US5413015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive vehicle differential assembly
Assignee: MIDWEST TRUCK & AUTO PARTS Inc
•
Filing: 1993-06-28
•
Granted: 1995-05-09
•
Expires: 2013-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A differential assembly having a driving case enclosing a pair of driving members operably coupled with a pair of driven members. The driven members are secured to output shafts and the driving members are forcibly driven by a driving shaft having its opposite ends in engagement with the driving case. The mid-section of the driving shaft passes through an eccentric or angled aperture formed by cooperating arcuate surfaces provided in opposing surfaces of the driving members. The driving members and the driven members are urged together respectively by double oppositely wound concentric springs bearing against a pin carried in an elongated hole coextensively provided in opposing surfaces of adjacent driving members of both pairs. Inspection and access openings are provided in passageways and in the oblong cross-section of part of the passageways.
Inventors
- 👤 John Zentmyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H48/00; F16H48/12; F16H48/14; F16H48/142; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A differential mechanism comprising: output means; driving means in spaced relationship to said output means; driven means operably responsive to said driving means for powering said output means; said driving means having a pair of clutch driving members coaxially disposed with respect to each other and having opposing spaced-apart surface faces; biasing means interposed between said driving surface faces comprising at least a pin in alignment with a spring assembly consisting of two concentric springs bearing against one end of said pin; said springs and said pin in axial alignment disposed in an elongated passageway jointly provided in each of said pair of clutch drive members; each of said clutch drive members has inspection and access openings communicating with said passageway so as to expose said springs and said pins respectively; and said spring passageway is of oblong configuration in transverse cross-section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A differential mechanism comprising: output means; driving means in spaced relationship to said output means; driven means operably responsive to said driving means for powering said output means; said driving means having a pair of clutch driving members coaxially disposed with respect to each other and having opposing spaced-apart surface faces; biasing means interposed between said driving surface faces comprising at least a pin in alignment with a spring assembly consisting of two concentric springs bearing against one end of said pin; said springs and said pin in axial alignment disposed in an elongated passageway jointly provided in each of said pair of clutch drive members; each of said clutch drive members has inspection and access openings communicating with said passageway so as to expose said springs and said pins respectively; and said spring passageway is of oblong configuration in transverse cross-section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
158 words
A differential mechanism comprising: output means; driving means in spaced relationship to said output means; driven means operably responsive to said driving means for powering said output means; said driving means having a pair of clutch driving members coaxially disposed with respect to each other and having opposing spaced-apart surface faces; biasing means interposed between said driving member surface faces comprising at least a pin in alignment with a spring assembly consisting of two concentric springs bearing against one end of said pin; said springs and said pin in axial alignment disposed in an elongated passageway jointly provided in each of said pair of clutch drive members; and said passageway is composed of two passageway portions, one portion in each of said driving members and coextensive with each other with said pin occupying one passageway portion and said springs occupying the other passageway portion and with opposing ends of said pin and said springs bearing against each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
A differential mechanism comprising: output means; driving means in spaced relationship to said output means; driven means operably responsive to said driving means for powering said output means; said driving means having a pair of clutch driving members coaxially disposed with respect to each other and having opposing spaced-apart surface faces; biasing means interposed between said driving member surface faces comprising at least a pin in alignment with a spring assembly consisting of two concentric springs bearing against one end of said pin; said springs and said pin in axial alignment disposed in an elongated passageway jointly provided in each of said pair of clutch drive members; and said passageway is composed of two passageway portions, one portion in each of said driving members and coextensive with each other with said pin occupying one passageway portion and said springs occupying the other passageway portion and with opposing ends of said pin and said springs bearing against each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein: said passageway is oblong in cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 includes: an access opening leading into one of said passageway portions and an inspection aperture leading into the other one of said portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1324501A
Cited
US1743060A
Cited
US1883394A
Cited
DE576907C
Cited
US3507486A
Cited
US4640143A
Cited
US4573562A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-08 | 1998-11-07 | 1999-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-08 | 2002-11-07 | 2003-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-08 | 2006-11-07 | 2007-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |