Machine element or mechanism – Power take-off
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-08
2001-07-24
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Power take-off
C074S015800, C074S015600, C464S178000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263749
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an extended shaft for connecting a standard, transmission mounted power take-off device to an auxiliary device, which permits non-interference mounting configurations of the auxiliary device on a transmission. The invention further provides mounting bracketry to prevent stresses when thermal expansion or contraction of relevant parts occurs during the operation of the motor vehicle or power take-off device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Power take-off devices are ubiquitously employed throughout the trucking industry to power auxiliary devices. For example, power take-off devices are often used to provide power to hydraulic pumps which in turn provide hydraulic fluid to cylinders which perform auxiliary operations associated with the vehicle (e.g. raise and lower a dump bed, operate a garbage compactor and the like).
In a certain situations, power take-off devices are not employed. Rather, the hydraulic pump (or other auxiliary device) is directly driven by the crankshaft of the vehicle's engine. More specifically, a driveshaft assembly is employed to connect the input shaft of the hydraulic pump to the crank shaft of the engine, thereby providing power to the hydraulic pump as the engine is operated. This type of arrangement generally requires that the hydraulic pump be placed at the front end of the vehicle. This creates one or a combination of problems. For example, when mounted in this front location, the front bumper of the vehicle oftentimes must be extended to accommodate the usually large pumps. Further, the radiators in such equipped vehicles frequently need to be cored or relocated to accommodate the mounting position of the hydraulic pump, a practice which may soon be prohibited by a new Enviromental Protection Agency emissions law taking effect in the year 2002. In particular, this can result in restricted or reduced airflow to the radiator.
Other problems arise in equipping motor vehicles with hydraulic pumps because certain hydraulic pumps are of such a design that it is not possible to directly mount them to a standard power take-off device. For example, hydraulic pumps used in certain applications must be so large or heavy as to frustrate the plausibility of directly mounting them to a standard power take-off device because to do so would impart too much stress on the mounting areas. In other instances the large size of the hydraulic pump prohibits it from fitting into the envelope (space) that would otherwise be conveniently available for its use.
In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for an extended shaft capable of operably coupling to a power take-off device and an auxiliary device which overcomes the above drawbacks. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this need in the art, as well as other needs which will become apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, this invention fulfills the above-described needs in the art by providing an extended shaft for coupling a power take-off device to an auxiliary device wherein the extended shaft comprises in combination: a support tube for supporting a drive shaft; mounting means located at each longitudinal end of the support tube and configured to couple the support tube to a power take-off device and an auxiliary device; a mounting means for mounting the support tube on a transmission; a drive shaft including a splined end for functional cooperation with a power take-off device and an output end for operational connection to an auxiliary device, the drive shaft being enclosed within the walls of the support tube, the drive shaft being connectable to a power take-off device at the splined end and connectable to an auxiliary device at the output end; and bearings located within the support tube so as to rotatably support the drive shaft.
In certain further embodiments, there is provided an extended shaft wherein the means for mounting the support tube on a transmission comprises: at least one support tube flange; and a support tube mounting bracket mountable to a transmission, the support tube mounting bracket including means to couple to the support tube flange; wherein the means to couple includes at least one slip joint.
In yet a further embodiment of the subject invention, there is included a fill port whereby the support tube is filled with lubricant so as to reduce friction as the drive shaft is caused to rotate.
In still a further embodiment, a breather is provided breather to allow for the expansion and contraction of air within the support tube of the extended shaft.
In yet another embodiment, the extended shaft further includes shaft seals located proximal each mounting means located at each longitudinal end of the support tube to prevent lubricant from exiting the support tube at the power take-off or auxiliary device connections.
The invention will now be described with respect to certain embodiments thereof as set forth in the accompanying illustrations, wherein:
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Fenstermacher David
Hall Priddy Myers & Vande Sande
Muncie Power Products, Inc.
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