Patent ID: 8858385

Claim:
A differential comprising: a differential casing defining a longitudinal axis, a first set of rotatably fixed castellations and a second set of rotatably fixed castellations affixed to said differential casing; a first side gear and a second side gear each rotatable with respect to said differential casing about the longitudinal axis, said first side gear and said second side gear each adapted to be rotatably fixed to a half shaft; at least one pinion gear intermeshingly engaged with said first side gear and said second side gear, said pinion gear rotatable about a pinion gear axis when said first side gear rotates at a rotational speed different from said second side gear; a first clutch plate rotatably fixed to said first side gear and having an end surface with a first set of rotatable castellations formed thereon, said first clutch plate axially moveable within said differential casing between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said first set of rotatable castellations interfitted with said first set of rotatably fixed castellations of said differential casing when said first clutch plate is in said engaged position, said first set of rotatable castellations spaced from said first set of rotatably fixed castellations of said differential casing when said first clutch plate is in said disengaged position, whereby said first side gear is selectively rotatably fixed to said differential casing via said first clutch plate; and a second clutch plate rotatably fixed to said second side gear and having an end surface with a second set of rotatable castellations formed thereon, said second clutch plate axially moveable within said differential casing between an engaged position and a disengaged position, said second set of rotatable castellations interfitted with said second set of rotatably fixed castellations of said differential casing when said second clutch plate is in said engaged position, said second set of rotatable castellations spaced from said second set of rotatably fixed castellations of said differential casing when said second clutch plate is in said disengaged position, whereby said second side gear is selectively rotatably fixed to said differential casing via said second clutch plate, whereby the differential has a locked condition in which each of said side gears is independently locked to the differential casing and torque is not transmitted through said pinion gear.