Coupling

Claim 2

A coupling comprising: a. a pair of coupling members arranged in facing relation and each adapted to be secured to an elongated shaft coaxially aligned therewith, said coupling members having facing sides thereof substantially normal to a respective axis of rotation of said coupling members; and b. a plurality of elongate pins extending from facing sides of each of said coupling members and circumferentially spaced in a pattern concentric with the respective axis of rotation of said respective coupling member, each of said pins of each of said coupling members being received between and in line contact with a pair of adjacent pins extending from the other coupling member to transmit motion from one of said coupling members to the other coupling member, said line contact being substantially parallel with the axes of the coupling members, the engagement of said pins providing support of one coupling member by the other in self centering relation.

Claim 3

A coupling as set forth in claim 1 including an annular shield member mounted on each of said coupling members and surrounding said pins to thereby retain said pins against radially outward movement and thereby maintain said pins of one of said coupling members in engagement with the pins of the other coupling member.

Claim 4

A coupling as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pins extending from each of said coupling members are substantially rigid members to effect rotation of said coupling members at substantially identical speeds , and of high torque value.

Claim 5

A coupling as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said coupling members is an annular disc having a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth extending from the periphery thereof for interengaging with a member having similar teeth.

Claim 6

A coupling comprising: a. a plurality of mating coupling members each rotatable about a respective axis of rotation and arranged in generally facing relation with facing sides thereof being perpendicular to the respective axis of rotation of said coupling members; b. means on at least one of said coupling members for securing same to an elongated shaft coaxially aligned therewith; and c. a plurality of elongate pins extending from said facing sides of each of said coupling members and circumferentially spaced in a circular pattern concentric with the respective axis of rotation of said respective coupling member, said pins each being received between and in line contact with a pair of adjacent pins extending from an adjacent coupling member to transmit motion from one of said coupling members to the other coupling members , said line contact being substantially parallel with the axes of the coupling members and the rotation of both coupling members are uniform and at the same speed.

Claim 7

A coupling comprising: a. a plurality of mating coupling members each rotatable about a respective axis of rotation and arranged in generally facing relation with facing sides thereof being perpendicular to the respective axis of rotation of said coupling members; b. means on at least one of said coupling members for securing same to an elongated shaft coaxially aligned therewith; and c. a plurality of elongate pins extending from said facing sides of each of said coupling members and circumferentially spaced in a circular pattern concentric with the respective axis of rotation of said respective coupling member, said pins each being received between and in line contact with a pair of adjacent pins extending from an adjacent coupling member to transmit motion from one of said coupling members to the other coupling members , said line contact being substantially parallel with the axes of the coupling members and the rotation of both coupling members are uniform and at the same speed.

Claim 8

A coupling comprising: a. a pair of coupling members arranged in facing relation and each adapted to be secured to an elongated shaft coaxially aligned therewith, said coupling members having facing sides thereof substantially normal to a respective axis of rotation of said coupling members; b. a plurality of pins extending from facing sides of each of said coupling members and circumferentially spaced in a pattern concentric with the respective axis of rotation of said respective coupling member, each of said pins of each of said coupling members being received between and in line contact with a pair of adjacent pins extending from the other coupling member to transmit motion from one of said coupling members to the other coupling member; c. the pins extending from one of said coupling members being substantially rigid and the pins extending from the other coupling member being flexible members.

Claim 9

A coupling comprising: a. a pair of coupling members arranged in facing relation and each adapted to be secured to an elongated shaft coaxially aligned therewith, said coupling members having facing sides thereof substantially normal to a respective axis of rotation of said coupling members; b. a plurality of pins extending from facing sides of each of said coupling members and circumferentially spaced in a pattern concentric with the respective axis of rotation of said respective coupling member, each of said pins of each of said coupling members being received between and in line contact with a pair of adjacent pins extending from the other coupling member to transmit motion from one of said coupling members to the other coupling member; c. the pins extending from one of said coupling members being substantially rigid and the pins extending from the other coupling member being flexible members.

Claim 10

A coupling as set forth in claim 6 including a shield member mounted on at least one of said coupling members and surrounding said pins to thereby retain said flexible pins in engagement with the pins of the other coupling member.

Claim 11

A coupling comprising: a. a pair of coupling members arranged in facing relation and each adapted to be secured to an elongated shaft coaxially aligned therewith, said coupling members having facing sides thereof substantially normal to a respective axis of rotation of said coupling members; b. a plurality of pins extending from facing sides of each of said coupling members and circumferentially spaced in a pattern concentric with the respective axis of rotation of said respective coupling member, each of said pins of each of said coupling members being received between and in line contact with a pair of adjacent pins extending from the other coupling member to transmit motion from one of said coupling members to the other coupling member; and c. the pins extending from each of said coupling members being flexible members whereby rotation of one of said coupling members effects a lower torque change between said coupling members.

Claim 12

A coupling comprising: a. a pair of coupling members arranged in facing relation and each adapted to be secured to an elongated shaft coaxially aligned therewith, said coupling members having facing sides thereof substantially normal to a respective axis of rotation of said coupling members; b. a plurality of pins extending from facing sides of each of said coupling members and circumferentially spaced in a pattern concentric with the respective axis of rotation of said respective coupling member, each of said pins of each of said coupling members being received between and in line contact with a pair of adjacent pins extending from the other coupling member to transmit motion from one of said coupling members to the other coupling member; and c. the pins extending from each of said coupling members being flexible members whereby rotation of one of said coupling members effects a lower torque change between said coupling members.

Claim 13

A coupling as set forth in claim 8 including a shield member mounted on each of said coupling members and surrounding said pins to thereby retain said pins of one of said coupling members in engagement with the pins of the other coupling member.