US3901102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Axle retaining differential mechanism
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-10-05
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1993-10-05
Abstract
Abstract In a differential mechanism, the side gear openings and axle shafts are provided with axially inner and outer splined portions separated by separating portions. The inner and outer splined portions are normally engaged; but, should the axle shaft begin to pull out of the differential, the splined portions disengage and the axle shaft and side gear are free to rotate independently with the inner splined portion of the axle shaft within the separating portion of the side gear and prevented from further withdrawal by the outer splined portion of the side gear.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C Manwaring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:20
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H2048/082; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7026; Y10T403/7033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
In a differential driving mechanism including a casing adapted to be rotatably driven and a differential gear assembly within said casing, the improvement comprising: a pair of side gears included in said differential gear assembly, said side gears being adapted to be rotatably driven with said casing through said differential gear assembly but further being rotatable in opposite directions with respect to each other within said casing, each of said gears having an axial opening therethrough, each of said openings having two axially spaced sets of internal splines; a pair of rotatable output members having inner ends received in said openings and adapted to be normally rotatably driven by said side gears, said inner end of each said output member having two axially spaced sets of external splines thereon, the spline sets being of essentially the saMe cross section, each set of external splines normally mating with the corresponding set of internal splines, the spline sets being spaced apart axially a sufficient distance that the splines may be disengaged by relative axial displacement of a side gear and output member such as to dispose a spline set of said output member axially between the spline sets of said side gear, whereupon relative rotation of the members will inhibit further relative axially displacement of said output member and side gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a differential driving mechanism including a casing adapted to be rotatably driven and a differential gear assembly within said casing, the improvement comprising: a pair of side gears included in said differential gear assembly, said side gears being adapted to be rotatably driven with said casing through said differential gear assembly but further being rotatable in opposite directions with respect to each other within said casing, each of said gears having an axial opening therethrough, each of said openings having two axially spaced sets of internal splines; a pair of rotatable output members having inner ends received in said openings and adapted to be normally rotatably driven by said side gears, said inner end of each said output member having two axially spaced sets of external splines thereon, the spline sets being of essentially the saMe cross section, each set of external splines normally mating with the corresponding set of internal splines, the spline sets being spaced apart axially a sufficient distance that the splines may be disengaged by relative axial displacement of a side gear and output member such as to dispose a spline set of said output member axially between the spline sets of said side gear, whereupon relative rotation of the members will inhibit further relative axially displacement of said output member and side gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
308 words
In a differential driving mechanism including a casing adapted to be rotatably driven and a differential gear assembly within said casing, the improvement comprising: a pair of side gears included in said differential gear assembly, said side gears being adapted to be rotatably driven with said casing through said differential gear assembly but further being rotatable in opposite directions with respect to each other within said casing, each of said gears having an axial opening therethrough, each of said openings having an axially inner splined portion, an axially outer splined portion and a separating portion therebetween; a pair of rotatable output members having inner ends received in said openings and adapted to normally be rotatably driven by said side gears, said inner end of each said output member having an axially inner splined portion adapted for engagement with said side gear axially inner splined portion, an axially outer splined portion adapted for engagement with said side gear axially outer splined portion and a separating portion therebetween, said output member separating portion having diameter smaller and axial width greater than the inner diameter and axial width, respectively, of said side gear outer axial splined portion, said side gear separating portion having diameter and axial width greater than the outer diameter and axial width, respectively, of said output member inner axial splined portion, said output member inner axial splined portion having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said side gear outer axial splined portion, whereby, should either of said output members be withdrawn from engagement with its corresponding side gear while being driven thereby, said output member and side gear will rotate freely with respect to each other with said output member inner axial splined portion contained within said output member separating portion and being prevented from further withdrawal by said side gear outer axial splined portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
308 words
In a differential driving mechanism including a casing adapted to be rotatably driven and a differential gear assembly within said casing, the improvement comprising: a pair of side gears included in said differential gear assembly, said side gears being adapted to be rotatably driven with said casing through said differential gear assembly but further being rotatable in opposite directions with respect to each other within said casing, each of said gears having an axial opening therethrough, each of said openings having an axially inner splined portion, an axially outer splined portion and a separating portion therebetween; a pair of rotatable output members having inner ends received in said openings and adapted to normally be rotatably driven by said side gears, said inner end of each said output member having an axially inner splined portion adapted for engagement with said side gear axially inner splined portion, an axially outer splined portion adapted for engagement with said side gear axially outer splined portion and a separating portion therebetween, said output member separating portion having diameter smaller and axial width greater than the inner diameter and axial width, respectively, of said side gear outer axial splined portion, said side gear separating portion having diameter and axial width greater than the outer diameter and axial width, respectively, of said output member inner axial splined portion, said output member inner axial splined portion having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said side gear outer axial splined portion, whereby, should either of said output members be withdrawn from engagement with its corresponding side gear while being driven thereby, said output member and side gear will rotate freely with respect to each other with said output member inner axial splined portion contained within said output member separating portion and being prevented from further withdrawal by said side gear outer axial splined portion.
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) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |