Synchronizer with cone cup locater pins

A pin-type synchronizer mechanism selectively operative to frictionally synchronize and positive connect either of first and second axially spaced apart drives mounted for relative rotation about an axis of a shaft and secured against axial movement relative to the shaft;

• the mechanism comprising:
• drive jaw means affixed to each drive and engageable with axially movable jaw means having axially extending internal splines slidably mating continuously with axially extending external splines affixed to the shaft;
• first and second cone friction surfaces respectively defined by axially spaced apart first and second members respectively secured by attachment means for fixed rotation with the first and second drives and for limited axial movement away from the space between the gears, and third and fourth cone friction surfaces defined by a pair of axially spaced apart rings concentric to the shaft drives and axially movable between the spaced apart drives for axial movement into engagement respectively with the first and second friction surfaces to synchronize the drives with the shaft;
• a flange extending radially between the rings for axially moving the movable rings and jaw means into said engagement in response to an axial bidirectional shift force (F.sub.o) applied to the flange, means securing the flange against axial movement relative to the axially movable jaw means;
• blocker means for preventing engagement of the jaw means prior to the synchronizing, the blocker means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart and axially extending pins rigidly securing the rings together, the pins extending through openings in the flange, each pin having axially spaced apart blocker shoulders engageable with blocker shoulders defined on opposite sides of the flange and about the associated opening;
• pre-energizer means for engaging either one of the third and fourth friction surfaces respectively with the first and second friction surfaces in response to initial axial movement of the flange by the shift force from a neutral position toward one of the drives, for engaging the blocker means in response to engagement of the friction surfaces producing a synchronizing torque transmitted to the flange via the pins, and for transmitting the shift force to the engaged friction surfaces via the engaged blocker means to increase the engaging force of the engaged friction surfaces;
• characterized by:
• the attachment means allowing axial movement of the first and second friction members toward the friction rings;
• and
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart rigid members axially interposed between the first and second members for limiting axial movement thereof toward the friction rings.