US3827520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clutch means for a 4 {33 {11 4 drive transfer vehicle
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-25
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1993-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A truck-tractor drive arrangement of the type which automatically converts rear wheel drive into four wheel drive includes a housing attached to the input end of a standard front drive-steer axle. Within the housing is a unidirectional clutch for driving the front wheels in a forward direction whenever the rear wheels lose traction and slip. An automatic lockout of the unidirectional clutch is provided for locking the arrangement into four wheel drive when drive occurs in a rearward direction. Alternatively, the lockout may also include provisions for automatically disengaging the unidirectional clutch when the tractor is travelling at highway speeds in the forward direction.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mueller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/02; B60K17/34; B60K17/348; B60K17/35; B60K17/3505
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A clutch arrangement for mounting to a bearing cage of a front drive-steer axle employed in a truck-tractor, said clutch arrangement comprising: an input shaft journalled in said front axle and extending within a housing; a pinion shaft longitudinally aligned with said input shaft and extending within and journalled in said housing, said pinion shaft having an end face within said housing and a plurality of saw-tooth type teeth annularly disposed thereabout, said pinion shaft further having a plurality of straight teeth disposed about its periphery adjacent said end face; an annular clutch member slidingly received over that portion of said input shaft within said housing and affixed thereto for common rotation therewith, said clutch member having an end face juxtaposed said end face of said pinion shaft and a plurality of saw-tooth type teeth spaced thereabout, said clutch member further having a plurality of straight teeth disposed about its outer periphery; a spring at the opposite end face of said clutch meMber biasing said clutch member into contact with said pinion shaft; a collar member having a plurality of straight teeth formed about its interior slidingly received over said clutch member and affixed thereto for common rotation therewith, said collar member having an exterior, circular groove formed thereabout; a bifurcated shift lever received within said groove; and power means within said housing for effecting common movement of said shift lever and said collar member whereby said pinion shaft and said input shaft are locked together for common rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A clutch arrangement for mounting to a bearing cage of a front drive-steer axle employed in a truck-tractor, said clutch arrangement comprising: an input shaft journalled in said front axle and extending within a housing; a pinion shaft longitudinally aligned with said input shaft and extending within and journalled in said housing, said pinion shaft having an end face within said housing and a plurality of saw-tooth type teeth annularly disposed thereabout, said pinion shaft further having a plurality of straight teeth disposed about its periphery adjacent said end face; an annular clutch member slidingly received over that portion of said input shaft within said housing and affixed thereto for common rotation therewith, said clutch member having an end face juxtaposed said end face of said pinion shaft and a plurality of saw-tooth type teeth spaced thereabout, said clutch member further having a plurality of straight teeth disposed about its outer periphery; a spring at the opposite end face of said clutch meMber biasing said clutch member into contact with said pinion shaft; a collar member having a plurality of straight teeth formed about its interior slidingly received over said clutch member and affixed thereto for common rotation therewith, said collar member having an exterior, circular groove formed thereabout; a bifurcated shift lever received within said groove; and power means within said housing for effecting common movement of said shift lever and said collar member whereby said pinion shaft and said input shaft are locked together for common rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The clutch arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power means includes an air cylinder within said housing, said air cylinder including: first, second, and third concentric bores within said housing, an air fitting within said housing communicating with said second bore, a piston within said first bore, said piston having a central opening extending therethrough, a threaded rod extending through said piston opening and secured to said bifurcated lever, a spring within said first bore biasing said piston to a position adjacent said second bore, and sealing means to prevent air from escaping through said second bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The clutch arrangement of claim 2 wherein said air cylinder further includes said threaded rod having shoulders formed thereon, said shoulders abutting opposing faces of said piston and said bifurcated lever, said housing having an access opening at one end, said access opening longitudinally aligned with said first, second, and third bores, and a knockout plug adapted to be received within said opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The clutch arrangement of claim 3 wherein said power means is actuable to disengage juxtaposed end faces of said clutch member and said pinion shaft, said first bore has a second fitting communicating therewith and a snap ring secured therein at a predetermined distance, and said second bore has the same diameter as said first bore, a second snap ring secured therein at a predetermined distance, and a second spring disposed therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The clutch arrangement of claim 4 wherein said clutch member has an external, circular groove formed adjacent said opposite end face and a snap ring disposed therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The clutch arrangement of claim 3 wherein said saw teeth of said drive pinion are equal in number and configuration to said saw teeth of said clutch member, each saw tooth defined by a rise face surface, a crest and valley dwell face surface intersecting said rise face surface and an engaging surface intersecting said crest and valley dwell face surfaces, and said rise surface intersecting said crest dwell surface at an approximate angle of 27* and said engaging surface undercut at an angle of approximately 15* relative said crest dwell surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
A drive arrangement for a truck-tractor comprising: a transmission with output connected to a rear drive shaft; a rear drive axle; first drive pinion means within said rear axle for transmitting transmission output from said rear drive shaft to the rear wheels of said tractor for driving said tractor; output drive means within said rear axle rotated by and at a lower speed than said first pinion means, said output means rotating a front drive shaft; a front, drive-steer axle; a housing affixed to the input end of said front axle, said housing having a portion of an input shaft for driving said front axle extending therein and a portion of a drive pinion extending therein, said pinion driven by said front drive shaft; unidirectional overrunning clutch means between said input shaft and said pinion for rotating said input shaft for forward drive of said front axle when said pinion shaft rotates at a speed at least equal to the rotation of said input shaft; and lockout means between said pinion shaft and said input shaft for automatically securing said input shaft and said Third pinion together for common rotation when said transmission is shifted into reverse.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A drive arrangement for a truck-tractor comprising: a transmission with output connected to a rear drive shaft; a rear drive axle; first drive pinion means within said rear axle for transmitting transmission output from said rear drive shaft to the rear wheels of said tractor for driving said tractor; output drive means within said rear axle rotated by and at a lower speed than said first pinion means, said output means rotating a front drive shaft; a front, drive-steer axle; a housing affixed to the input end of said front axle, said housing having a portion of an input shaft for driving said front axle extending therein and a portion of a drive pinion extending therein, said pinion driven by said front drive shaft; unidirectional overrunning clutch means between said input shaft and said pinion for rotating said input shaft for forward drive of said front axle when said pinion shaft rotates at a speed at least equal to the rotation of said input shaft; and lockout means between said pinion shaft and said input shaft for automatically securing said input shaft and said Third pinion together for common rotation when said transmission is shifted into reverse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The drive arrangement of claim 7 wherein said rear driving axle is of the multispeed type, and said lockout means further includes means for disengaging said unidirectional clutch means when said multispeed transmission is shifted from its lowest speed ratio to a higher speed ratio.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
The drive arrangement of claim 8 wherein said input shaft is journalled within a tapered roller bearing arrangement positioned within the bearing cage of said front axle, said input shaft having a splined portion and a threaded end within said housing; a splined annular spacer having a plurality of external straight teeth received by said splined portion of said input shaft and a nut in threaded engagement with said threaded end positions said spacer into contact with the cup of said bearing arrangement; and said housing being bolted to said bearing cage by a plurality of fasteners.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2928485A
Cited
US3295625A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |