4 x 4 Conversion kit
First Claim
1. A four-wheel drive conversion kit for use with a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle, the vehicle having:
- an engine, two driven tire and wheel assemblies, two undriven tire and wheel assemblies, a driven clutch, a drive belt, a drive clutch and a transaxle;
the conversion kit comprising;
at least one drive shaft for providing power to the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
a front differential positioned between the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
said at least one drive shaft being connected to said front differential at one end and connected to a gear box at its other end;
said gear box being connected to the engine of a vehicle;
two half shafts, each half shaft having a first a rid second end, said first end of each half shaft being connected to a separate spindle and hub assembly;
each of said spindle and hub assembly being attached to said undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
said second end of each half shaft being connected to said front differential, said front differential being located in between said two half shafts;
whereby the gear box transfers power from the engine through said at least one drive shaft and said front differential causing the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies to be driven and converting a two-wheel drive vehicle into a four-wheel drive vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a conversion kit to turn a new or used golf car from a conventional, two-wheel drive to a four-wheel drive vehicle. The four-wheel drive system can be engaged while static or while moving at any speed, forward or reverse. The kit has, in its simplest form, a CVT driven sheave adapter, a sprocket, and chain connecting to another sprocket. This combination drives a gear box which, in turn, rotates a drive shaft that connects to a differential. The differential transmits power to the previously non-driven set of wheels and thus turns the vehicle to four-wheel drive. The drive shaft may be made of a single shaft or may be multiple shafts coupled together depending upon the make and model of the golf car. The key advantages of this conversion kit are that it uses the existing drive train to accomplish its goal and is very cost effective and durable. The used golf car market can benefit from this conversion kit in that a four-wheel drive golf car has many more potential customers than a conventional two wheel drive golf car. The conversion kit can also be factory installed by manufacturers of golf cars and utility vehicles. Preventing damage to the turf and the safety of the riders are also key advantages of the conversion kit.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A four-wheel drive conversion kit for use with a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle, the vehicle having:
- an engine, two driven tire and wheel assemblies, two undriven tire and wheel assemblies, a driven clutch, a drive belt, a drive clutch and a transaxle;
the conversion kit comprising;
at least one drive shaft for providing power to the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
a front differential positioned between the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
said at least one drive shaft being connected to said front differential at one end and connected to a gear box at its other end;
said gear box being connected to the engine of a vehicle;
two half shafts, each half shaft having a first a rid second end, said first end of each half shaft being connected to a separate spindle and hub assembly;
each of said spindle and hub assembly being attached to said undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
said second end of each half shaft being connected to said front differential, said front differential being located in between said two half shafts;
whereby the gear box transfers power from the engine through said at least one drive shaft and said front differential causing the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies to be driven and converting a two-wheel drive vehicle into a four-wheel drive vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- an engine, two driven tire and wheel assemblies, two undriven tire and wheel assemblies, a driven clutch, a drive belt, a drive clutch and a transaxle;
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16. A four-wheel drive conversion kit for use with a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle, the vehicle having:
- an electric motor, two driven tire and wheel assemblies, two undriven tire and wheel assemblies, at least one battery and a transaxle;
the conversion kit comprising;
at least one drive shaft for providing power to the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
a front differential positioned between the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
said at least one drive shaft being connected to said front differential at one end and connected to a gear box at its other end;
said gear box being connected to the electric motor of a vehicle;
two half shafts, each half shaft having a first and second end, said first end of each half shaft being connected to a separate spindle and hub assembly;
each of said spindle and hub assembly being attached to said undriven tire and wheel assemblies;
said second end of each half shaft being connected to said front differential, said front differential being located in between said two half shafts;
whereby the gear box transfers power from the electric motor through said at least one drive shaft and said front differential causing the two undriven tire and wheel assemblies to be driven and converting a two-wheel drive vehicle into a four-wheel drive vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- an electric motor, two driven tire and wheel assemblies, two undriven tire and wheel assemblies, at least one battery and a transaxle;
Specification