Axle axial motion limiting device for a rotating component shaft position adjustment

Claim 1

In a differential mechanism, a device for limiting the range of axial motion, comprising: first and second mutually substantially aligned shafts, each supported for rotation about a longitudinal axis, having a first recess located near an end of the shaft; first and second side bevel gears, the first gear rotatably fixed to the first shaft and supported for axial displacement with respect to the first shaft, the second gears rotatably fixed to the second shaft and supported for axial displacement with respect to the second shaft, each of said gears having a second recess; a first washer supported on the first shaft, partially located in the first recess of the first shaft and partially located into the second recess of the first gear, abutting the first gear and the first shaft; a second washer supported on the second shaft, partially located in the first recess of the second shaft and partially located into the second recess of the second gear, abutting the second gear and the second shaft; a differential pinion shaft carrying bevel pinions in continuous meshing engagement with the first and second gears, located adjacent said ends of the first and second shafts, fixed against axial displacement; a first shim surrounding the first shaft, located between the first washer and the differential pinion shaft, contacting the differential pinion shaft and the first washer; and a second shim surrounding the second shaft, located between the second washer and the differential pinion shaft, contacting the differential pinion shaft and the second washer.