Apparatus and method for supporting a transmission

Claim 2

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting the rear end of a cantilevered transmission, which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of the transmission during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on the frame; (b) a spring extending between the mounting brackets across the frame; (c) rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a variably positioned rod which rigidly extends from the cantilevered transmission; and (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means, wherein the rod supports the transmission through the rod receiving means and spring.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring is round to accommodate various angles without effecting the stiffness of the spring.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spring has a spring rate of about 300 lb/in.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for connecting the rod to the transmission allowing rigid fixing of the rod to the transmission after positioning and preloading of the spring.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for connecting the rod to the transmission includes: (a) a mounting plate attached to the transmission and having a receiving means for the rod; and (b) means associated with the receiving means on the mounting plate to hold the rigid rod.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is sufficiently flexible so that the apparatus is capable of accommodating frame deflections experienced during normal use without harm to the apparatus.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each mounting bracket is bolted to the frame at a predetermined location prior to positioning of the transmission on the frame and wherein the rod and rod receiving means accommodate the spacing between the spring and the rear end of the transmission.

Claim 9

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting a transmission, which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of transmissions during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on the frame; (b) a spring extending between the mounting brackets across the frame; (c) rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a variably positioned rod which rigidly extends from the transmission; and (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means, wherein the rod supports the transmission through the rod receiving means and spring, and wherein the rod receiving means has an integral C-clamp to connect to the spring and a U-shaped saddle, whose axis is positioned substantially ninety degrees to the axis of the C-clamp and spring, to receive the rod.

Claim 10

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting a transmission, which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of transmissions during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on the frame; (b) a spring extending between the mounting brackets across the frame; (c) rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a variably positioned rod which rigidly extends from the transmission; and (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means, wherein the rod supports the transmission through the rod receiving means and spring, and wherein the rod receiving means has an integral C-clamp to connect to the spring and a U-shaped saddle, whose axis is positioned substantially ninety degrees to the axis of the C-clamp and spring, to receive the rod.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spring is preloaded before being connected with the rigid rod.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spring includes split cylinders on the ends to reduce wear on the spring when it rests in the mounting brackets.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spring is fiberglass.

Claim 14

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting a transmission which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of transmissions during the assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on opposite sides of the frame; (b) a spring extending between the mounting brackets across the frame; (c) rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a variably positioned rod which rigidly extends from the transmission; (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means, and (e) means for connecting the rod to the transmission after positioning and preloading of the spring, including: a mounting plate attached to the transmission and having a receiving means for the rod; and means associated with the receiving means on the mounting plate to hold the rigid rod, wherein the means associated with the receiving means is a bolt which passes through the rod and which rigidly holds the rod by deforming the rod in the receiving means, and wherein the rod supports the transmission through the rod receiving means and spring.

Claim 15

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting a transmission which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of transmissions during the assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on opposite sides of the frame; (b) a spring extending between the mounting brackets across the frame; (c) rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a variably positioned rod which rigidly extends from the transmission; (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means, and (e) means for connecting the rod to the transmission after positioning and preloading of the spring, including: a mounting plate attached to the transmission and having a receiving means for the rod; and means associated with the receiving means on the mounting plate to hold the rigid rod, wherein the means associated with the receiving means is a bolt which passes through the rod and which rigidly holds the rod by deforming the rod in the receiving means, and wherein the rod supports the transmission through the rod receiving means and spring.

Claim 16

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting the rear end of a cantilevered transmission, which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in positioning transmissions during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on opposite sides of the frame; (b) a round, preloaded spring extending across the frame between the mounting brackets; (c) a plastic rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a rod which extends rigidly from the cantilevered transmission; (d) a rod rigidly connected to the cantilevered transmission and extending to the rod receiving means; and (e) means for rigidly connecting the rod to the cantilevered transmission.

Claim 17

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting the rear end of a cantilevered transmission, which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in positioning transmissions during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on opposite sides of the frame; (b) a round, preloaded spring extending across the frame between the mounting brackets; (c) a plastic rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a rod which extends rigidly from the cantilevered transmission; (d) a rod rigidly connected to the cantilevered transmission and extending to the rod receiving means; and (e) means for rigidly connecting the rod to the cantilevered transmission.

Claim 18

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting a transmission which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of transmissions during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on opposite sides of the frame; (b) a round spring extending across the frame between the mounting brackets; (c) a plastic rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a rod which extends rigidly from the transmission; (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means; and (e) means for rigidly connecting the rod to the transmission, wherein the rod receiving means is an integral piece having a C-clamp to connect to the spring and a U-shaped saddle whose axis is positioned substantially ninety degrees to the axis of the C-clamp means and spring so that the saddle can receive the rod.

Claim 19

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting a transmission which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of transmissions during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on opposite sides of the frame; (b) a round spring extending across the frame between the mounting brackets; (c) a plastic rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a rod which extends rigidly from the transmission; (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means; and (e) means for rigidly connecting the rod to the transmission, wherein the rod receiving means is an integral piece having a C-clamp to connect to the spring and a U-shaped saddle whose axis is positioned substantially ninety degrees to the axis of the C-clamp means and spring so that the saddle can receive the rod.

Claim 20

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting a transmission which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of transmissions during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on opposite sides of the frame; (b) a round spring extending across the frame between the mounting brackets; (c) a plastic rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a rod which extends rigidly from the transmission; (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means; and (e) means for rigidly connecting the rod to the transmission. wherein the means for rigidly connecting the rod to the transmission includes: a mounting plate attached to the transmission and having a receiving means for the rod; and a bolt receivable in the receiving means and capable of passing through the rod, so that the bolt and receiving means are capable of rigidly holding the rod by deforming the rod.

Claim 21

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for supporting a transmission which allows for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and which readily accommodates minor variations in the positioning of transmissions during assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in standard positions on opposite sides of the frame; (b) a round spring extending across the frame between the mounting brackets; (c) a plastic rod receiving means on the spring capable of receiving a rod which extends rigidly from the transmission; (d) a rod rigidly connected to the transmission and extending to the rod receiving means; and (e) means for rigidly connecting the rod to the transmission. wherein the means for rigidly connecting the rod to the transmission includes: a mounting plate attached to the transmission and having a receiving means for the rod; and a bolt receivable in the receiving means and capable of passing through the rod, so that the bolt and receiving means are capable of rigidly holding the rod by deforming the rod.

Claim 24

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for flexibly supporting the rear end of a cantilevered transmission, the apparatus allowing for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and accommodating minor variations in the positioning of the transmission during the assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in predetermined, standardized positions on the frame; (b) a preloaded, round spring extending between the mounting brackets across the frame; (c) a bushing attached to the spring and capable of receiving a rod which rigidly extends from the rear end of the cantilevered transmission; and (d) a rod rigidly mounted to the transmission and extending to the bushing, wherein the bushing is an integral piece having a C-clamp to connect the bushing to the spring and a U-shaped saddle to receive the rod, the axis of the saddle being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the C-clamp, if the axes were in the same plane.

Claim 25

A lightweight and inexpensive apparatus for flexibly supporting the rear end of a cantilevered transmission, the apparatus allowing for standardized positioning of mounting brackets on a frame during assembly and accommodating minor variations in the positioning of the transmission during the assembly, comprising: (a) a pair of mounting brackets in predetermined, standardized positions on the frame; (b) a preloaded, round spring extending between the mounting brackets across the frame; (c) a bushing attached to the spring and capable of receiving a rod which rigidly extends from the rear end of the cantilevered transmission; and (d) a rod rigidly mounted to the transmission and extending to the bushing, wherein the bushing is an integral piece having a C-clamp to connect the bushing to the spring and a U-shaped saddle to receive the rod, the axis of the saddle being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the C-clamp, if the axes were in the same plane.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the receiver includes a passage directed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame, wherein the saddle receives the rod and supports the rod at any desired portion of the rod.