Patent ID: 6269899
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: B60K,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A transmission arrangement for an offroad vehicle having a frame, at least two wheels supporting said frame, an internal combustion engine supported by said frame, said engine having at least one cylinder, a piston reciprocally positioned in said cylinder, said piston driving a crankshaft of said engine, said crankshaft being mounted in a crankshaft chamber at least partially defined by a crankcase cover and said crankshaft being arranged to drive at least one of the wheels through said transmission, said vehicle having a longitudinal centerline, said crankshaft of said engine extending along a first axis that is generally transverse to said centerline, said transmission comprising a transmission chamber partially defined by a transmission cover, a primary shaft positioned in said chamber and selectively driven by said crankshaft through a centrifugal clutch, said centrifugal clutch being positioned in a clutch chamber partially defined by a clutch cover and said crankcase cover, a main shaft being positioned in said transmission chamber and being offset from said primary shaft, said main shaft being driven by said primary shaft by a belt, said main shaft being arranged to drive at least one of said at least two wheels, said primary shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end being rotatably supported by said clutch cover and said second end being rotatably supported by said transmission cover, and said primary shaft rotating about said first axis.