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US 8,534,060 B1Granted
Drive device
AssigneeHydro-Gear Limited Partnership
InventorsMichael L. Bennett, Thomas J. Langenfeld, Nathan W. Bonny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drive device comprising improved components is described. The drive device may be of various known types that require the use of a steering clutch, axle support housings, and a vent that may either seal an internal sump or open the sump to an external atmosphere. The drive device is shown with a walk-behind vehicle that may include a snow thrower or blower.
Claims14
An axle support apparatus comprising:
- a first housing;
- an engagement structure formed on the first housing, the engagement structure comprising:
- a plurality of engagement projections, each engagement projection having a slot formed thereon to form a plurality of slots;
- a plurality of gaps, wherein each engagement projection is separated by one of the plurality of gaps;
- and
- a plurality of lips, wherein each lip is formed proximate to one of the plurality of engagement projections to form a groove, and each lip is spaced apart from the opening;
- a second housing removably secured to the first housing and comprising a first end and a second end;
- an edge formed on the first end of the second housing;
- and
- a plurality of second housing projections extending radially from the first end of the second housing;
- wherein each second housing projection is located in one of the plurality of slots, and the edge is located in the groove to engage the second housing to the first housing, wherein the second housing may rotate with respect to the first housing after the edge is located in the groove.
8 more elements
A drive device for use in a vehicle, comprising:
- a transmission housing mounted to a vehicle frame and having a transmission disposed therein, the transmission housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and a first opening located on the first side of the transmission housing;
- a first axle driven by the transmission and extending out of the first opening in a first longitudinal direction;
- a first plurality of engagement projections formed on the first side of the transmission housing and disposed around and spaced apart from the first opening, each engagement projection having a slot formed therein to form a first plurality of slots;
- a first plurality of lips formed on the first side of the transmission housing, each of the first plurality of lips being located adjacent one of the first plurality of engagement projections and spaced apart from the first opening, and each of the first plurality of lips extends in a direction generally parallel to the first longitudinal direction;
- a first axle housing removably secured to the transmission housing for receiving at least a portion of the first axle, the first axle housing comprising a first end for engagement to the first side of the transmission housing, and a second end formed opposite the first end;
- a plurality of first axle housing projections extending radially from the first end of the first axle housing, wherein each first axle housing projection is located in one of the first plurality of slots, to flexibly engage the first axle housing to the transmission housing and the first axle housing is supported laterally by the first plurality of engagement projections and the first plurality of lips.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.