Patent ID: 7070036

Claim:
A power takeoff device having an input gear connectable to the transmission of an engine and a rotatable output shaft selectively connectable to said input gear and a connect-disconnect clutch mechanism capable of selectively connecting and disconnecting said output shaft into and out of connection, respectively, with said input gear, said connect-disconnect clutch mechanism including: an output gear; a clutch hub; at least two spaced locator members for confining the clutch mechanism to a selected location along said output shaft; a disc stack comprised of a plurality of discs alternately connected between said output gear and said clutch hub; a piston so located with respect to said disc stack so as to be capable upon movement of said piston of compressing said discs into frictional engagement in said disc stack; biasing means normally biasing said piston out of compressing frictional engagement with said disc stack; and a spacer member so located with respect to said disc stack such that during compression of said disc stack by said piston substantially no operational force is imposed on said locator rings.