Multiple gear range transmission

A multiple gear range transmission for use with a torque input and a torque output, comprising:

• an input shaft;
• an output shaft;
• and
• at least one bridging shaft, each carrying a plurality of drive members, the bridging shaft not being connected to the torque input or the output;
• wherein drive members on the bridging shaft operatively cooperate with those carried on either the input shaft and/or output shaft so as to transfer load between the input shaft and the output shaft via a plurality of selectable load paths corresponding to a plurality of respective resultant gear ratios grouped in at least two gear ranges;
• wherein each shaft has one or more drive members capable of being selectively rotationally fixed to the shaft;
• wherein successive gear ratios up or down a gear range are selectable, using load paths that include different respective drive members from one of either the input or output shafts;
• wherein successive gear ranges are selectable using load paths that include different respective drive members from the other of either the input or output shafts;
• and
• wherein a transition from a selected gear at the top or bottom of a selected gear range to the next available gear in the next available gear range involves selection of a new load path comprising drive members from the input and output shaft that are not involved in the load path for the currently selected gear.