Carl J Schmidt

US Patent:

7946946, May 24, 2011

Filed:

Mar 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/050112

Inventors:

Carl Schmidt - Brier WA, US

Assignee:

Randy's Ring & Pinion - Everett WA

International Classification:

F16H 48/06

US Classification:

475230, 475235

Abstract:

A preloaded differential includes may take the form of a hold-out ring type locking differential having a preloaded thrust assembly that may be insertable in the differential as a one-piece unit. The preloaded thrust assembly includes a pair of thrust members each having complimentarily shaped protruding and recessed portions that interlock after assembly to prevent rotation of the thrust members relative to one another. Further, one or more conical, disc-shaped springs may be located between the thrust members to bias the thrust members directly against side gears positioned within the differential to reduce or prevent radial movement of the side gears. In one embodiment, the thrust members include a friction and thrust contact surface that directly contacts the side gears and the springs are located within a region formed by the interlocking features of the thrust members.

US Patent:

20080242469, Oct 2, 2008

Filed:

Mar 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/691250

Inventors:

Kevin Jenski - Mukilteo WA, US
Carl Schmidt - Lake Forest Park WA, US
David Dee - Granite Falls WA, US

Assignee:

Randy's Ring & Pinion - Everett WA

International Classification:

F16H 48/20

US Classification:

475231

Abstract:

The present invention provides user-selectable locking differential having a carrier coupled to a ring gear. The carrier includes a differential case that supports side bevel gears, which mesh with bevel pinion gears. The differential gear train is lockable by moving a locking ring into engagement with one of the bevel gears. In one embodiment, an expandable membrane seated in an annular groove of the differential case operates to urge the locking ring into engagement with the bevel gear. In another embodiment, a cup having a low-friction surface is placed in the annular groove of the case and a piston moves relative to the cup to urge the locking ring into engagement with the bevel gear. In addition, the locking ring, bevel gear, and the differential case each have engagement features that advantageously reduce the amount of friction between these respective components.