Patent ID: 8770063

Claim:
A gearbox housing assembly comprising: a first plate constructed of a rigid material and defining a first plane; a second plate defining a second plane parallel to and spaced from the first plane, the second plate being constructed of a rigid material; a plurality of connectors coupling the first plate and the second plate, an interior space being defined between the first plate and the second plate, within a periphery of the first plate and a periphery of the second plate; a mounting member coupled to the second plate and having at least one mounting portion extending outside the interior space, the mounting member being distinct from the second plate to facilitate interchangeability of the mounting member; and at least one cover member substantially enclosing the interior space, the at least one cover member being constructed of a material substantially lighter than a material of the first and second plates, the at least one cover member being coupled to the first and second plates around the peripheries of the first and second plates such that a force applied to the first plate in a direction substantially normal to the first plane is transmitted through the first and second plates and the plurality of connectors to the mounting member without being applied to the at least one cover member.