Abstract: A vehicle preferably having a wheel set convertible between driven and non-driven mode via clutch ring engagement/disengagement of the wheel hub and the axle. The clutch ring or other coupling component is readily replaceable in the field through manual removal of a removable cap enclosing said clutch ring or other coupling component, said coupling component exposed to the wheel exterior upon removal of the cap. The clutch ring or coupling component is designed to be the weakest link and to thereby fail upon excessive torque loading of the drive line before other drive line components fail and thereby enable in-field repair.

Abstract: A winch wherein braking is achieved by cam actuation, the cam actuation, in a static condition, frictionally interlocking the drive shaft to the cable drum. A gear reduction mechanism is provided between the shaft and drum and is prevented by such interlocking from producing differential rotation of the drum and thus affects lockup or braking of the drum. The locking mechanism is optimally provided by a stator that is fixed to the drum, the stator providing brake surfaces for the drum having disc brake-like braking action. The stator conducts heat from the end surface thereof to the drum and thus to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An automatic brake for vehicle winch that is automatically applied when the applied torque of the drive motor ceases and automatically released upon application of motor torque. The brake features brake pad segments that move radially outward against the interior of the drum to affect braking and retract radially inward to affect releasing of the brake. The pads have tapered ends that mate with opposed frusto-conical shoes. The brake utilizes rotation of a cam rotatable with respect to a cam follower in one direction to force one shoe toward the other to force the pads radially outward to engage the interior surface of the drum. Rotation of the cam with respect to the cam follower in the opposite direction releases the braking action. A wave spring is incorporated to eliminate chatter as the brake is applied and released. The configuration of the brake components provides a conductive path for the dissipation of heat generated by the braking action.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for the drive train of a four-wheel drive vehicle for controlling the application of braking power between the front and rear wheels as applied through the drive train. A driving shaft is connected to a driven shaft through a roller clutch assembly and the driven shaft is coupled to a wheel set equipped with anti-lock brakes. The driving shaft has a drive cam race and a driven shaft has a cylindrical race. A cage carries the clutch rollers and is provided with drag shoes biased against a fixed drag ring. The rollers captured by the cage continuously drag against the rotative urging of the driving shaft whereby the rollers engage the cylindrical race with the driving shaft inducing driving rotation of the driven shaft, and disengage with the driving shaft inducing braking rotation of the driven shaft.

Abstract: A cover for a pickup truck bed including the features: An anchor strip is applied to the front wall and a front cover panel is hingedly connected thereto. Center and rear panels are hingedly connected together and a lock mechanism on each panel locks the panels in the desired covered position while allowing the individual panels to be unlocked and pivotally opened about the respective hinge connections. The hinge connections permit relative sliding along the hinge axis for dismounting of the cover panels. The panels are sealed to the truck bed walls and the hinge connections are formed by a nesting arrangement that seals and channels water over the truck sides. The rear panel seals against the tailgate and locks the tailgate against opening. The panels are sized to be readily handled by one person and are standardized to fit a variety of truck bed sizes.

Abstract: A hub mechanism for four wheel drive vehicles. Movement of the clutch ring into and out of position for interengaging the pinion of the axle end and a housing portion of the wheel hub, is provided by a pair of opposed spring members. The first spring member provides continuous urging for disengagement. A second spring member is coupled to a camming mechanism that is activated by a manually operated dial. Turning the dial physically moves the second spring member relative to the clutch ring. In a retracted position the strong spring member is backed away from the clutch ring to permit disengagement. Opposite dial turning moves the strong spring member for urging engagement of the clutch ring with the pinion.

Abstract: A winch is powered by a motor mounted at one end of a drum through a three-stage planetary drive train disposed adjacent the opposite end of the drum. The motor includes a first drive shaft which extends axially into the interior of the drum. The drive train includes a second drive shaft which extends axially into the interior of the drum toward the motor. A brake-clutch assembly is disposed within the interior of the drum and operably interconnects the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft. The brake-clutch assembly operates automatically in response to the direction of the torque being transmitted between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft. In operation, the brake-clutch assembly permits the second drive shaft to rotate relative to and power the drum to reel in the load on the cable and then frictionally locks the second drive shaft to the inside diameter of the drum to hold the load on the cable when the motor is stopped.

Abstract: A winch (10) is powdered by a motor (20) mounted at one end of a drum (12) through a three-stage planetary drive train (26) disposed adjacent the opposite end of the drum (12 ). The drive train (26) includes elongate drive shaft (25) which extends longitudinally through the interior of the drum (12) toward the motor (20). A brake-clutch assembly (24), disposed within the interior of the drum (12) operably interconnects motor (20) and drive shaft (25). The brake-clutch assembly (24) automatically operates in response to the magnitude and direction of the torque being transmitted between motor (20) and drive shaft (25). In operation, the brake-clutch assembly (24) permits the drive shaft (25) to rotate relative to and power the drum (12) to reel in the loaded drum cable and then frictionally locks the drive shaft (25) to the inside diameter of the drum (12) to hold the load on the drum cable when motor (20 ) is stopped.

Abstract: An improvement to a clutch housing, including a clutch mechanism manually operable to lock and unlock the vehicle axle to the vehicle wheel hub, is disclosed. The improvement comprises the clutch housing attachable to the vehicle wheel hub by a lock ring disposed around the clutch housing. The lock ring engages an annular groove within the vehicle wheel hub allowing the clutch housing to be secured to the wheel hub.

Abstract: An improved clutch of the type having concentric and spaced apart driving and driven members with a clutch ring in engagement with one of the members and urgeable into a simultaneous engagement with the other member is provided. A fixed cam member is provided nonrotational with respect to the driving and driven members. A second cam member is slidably movable around the first cam member whenever the clutch ring is in simultaneous engagement with the driving and driven members. A cam follower is in a cammed engagement with the first cam member and is movable axially apart from the first cam member into cammed engagement with the second cam member. The cam follower further urges the clutch ring into a simultaneous engagement with the driving and driven member whenever the driving member rotates with respect to the driven member.

Abstract: A locking clutch associated with a standard size wheel having a pilot hole opening therein, the clutch being of the type comprising a housing having the clutch mechanism therein including manual means for locking or unlocking the clutch means, the clutch housing comprising an outer body adapted to fit coaxially within the wheel pilot hole opening and having an annular flange at one end with a plurality of wheel stud openings matching the stud openings in the wheel, said annular flange being disposed between the vehicle wheel hub and the wheel and secured to both by the same mounting studs and stud nuts that secure the wheel to the wheel hub.

Abstract: A semi-automatic roller type locking clutch for use between concentric rotational driving and driven members comprises a semi-automatic locking means and a manually activated locking means. The semi-automatic locking means is adapted to displace a plurality of rollers each disposed within a plurality of grooves circumferentially disposed on one member up onto one edge of the grooves and into contact with one edge of each of a plurality of grooves disposed on the other member whenever the driving member rotates faster than the driven member. The manually activated locking means is adapted to urge a clutch ring member slidably splined to one member into splined engagement with the other member when the members are nonrotational with respect to each other.

Abstract: A clutch adapted for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle or the like and between concentric driving and driven members having a plurality of axially extending grooves opening radially toward the other member. A plurality of rollers are disposed within the grooves. Torque responsive means moves the rollers radially out of the grooves to one edge thereof and into contact with the driven member, thereby locking the driven member to the driving member whenever the driving member rotates faster or slower than the driven member. Means responsive to the driven member rotation displaces the rollers from one edge of the grooves to a position on the opposite edge of the grooves and into re-engagement with the driven member, thereby locking the driven member to the driving member whenever the driving member attempts to rotate slower than the driven member.

Abstract: An automatic brake for vehicle winch that is automatically applied when the applied torque of the drive motor ceases and automatically released upon application of motor torque. The brake features brake pad segments that move radially outward against the interior of the drum to affect braking and retract radially inward to affect releasing of the brake. The pads have tapered ends that mate with opposed frusto-conical shoes. The brake utilizes rotation of a cam rotatable with respect to a cam follower in one direction to force one shoe toward the other to force the pads radially outward to engage the interior surface of the drum. Rotation of the cam with respect to the cam follower in the opposite direction releases the braking action. A wave spring is incorporated to eliminate chatter as the brake is applied and released. The configuration of the brake components provides a conductive path for the dissipation of heat generated by the braking action.