Abstract: In a vehicle (10) of the type having a first frame (12), apparatus for driving and turning the vehicle (18,24), and apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load (110), and wherein the apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load is mounted on a second frame (78) having an underside having a seating surface (72) thereon, the improvement comprising:a third frame (54), supported by the first frame, for supporting the second frame on the seating surface and having mounted thereon a plurality of biasing elements (64) for contacting the second frame to thereby allow limited off-vertical movement of the apparatus for loading, carrying, and unloading a load with respect to the third frame.

Abstract: An automatic hub clutch for the front wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle which enables said wheels to automatically become engaged or disengaged from the front axle shaft when the transfer case of the vehicle is shifted to the required operating mode. The hub clutch comprises a plurality of gears the engagement of which is carried out through a control assembly that includes a control plate which forces a plurality of ball members over a cam surface for compressing a spring member to move the gear members into engagement with one another. The gear members are moved out of engagement under the action of a spring when the ball members are moved over the cam surface in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An actuator system for a two-way overrunning roller clutch system includes a resilient torque transfer element which couples a wheel spindle and an aactuator ring. The torque transfer element minimizes potential damage due to misalignment between actuator and spindle parts. The actuator ring is banded by coiled garter springs to provide for frictional resilient engagement thereof with a clutch friction ring, the latter having its external circumference in mating contact with the internal circumference of the actuator ring. The degree of friction between the actuator and friction rings is controlled by garter spring tension to produce desired clutch actuation response.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is disclosed for incorporation in a four-wheel drive vehicle for establishing high and low speed power paths to front and rear drive axles. The torque transfer mechanism comprises an input shaft for receiving power from an engine and a pair of output shafts for delivering power to the drive axles. Constant mesh gearing is provided to operatively connect the input and output shafts in desired power paths. The gearing comprises an input gear set and an output gear set. Each gear set includes a plurality of gears provided with clutch means adapted to be selectively engaged by a pair of clutch collars. The clutch collars can be operated simultaneously in the same axial direction by a single shift fork to drive the front and rear axles in either the high or low speed power path.

Abstract: An automatic roller-type hub clutch is provided with a manual device operable to override the automatic mechanism to prevent free wheeling due to overrun. An improved resilient coupling is provided for the manual device designed to translate rotational movement from a rotatable selector to a camming device and to provide a built-in self energizing action in both an engaging and disengaging direction. The resilient coupling disclosed is a coiled torsional spring having one end connected to the rotatable selector and the opposite end connected to the camming device. In operation, the rotatable selector is rotated in opposite directions to wind and unwind the spring causing the camming device to rotate with the rotatable selector to axially move a slidable clutch member into engagement with a fixed clutch member.