Abstract: A differential assembly has a rotatable, open sides casing into which the opposite, splined ends of axial shafts extend. Each axial shaft has a splined collar ring mounted upon it and a surrounding coupling ring. A drive rod, secured to the casing, extends between the opposed coupling rings and has wedge shaped surfaces fitted within aligned V-shaped notches formed on facing surfaces of the coupling rings. Disk plate type clutches releasably connect each of the coupling rings to their adjacent collar rings. The clutches include Belleville spring washer plates which resiliently force the coupling rings inwardly against the drive rod for maintaining the rod wedge shaped surfaces in face to face contact with their adjacent notch walls. The coupling rings, clutches and collar rings are assembled into the casing through its open side and thereafter, the rod is inserted endwise into the casing, between the coupling rings, through a rod receiving hole in the casing.

Abstract: A locking means fitted within a conventional automotive vehicle type differential housing assembly normally couples the wheel axles to the power rotated housing so that the axles are driven by and rotate with the housing. When either axle rotates faster than the other axle and the housing, the locking means momentarily uncouples the faster rotating axle so that it freewheels, while the other axle continues to be driven. The locking means includes a pair of axially aligned, closely spaced apart coupling rings, each of which surrounds a bushing-like hub mounted upon an axle end portion located within the housing. A diametrically arranged, drive rod of hexagonal cross-section is positioned between the rings and extends through opposite pairs of aligned V-shaped notches formed in the facing ends of the rings. The outer ends of rod are fastened to the housing for rotating therewith. The walls of the notches are parallel to, but slightly spaced from, their adjacent rod faces.

Abstract: A locking means fitted within a conventional automotive vehicle type differential housing assembly normally couples the wheel axles to the power rotated housing so that the axles are driven by and rotate with the housing. When either axle rotates faster than the other axle and the housing, the locking means momentarily uncouples the faster rotating axle so that it freewheels, while the other axle continues to be driven. The locking means includes a pair of axially aligned, closely spaced apart coupling rings, each of which surrounds a bushing-like hub mounted upon and axle end portion located within the housing. A diametrically arranged, drive rod of hexagonal cross-section is positioned between the rings and extends through opposite pairs of aligned V-shaped notches formed in the facing ends of the rings. The outer ends of rod are fastened to the housing for rotating therewith. The walls of the notches are parallel to, but slightly spaced from, their adjacent rod faces.

Abstract: A differential assembly of the automotive vehicle type, for rotating axially aligned drive axles, having a rotatable driving casing which distributes the power to the inner end portions of the axles. A center ring member, having opposite wedge-like, face tooth formations, is secured within the casing for meshing with and driving corresponding tooth formations on a pair of pressure rings between which the center ring member is positioned. Each pressure ring is connected to one of the axles through a clutch. The pressure rings are movable towards and away from the center ring for respectively disengaging and engaging their clutches. A splined stop ring meshes with corresponding internal splines formed on each of the pressure rings for limiting each pressure ring's rotational movement relative to the center ring for holding the meshed center ring teeth and the teeth of either pressure ring apart when that pressure ring's rotational speed exceeds the rotational speed of the center ring and casing.