Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a flexible coupling having a driving element and a driven element, the combination comprising: said driving element having spaced projecting blades with opposite end portions; said driven element having spaced projecting blades with opposite end portions; said blades on said driven element projecting alternately between the blades on said driving element forming an interleaved relation therebetween; flexible elements positioned between said interleaved projecting blades and having sidewalls and end walls, said sidewalls abutting the adjacent sidewalls of said interleaved projecting blades and forming a flexible connection between said interleaved projecting blades; and retaining means abutting certain of said blade end walls and said flexible member end portions to maintain said flexible elements between said interleaved blades and distort said flexible elements axially to maintain an axial thrust on said flexible elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a flexible coupling having a driving element and a driven element, the combination comprising: said driving element having spaced projecting blades with opposite end portions; said driven element having spaced projecting blades with opposite end portions; said blades on said driven element projecting alternately between the blades on said driving element forming an interleaved relation therebetween; flexible elements positioned between said interleaved projecting blades and having sidewalls and end walls, said sidewalls abutting the adjacent sidewalls of said interleaved projecting blades and forming a flexible connection between said interleaved projecting blades; and retaining means abutting certain of said blade end walls and said flexible member end portions to maintain said flexible elements between said interleaved blades and distort said flexible elements axially to maintain an axial thrust on said flexible elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A flexible coupling as set forth in claim 1 which includes second rEtaining means secured to the top surface of certain of said projecting blades on one of said elements in overlying relation with portions of said flexible elements on opposite sides of said projecting blades to maintain said flexible elements between said interleaved blades.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A flexible coupling as set forth in claim 2 which includes rigid sidewalls on both sides of said flexible elements, said rigid sidewalls abutting the adjacent sidewalls of said projecting blades so that each of said projecting blades abuts a pair of rigid sidewalls of said flexible elements on opposite sides thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flexible coupling as set forth in claim 1 in which said flexible elements have concave bottom, top and end walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
A flexible coupling comprising: a hub member having blades projecting radially outwardly therefrom; a sleeve member having spaced blades projecting radially inwardly therefrom; said sleeve member positioned coaxially on said hub member with said inwardly projecting blades positioned alternately between said hub member outwardly projecting blades and forming an interleaved relation therebetween; flexible elements positioned between said interleaved projecting blades, said flexible elements having rigid sidewalls abutting the adjacent sidewalls of said interleaved projecting blades; first retaining means abutting said flexible element rigid sidewalls on opposite sides of said hub member blades adjacent one end of said sleeve member; second retaining means abutting said flexible element rigid sidewalls on opposite sides of said sleeve member blades adjacent the other end of said sleeve member; and thrust means exerting an axial thrust on said retaining means and distorting said flexible element and provide a preload axial thrust on said flexible elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
A flexible coupling comprising: a hub member having blades projecting radially outwardly therefrom; a sleeve member having spaced blades projecting radially inwardly therefrom; said sleeve member positioned coaxially on said hub member with said inwardly projecting blades positioned alternately between said hub member outwardly projecting blades and forming an interleaved relation therebetween; flexible elements positioned between said interleaved projecting blades, said flexible elements having rigid sidewalls abutting the adjacent sidewalls of said interleaved projecting blades; first retaining means abutting said flexible element rigid sidewalls on opposite sides of said hub member blades adjacent one end of said sleeve member; second retaining means abutting said flexible element rigid sidewalls on opposite sides of said sleeve member blades adjacent the other end of said sleeve member; and thrust means exerting an axial thrust on said retaining means and distorting said flexible element and provide a preload axial thrust on said flexible elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
A flexible coupling as set forth in claim 5 which includes: radially extending spaced flange members on said sleeve member; a first annular plate member secured to one of said flange members and abutting one of said retaining means; a second annular plate member secured to the other of said flange members; means positioned between said second annular plate member and said other retaining means; and means to move said annular plates toward each other to thereby distort said flexible elements and provide a preload axial thrust on said flexible elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A flexible coupling as set forth in claim 5 which includes: radial end walls on said hub member projecting blades; retainer plates secured to said radial end walls and having portions abutting said flexible element rigid sidewalls to maintain said flexible element between said interleaved blades.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A flexible coupling as set forth in claim 5 in which said first retaining means includes channel-shaped members positioned around the end portion of said hub member blades adjacent one end of said sleeve member in abutting relation with said flexible element rigid sidewalls on opposite sides of said hub member blades.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A flexible coupling as set forth in claim 8 in which said second retaining means includes channel-shaped members positioned around the end portion of said sleeve member blades adjacent the other end of said sleeve member in abutting relation with said flexible element rigid sidewalls on opposite sides of said sleeve member blades.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
179 words
A flexible coupling as set forth in claim 5 which includes: radially extending spaced flange members on said sleeve member; said first retaining means including channel-shaped members positioned around the end portion of said hub member blades adjacent one end of said sleeve member in abutting relation with said flexible member rigid sidewalls on opposite sides of said hub member blades; an annular thrust plate positioned in abutting relation with said channel-shaped members; a first annular plate member secured to one of said flange members and abutting said annular thrust plate; second channeL-shaped members positioned around the end portion of said sleeve member blades adjacent the other end of said sleeve member in abutting relation with said flexible element rigid sidewalls on opposite sides of said sleeve member blades; a second annular plate member secured to the other of said sleeve flange members and abutting said other channel-shaped members; and means to move said first and second annular plate members toward each other to thereby distort said flexible elements and provide a preload axial thrust on said flexible elements.