초록 ▼

A hydraulic coupling assembly is provided for an auxiliary drive axle of an all wheel drive motor vehicle. The hydraulic coupling assembly comprises a rotatable casing, first and second output shafts axially outwardly extending from said casing, at least one hydraulically operated, selectively engag

A hydraulic coupling assembly is provided for an auxiliary drive axle of an all wheel drive motor vehicle. The hydraulic coupling assembly comprises a rotatable casing, first and second output shafts axially outwardly extending from said casing, at least one hydraulically operated, selectively engageable friction clutch assembly for operatively coupling the casing to at least one of the output shafts, and at least one hydraulic clutch actuator. The hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic pump located within the casing and adapted to generate a hydraulic pressure to frictionally load the friction clutch assembly, and a variable pressure relief valve assembly fluidly communicating with the hydraulic pump to selectively control the hydraulic pressure generated by the pump. The variable pressure relief valve assembly includes an electro-magnetic actuator selectively for varying a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on a magnitude of an electric current applied thereto.

대표청구항 ▼

A hydraulic coupling assembly is provided for an auxiliary drive axle of an all wheel drive motor vehicle. The hydraulic coupling assembly comprises a rotatable casing, first and second output shafts axially outwardly extending from said casing, at least one hydraulically operated, selectively engag

A hydraulic coupling assembly is provided for an auxiliary drive axle of an all wheel drive motor vehicle. The hydraulic coupling assembly comprises a rotatable casing, first and second output shafts axially outwardly extending from said casing, at least one hydraulically operated, selectively engageable friction clutch assembly for operatively coupling the casing to at least one of the output shafts, and at least one hydraulic clutch actuator. The hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic pump located within the casing and adapted to generate a hydraulic pressure to frictionally load the friction clutch assembly, and a variable pressure relief valve assembly fluidly communicating with the hydraulic pump to selectively control the hydraulic pressure generated by the pump. The variable pressure relief valve assembly includes an electro-magnetic actuator selectively for varying a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on a magnitude of an electric current applied thereto. mber are disposed within the housing. 8. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 5, further comprising a stop that is sized and configured to engage the one or more locking plates. 9. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 4, wherein the locking rod moves relative to the second support structure. 10. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 3, further comprising a release that is sized and configured to assist in disposing the locking mechanism between the engaged position and the disengaged position. 11. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 10, wherein the release includes at least one tab, the tab selectively engaging the one or more locking plates to urge the one or more locking plates into a substantially perpendicular position relative to the locking rod. 12. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 5, further comprising a biasing member that is sized and configured to bias the one or more locking plates into a non-perpendicular angle relative to the locking rod, thereby permitting the locking plates to frictionally engage the locking rod. 13. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 5, further comprising a second set of one or more locking plates that are sized and configured to selectively engaging the locking rod. 14. An adjustable basketball goal system that is capable of allowing a height of a basketball goal to be adjusted relative to a playing surface, the adjustable basketball goal system comprising: a basketball goal assembly; a rigid support; a first support structure pivotally connected to the rigid support, the first support structure including a first support arm connected to the basketball goal assembly and the rigid support, the first support structure including a second support arm connected to the basketball goal assembly and the rigid support, the first support arm, the basketball goal assembly, the rigid support and the second support arm being interconnected to form a four-element linkage with a generally parallelogram configuration, the first support structure being sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted relative to the playing surface; a second support structure including a first support arm connected to the rigid support and an extension arm, the second support structure including a second support arm connected to the rigid support and the extension arm, the first support arm, the rigid support, the extension arm and the second support arm being interconnected to form a four-element linkage with a generally parallelogram configuration, wherein adjustment of the second support structure causes the first support structure to be adjusted, which adjusts the height of the basketball goal relative to the playing surface; and a locking mechanism operably disposed relative to the second support structure, the locking mechanism including an engaged position that restricts movement of the second support structure and a disengaged position that allows relatively free movement of the second support structure. 15. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein the extension arm is connected to an end of the first support arm of the second support structure and to an end of the second support arm of the second support structure. 16. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking rod attached to the rigid support. 17. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 16, further comprising at least one locking plate selectively engaging the locking rod. 18. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 17, further comprising a housing disposed in cooperation with the locking rod. 19. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 18, wherein the locking plate is disposed within the housing. 20. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 19, wherein the housing comprises a stop positioned to engage the locking plate. 21. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 16, wherein the locking rod moves relative to the second support structure. 22. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, further comprising a release adapted to assist in disposing the locking mechanism between the engaged position and the disengaged position. 23. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 22, wherein the release includes at least one tab, the tab selectively engaging the locking plate wherein urging the locking plate into a substantially perpendicular position relative to the locking rod. 24. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 23, further comprising a biasing member positioned to bias the locking plate into a non-perpendicular angle relative to the locking rod. 25. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 17, further comprising a second locking plate selectively engaging the locking rod. 26. A method for adjusting the height of a basketball goal system above a playing surface, the basketball goal system including a first support structure configured to pivotally engage a rigid support, the first support structure including a first support arm and a second support arm, the first support structure allowing the height of the basketball goal structure to be adjusted relative to the playing surface, and a second support structure including all a first support arm connected to the rigid support and an extension arm, the second support structure including a second support arm connected to the rigid support and the extension arm, the method capable of being performed with a single hand of a user comprising the steps of: disengaging the second support structure from a first position; adjusting the second support structure, which adjusts the first support structure so that the height of the basketball goal structure relative to the playing surface is adjusted; and engaging the second support structure into a second position. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second support structure includes an extension arm with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the extension arm being connected to an end of the first support arm of the second support structure, wherein movement of the extension arm selectively adjusts the first support structure. 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the basketball goal system further includes a locking mechanism operably disposed in relation to the second support structure for locking the second support structure in the second position. 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the steps of disengaging the second support structure from the first position, deforming the second support structure, and engaging the second support structure into the second position can be performed using a single hand of a user. 30. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein the first support arm of the first support structure and the first support arm of the second support structure are a unitary, one-piece structure; and wherein the second support arm of the first support structure and the second support arm of the second support structure are a unitary, one-piece structure. 31. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein one portion of the rigid support forms an element of the four-element linkage of the first support structure and an element of the four-element linkage of the second support structure. 32. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, further comprising a goal side of the rigid support and a back side of the rigid support, the first support structure being at least substantially disposed on the goal side of the rigid support and the second support structure being at least substantially disposed on the back side of the rigid support. 33. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein the second support structure is connected to the first support structure by the first support arms and the second support arms. 34. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, further comprising an actuation tri