US3747966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shaft coupling mechanism
Assignee: Deere and Co
•
Filing: 1971-09-15
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Mechanism for coupling an externally splined power take-off shaft with a hollow internally splined shaft, comprising a plurality of locking elements radially movable between inner locking and outer unlocking positions within a like plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures in the wall of the hollow shaft, the elements being engageable in the former position with a circumferential groove in the power take-off shaft to lock the shafts against relative axial movement. A retaining member is axially slidable on the periphery of the hollow shaft between a first position wherein it surrounds the locking elements and prevents their disengagement from the groove in the power shaft and a second position wherein the elements are free to move to their unlocking position, the member being biased toward the former position. A latch ring on the hollow shaft is operable to move the retaining member from its first to its second position, and is engageable with a recess in the periphery of the hollow shaft to lock the member in the latter position. As the hollow shaft is inserted onto the power take-off shaft, the latter engages and moves the locking elements radially outwardly against the latch ring, thereby disengaging the ring from the recess in the hollow shaft and permitting the retaining member to move back toward its first position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wilkes
- 👤 H Witzel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:41
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D1/00; F16D1/10; F16D1/108; F16D1/116; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/38; F16D3/382; F16D3/387; F16D2001/103; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S464/00; Y10S464/901; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/59; Y10T403/591; Y10T403/592; Y10T403/599; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7026; Y10T403/7033; Y10T403/7075; Y10T403/7077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
295 words
In a mechanism for coupling a first shaft having a recess near its terminal end to a second, hollow, shaft adapted to axially receive said first shaft, the mechanism including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements supported on said second shaft and radially movable between an inner, locking position wherein said elements are engageable with the recess in said first shaft and are operable to prevent relative axial movement between said first and second shafts, and an outer, unlocking position wherein said elements permit such relative axial movement, a retaining member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft between a first position wherein it is operable to maintain said locking elements in their locking position, and a second position wherein it permits radial movement of said locking elements to their unlocking position, and means acting between said second shaft and said retaining member for biasing the latter axially toward its first position, the improvement comprising: a latch member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft and engageable with said retaining member for moving the latter from its first to its second position against said biasing means, said latch member being movable rAdially inwardly within a recess in the periphery of said second shaft to a latching position wherein it is axially locked against said biasing means, said latch member being operable in its latching position to maintain said retaining member in its second position and to normally maintain at least one of said locking elements in its inner, locking position; said first shaft being engageable with said at least one locking element as it is axially inserted into said second shaft to move said element radially outwardly against said latch member and thereby release the latter from its latching position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
295 words
In a mechanism for coupling a first shaft having a recess near its terminal end to a second, hollow, shaft adapted to axially receive said first shaft, the mechanism including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements supported on said second shaft and radially movable between an inner, locking position wherein said elements are engageable with the recess in said first shaft and are operable to prevent relative axial movement between said first and second shafts, and an outer, unlocking position wherein said elements permit such relative axial movement, a retaining member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft between a first position wherein it is operable to maintain said locking elements in their locking position, and a second position wherein it permits radial movement of said locking elements to their unlocking position, and means acting between said second shaft and said retaining member for biasing the latter axially toward its first position, the improvement comprising: a latch member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft and engageable with said retaining member for moving the latter from its first to its second position against said biasing means, said latch member being movable rAdially inwardly within a recess in the periphery of said second shaft to a latching position wherein it is axially locked against said biasing means, said latch member being operable in its latching position to maintain said retaining member in its second position and to normally maintain at least one of said locking elements in its inner, locking position; said first shaft being engageable with said at least one locking element as it is axially inserted into said second shaft to move said element radially outwardly against said latch member and thereby release the latter from its latching position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said latch member comprises a ring encircling said second shaft and having a radially extending portion engageable with the recess in the periphery of said second shaft, said latch member being eccentrically disposed relative to said second shaft when in its latching position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the recess in the periphery of said second shaft comprises a continuous, circumferentially extending groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said latch member includes a plurality of radially extending portions operative to maintain said member in concentric relation with said second shaft when said member is released from its latching position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
the invention defined in claim 2 including means on said second shaft engageable with said latch member when in its latching position for preventing relative rotational movement between said second shaft and said latch member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein the recess in the periphery of said second shaft comprises a continuous, circumferentially extending groove, said groove having a plurality of circumferentially spaced enlarged portions formed therein and engageable by the radially extending portion of said latch member to prevent relative rotational movement between said second shaft and said latch member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention defined in claim 1 including a collar encircling said latch member and said retaining member and connected to the former for axial and rotational movement therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention defined in claim 7 including a portion on said latch member extending radially through an aperture in the wall of said collar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention defined in claim 8 wherein the radially extending portion of said latch member extending through said collar, and the radially extending portion thereof engageable with the recess in the second shaft are substantially radially aligned, the former portion serving as means for manually urging said latch member into its latching position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said latch member and said collar, when the former is released from its latching position, are free to rotate relative to said second shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention defined in claim 10 including a shield encircling said second shaft and free to rotate relative thereto, said shield having a terminal end extending between said collar and said second shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said latch member, when released from its latching position, is free to rotate relative to said second shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 12 wherein the recess in the periphery of said second shaft comprises a continuous, circumferentially extending groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
271 words
In a mechanism for coupling a first shaft having a recess near its terminal end to a second, hollow, shaft adapted to axially receive said first shaft, the mechanism including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements supported on the second shaft and radially movable between an inner, locking position wherein said elements are engageable with the recess in said first shaft and are operable to prevent relative axial movement between said first and second shafts, and an outer, unlocking position wherein said elements permit such relative axial movement, a retaining member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft between a fIrst position wherein it is operative to maintain said locking elements in their locking position, and a second position wherein it permits radial movement of said locking elements to their unlocking position, and means acting between said second shaft and said retaining member for biasing the latter axially toward its first position, the improvement comprising: a latch member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft and operative to move the retaining member to its second position against said biasing means; and means for axially locking said latch member on said second shaft against said biasing means and thereby locking said retaining member in its second position, said latch member being releasable from its locked position in response to movement of at least one of said locking elements from its locking to its unlocking position, said first shaft being operative to move at least one of said locking elements from its locking to its unlocking position as said first shaft is inserted axially into said second shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
271 words
In a mechanism for coupling a first shaft having a recess near its terminal end to a second, hollow, shaft adapted to axially receive said first shaft, the mechanism including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements supported on the second shaft and radially movable between an inner, locking position wherein said elements are engageable with the recess in said first shaft and are operable to prevent relative axial movement between said first and second shafts, and an outer, unlocking position wherein said elements permit such relative axial movement, a retaining member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft between a fIrst position wherein it is operative to maintain said locking elements in their locking position, and a second position wherein it permits radial movement of said locking elements to their unlocking position, and means acting between said second shaft and said retaining member for biasing the latter axially toward its first position, the improvement comprising: a latch member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft and operative to move the retaining member to its second position against said biasing means; and means for axially locking said latch member on said second shaft against said biasing means and thereby locking said retaining member in its second position, said latch member being releasable from its locked position in response to movement of at least one of said locking elements from its locking to its unlocking position, said first shaft being operative to move at least one of said locking elements from its locking to its unlocking position as said first shaft is inserted axially into said second shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
The invention defined in claim 14 wherein said means for axially locking said latch member on said second shaft comprises a recess on the outer periphery of said second shaft adapted to receive said latch member, said member surrounding said locking elements in eccentric relation with said second shaft when received by said recess, said locking elements being engageable with said ring and operable to remove the same from said recess as said elements are moved to their unlocking position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a mechanism for coupling a first shaft having a recess near its terminal end to a second, hollow, shaft adapted to axially receive said first shaft, the mechanism including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements supported on the second shaft and radially movable between an inner, locking position wherein said elements are engageable with the recess in said first shaft and are operable to prevent relative axial movement between said first and second shafts, and an outer, unlocking position wherein said elements permit such relative axial movement, a retaining member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft between a first position wherein it is operative to maintain said locking elements in their locking position, and a second position wherein it permits radial movement of said locking elements to their unlocking position, and means acting between said second shaft and said retaining member for biasing the latter axially toward its first position, the improvement comprising: a latch member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft and operative to move the retaining member to its second position against said biasing means; and means for axially locking said latch member on said second shaft against said biasing means and thereby locking said retaining member in its second position, said latch member being releasable from its locked position in response to axial insertion of said first shaft into said second shaft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a mechanism for coupling a first shaft having a recess near its terminal end to a second, hollow, shaft adapted to axially receive said first shaft, the mechanism including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking elements supported on the second shaft and radially movable between an inner, locking position wherein said elements are engageable with the recess in said first shaft and are operable to prevent relative axial movement between said first and second shafts, and an outer, unlocking position wherein said elements permit such relative axial movement, a retaining member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft between a first position wherein it is operative to maintain said locking elements in their locking position, and a second position wherein it permits radial movement of said locking elements to their unlocking position, and means acting between said second shaft and said retaining member for biasing the latter axially toward its first position, the improvement comprising: a latch member axially slidable on the periphery of said second shaft and operative to move the retaining member to its second position against said biasing means; and means for axially locking said latch member on said second shaft against said biasing means and thereby locking said retaining member in its second position, said latch member being releasable from its locked position in response to axial insertion of said first shaft into said second shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
278 words
Apparatus for coupling a first shaft having a recess formed in the periphery thereof to a second, hollow shaft adapted to axially receive said first shaft, comprising: at least one locking element supported on said second shaft and movable radially between an inner locking position, wherein said element is engageable with the recess in said first shaft and is operative to axially lock said first and second shafts, and an outer unlocking position, wherein said element is disengaged from said recess and permits relative axial movement of said shafts; a retaining member axially slidable on said second shaft between a first position wherein it overlies said locking element and is operative to retain said element in its inner locking position, and a second position wherein it permits movement of said element to its outer unlocking position; means acting between said second shaft and said retaining member for biasing the latter toward its first position; and a latch member axially slidable on said secoNd shaft and operative to move said retaining member from its first to its second position against said biasing means, said latch member being movable radially inwardly into engagement with a recess in the periphery of said second shaft to a latching position wherein it overlies said locking element and is operative to lock the retaining member in its second position, said latch member being releasable from its latching position in response to movement of said locking element from its locking to its unlocking position, said first shaft being engageable with said locking element and operative to move said element from its locking to its unlocking position as it is axially coupled to said second shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
278 words
Apparatus for coupling a first shaft having a recess formed in the periphery thereof to a second, hollow shaft adapted to axially receive said first shaft, comprising: at least one locking element supported on said second shaft and movable radially between an inner locking position, wherein said element is engageable with the recess in said first shaft and is operative to axially lock said first and second shafts, and an outer unlocking position, wherein said element is disengaged from said recess and permits relative axial movement of said shafts; a retaining member axially slidable on said second shaft between a first position wherein it overlies said locking element and is operative to retain said element in its inner locking position, and a second position wherein it permits movement of said element to its outer unlocking position; means acting between said second shaft and said retaining member for biasing the latter toward its first position; and a latch member axially slidable on said secoNd shaft and operative to move said retaining member from its first to its second position against said biasing means, said latch member being movable radially inwardly into engagement with a recess in the periphery of said second shaft to a latching position wherein it overlies said locking element and is operative to lock the retaining member in its second position, said latch member being releasable from its latching position in response to movement of said locking element from its locking to its unlocking position, said first shaft being engageable with said locking element and operative to move said element from its locking to its unlocking position as it is axially coupled to said second shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
167 words
A shaft coupling including a hollow shaft having a surface recess and a radial aperture extending through the wall thereof, a locking element radially movable in said aperture between an innermost locking position for engagement with an internal mating shaft and an outer unlocking position out of engagement with said internal mating shaft, a retaining member axially slidable on said hollow shaft between a first position maintaining said locking element in its locking position and a second position permitting radial movement of said locking element to its unlocking position, biasing means axially biasing said retaining member toward its first position, and a latch member axially slidable on the periphery of said hollow shaft and engageable with said retaining member for moving the latter from its first to its second position against said biasing means, said latch member being shiftable radially to seat in said surface recess for axially locking it in radial relation to said locking element to retain said locking element in its inner locking position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
167 words
A shaft coupling including a hollow shaft having a surface recess and a radial aperture extending through the wall thereof, a locking element radially movable in said aperture between an innermost locking position for engagement with an internal mating shaft and an outer unlocking position out of engagement with said internal mating shaft, a retaining member axially slidable on said hollow shaft between a first position maintaining said locking element in its locking position and a second position permitting radial movement of said locking element to its unlocking position, biasing means axially biasing said retaining member toward its first position, and a latch member axially slidable on the periphery of said hollow shaft and engageable with said retaining member for moving the latter from its first to its second position against said biasing means, said latch member being shiftable radially to seat in said surface recess for axially locking it in radial relation to said locking element to retain said locking element in its inner locking position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
209 words
Shaft coupling apparatus comprising: a hollow shaft having a surface recess; a locking element supported on said hollow shaft and movable between an inner locking position for engagement with a mating shaft axially received by said hollow shaft and an outer unlocking position out of engagement with said mating shaft; a retaining member axially movable on said hollow shaft between a first position maintaining said locking element in its locking position and a secod position permitting radial movement of said locking element to its unlocking position; biasing means axially biasing said retaining member toward its first position; and a latch member axially movable on said hollow shaft and operative to move the retaining member to its second position against said biasing means, said latch member being shiftable radially to seat in said surface recess in said hollow shaft for axially locking said retaining member in its second position, said latch member radially overlying said locking element when seated in said recess and being disengageable from said recess in response to movement of said locking element to its outer unlocking position, said mating shaft being engageable with and operative to move said locking element to its outer unlocking position as said mating shaft is axially inserted into said hollow shaft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
209 words
Shaft coupling apparatus comprising: a hollow shaft having a surface recess; a locking element supported on said hollow shaft and movable between an inner locking position for engagement with a mating shaft axially received by said hollow shaft and an outer unlocking position out of engagement with said mating shaft; a retaining member axially movable on said hollow shaft between a first position maintaining said locking element in its locking position and a secod position permitting radial movement of said locking element to its unlocking position; biasing means axially biasing said retaining member toward its first position; and a latch member axially movable on said hollow shaft and operative to move the retaining member to its second position against said biasing means, said latch member being shiftable radially to seat in said surface recess in said hollow shaft for axially locking said retaining member in its second position, said latch member radially overlying said locking element when seated in said recess and being disengageable from said recess in response to movement of said locking element to its outer unlocking position, said mating shaft being engageable with and operative to move said locking element to its outer unlocking position as said mating shaft is axially inserted into said hollow shaft.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention defined in claim 19 wherein the surface recess in said hollow shaft comprises a continuous, circumferentially extending groove, and wherein said latch member comprises a ring encircling said hollow shaft and having a radially extending portion engageable with said groove.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention defined in claim 19 including means for rotatably locking said hollow shaft to said latch member when the latter is seated in said recess.
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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |