Adapter unit for converting a two-wheel drive vehicle to a four-wheel drive vehicle

Claim 2

An adapter unit for economically converting a two-wheel drive vehicle having a transmission output shaft driving the rear wheels of the vehicle to a four-wheel drive vehicle having a power transfer unit enclosed in a housing having an access opening to a power input shaft thereof for driving the rear, forward or both forward and rear wheels of the vehicle, the adapter unit coupling the transmission output shaft to the power input shaft of the power transfer unit and comprising: a housing having a hollow sleeve portion integral with and connected to a rigid plate extending normal thereto, the plate having a machined surface adapted to be connected to said power transfer unit over said access opening, a drive shaft extending coaxially through said sleeve portion and including means on one end thereof adapted to drivingly engage said transfer unit input shaft and means on the other end thereof adapted to be in driven engagement with said transmission output shaft, at least one bearing supporting said drive shaft for rotation in said sleeve portion, a recess in said machined surface of the rigid plate coaxial with said sleeve portion, a bearing adapter mounted in the recess extending beyond the plane of the machined surface of the adapter plate to be received in the access opening of the power transfer unit, a bearing supported by said bearing adapter supporting said drive shaft of the adapter unit for rotation, and sealing means sealing the adapter unit against environmental damage.

Claim 3

The adapter unit of claim 1, wherein the means on said drive shaft adapted to be in driven engagement with said transmission output shaft includes a double universal joint.

Claim 4

The adpater unit of claim 1, wherein the transmission output shaft includes an external splined portion and said end of the drive shaft of said adapter unit adapted to be in driven engagement with said transmission output shaft includes an internal splined portion which meshes with said external splined portion of the transmission output shaft.

Claim 5

An adapter unit for economically converting a two-wheel drive vehicle having a transmission output shaft driving the rear wheels of the vehicle to a four-wheel drive vehicle having a power transfer unit enclosed in a housing having an access opening to a power input shaft thereof driving the rear, forward or both rear and forward wheels of the vehicle, the adapter unit coupling the transmission output shaft of the vehicle to the power input shaft of the transfer unit and comprising: a housing having a hollow sleeve portion integral with and connected to a rigid plate extending normal thereto, the plate having a machined face adapted to be connected to said power transfer unit over said access opening, a drive shaft extending coaxially through said sleeve portion including means on one end thereof adapted to drivingly engage said transfer unit input shaft and means on the other end thereof adapted to be in driven engagement with said transmission output shaft, a recess in said machined face of said adapter plate coaxial with said sleeve portion, a bearing adapter supported in said recess and extending beyond the plane of the machined face of the adapter plate to be received in the access opening of the power transfer unit, a first bearing supported by the bearing adapter supporting the drive shaft of the adapter unit for rotation, a second bearing supported by the integral sleeve portion supporting the drive shaft of the adapter unit for rotation, a spacer separating the first and second bearings, and sealing means sealing the adapter unit against environmental damage.

Claim 6

An adapter unit for economically converting a two-wheel drive vehicle having a transmission output shaft driving the rear wheels of the vehicle to a four-wheel drive vehicle having a power transfer unit enclosed in a housing having an access opening to a power input shaft thereof driving the rear, forward or both rear and forward wheels of the vehicle, the adapter unit coupling the transmission output shaft of the vehicle to the power input shaft of the transfer unit and comprising: a housing having a hollow sleeve portion integral with and connected to a rigid plate extending normal thereto, the plate having a machined face adapted to be connected to said power transfer unit over said access opening, a drive shaft extending coaxially through said sleeve portion including means on one end thereof adapted to drivingly engage said transfer unit input shaft and means on the other end thereof adapted to be in driven engagement with said transmission output shaft, a recess in said machined face of said adapter plate coaxial with said sleeve portion, a bearing adapter supported in said recess and extending beyond the plane of the machined face of the adapter plate to be received in the access opening of the power transfer unit, a first bearing supported by the bearing adapter supporting the drive shaft of the adapter unit for rotation, a second bearing supported by the integral sleeve portion supporting the drive shaft of the adapter unit for rotation, a spacer separating the first and second bearings, and sealing means sealing the adapter unit against environmental damage.