Abstract: An axle includes a central portion with a pair of hollow spindles welded thereon which spindles are each capable of supporting a rotatable hub having a wheel and tire mounted thereon. Each hub would include an intermediate cavity which is sealed to define with a wall of the spindle a reservoir for inflation air for the tire. Inflation air is supplied to the spindle at a region axially inwardly of the hub at a predetermined circumferential location thereon. The spindles include an outer cylindrical surface at the region. Air passages formed in the wall of the spindles communicate the intermediate cavity of the hub with a radially extending passage at the outer cylindrical surface. A pair of collar elements each have an inner cylindrical surface matching the outer cylindrical surface of the spindle and a coupling passage and fitting for mating with the supply of inflation air.

Abstract: A method of forming an axle with hollow spindles which are each capable of supporting a rotatable hub having a wheel and tire mounted thereon. Each hub would include an intermediate cavity which is sealed to define with a wall of the spindle a reservoir for inflation air for the tire. Inflation air is supplied to the spindle at a region axially inwardly of the hub at a predetermined circumferential location thereon. The steps of forming include providing each of the spindles with an outer cylindrical surface at the region. Air passages are formed in the wall of the spindles communicating the intermediate cavity of the hub with a radially extending passage at the outer cylindrical surface. Each of the spindles is welded respectively to the opposite ends of the central portion of the axle.

Abstract: An interlock device for a shift mechanism of a multi-speed power transmission device includes a shift rod capable of selective axial positioning at a plurality of predetermined locations for specific gear ratio operating conditions and a neutral non-operating condition. The shift rod includes detents in the surface thereof associated with these locations and a position locating device is aligned with the shift rod to be capable of being forced into engaging contact with one of these detents by the introduction of pressurized air into a power cylinder acting thereon. Selective axial positioning of the shift rod is prevented when the torque transmitting power source providing the input to the transmission device is in a power mode and causes the pressurized air to be applied to the power cylinder.

Abstract: A lubrication system is for a power take off assembly and a drive shaft therefor. The drive shaft is mounted for rotation within a housing having a lubricating oil sump and is hollow to include lubricating supply passages therein. The power take off assembly includes a casing sealingly secured to the housing about an opening which provides access to the open end of the hollow drive shaft. Within the casing is a take off shaft which is coaxially aligned with the drive shaft and a device for selectively coupling the take off shaft to the drive shaft. The lubrication system includes a pump which is driven by a gear rigidly secured to the end of the drive shaft and provides lubricating oil from the sump to the end of the power take off assembly casing remote from the housing. Lubricating oil passes through the interior of the power take off casing to the end of the drive shaft to provide lubricating oil therefor.

Abstract: A pressurized lubrication system for a rotatable power shaft of a power transmission device includes a pump which is mounted on the housing of the power transmission device. The pump has a drive shaft which is coaxially aligned with the power shaft and coupled to a free end thereof so that the pump will be operated by rotation of the power shaft. The pump takes in suction from the oil sump and discharges lubricating oil under pressure to a region of the housing which is defined shaft sealing to enclose the free end of the power shaft therein. Lubricating oil is delivered through a central bore in the power shaft which has an opened end at the free end of the power shaft to be then transmitted through radial passages to various elements which are mounted on the power shaft for independent relative rotation.