Importance

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Abstract

An automatic locking gear is adapted to drivingly connect a drive axle and wheel hub automatically in response to application of torque to the drive axle which has a stationary housing in which said drive axle is journaled, a drive gear keyed for rotation with the drive axle while being slidable in an axial direction independently of the drive axle, and a driven gear is keyed for rotation with the wheel hub while being slidable in an axial direction independently of the wheel hub. The locking member is mounted on the stationary housing, and the cam follower mounted on the drive gear. The cam follower control means is operative to advance the cam follower in a direction causing the drive gear to move into engagement with the driven gear in response to the application of torque to the drive gear, the control means in turn being released from engagement with the locking member in response to engagement between said drive gear and said driven gear; and an override mechanism is interposed between the locking member and housing to release the locking member for limited rotation in response to the application of torque from the driven gear into the drive gear prior to releasing the control means from locking engagement with the locking member.

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First Claim