Motor disconnect means

Claim 2

Final drive means for a machine having first and second oppositely disposed traction means, said final drive means including interchangeable housing means for use on the final drive means for either said first or second traction means, said housing means being interchangeable without modification, said housing means having removable cover plate means, said cover plate means having an opening located centrally of said cover plate means, said housing means further includng cap member means for selectively removable disposition over said opening to substantially close off said opening, said cap member means including first aperture means for providing access to internal components of said final drive means for selectively rendering said final drive inoperative, said first aperture means being located concurrently centrally of said cap member means and said opening, first plug means normally removably disposed within said first aperture means to close said first aperture means.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein said cover plate means also includes second and third aperture means for draining fluid from said final drive housing means angularly spaced apart adjacent the periphery of said cover plate means, second and third selectively removable plug means for closing said second and third drain aperture means respectively.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2 wherein said cover plate means further includes storage bore means, said storage bore means including a threaded portion, threaded pull bolt means selectively removably threadably disposed within said storage bore means, said threaded pull bolt means for selectively functioning to act upon said internal components to render said final drive inoperative.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1 wherein said final drive means further include movable input means for connection with and transmission of input torque from a source of input torque, said final drive means further including movable output means for connection with and transmission of torque to said traction means, said internal components including disconnect means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said movable input means and said movable output means.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4 wherein said movable input means include a first gear member and said movable output means include a second gear member, said disconnect means including an axially floating shaft member having first and second spline means for engaging respectively the gear teeth of said first and second gear members.

Claim 7

Final drive means for a machine having first and second oppositely disposed traction means, said final drive means including interchangeable housing means for use on the final drive means for either said first or second traction means, said housing means having removable cover plate means, said cover plate means having an opening located centrally of said cover plate means, said housing means further including cap member means for selectively removable disposition over said opening to substantially close off said opening, said cap member means including first aperture means for providing access to internal components of said final drive means for selectively rendering said final drive inoperative, said first aperture means being, located concurrently centrally of said cap member means and said opening, first plug means normally removably disposed within said first aperture means to close first aperture means, said final drive means further including movable input means for connection with and transmission of input torque from a source of input torque, said final drive means further including movable output means for connection with and transmission of torque to said traction means, said internal components including disconnect means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said movable input means and said movable output means, said movable input means including a first gear member and said movable output means include a second gear member, said disconnect means including an axially floating shaft member having first and second spline means for engaging respectively the gear teeth of said first and second gear members, said first and second spline means are disposed upon the axially opposite end portions of said floating shaft member, and wherein said shaft member has first and second thrust bearing surfaces at the axially opposite ends thereof proximate said first and second spline means.

Claim 8

Final drive means for a machine having first and second oppositely disposed traction means, said final drive means including interchangeable housing means for use on the final drive means for either said first or second traction means, said housing means having removable cover plate means, said cover plate means having an opening located centrally of said cover plate means, said housing means further including cap member means for selectively removable disposition over said opening to substantially close off said opening, said cap member means including first aperture means for providing access to internal components of said final drive means for selectively rendering said final drive inoperative, said first aperture means being, located concurrently centrally of said cap member means and said opening, first plug means normally removably disposed within said first aperture means to close first aperture means, said final drive means further including movable input means for connection with and transmission of input torque from a source of input torque, said final drive means further including movable output means for connection with and transmission of torque to said traction means, said internal components including disconnect means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said movable input means and said movable output means, said movable input means including a first gear member and said movable output means include a second gear member, said disconnect means including an axially floating shaft member having first and second spline means for engaging respectively the gear teeth of said first and second gear members, said first and second spline means are disposed upon the axially opposite end portions of said floating shaft member, and wherein said shaft member has first and second thrust bearing surfaces at the axially opposite ends thereof proximate said first and second spline means.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 6 wherein said first plug means includes an elongated extension portion having enlarged thrust means thereof for engaging said first thrust bearing surface of said floating shaft member to limit axial movement of said floating shaft member toward said first aperture means.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 6 wherein said cover plate means further includes storage bore means, said storage bore means including a threaded portion, threaded pull bolt means selectively removably threadably disposed within said storage bore means.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8 wherein said floating shaft member includes a threaded axial passage having thread means for cooperating with said threaded pull bolt means for selectively altering the axial position of said floating shaft member upon turning of said threaded pull bolt means when said means are in engagement with said threaded axial passage.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 9 wherein aid first and second spline means of said floating shaft means are disposed about the external periphery of said shaft means, said first gear member having a hub portion with axial passageway means for slidably receiving said floating shaft means, said teeth of said first gear member for engaging said first spline means of said shaft means being disposed within said axial passageway means.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 9 further including washer means for interposition between said threaded pull bolt means and said cap member means to prevent wear on said cap member means when said pull bolt means is turned to alter the axial position of said floating shaft member to disengage the splines of said shaft member from the teeth of one of said first or second gear members to disengage said final drive means from said traction means.