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US4641547A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Automatic transmission adapter kit

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-08-29
•
Granted: 1987-02-10
•
Expires: 2003-08-29
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Abstract

Abstract Method and apparatus for installing a replacement automatic transmission in place of an original automatic transmission in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, said replacement automatic transmission being of shorter overall length than said original transmission. An adapter kit, comprising an extension housing, an output shaft, fastening means and sealing means is installed in the drive train of the four-wheel-drive vehicle, rendering this substitution possible.

Inventors

  • 👤 Roger L. Stich
  • 👤 William D. Neal

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 05:35
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H57/00; F16H57/02; F16H57/025; F16H2057/02013; F16H2057/02039; F16H2057/02043; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2186

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim 121 words
In a four-wheel-drive vehicle apparatus havlng a power train including an automatic transmission and a transfer case, an automatic transmission adapter kit for installation of a replacement automatic transmission of shorter length than an original automatic transmission in said four-wheel-drive vehicle, comprising: an extension housing interposed between said replacement automatic transmission and said transfer case; an output shaft, having a first end which engages said replacement automatic transmission and a second end which engages said transfer case; first sealing means for sealing between said extension housing and said replacement automatic transmission; second sealing means for sealing between said extension housing and said transfer case; and fastening means for connecting said extension housing between said replacement automatic transmission and said transfer case.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 121 words
In a four-wheel-drive vehicle apparatus havlng a power train including an automatic transmission and a transfer case, an automatic transmission adapter kit for installation of a replacement automatic transmission of shorter length than an original automatic transmission in said four-wheel-drive vehicle, comprising: an extension housing interposed between said replacement automatic transmission and said transfer case; an output shaft, having a first end which engages said replacement automatic transmission and a second end which engages said transfer case; first sealing means for sealing between said extension housing and said replacement automatic transmission; second sealing means for sealing between said extension housing and said transfer case; and fastening means for connecting said extension housing between said replacement automatic transmission and said transfer case.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said extension housing is manufactured of aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said extension housing has four sides of equal length adjoining two substantially square vertical faces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: said extension housing has corners formed by the intersection of any two sides, said corners being beveled in order to provide clearance between said extension housing and said four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: said extension housing has a passageway disposed therethrough, said passageway having first and second open ends centered on said substantially square faces, so that said shaft may be extended through said passageway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: said first and second open ends of said passageway are circular.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: said extension housing has a circular flange protruding outwardly from one of said substantially square vertical faces along the circumference of said first end of said passageway for closely fitting with said replacement automatic transmission.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: said passageway of said extension housing has first and second enlarged diameter counterbores at said second open end thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: said first counterbore forms an alignment opening of substantially 4.765 inches diameter for closely receiving and accurately aligning said transfer case.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said extension housing has a plurality of openings, one of which is disposed at each corner thereof, which openings horizontally extend therethrough for accepting said fastening means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said output shaft has a first splined end for engaging said replacement automatic transmission and a second splined end for engaging said transfer case.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said output shaft has a length of substantially 14.0 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said fastening means includes a plurality of studs, each having a first and second threaded end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: each of said studs has wrench flats disposed between said first and said second ends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 108 words
Apparatus for installing a replacement automatic transmission of shorter overall length than an original equipment transmission in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, comprising: an extension housing, adapted to be interposed between said replacement automatic transmission and a transfer case of said vehicle; an output shaft having a first end adapted to engage said replacement automatic transmission and a second end adapted to engage said transfer case; first sealing means for sealing between said extension housing and said replacement automatic transmission; second sealing means for sealing between said extension housing and said transfer case; and fastening means for fastening said extension housing between said replacement automatic transmission and said transfer case.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 108 words
Apparatus for installing a replacement automatic transmission of shorter overall length than an original equipment transmission in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, comprising: an extension housing, adapted to be interposed between said replacement automatic transmission and a transfer case of said vehicle; an output shaft having a first end adapted to engage said replacement automatic transmission and a second end adapted to engage said transfer case; first sealing means for sealing between said extension housing and said replacement automatic transmission; second sealing means for sealing between said extension housing and said transfer case; and fastening means for fastening said extension housing between said replacement automatic transmission and said transfer case.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: said extension housing has four sides of substantially equal length joining two substantially square faces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: said extension housing has corners formed by the intersection of any two sides, said corners being beveled in order to provide clearance between said spacer housing and said four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: said extension housing has a passageway disposed therethrough, said passageway having first and second open ends centered on said substantially square faces, so that said shaft may be extended through said passageway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: said first and second open ends of said passageway are circular.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: said extension housing has a circular flange protruding outwardly from one of said substantially square vertical faces along the circumference of said first end of said passageway for closely fitting with said replacement automatic transmission.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 34 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: said passageway of said extension housing has first and second enlarged diameter counterbores at said second open end thereof for fitting said extension housing to said transfer case.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: said first counterbore forms an enlarged diameter of substantially 4.765 inches.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: said spacer housing has a plurality of openings, one of which is disposed at each corner thereof, which openings extend horizontally therethrough so that said fastening means may be extended through said openings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: said shaft has a length of substantially 14.0 inches.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: said shaft has a splined first end and a splined second end.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: said fastening means includes four studs having first and second threaded ends and wrench flats disposed between said first and second threaded ends.
Claim 29
Independent Claim 227 words
A method of replacing a first automatic transmission in a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a second automatic transmission of shorter length, comprising: removing from said four-wheel-drive vehicle, as an assembly, said first automatic transmission, a transfer case spacer support and a transfer case; unbolting and separating said first automatic transmission from said transfer case spacer support, leaving said transfer case spacer support fastened to said transfer case; installing an output shaft having a length of substantially 14.0 inches in said second automatic transmission; installing a plurality of studs having first and second threaded ends into a plurality of threaded openings disposed in a rear portion of said second automatic transmission such that said studs extend horizontally to the rear of said second automatic transmission; installing an extension housing by aligning a plurality of openings in said extension housing with said studs and axially sliding said extension housing onto said studs until said second threaded ends of said studs extend therethrough; aligning a plurality of openings in said transfer case spacer support, which remains attached to said transfer case, with said studs and sliding said transfer case spacer support onto said studs until said second threaded ends of said studs pass therethrough; and joining said second automatic transmission, extension housing, and transfer case spacer support by means of threaded fasteners installed on said second threaded ends of said studs.
Claim 30
Independent Claim 227 words
A method of replacing a first automatic transmission in a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a second automatic transmission of shorter length, comprising: removing from said four-wheel-drive vehicle, as an assembly, said first automatic transmission, a transfer case spacer support and a transfer case; unbolting and separating said first automatic transmission from said transfer case spacer support, leaving said transfer case spacer support fastened to said transfer case; installing an output shaft having a length of substantially 14.0 inches in said second automatic transmission; installing a plurality of studs having first and second threaded ends into a plurality of threaded openings disposed in a rear portion of said second automatic transmission such that said studs extend horizontally to the rear of said second automatic transmission; installing an extension housing by aligning a plurality of openings in said extension housing with said studs and axially sliding said extension housing onto said studs until said second threaded ends of said studs extend therethrough; aligning a plurality of openings in said transfer case spacer support, which remains attached to said transfer case, with said studs and sliding said transfer case spacer support onto said studs until said second threaded ends of said studs pass therethrough; and joining said second automatic transmission, extension housing, and transfer case spacer support by means of threaded fasteners installed on said second threaded ends of said studs.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of: sealingly interposing gaskets between said replacement automatic transmission and said extension housing and between said extension housing and said transfer case spacer support.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said first transmission is a General Motors Type 700-R4 automatic transmission, and said second transmission is a General Motors Turbo-Hydramatic 350 automatic transmission.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2950635A Cited
US3075690A Cited
US3102432A Cited
GB1068405A Cited
US3872939A Cited
US4174013A Cited
US4226200A Cited
US4441378A Cited
US4478593A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-02-09 1990-08-11 1991-02-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-02-09 1994-08-11 1995-02-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-02-09 1998-08-11 1999-02-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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