Patent ID: 6523431
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B62D,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A mechanism disposed within a gearbox housing, a first gear having a first axis of rotation about a first shaft, a second gear having a first end, a second end and a second axis of rotation about a second shaft, the first and second gears being rotatably mounted in the gearbox housing so that the first and second gears mesh with each other such that the first axis of the first gear is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second gear, a plurality of ball bearing assemblies disposed about the first gear, a plurality of bushings disposed about the first gear, the ball bearing assemblies and bushings serving to support the first gear within the gearbox housing, the mechanism comprising:an elastomeric member; a plurality of washers, said plurality of washers including a first washer and a second washer, said first washer having an annular planar section between a first washer inner flared edge and a first washer outer flared edge, said first washer disposed at a first axial end of said elastomeric member, a first width measured radially from the first washer inner flared edge to the first washer outer flared edge, said second washer having an annular planar section between a second washer inner flared edge and a second washer outer flared edge, said second washer disposed at a second axial end of said elastomeric member, a second width measured radially from the second washer inner flared edge to the second washer outer flared edge, the plurality of washers adapted to receive the elastomeric member; the elastomeric member received within the plurality of washers disposed about the second gear; wherein all radially measured outermost cross-sectional widths of the elastomeric member, from the first axial end to the second axial end, are less than the first width and less than the second width.