Abstract: A selector mechanism for a gearbox in which gear shaft elements 68 are mounted on respective bars 52, 53, 54 which can move parallel with one another and only in these directions, an external control 45 being provided to selectively engage and move the bars 52, 53, 54.

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: A clutch driven disc assembly is disclosed having coaxial damper springs between rotary elements of the disc assembly. Each element has spring receiving openings with the end walls which permit the springs to operate in two stages, thereby varying the deflection rate between the rotary elements.

Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly is disclosed having coaxial damPer springs between rotary elements of the disc assembly. An auxiliary cover is combined with a main cover to drive the inner springs and to create additional drive surfaces for the outer springs. Aligned openings in the main and auxiliary covers house the coaxial springs. The covers are secured to one of the rotary elements of the disc assembly so that side walls in the main and auxiliary cover openings engage and drive both springs while the inner spring is engaged and driven only by the opening side walls of the auxiliary cover.

Abstract: A king pin assembly is disclosed having threadedly connected housings for supporting a removable king pin. Each housing has guide for engaging portions of the king pin to rigidly retain it in place. Positioning means formed on the king pin and one of the housings cooperate to centrally locate and prevent king pin rotation when the parts are assembled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stepping motor control utilizing a microprocessor. The control is suitable for driving one or more stepping motors one at a time or in unison. In the illustrated embodiment when plural motors are driven together they are driven at the same rate or at rates in a fixed proportion to one another although several of the features of the invention are suitable for use in circuits providing contouring control; i.e., where separate motors are driven at separate stepping rates proportional to the relative distances each is to traverse for a single movement. An acceleration/deceleration circuit is utilized which provides simple yet highly accurate and efficient control of the stepping motors. Feed rate compensation for simultaneous drive of two motors is provided. Also a means is provided to allow stepping rates in excess of the counting rate capability of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A two speed differential axle is disclosed having a lubricant containing housing which encloses engageable differential and planetary gear assemblies. An input shaft extends into the housing and has a pinion gear rigidly affixed to an inner portion thereof. The pinion gear is adapted to drive the differential and planetary gear assemblies. Two pinion bearing assemblies are positioned within a bore in the housing through which the input shaft extends. The pinion bearings operatively support the rotatable input shaft. A generally flat and annular baffle is rigidly affixed to the inner portion of the input shaft between the pinion bearings and the pinion gear. The baffle, the innermost pinion bearing, and a portion of the housing define a lubricant pump chamber for pressurizing and pumping lubricant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved independent suspension system for vehicle wheels which may be used either for driven or non-driven wheels including dirigible wheels of a vehicle having front wheel drive. One of the independently suspended driven wheels is mounted on an end of a transversely extending stamped metal suspension arm pivoted about the other end for movement relative to a point on the vehicle chassis. The other driven wheel is mounted on a second transversely extending stamped metal suspension arm which also is pivoted for movement relative to a point on the vehicle chassis. The second arm mounts a differential which is connected through axle shafts to drive the wheels.

Abstract: A self-contained hydraulic unit is provided for controlling operation of a friction clutch assembly. The hydraulic unit is connected to a source of pressure so that when pressure is applied to the unit it responds to actuate a plurality of levers to engage the clutch. Upon removal of pressure from the hydraulic unit, spring means responds to withdraw the levers and disengage the clutch. The hydraulic unit is non-rotatably supported by the friction clutch assembly and includes an axially fixed member and an axially movable member interconnected by a sliding connection. A piston and diaphragm arrangement is provided between the fixed and movable members so that when pressure is introduced into the diaphragm the piston operates to slide the movable member relative to the fixed member by means of the sliding connection thereby actuating the levers to cause engagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A piston comprises a piston pin bore adapted to at least partially contain a piston pin. The bore is finished by a roll burnishing process which substantially simultaneously prestresses, smooths and distorts the bore into a predetermined hourglass configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston ring including a spacer-expander spring member. In a preferred embodiment the ring is of cast iron and includes two axially spaced cylinder wall contacting lands. At least one generally rectangular inwardly facing spring receiving recess is formed in the interior wall of the ring to receive the spring member which is formed from a flat strip of metal in a "U" configuration with the legs thereof facing outwardly, preferably aligned with the lands on the ring. A plurality of slots are provided in the spring member dividing the periphery into a plurality of feet. In a preferred embodiment the feet are radiused as seen in plan view to a radius less than the radius of the pocket in which they fit. This has been found to reduce wear in the spring receiving groove and to reduce the tendency of the ring and spring to become united which is detrimental to performance and is a common problem in rings of this general type.

Abstract: A vehicle has a forward mounted primary gasoline engine operatively engaged with the front axle and its associated wheels. The vehicle also has a rear mounted second motor drivingly engaged with the rear axle which is normally a dead axle. The rear axle is selectively drivingly engageable with the rear wheels which can overrun the rear axle in both the forward and reverse directions. The second motor is preferably an electric motor operable in two directions but alternatively may be a hydraulic pump/motor. The second motor, which may be driven by the primary motor or from an independent power source such as a battery, is manually actuable by the vehicle operator and automatically disengageable upon reaching a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston four cycle internal combustion engine utilizes a stepped piston the stepped portion of which, working in an enlarged bore in the block, serves as a compressor to provide a supercharged fuel-air mixture to the combustion chamber. The compressor delivers two compression strokes per engine cycle. The compressed fuel-air mixture travels from the compressor via a bypass manifold, which also serves as an accumulator, to the main cylinder via an intake valve. Fuel-air mixture is admitted to the compressor cylinder through the crankcase and valved passages through the stepped portion of the piston.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system is disclosed which has radius arms for connecting an axle assembly to a frame to accomodate the necessary relative movement therebetween. An improved connection is provided for rigidly securing the radius arms to the axle assembly. The connection consists of a cast wedge bracket adapted to be secured between an axle tube and wheel supporting yoke and mating wedge portions formed on the radius arm and associate clamp.

Abstract: A free ring synchronizer is provided with improved resilient means for circumferentially biasing a pair of axially spaced friction rings in opposite directions. The resilient means is a coil spring mounted within a shiftable coupling collar interposed between the friction rings. The coil spring includes radially extending legs for engaging oppositely extending pins which are fixed to the friction rings and pass through openings in the shiftable coupling collar. Coacting blocking surfaces are provided on the pins and in the coupling collar openings and are releasably held in contact by the reaction of the legs against the pins.

Abstract: The present invention is a slip spline seal assembly for sealing the ends of a splined shaft and complementary sleeve. The assembly includes a flexible body having alternating projections and intervals for meshing engagement with the spline shaft. Recesses are located on the sealing surfaces of the flexible body to provide pockets for lubricating medium and reliefs for displacement of body material when it is compressed, thereby decreasing wear and tear and promoting a longer useful life of such seal assemblies. The assembly also includes means for locking engagement with the complementary sleeve, and for completing the sealing of the spline connection between the shaft and the sleeve.

Abstract: A coupling device such as a clutch comprises a driving member and a driven member operatively connected by a plurality of flat, generally annular and stacked springs. Each spring has a radially extending slit and is therefore C-shaped, with one end portion connected to the drive member. End portions of adjacent springs are circumferentially staggered, with frictional damping forces, in addition to the spring damping forces, thereby created between next adjacent springs upon relative movement between the driving and driven members. Adjacent springs may be adapted to expand and contract, respectively.

Abstract: A clutch assembly having a disc pack engageable to approximately synchronize the rotational speed of input and output elements is disclosed. The disc pack has interleaved discs operatively connected to the elements of the clutch assembly. Also operatively connected to the elements of the clutch assembly are a pair of clutch collar gears, one of which is spring-biased. The disc pack is compressed to begin rotational speed synchronization of the input and output elements of the clutch assembly. The gears are urged into engagement before complete synchronization has been achieved. The gears slip against one another until the input and output elements are nearly equal in speed. At this time the gears will positively engage and lock the input and output elements together.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling device in the form of an overrunning clutch particularly adapted for "holdback", stand-by drive and "creep" drive applications. A one-way clutch means, preferably in the form of a sprag clutch provides selective drive between a normally driven member and a normally passive member. The "passive" member may be retained against any rotation or may be driven at any speed less than that of the normally driven member. In the illustrated embodiment the normally driven member comprises a sleeve adapted to accept a shaft. The sleeve is drivingly connected to the outer race of the one-way clutch. The inner race of the overrunning clutch is fixed to a housing for the assembly and serves as the passive drive member. Means are provided thereon for connection to a stationary member or an auxiliary drive. The passive member is supported on the normally driven member by a pair of bearing means one on either side of the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a gasket which defines an aperture, and a gasket attachment, such as a gasket extension or a metering insert, secured to the gasket. The gasket attachment includes a base having a flange which is in contact with one side of the gasket adjacent the gasket aperture and a lock plate generally axially spaced from the base and in rotatable engagement therewith. The lock plate is adapted for rotation relative to the base from a first position wherein the lock plate is generally radially within the gasket aperture to a second position wherein the gasket is clamped between the lock plate and the base flange.