Patent ID: 8850928

Claim:
A power takeoff unit for transmitting torque taken from a transmission of a vehicle, comprising: a casing having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, a first axis running from the first end to the second end, and a second axis not parallel to the first axis, the casing combinable with the transmission at the first end; a first shaft supported by the casing and rotatable about the first axis, the first shaft being so coupled with the transmission to receive the torque; a second shaft supported by a bearing on the casing at the second end and rotatable about the first axis; a clutch slidably fitting with the second shaft and being directed to the first shaft, the clutch being rotatable along with the second shaft and movable along the first axis between a first position to interrupt transmission of the torque and a second position to mesh with the first shaft to transmit the torque from the first shaft to the second shaft; a first gear projecting from the bearing toward the first end and rotating along with the second shaft without any support excepting the bearing; and a third shaft rotatable about the second shaft, the third shaft including a second gear meshing with the first gear.