Abstract: An assembly for converting a vehicle between two-wheel and four-wheel drive. The assembly includes a bell form of a constant velocity joint being supported by a bearing mounted to one of the vehicle knuckle and the wheel hub. The bell form further includes a collar that has a connector, and a spindle of the wheel hub has a connector in close proximity to the bell form connector. A clutch ring actuated by an actuator is moved by the actuator between engagement with one of the connectors and engagement with both of the connectors.

Abstract: A clutch control for shifting a vehicle drive system as between automatic four-wheel drive, locked four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive. An engagement system for engaging drive and driven components of the drive system may include roller clutch engagement or pawl clutch engagement. The clutch system is provided with a coupling mechanism for coupling the engagement member to ground or to the driven member to thereby achieve automatic four-wheel drive and locked four-wheel drive, respectively. The engagement member is decoupled from both ground and the driven member to achieve two-wheel drive.

Abstract: A differential for a wheel set provided with three modes of operation. A stub axle and wheel axle in combination provide drive torque to one wheel of the wheel set. A single wheel axle provides torque to the other wheel of the wheel set. The stub axle and wheel axle are releasably interconnected by a clutch ring and when connected provide conventional differential operation including equalized torque applied from a propeller shaft to the wheels of the wheel set. Alternatively the clutch ring can also provide connection to the differential casing to insure common rotation of the two wheels. In the third mode, the clutch ring does not connect any of the components and the non-resisted rotation of the stub axle effectively disconnects the wheel axles from the propeller shaft. An actuator provides actuation from a position at the exterior of the differential into and through the case to the clutch ring.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a wheel end assembly for engaging and disengaging the wheel end of a vehicle that is convertible between four-wheel and two-wheel drive. The invention is further directed to clutch ring engagement at the inboard end of a wheel hub whereat a retention feature retains the support bearings for the wheel hub on the vehicle suspension and whereat, independent of the retention feature, the clutch ring is operable directly between the wheel hub and axle.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly including a live spindle secured to a wheel hub at an outboard end. A bearing surrounding the spindle and abutted against a shoulder on the spindle. Said bearing preloaded by a retention structure that slidably engages the bearing to compress the bearing against the shoulder. A clutch ring slidably engages splines associated with the live spindle and with an axle portion to connect and disconnect the axle to the live spindle and accordingly the wheel hub.

Abstract: A control for a differential for controlling the relative rotation of a pair of axles extended from the differential to a front or rear pair of wheels. An indicator shaft is coupled to the axles, e.g., through a planetary gear arrangement (the indicator shaft being the sun gear) whereby when the axles rotate in unison the ring gear and planet gear set of the planetary gear arrangement are synchronized to not drive the sun gear/indicator shaft. When one axle rotates at a rate different than the other, the sun gear is rotated. A brake mechanism is coupled to the sun gear. A sensor senses the rotational rate as well as the acceleration of the sun gear. A controller is provided to control the braking of the sun gear. Braking of the sun gear will force the axles to rotate in unison.

Abstract: An actuator for raising and lowering a blade mounted to a vehicle. A winch assembly is mounted to the blade and is powered by the vehicle battery. The motor has a low amperage draw and has a gear reduction unit to provide mechanical advantage. The cable extending from the winch is arranged to have a double pull to provide an additional mechanical advantage.

Abstract: A vehicle having a brush and grill guard fabricated to blend with the contour of the vehicle so that the design features of the vehicle are not compromised. Frame extensions are mounted to the frame and support a pair of vertical support plates. A winch carrier and winch mounted thereon are optionally mounted to the support plates or directly to the vehicle frame. A fascia configured as a compound curve is fitted to the vertical plates and has a removable cover to hide the winch from view when not in use. An exposed edge of the vertical plates and/or the fascia are provided with a protective and visual enhancing elastomer strip molded to the edge.

Abstract: An annular actuator for moving a member axially to couple and un couple a drive member with a driven member of a vehicle drive train. The actuator encircles the drive and driven member. The actuator has a housing to which a diaphragm is mounted. A spring biases the diaphragm to move in one axial direction and withdrawal of air forces the diaphragm to move in the opposite axial direction. A shifting fork coupled to the diaphragm moves a clutch ring in the one axial direction to be coupled with only one of the drive and driven members and is coupled with both the drive and driven members when moved in the opposite direction. The actuator defines a sealed chamber that is totally non-rotatable with relative movement occurring between the shifting fork and the clutch ring.

Abstract: An automatic clutch for a vehicle drive train to selectively connect and disconnect a drive portion of the drive train to a driven portion of the drive train, the drive and driven portions having adjacent and mated spline portions at a designated position in the drive train. A clutch ring slidably mounted to one of the spline portions and slidable into engagement with the other spline portions. The designated position adjacent a portion of the vehicle frame and a remote controlled actuator secured to the portion of the vehicle frame. A bearing member of the actuator engaging the clutch ring for urging sliding movement of the clutch ring. Improvements to the above include application of the actuator clutch to front and rear wheel ends for conversion of the vehicle between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, the actuator being mounted to the steering knuckles. Also, improved bearing packs are provided for better performance and to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: An automatic clutch for a vehicle drive train to selectively connect and disconnect a drive portion of the drive train to a driven portion of the drive train, the drive and driven portions having adjacent and mated spline portions at a designated position in the drive train. A clutch ring slidably mounted to one of the spline portions and slidable into engagement with the other spline portions. The designated position adjacent a portion of the vehicle frame and a remote controlled actuator secured to the portion of the vehicle frame. A bearing member of the actuator engaging the clutch ring for urging sliding movement of the clutch ring. Improvements to the above include application of the actuator clutch to front and rear wheel ends for conversion of the vehicle between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, the actuator being mounted to the steering knuckles. Also, improved bearing packs are provided for better performance and to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: An actuator for a clutch ring has a pivotally movable fork that engages and moves the clutch ring axially. The fork is coupled to a nut mounted on a screw. The screw is reversibly driven by a drive motor to move the nut between its limit of travel. A flange on the nut contacts the switch to interrupt power to the motor to control its travel limit. Leaf springs mounted on the fork engage a flange of the clutch ring to urge the clutch ring to move axially as the fork is pivotally moved. The clutch ring surrounds drive and driven component and is axially movable in one direction to be engaged with only one of the drive and driven components to uncouple the drive component from the driven component. The clutch ring is axially movable in the other direction to be engaged with both the drive and driven components to couple the drive component with the driven component.

Abstract: A programmable electronic current limiter for a winch includes a signal conditioning circuit monitoring a differential signal taken from a resistive element of the winch motor and providing a stable DC voltage signal representing in linear fashion motor load conditions. By setting a threshold within the range of the DC load signal, motor operation halts in response to load conditions exceeding the selected threshold. The threshold may be established explicitly by application or may be adopted as a function of actual load conditions during a programming step. Overall, the device is more accurate and more responsive than prior electronic current limiters thereby provides greater protection against damage or deterioration of a winch and its supporting structures.

Abstract: A drive line conversion process that utilizes the same drive and driven components for a full time all-wheel drive as a selectable two-wheel/four-wheel drive. A coupler or clutch ring which connects a drive member to a driven member is retained in position to maintain full time engagement with the drive and driven member. A retainer is provided to secure the clutch ring in full time engagement with both the drive and driven member. This reduces engineering and production costs by using the same drive train for both drive applications.

Abstract: A storage space for pickup trucks many times larger and more conveniently accessible than those previously available. This is accomplished by using all the space from the outside of the truck bed to the inside of the wheel wells using the inside surface formed by the storage container. The angled top and rounded rear surfaces of the storage container inner surfaces integrate naturally with the pickup bed interior so that there is virtually no perceived reduction of the main cargo area. The storage container is characterized as having: 1. Openings at the top of the enclosure that are at a specific angle so they allow full access to the interior of the enclosure including that covered by the bed rail; 2. Lids for the top of the enclosure made to wrap around the back of the enclosure for the loading of long items and improved access from the end of the bed; 3.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a vehicle drive train wherein a drive member and driven member are inter-engaged by pawls. In the preferred embodiment the driven member surrounds the drive member in concentric relationship and provides facing surfaces that are configured to receive pairs of pawls or pawl portions selectively extended from the drive member surface to the driven member surface. A control member is mounted on the drive member with limited rotation relative to the rotation of the drive member. The control member includes a cam slot and the pawls are provided with laterally extended cam follower tabs that extend into the cam slots. The control member is provided with a rotationally retarding means whereby whichever direction the drive member rotates, the control member is shifted to the trailing position within the range of permitted rotation.