Patent ID: 8764600

Claim:
A multi ratio drive operably connected to a drive shaft, the multi ratio drive comprising: a pinion gear rotatable by the drive shaft; a main shaft; a fixed ring gear fixed to the main shaft and engaged with the pinion gear; a differential shaft; a first drive chain having a first main shaft ring gear lockable to the main shaft and a first differential shaft ring gear fixed to the differential shaft and engaged with the first main shaft ring gear, the first drive chain having a first gear ratio; a second drive chain having a second main shaft ring gear lockable to the main shaft and a second differential shaft ring gear fixed to the differential shaft and engaged with the second main shaft ring gear, the second drive chain having a second gear ratio; a differential operably connected to the differential shaft; a first axle operably connected to the differential; and a second axle operably connected to the differential; wherein the first drive chain operably connects the drive shaft to the first axle and the second axle at a first gear ratio when the first main shaft ring gear is locked to the main shaft and the second main shaft ring gear is not locked to the main shaft; and the second drive chain operably connects the drive shaft to the first axle and the second axle at a second gear ratio when the second main shaft ring gear is locked to the main shaft and the first main shaft ring gear is not locked to the main shaft; wherein a first slip clutch locks the first main shaft ring gear on the main shaft when the first drive chain is in the first drive chain engaged state; and wherein the first slip clutch is operable to lock the first main shaft ring gear on the main shaft regardless of direction of main shaft rotation.