Transmission assembly

Claim 2

A transmission assembly comprising: a first automatic transmission having a forward end adapted to be coupled to an internal combustion engine and a rearward end, the first automatic transmission including a drive shaft. a second automatic transmission having a forward end and a rearward end, and including a stator plate having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the stator plate located adjacent the forward end of the second automatic transmission, the drive shaft connecting the first automatic transmission in driving relation with the second automatic transmission; a coupling plate for connecting the rearward end of the first automatic transmission with the forward end of the second automatic transmission, the coupling plate rotatably supporting the drive shaft; and means for providing communication of pressurized transmission fluid between the first and second automatic transmissions.

Claim 3

The transmission assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the forward end of the second transmission is defined by the stator plate, and the coupling plate is mounted on the rearward end of the first automatic transmission, and the second automatic transmission is mounted on the coupling plate, and the stator plate is disposed immediately adjacent to and rearwardly of the coupling plate.

Claim 4

The transmission assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the second automatic transmission includes a forward clutch and wherein the drive shaft has a longitudinally extending and centrally disposed passageway formed therein which connects in fluid communication the first automatic transmission with the second automatic transmission; and the drive shaft further has an exterior surface, and forward and rearward ends, the forward end of the drive shaft being driven by the first automatic transmission and the rearward end of the drive shaft drivingly connected to the forward clutch of the second automatic transmission, the stator plate of the second automatic transmission including a transmission fluid passage, and the forward clutch of the second automatic transmission including a transmission fluid passage, and a passageway formed in the bore of the stator plate of the second automatic transmission and providing transmission fluid communication between the transmission fluid passage of the stator plate of the second automatic transmission and the transmission fluid passage of the forward clutch of the second automatic transmission.

Claim 5

The transmission assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the coupling plate has a main body conformably dimensioned for mating receipt with the forward end of the second transmission, and the main body further defines a substantially centrally disposed bore adapted to house the drive shaft, and a bearing mounted in the centrally disposed bore and rotatably supporting the drive shaft.

Claim 6

The transmission assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission each include a transmission fluid pressure test port, and wherein the means for providing communication of pressurized transmission fluid includes a conduit connecting the fluid pressure test port of the first automatic transmission with the fluid pressure test port of the second automatic transmission.

Claim 7

The transmission assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission each includes a manual shifting lever, the manual shifting levers being operable to actuate the respective automatic transmissions.

Claim 8

The transmission assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission each includes an oil pan, and further including means for linking the oil pans in fluid communication one with the other.

Claim 9

A transmission coupling apparatus for serially coupling together first and second automatic transmissions, the first and second automatic transmissions each including a housing with forwardly and rearwardly facing portions, and the second automatic transmission including a forward clutch located in the forwardly facing portion of the second automatic transmission, and a stator plate having forward and rearward portions located in the second automatic transmission forwardly of and in mounting engagement with the forward clutch, said stator plate having a passageway formed therein, the passageway permitting transmission fluid communication between the rearward portion of the stator plate and the forward clutch, the transmission coupling apparatus comprising: a coupling plate positioned adjacent to the stator plate of the second automatic transmission and disposed between the rearwardly facing portion of the housing of the first automatic transmission and the forwardly facing portion of the housing of the second automatic transmission, the coupling plate mounted on the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission mounted on the coupling plate; a drive shaft having forward and rearward ends, said rearward end dimensioned for mounting engagement with the forward clutch of the second automatic transmission, said drive shaft further being rotatably driven by the first automatic transmission and rotatably supported by the coupling plate, the drive shaft having a longitudinally disposed passageway formed therein, the drive shaft connecting the first automatic transmission in driving relation to the second automatic transmission; and means for providing communication of pressurized transmission fluid between the first and second automatic transmissions.

Claim 10

A transmission coupling apparatus for serially coupling together first and second automatic transmissions, the first and second automatic transmissions each including a housing with forwardly and rearwardly facing portions, and the second automatic transmission including a forward clutch located in the forwardly facing portion of the second automatic transmission, and a stator plate having forward and rearward portions located in the second automatic transmission forwardly of and in mounting engagement with the forward clutch, said stator plate having a passageway formed therein, the passageway permitting transmission fluid communication between the rearward portion of the stator plate and the forward clutch, the transmission coupling apparatus comprising: a coupling plate positioned adjacent to the stator plate of the second automatic transmission and disposed between the rearwardly facing portion of the housing of the first automatic transmission and the forwardly facing portion of the housing of the second automatic transmission, the coupling plate mounted on the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission mounted on the coupling plate; a drive shaft having forward and rearward ends, said rearward end dimensioned for mounting engagement with the forward clutch of the second automatic transmission, said drive shaft further being rotatably driven by the first automatic transmission and rotatably supported by the coupling plate, the drive shaft having a longitudinally disposed passageway formed therein, the drive shaft connecting the first automatic transmission in driving relation to the second automatic transmission; and means for providing communication of pressurized transmission fluid between the first and second automatic transmissions.

Claim 11

The transmission coupling apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the coupling plate has a main body which is conformably dimensioned for mating receipt with the housing of the second automatic transmission, and the main body of the coupling plate has a centrally disposed bore housing a bearing which is operably rotatably to support the drive shaft.

Claim 12

A transmission coupling apparatus for serially coupling together first and second automatic transmissions, said second transmission including a stator plate, and wherein each transmission has a housing with forwardly and rearwardly facing portions, the transmission coupling apparatus comprising: a coupling plate being disposed between the rearwardly facing portion of the first automatic transmission and the forwardly facing portion of the second automatic transmission, the coupling plate mounted on the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission mounted on the coupling plate; a drive shaft rotatably driven by the first automatic transmission and rotatably supported by the coupling plate, the drive shaft having a longitudinally disposed passageway formed therein, the drive shaft connecting the first automatic transmission in driving relation to the second automatic transmission, and the passageway providing for communication of transmission fluid between the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission; and means for providing communication of transmission fluid under pressure between the first and second automatic transmissions.

Claim 13

A transmission coupling apparatus for serially coupling together first and second automatic transmissions, said second transmission including a stator plate, and wherein each transmission has a housing with forwardly and rearwardly facing portions, the transmission coupling apparatus comprising: a coupling plate being disposed between the rearwardly facing portion of the first automatic transmission and the forwardly facing portion of the second automatic transmission, the coupling plate mounted on the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission mounted on the coupling plate; a drive shaft rotatably driven by the first automatic transmission and rotatably supported by the coupling plate, the drive shaft having a longitudinally disposed passageway formed therein, the drive shaft connecting the first automatic transmission in driving relation to the second automatic transmission, and the passageway providing for communication of transmission fluid between the first automatic transmission and the second automatic transmission; and means for providing communication of transmission fluid under pressure between the first and second automatic transmissions.