US3673889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential
Assignee: Dana Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-10
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1991-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A differential is provided particularly for small self-propelled vehicles or machines such as lawn mowers, which differential is of simplified, sturdy design. Wheel axles within the differential have reduced ends which are received and rotatably supported directly in an idler shaft. These components are assembled prior to mounting the idler shaft in openings of the differential housing to assure proper alignment of the wheel axles and gears. Two miter gears are rotatably supported on the idler shaft and two additional miter gears are affixed to end portions of the wheel axles. A driven sprocket or gear is affixed to the housing which rotates the housing and the components about the common axis of the wheel axles. The differential housing is of two part construction, being joined along a line bisecting the openings which receive the idler shaft. The two housing parts are identical, which reduces manufacturing costs and also enables the driven sprocket to be mounted at two different locations on the differential housing to adapt the differential to particular requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Hauser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:02
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H2048/082; F16H2048/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A differential comprising a housing forming two aligned openings, said housing being made of two parts joined along a line bisecting both of said housing openings, a driven member affixed to said housing to rotate said housing about an axis, a transverse idler shaft extending across said housing and having ends affixed in said openings in said housing, said idler shaft being positioned perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of said housing and said driven member, a pair of beveled pinion gears mounted for rotation on said idler shaft, two aligned wheel axles extending into said housing and positioned coaxially with the axis of rotation of said housing, the diameter of said idler shaft being substantially no larger than the diameters of said wheel axles, said idler shaft being free to move longitudinally in said openings prior to assembly of said idler shaft and said housing, whereby said idler shaft is self-aligning with respect to said wheel axles, said idler shaft being held in fixed relationship in said openings when said housing parts are assembled, said wheel axles having beveled side gears mounted thereon and engaged with said pinion gears in said housing, said axles having ends in said housing extending thrOugh and beyond said side gears, said ends of said axles beyond said side gears having reduced diameters, and said idler shaft forming a passage receiving and rotatably supporting said axle ends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A differential comprising a housing forming two aligned openings, said housing being made of two parts joined along a line bisecting both of said housing openings, a driven member affixed to said housing to rotate said housing about an axis, a transverse idler shaft extending across said housing and having ends affixed in said openings in said housing, said idler shaft being positioned perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of said housing and said driven member, a pair of beveled pinion gears mounted for rotation on said idler shaft, two aligned wheel axles extending into said housing and positioned coaxially with the axis of rotation of said housing, the diameter of said idler shaft being substantially no larger than the diameters of said wheel axles, said idler shaft being free to move longitudinally in said openings prior to assembly of said idler shaft and said housing, whereby said idler shaft is self-aligning with respect to said wheel axles, said idler shaft being held in fixed relationship in said openings when said housing parts are assembled, said wheel axles having beveled side gears mounted thereon and engaged with said pinion gears in said housing, said axles having ends in said housing extending thrOugh and beyond said side gears, said ends of said axles beyond said side gears having reduced diameters, and said idler shaft forming a passage receiving and rotatably supporting said axle ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A differential according to claim 1 characterized by the reduced ends of said axles beyond said side gears having diameters not exceeding two-thirds the diameters of said wheel axles and said idler shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A differential according to claim 1 characterized by said idler shaft having an oil-impregnated bearing in said passage which receives and rotatably supports said axle ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A differential according to claim 1 characterized by said idler shaft being of uniform cross section throughout its length, except for the passage therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
A differential according to claim 1 characterized by annular bearing members rotatably mounted on said idler shaft between each of said beveled pinion gears and the adjacent inner surfaces of said housing to enable said housing to back up and support said pinion gears when meshing with said side gears, and additional annular bearing members rotatably mounted on said wheel axles between each of said beveled side gears and the adjacent inner surfaces of said housing to back up and support said side gears when meshing with said pinion gears.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |