The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 07, 1995
Filed:
Jul. 22, 1993
Koji Irikura, Kobe, JP;
Keith J Andrews, Morristown, TN (US);
Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd., Amagasaki, JP;
Tuff Torq Corporation, Morristown, TN (US);
Abstract
A transaxle assembly for small-scaled, self-propelled machines of a relatively simple structure includes an axle-locking mechanism which is housed in an axle casing (19). The locking mechanism comprises left and right rotors (47L, 47R), each having teeth (47a) thereon and mounted fixedly on left and right wheel axles (20L, 20R), and left and right locking members (49L, 49R) each having at least one pawl (49a) engageable with the teeth. The locking members are mounted on a control shaft (50), which extends parallel to the wheel axles, such that these members are moved rotationally by a rotational displacement of the control shaft so as to cause locking engagement between the pawls and teeth. A torque spring (53) is preferably employed for causing lock-operating movement of the locking member by the control shaft. The transaxle and locking mechanism can be handled as a unit in a self-propelled machine so that assembling of the machine is made easier. The locking mechanism shut off from the outside has a high reliability and durability.