US3731499A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible couplings
Assignee: Paulstra SNC
•
Filing: 1971-07-12
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-07-12
Abstract
Abstract The couplings are for interposing between two shafts and comprise essentially an elastically deformable block positioned between bushes rigidly fixed to the shafts. The elastic unit includes rubber cushions adhered to a plurality of radial reinforcing elements some of which are fixed together in the form of a star while the others are radially movable or floating. This unit is mounted with precompression inside a drum rigidly fixed to stiffening arms. The coupling is especially useful for vehicle engines.
Inventors
- 👤 J Morlon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/50; F16D3/78; F16D3/64; F16D3/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
Flexible coupling, particularly for positioning between two bushes or plates rigidly fixed to two shafts or other rotary elements to be driven one by the other, said coupling comprising an inner assembly of at least one flexible unit arranged in the form of elastomeric cushions, a plurality of substantially radial reinforcing elements to which said cushions are adhered, some of said reinforcing elements being fixed together in the form of a star, whilst others are movable radially, to enable prestressing to be applied to the cushions, and a rigid outer support including at least one stiffening element having means for coupling to a said bush, said inner assembly being prestressed by radial compression of said floating elements and retention inside said outer support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
Flexible coupling, particularly for positioning between two bushes or plates rigidly fixed to two shafts or other rotary elements to be driven one by the other, said coupling comprising an inner assembly of at least one flexible unit arranged in the form of elastomeric cushions, a plurality of substantially radial reinforcing elements to which said cushions are adhered, some of said reinforcing elements being fixed together in the form of a star, whilst others are movable radially, to enable prestressing to be applied to the cushions, and a rigid outer support including at least one stiffening element having means for coupling to a said bush, said inner assembly being prestressed by radial compression of said floating elements and retention inside said outer support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Coupling according to claim 1, wherein said unit is molded in a single part with its rubber cushions and its reinforcing elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the radial reinforcing elements fixed toGether in the form of a star are constituted by strips of sheet metal welded together and forming a central ring-shaped opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the movable reinforcing elements are constituted by welded pairs of strips of sheet metal, outwardly curved to constitute two feet adapted to come into contact, after prestressing, with the inner surface of the outer support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Coupling according to claim 4, wherein the contact of the said feet with the outer support is effected with the interposition of a layer of elastomer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing elements comprise openings for the passage of bolts for fixing the respective elements of the flexible units to the two bushes or plates to be coupled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the distance with respect to the axis, of the openings provided in the radially movable reinforcing elements, is greater than the corresponding distance of the reinforcing elements fixed between them, to enable, by deformation, prestressing on assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the radially movable reinforcing elements have a central portion on which the elastomer adheres, and in order to facilitate the deformation of the elastomer on precompression, a number of cavities are provided in its mass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
Coupling according to claim 8, wherein there are provided, on one hand, radially elongated cavities, along the radii of the radially movable reinforcing elements, and, on the other hand, small cavities on each side of the star-shaped reinforcing elements, so as to leave, between these two groups of cavities, sufficiently wide feet through which the elastomer adheres on the central portion of the star.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the outer support is constituted by an open drum, hence with a cylindrical outer surface, and said stiffening arms are radial.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
Coupling according to claim 10, with radial reinforcing elements provided with openings for the passage of fixing bolts, wherein the radial portion of the drum forms a stiffening element and is constituted by arms arranged in line with the radially movable reinforcing elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
Coupling according to claim 11, wherein between said arms the cylindrical edge of the drum comprises a stiffening edge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
Coupling according to claim 11, wherein the flexible unit is mounted in such a manner that, considering the fixing by bolts of the arms of the drum as well as of the corresponding reinforcing elements on one of the two bushes to be coupled, the arms are presented outwardly with respect to the corresponding support surface on the said bush, so that the arms act freely to resist the effect of centrifugal force on the bolts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Coupling according to claim 1, wherein means are provided to center the outer support with respect to the assembly of fixed radial reinforcing elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
Coupling according to claim 14, wherein the stiffening portion of the outer support comprises an axial extension adapted to penetrate into the central annular portion of the star-shaped reinforcing elements, with the interposition of a rubber bush.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
Flexible couplings according to claim 1, wherein said support is a drum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Flexible couplings according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcing elements are constituted by welded strips of sheet metal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
Flexible couplings according to claim 1, consisting of two groups of three reinforcing elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
Flexible couplings according to claim 1, wherein said central portion is of cylindrical contour.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |