damage Which-mightfotherwise-be occasioned bysudden shocks:andquickechanges oi. speed..

yThe above and; further-'obiects andnovel fea.-v tur'esof thefinventicrr wilhmoreaiully'appear from the;'folioWing'gdetailed:descriptionl when. the'y same.-

isi.4 read in V,connection'fi ther accompanying drawings. Itis torb'e expresslygundersto'od; how'- to couplings fandzmore element-sito eachlothe'r while I permitting of angularsadj ustment .Lof one.4 off, said.

ever; that 'the-drawings are for the purpose of.' illustration only and arel not intended as a defini-' tion4 oiY the limits of the invention, reference. for this latter purpose being had primarily to` the appended claims.

In the drawings'-wherei'n. like reference lcharacters refer to like parts throughout the-several views,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section of a magneto-orf the like embodying one form of theV novel coupling unit comprehended` by the present invention;Y

Fig; 2 is a: transverse'sectionl on the line 2--2` of Fig. 1;

Fig.` 3' is a-,transversesection on the line 3;-3"

of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view-of the. centrifugally responsive weight members and intermediate supporting member therefor, shoWninlFigs. l'to 3.

Referring tothe drawings, the. present inventionis herein illu'strated,by Way of example, in

the form of ay coupling unit adapted for use in. the ignition system of an internal combustionengine. As shown, the novel coupling unit of the invention is associatedswith the shaft of a magneto or the like forV the purpose of' automatically' varying. the timing of the sparks in be of any suitable designwell4 knownl in the. art' and,y hence,v isA only partially shown; In a manf ner also well understood by those skilled in. the:

an ignition. 'system' relative toA the positions of the pistons infthef enginef in: which' the sparks occur. The couplingV unit is employed for connecting a rotating part of ane engine (not shown). tothe 'rotor shaft Bain. aV magneto 6 which may art, the 'rotor' of the' magneto `is drivably connected'v with a" circuit breaker cam (notfshown)` which operates. ini timed"relation` to the rotor." and: determines the time of'v the occurrence.-

of. thej sparks'y inw4 the. engine cylinders. In`

a structure of this' character. wherein the` timing cam is driven; byw the magneto; rotor, ther coupling unit of= the i' present invention is preferably located-aso that the. rotor and the.v cam areaiected' alike by adjustments made. by. said unit, thereby insuringthe vopening ofthe primary; circuit of themagneto coil at the most. advantageousv moment for ecient operation ir- -respectiveof the adjustmentseffected by' the coupling unit.y

Asl herein showng. the-novel coupling means-v whereby shaft 5: is exiblyconnected to an enginedriven part. for:` automatic angular adjustmentA relativetheretdzcomprises a spur pinion 1 (Figs: 1 and'. v3:);l which. maybe considered as the driving member of the coupling unit since it is connected, although not necessarily, to the prime mover, which in the present instance is a rotating part of an engine on which magneto 6 is mounted. For this purpose, the hub portion 8.

of pinion or driving member 'I is provided at one end thereof with external splines 9 that are adapted to engage an internally splined rotating part of the engine. Pinion I is provided with a bearing sleeve or bushing I6 which is loosely mounted on a smooth reduced portion of shaft 5 and projects inwardly beyond said pinion for purposes to be presently described.

Journalled on the projecting end of bushing I for free angular movement relative thereto, is a torque transmitting intermediate member in the form of an irregularly shaped plate II having hub portions I2 and I3 (Fig. 1) on opposite sides thereof to provide a substantial bearing for said plate, said hub portion I2 telescoping into driving member or pinion 'I to enable positioning of the latter relatively close to plate II. The holes I4 in plate I I indicate removal of material from the latter in order to reduce the Weight thereof.

Novel centrifugally responsive means are provided for drivably connecting members I and I I, and for eifecting relative angular movement of said members at a predetermined speed of rotation thereof. As shown, said centrifugally responsive means comprises a pair of gear segments I5, I5 (Figs 1 and 3) disposed diametrically opposite each other and arranged to mesh with the teeth of pinion or driving member 7..

Each segment I5 is formed with a horizontal arm portion I6, and with a vertical arm portion I'I, the latter arm portion being weighted at its free end as indicated at I8. As shown, each centrifugally responsive weight member I5 is of a thickness throughout substantially equal to the width of the face of pinion 1, and is formed from a single piece of material. It will be understood that the members I5, I5 may be fabricated from a plurality of thin plates or laminations secured together in a suitable manner.

Centrifugal members I5, I5 are pivotally mounted on corresponding ends of sleeves I9, I9 (Fig. 1) which are secured, as by pins 20, 20, in intermediate plate member I I and project beyond each side of the latter. Screws 2 I, 2| threaded into sleeves I9, I9 hold centrifugal members I5, I5 against outward endwise displacement on said sleeves. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the weighted arm portions II, I'I of centrifugal members I5, I5 extend upwardly and downwardly, respectively, at opposite sides of the axis of rotation of shaft 5, and the pivotal arrangement of said centrifugal members is such that each tends to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) under the influence of centrifugal force upon rotation of members I and II in the same direction.

Secured in and projecting laterally beyond each side of plate II are pins 22, 22 (Figs. 3 and 4) corresponding ends of which are normally engaged by the arm portions I 6, I6 of centrifugal members I5, I5 to limit rotation of the latter in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3) upon counterclockwise rotation of pinion 'I and, hence, cause said members and said plate to rotate with said pinion. Pins 22, 22 determine the normal illustrated positions of centrifugal members I5, I5, and also operate to limit the extent of rotation of said members in a counter-clockwise direction under the influence of centrifugal force through engagement with abutments 23, 23 on said members.

Centrifugal members I5, I5 and plate II are normally held in the positions illustrated, with arm portions I6, I6 of said members engaging pins 22, 22, by suitable resilient means, such as a pair of pull or tension springs 24, 24 (Fig. 3). The latter are of lke predetermined tension and have corresponding ends thereof connected by means of suitable adapters 25, 25 to corresponding ends of pins 26, 26 which are secured in and project laterally beyond each side of plate II. Suitable spacer collars 21, 21 surround pins 26, 26. The opposite ends of springs 24, 24 are connected to suitable adapters 28, 28 which extend into the bifurcated ends of studs 29, 29 and are connected thereto by pins 30, 30 that extend through said studs and said adapters. Studs 29, 29 are adjustably threaded in suitable threaded openings in the arm portions I6, I6 of centrifugal members I5, I5. It will thus appear that by rotating the studs 29, 29 the tension of springs 24, 24 may be varied to control the pivotal movement of centrifugal members I5, I5 by centrifugal force at desired speeds. Adjustment of studs 29. 29 as above described is effected after springs 24. 24 are disconnected therefrom.

When the above described parts are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, at or above a predetermined angular speed, the centrifugal force acting on the weighted ends of centrifugal members I5, I5 causes the latter to pivot counter-clockwise about pivots I9,'I9, against the efforts of springs 24, 24, until abutments 23, 23 on said members engage pins 22, 22. This latter movement of centrifugal members I5, I5 causessaid members to roll bodily in a counter-clockwise direction about pinion 'I a predetermined angular distance and, hence, effect a predetermined angular movement of intermediate plate member II inv the same direction relative to pinion or driving member 1. Since member II is connected, in a manner to appear hereafter, to the magneto rotor, the latter is moved ahead with respect to the engine driving member I when centrifugal members I5, I5 move outwardly and causes an advance in the timing of the sparks in the en-l gine cylinders relative to the positions of the pistons in said cylinders.

Engaged over rotor shaft 5 and disposed at' the side of intermediate plate member I I opposite that at which driving pinion 1 and centrifugal members I5, I5 are arranged is a spur pinion 3I (Figs. 1 and 2) which may be conveniently referred to as the driven member of the coupling unit. Pinion 3I is telescoped over the hub I3 of plate II to enable positioning of the same relatively close to said plate, and is drivably connected to rotor shaft 5 by means of splines 32 within the hub 33 of said pinion-that mesh with external splines 34 on said shaft.

Novel centrifugally responsive means are provided for drivably connecting intermediate plate member II to pinion or driven member 3I, said i a horizontal arm portion 36, and with a vertical arm portion 31, the latter arm portion being ancorati;

Weighted ataits, free end-rassindcated at-38fl As. showninFig. 4f. the.arm. por-tions3&and3land .c the-fweightportions` 3811er theecentrifugalfmemb'ers 35; 3'5". arefthinnen thani the: arm vportions i I 6 and Ir'If and :the Weightf portions fl 8 f of-,fcentrifu- V- gal members |5, |52 .Thus-Vcentrifugal:mem-Av bers 35,-35 are `:lightenA in Weightfthan the centrifugal members, I, y|511 The centrifugal' members 35, 35V are formed,- inv thefillustratedvem 10 maybe: fabricated from a-pluralityv of .thirnpla-tesV bodimerit,r from a5J single piecei of material',E but or laminationsY if desired.-

f The ycentrifugal members135;A 3 5- are?` arranged the same. as and' ini.axial-alignment::with: cen-r. tr'ifugalmembers;v I 5,121 5";.tofpivot outwardly in the; same direction as the latter under the influence?? of? centrifugal orcestactingtthereom; Accordingally mounted'f'on the:- endszof sleeves I9," .liltthat project` beyond the f. side* of" platefl |"adiacent'-` driven. member or` pinion`l 31.1 `Screws 39; 39 threaded intoV said ends ofv sleeves' I9, lfholdf centrifugal members-,35, V 35- against inward end-` f Wise displacement-on saidsleeves: Y

Pivotally connectedvat'lll'l,"V 40'ito the` arm por? tions 36, 36'- ofl centrifugal members 35,` 35y are' bifurcated blocks 4I, 4|" eachhaving adjustably" threaded therein ahsuitablefspring. connector or adapter 42" Connected f with -adaptersi 42, 42 aref' corresponding e'n'dsof pullsprings43, i3-Whichy are of like `*predetermined t'ension but'' preft'erably somewhat f greaterthanl the` predeterminedterrsion :of-springs 24;' 24fforcentrifugalfrriembersV |5', I5. The opposite-endsof`springsr43 43-'areffcon-i nectedt'oisuitable adapters "44', v41|', which', in turn, are' connected to' the'projecting freeendsof pins-Tf 26526.'` Suitable spacernolliars 45,145 surround*` pins 25, 25"betvvee'n adapters44; 447 andthead'j" jacent side of plate Theia'rmport'ions' 36,2361

of centrifugal members 35; 35am-normally held in. engagement"-with theprojecting freey endsfof pins" 22', 22 bysprings 43, 43- whichld'etermine'thef' normal illustrated position of `said members' and i p mediate'speeds, and at al retardedV spark set'tingl prevent rotation of the latter' beyondsaid posi-U l tion by'said'springs;v `Pins 22, 22 also operate vto limit the extent of outwardmovement'of' cen-A'Y trifugal members 35, under the'inuence of centrifugal force through engagementV of abutments'- 46, 46 onsaid members' withsaidpins.

Springs 43, 43- in resisting the'outward movement of centrifugal members V35, 35"cause"saidjmem" bers totransmit the rotation of rplate' II andv th'e above described'V angular movement of the"latter relativeto driving' pinion 'Itol drive'nmemberor pinion 13|v and rotor shaft 5. `The tensionof springsv 43, '43"may'b`e varied:l to'control`r the out;

member' 1;

When the driving anddrivenpartsl and 3| arerotated Y in al clockwise` r direction, asT viewed in Fig. 2, y atazpredeterminedspeedg which ishigher than thatrequiredlto causeecentriiugarmembersa.

I 5, I .5i-tov movevoutwardly; inthemanner; describe above; the. centrifugal; vforce; .acting on; the` Weightedaendsfofftcentrifugal members 35, 35 causes v`the latter to pivot :clockwise (as viewed-1in" f Fig. v2.); abouti-pivots t9,v |92. againstlthep tensioni y otsprings -43;43, .,unti-labutments e4i5',. 46 oni` said -v members engagefpinsAV 22', 22. Since during. this@ functioning 'of centrifugal members 35, 35 theres, is no relative angular movement of membersifl` and the driven member-orc pinion: 3| 1L and rotor shafti5 are rotated in al counter-clockwise direction (Figi-2l relative to drivingmembe'r 'I and plate II appredetermined angular distance'f, thereby` causing a retardation of fthefsparksin the', ignition systemA servedby/magneto 5; rIt-will bel notedL that the views fof; Fligsaz andxB areztaken'inv diferentidirectionsras respects Figui. :Asthex angular; speedroi theparts iszreducedpto onslightly belowfthe predetermined speedsfat Which-:cene trifugal members 5, I5. and;v 35,l :35 reach ,theout-VA Wardlimitsof theirrmovementsr, in the'i manner above described', springs 254,4 :Z4-and 43; 43, re-v spectively, return said centrifugal members tol their normalillustrated positions; therebyrevers ing l,the relative angular movements of the: parts and, hence,vthe advance-'or retardation of the* spark caused byy the, outward movements lofi said' centrifugal members. Thus-,an engine'fmay, for* example, be operated at one spark settingforlow:

speeds, at an advancedspark setting'fon interfor high speeds, said sparksettings beingv automatically effected'by the apparatus-of the-pres#l ent invention;

v'It -Willf be understood; that by: properly design-f ing/the parts Vabove describedza-v varietyy ofv 'modes'- ofl operation may` b'ebobtained.` If the relative'` angular positions-10i members 1; I and 3|? or, in the illustrated? structure, spark advance and retard isplotted against the angular speedof mem-Y berI'I, the contour of the curveiobtained may beVA greatly varied, for example, by changin'gthe'initial tension or design of springs 24 and'43, by ad justingthe spring'contours 29 and 42', by varyingv Lthe'extentof outward movement of'centrifugal "members |5, |51and-'35, 35,` or byfvarying the `characteristics of the `centrifugal weightfmembers:

There' is thuslprovided novel coupling means A,forlrotatableparts, such as a magneto or timerr rotor andfdrive shaft therefor, whereby relative angular movements Vof said parts in either direction ymaybe automatically eiected duringrotation thereof; and WherebS7 relative arlgu1 ar'move'-r ,ments" infop'posite directions may be effected as* the speed of rotation increases;

said coupling means'v includes` means,l asin" the;

centrifugal members' I5 and 35,)so'constructed as'to effect' different relative angular movements of the `connected partsV at "predetermined speeds *thereof` in response'tor` centrifugal forces'. AThe couplingunitsuprovided maybe employedin a novelmanner to automatically control the spark` settin'gof an ignition system .in an infinitevariety' ofvvays for the purpose of obtaining efli'cient'and` economical" operation'. at substantially allspe'eds'l Furthermore', the novel coupling means provided;

are simple in construction and operation and are also compactand reliable.

Although only one embodimentlof the inventionis illustrated-and described` in detail it .is to be expressly understood thatthev'same; is notlirnited thereto;k Asf Will novvv be;apparenttofthose:i skilled inthe/art,- various.changes;suchasjnE the*- design:v and,:,arrangement zofz the parts:illustrated,fL t

may be made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, only one of each of the centrifugal members I and 35 may be effectively employed and disposed at opposite sides of plate l I and diametrically opposite each other. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference is had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In apparatus of the class described, a rotatable driving member, a driven member mounted for rotation with and angular movement relative to said driving member, and means for drivably connecting said members comprising an intermediate connecting member and centrifugally responsive means pivotally mounted on said intermediate member and having direct gear teeth engagement with said driving and driven members, said responsive means comprising centrifugal weights of diierent sizes extending from their respective pivotal axes in a common circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation of said driving and driven members so as to be operable to effect relative angular movement of said members in different directions at different increasing speeds of rotation in response to centrifugal forces acting on said responsive means.

V2. Apparatus of the class described comprising two rotatable members adapted for angular movement relative to each other, means for transmitting a driving torque from one of said members to the other comprising centrifugally responsive means including a pivoted centrifugal weight directly engaged with each of said rotatable members, said weights being of different mass and mounted to extend from their respective pivotal axes in the same circumferential direction with respect to the axis 0f rotation of said rotatable members so as to be Voperable to first effect relative angular movement of said members in one direction and then effect relatve angular movement of said members in the other direction at different speeds as the speed of rotation of said members increases, and resilient means for controlling the movement of said responsive means in response to centrifugal forces.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a driving pinion, a driven pinion axially spaced from said driving pinion, and means drivably connecting said pinions whereby the latter rotate together and are adapted for limited angular movement relative to each other, said connecting means comprising a plate member disposed between said driving and driven pinions, a first centrifugally responsive gear segment pivotally mounted on said plate member and meshing with said driving pinion, and a second centrifugally responsive gear segment pivotally mounted on said plate member and meshing with said drivenother, said connecting means comprising a plate l member disposed between said drivingandfdriven.

members, a first centrifugally responsive toothed f segment pivotally mounted on said -plate mem ber and meshing with the teeth of said driving member, a second centrifugally responsive toothed" segment pivotally mounted on said plate memberand meshing with the teeth of said driven member, said rst and second szgments being adapted to become operative under the influence of centrifugal force at different speeds of rotation of said driving and driven members tol eiect a limited relative angular movement of said driving and driven vmembers rst in one direction and then in the opposite direction, and resilient means for controlling the movements of both of said segments in response to centrifugal forces. 5. In apparatus of the class described, a driving pinion, a driven pinion axially spaced from said driving pinion, means drivably connectingsaid pinions'whereby the latter rotate together and are adapted for limited angular movement relative to each other, said connecting means comprising a plate member disposed' between said driving' and driven pinions, arst centrifugally responsive gear segment pivotally mounted on said plate member and meshing vwith said driving pinion, a second centrifugally responsive gear segment pivotally mounted on said plate member and m;shing with said driven pinion, said first and second gear segments being adapted to become operative under the inuenceof centrifugal force at diierent speeds of rotation of said driving and driven pinions' to effect a limited relative angular movement of said driving and driven pinions first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, a spring for controlling the movement of said iirst gear segment in response to centrifugal force, means for connecting said spring with said iirst gear segment and with said plate and providing foradjustmentv of said spring to vary the tension thereof, a spring for controlling the movement of said second gear segment in response 11o-centrifugal force, and `means connecting said last-named spring with said plate and with said second gear segment and providing for adjustment of ksaid spring to vary the tension thereof.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising a driving pinion, a driven pinion arranged coaxially with and spaced from said driving pinion, and means drivably connecting said pinions comprlsing a plate member rotatably mounted between said driving and driven pinions, a rstpair of circumferentially spaced gear segments pivotally mounted on said yplate member and meshing with said driving pinion, and a second pairof circumferentially spaced gear segments.v

pivotally mounted on saidplate..member and. meshing with said driven pinion, said first and second pairs of gear segmentsbeing adapted to. become operative undenthe influence of centrifugal force at diliferent speeds of rotationl of. said driving and driven. pinions whereby a limited relative angular vmovement `of said driving and driven pinions is effected irstjin one direc-v tionat one speedof rotation and then in the opposite direction at another-speed of rotation.. 7. In apparatus ofthe class described, a driving pinion, a driven pinion arranged coaXially with and spaced from said driving pinion, and means drivably connecting said pinions comprising a plate member rotatably mounted between said driving and driven pinions, a Vfirst pair of circumfer'entially spaced gear segments pivotallyA mounted on 'said plate member and meshing with said. driving. ;pinion,i and -a second-vr .pairv of cir--y cumierentially spaced gear segments pivotally mounted on said plate member and meshing with said driven pinion, said first and second pairs of gear segments being adapted to become operative under the iniiuence of centrifugal force at diierent speeds of rotation of said dri vine: and driven pinions whereby a limited relative annu-- lar movement of said driving and driven pinions is eifccted first in one direction at one speed of rotation and then in the opposite direction at another speed of rotation, and resilient means resisting movement of each pair of said centrifugally responsive gear segments in response to centrifugal forces,

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotatable driving member, a rotatable driven member, means drivably connecting said members whereby the latter rotate together and are adapted for limited angular movement relative to each other, said connecting means comprising an intermediate member, means centrifugall;r responsive to one speed including a pivotally mounted centrifugal weight on said intermediate member and directly engaged with said driving member, other means centrifugally responsive yto another speed including a pivotally mounted centrifugal weight of different mass than said iirst named weight on said intermediate member and directly engaged with said driven member, one of said centrifugally responsive Weights being so mounted and engaged with said driving member to eiiect relative angular movement of said rotatable members in one direction in response to centrifugal forces at one speed and the other of said centrifugally responsive weights being so mounted and engaged with said driving member to eiect relative angular movement of said ro tatable members in the other direction in response to centrifugal forces at a different speed, said weights having the free ends thereof extending from their respective pivotal axes in a common circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation oi said members, and resilient means centripetally loading both of said centrifugally responsive means.

9. Apparatus of the class described comprising a toothed driving member, a toothed driven member, and means drivably connecting said members whereby the latter rotate together and are adapted for angular movement relative to each other, said connecting means comprising a support and oppositely impelled centrifugally responsive toothed segments pivotally mounted on said support, one of said segments meshing only with the teeth of said driving member and the other of said segments meshing only with the teeth of said driven member, said segments being 10 of dilferent masses and having the free ends thereof extending from their respective pivotal axes in a common circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation of said members to effect relative angular movement of said members in different directions at different speeds.

10.A coupling including relatively rotatable aligned shafts, gears on the shafts, a support between the gears rotatable with respect to the shafts, centrifugal levers pivotally mounted on the support with the free ends containing the centers of mass thereof extending from their respective mounting pivots in a common circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the shafts, and having gear segments on the other ends of the levers meshing with the gears.

il. A coupling including relatively rotatable aligned shafts, gears on the shafts, a support between the gears rotatable with respect to the shafts, centrifugal levers pivotally mounted on the support, gear segments on the levers meshing with the gears, said levers being of substantially diiferent inertia and extending from their respective pivotal axes in a common circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation of the shafts, and resilient means centripetally loading said centrifugal levers.

12. A coupling including relatively rotatable aligned shafts, gears on the shafts, a support between the gears rotatable with respect to the shafts, centrifugal levers pivotally mounted on the support, gear segments on the levers meshing with the gears, said levers being of substantially different inertia and pivoted for centrifugal motion with the free ends containing the centers of mass thereof extending from their respective pivotal axes in the same circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation of the shafts for imparting opposite relative angular movements to said shafts at different speeds of rotation thereof, and resilient means centripetally loading said centrifugal levers.

WALTER J. SPENGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,017,212 Honold et al Feb. 13, 1912 1,273,044 Diehl July 16, 1918 1,427,847 Putt Sept. 5, 1922 1,812,176 Sheridan June 30, 1931 2,391,525 Spengler Dec. 25, 1945

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