US3894447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Four-pinion differential
Assignee: Deere and Co
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Filing: 1973-12-20
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1993-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A four-pinion differential featuring two pinion shafts disposed at ninety degrees to each other and intersecting at their midpoints, each shaft being continuous so as to span the differential housing diametrically thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Arlo Michael
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:21
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H2048/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A four-pinion differential having a generally cup-shaped housing adapted to rotate about a drive axis and containing a first pair of diametrically opposed pinions coaxial on a first pinion axis normal to and intersecting the drive axis and a second pair of diametrically opposed pinions coaxial on a second pinion axis normal to and intersecting both the drive and first pinion axes, the housing having pinion-proximate wall portions thereof provided with circular openings respectively on the first and second pinion axes, and means journaling the pinions in the housing, characterized in that said means comprises a first shaft lying on the first pinion axis and passing through the first pair of pinions and into and carried by the proximate pair of circular openings and having a through opening lying on the second pinion axis, said first shaft having substantially a constant diameter, a second integral pinion shaft lying on the second pinion axis and passing through the second pair of pinions and into and carried by the circular openings proximate to the second pair of pinions, said second shaft having a portion of substantially the same diameter as the first shaft and a portion of reduced diameter to pass through the aforesaid through opening, a sleeve passing through one of the second pair of pinions and its proximate circular opening and having inner and outer diameters respectively fitting said reduced portion and of the same diameter as the first shaft, and means securing at least the second pinion shaft to the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A four-pinion differential having a generally cup-shaped housing adapted to rotate about a drive axis and containing a first pair of diametrically opposed pinions coaxial on a first pinion axis normal to and intersecting the drive axis and a second pair of diametrically opposed pinions coaxial on a second pinion axis normal to and intersecting both the drive and first pinion axes, the housing having pinion-proximate wall portions thereof provided with circular openings respectively on the first and second pinion axes, and means journaling the pinions in the housing, characterized in that said means comprises a first shaft lying on the first pinion axis and passing through the first pair of pinions and into and carried by the proximate pair of circular openings and having a through opening lying on the second pinion axis, said first shaft having substantially a constant diameter, a second integral pinion shaft lying on the second pinion axis and passing through the second pair of pinions and into and carried by the circular openings proximate to the second pair of pinions, said second shaft having a portion of substantially the same diameter as the first shaft and a portion of reduced diameter to pass through the aforesaid through opening, a sleeve passing through one of the second pair of pinions and its proximate circular opening and having inner and outer diameters respectively fitting said reduced portion and of the same diameter as the first shaft, and means securing at least the second pinion shaft to the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claims 1, further characterized in that all the circular openings and the pinion openings are of substantially the same diameter and the first shaft is likewise of substantially the same diameter as aforesaid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that each shaft is of one-piece construction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the circular openinged wall portions are integral parts of the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that the securing means engages the sleeve, the associated reduced portion of the second shaft and the proximate portion of the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention defined in claim 5, further characterized in that the proximate portion of the casing includes a bore normal to the axis of the second shaft, the sleeve includes a bore coaxial with the last-named bore, the second shaft includes at recess aligned with the last-named bore, and a fastener means passes through said last-named bores and into the recesses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention defined in claim 6, further characterized in that at least one of the last-named bores is internally threaded and the fastener is threadedly engaged with the threaded bore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |