US3653280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Four-pinion differential
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1970-08-05
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Granted: 1972-04-04
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Expires: 1990-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A four-pinion differential mechanism in which a cross-shaft having a cross-bore therein encircles and is carried by the pinion shaft of a conventional two-pinion differential. The cross-shaft carries an additional two pinions. This structure permits conversion of a conventional open-faced two-pinion differential into a higher capacity four-pinion differential.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B Koskela
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H2048/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A differential mechanism having a rotatable unitary differential housing having windows on opposite sides thereof, aligned axial shafts projecting into said housing from opposite directions coaxially with the axis of said housing and having side gears mounted thereon insiDe said differential housing, a first pinion shaft secured to said differential housing and disposed at right angles to and intersecting the axis of said axle shafts, a pair of pinion gears mounted on opposite ends of said pinion shaft and meshing with said side gears, a second pinion shaft having a cross-bore therein, said second pinion shaft being carried by said first pinion shaft with the first pinion shaft extending through the cross-bore of said second pinion shaft with opposite ends of said second pinion shaft extending through said windows, a second pair of pinion gears rotatably supported at opposite ends of said second pinion shaft in engagement with said side gears and, retaining means, each having a pinion gear bearing support surface thereon, secured to said second pinion shaft outboard of the said pinion gears thereon with said pinion gears engageable against said bearing support surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A differential mechanism having a rotatable unitary differential housing having windows on opposite sides thereof, aligned axial shafts projecting into said housing from opposite directions coaxially with the axis of said housing and having side gears mounted thereon insiDe said differential housing, a first pinion shaft secured to said differential housing and disposed at right angles to and intersecting the axis of said axle shafts, a pair of pinion gears mounted on opposite ends of said pinion shaft and meshing with said side gears, a second pinion shaft having a cross-bore therein, said second pinion shaft being carried by said first pinion shaft with the first pinion shaft extending through the cross-bore of said second pinion shaft with opposite ends of said second pinion shaft extending through said windows, a second pair of pinion gears rotatably supported at opposite ends of said second pinion shaft in engagement with said side gears and, retaining means, each having a pinion gear bearing support surface thereon, secured to said second pinion shaft outboard of the said pinion gears thereon with said pinion gears engageable against said bearing support surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A differential mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means are secured to said second pinion shaft to provide nonrotatable bearing surfaces against which said pinion gears carried by said second pinion shaft are journaled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a differential mechanism having a rotatable unitary differential housing with pinion receiving openings on opposite sides thereof, aligned axial shafts projecting into said housing from opposite directions coaxially with the axis of said housing and having side gears mounted thereon inside said differential housing, a pinion shaft secured to said differential housing and disposed therein at right angles to and intersecting the axis of said axle shafts, pinion gears rotatably journaled on said pinion shaft at opposite ends thereof in position to mesh with said side gears; the improvements comprising, a cross-shaft having a cross-bore therein encircling said pinion shaft intermediate said pinion gears to be carried by said pinion shaft in position so that opposite ends of said cross-shaft extend through said pinion receiving openings in said unitary differential housing, a second set of pinion gears rotatably supported at opposite ends of said cross-shaft, and pinion retaining means including bearing means secured at opposite ends to said cross-shaft outboard of said pinion gears to retain said pinion gears in engagement with said side gears.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a differential mechanism having a rotatable unitary differential housing with pinion receiving openings on opposite sides thereof, aligned axial shafts projecting into said housing from opposite directions coaxially with the axis of said housing and having side gears mounted thereon inside said differential housing, a pinion shaft secured to said differential housing and disposed therein at right angles to and intersecting the axis of said axle shafts, pinion gears rotatably journaled on said pinion shaft at opposite ends thereof in position to mesh with said side gears; the improvements comprising, a cross-shaft having a cross-bore therein encircling said pinion shaft intermediate said pinion gears to be carried by said pinion shaft in position so that opposite ends of said cross-shaft extend through said pinion receiving openings in said unitary differential housing, a second set of pinion gears rotatably supported at opposite ends of said cross-shaft, and pinion retaining means including bearing means secured at opposite ends to said cross-shaft outboard of said pinion gears to retain said pinion gears in engagement with said side gears.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-04 | 1975-10-04 | 1976-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-04 | 1979-10-04 | 1980-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-04 | 1983-10-04 | 1984-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |