US PATENT SUBCLASS 180 / 254
.~.~ Including flexible, axially rotatable means having one portion fixed to vehicle and another portion pivotable with wheel for transmitting drive thereto

Current as of: June, 1999
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180 /   HD   MOTOR VEHICLES

252  DF  HAVING AT LEAST ONE WHEEL BOTH DRIVEN AND STEERABLE {4}
253  DF  .~ Steerable wheel has exclusive axis of pivot (i.e., stub-axle type) {1}
254.~.~ Including flexible, axially rotatable means having one portion fixed to vehicle and another portion pivotable with wheel for transmitting drive thereto {5}
255  DF  .~.~.~> Pivotable portion of means has additional structure of gearlike nature in driving engagement with corresponding structure on wheel
256  DF  .~.~.~> Means comprises rotatable shaft containing plural universal joints {1}
258  DF  .~.~.~> Pivotable portion of means includes ball or socket element of ball-and socket type universal joint {1}
260  DF  .~.~.~> Pivotable portion of means includes gear element of intermeshing gear type universal joint {1}
263  DF  .~.~.~> Having axis of pivot disposed between parallel planes defined by opposite sides of wheel

DEFINITION

Classification: 180/254

Including flexible, axially rotatable means having one portion fixed to vehicle and another portion pivotable with wheel for transmitting drive thereto:

(under subclass 253) Vehicle wherein the arrangement for drivingly rotating the steerable wheel includes means (e.g., a shaft) which (a) is flexible (e.g., by means of a universal joint), (b) is rotatable about an axis corresponding generally with its centerline, (c) has one portion (e.g., that adjacent the vehicle's motor) anchored, except for axial rotation, to the vehicle (e.g., to its body, chassis, differential, etc.), and (d) has another portion located at or adjacent to the wheel and pivotable therewith, the purpose of the means being to transmit rotational drive to the wheel regardless of its angle of pivot.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

337+, for a motor vehicle provided with means to transmit power from its motor to its wheels.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

403, Joints and Connections,

52+, for a connection between two or more members which provides for relative movement of the members about a bearing surface.

464, Rotary Shafts, Gudgeons, Housings, and Flexible Couplings for Rotary Shafts, appropriate subclasses for flexible shafting and flexible shaft couplings; and particularly

106+, for a flexible coupling between torque transmitting members having misaligned or angularly related axes.