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:
Nov. 16, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 27, 1998
Garrett W Gage, Goodrich, MI (US);
American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A shaft retention and spacer mechanism, referred to as a button lock assembly, is installed between the ends of the axle shafts within the differential housing of a differential assembly. The end of each axle shaft includes a button-like end pad formed by an annular groove that is adapted to receive a C-clip therein for axially locating and restraining a side gear between the differential housing and the axle shaft. The button lock assembly includes a spacer block having a peripheral flange extending outwardly from its opposite lateral face surfaces so as to define a pair of open-ended retention chambers. The spacer block is disposed between the axle shafts such that the button-like end pads are positioned within the retention chambers. The button lock assembly further includes a lock cap that is secured to the spacer block for enclosing the open end of the retention chambers to surround the end pads. Upon installation of the C-clip into the grooves, the end pads are retained in the retention chambers of the spacer block and the C-clips are laterally bounded by the side gear and the button lock assembly.