Force transmitting system

Claim 2

In a torsional force-transmitting system: a low modulus torsion tube having at least one terminal side surface defined by spaced parallel planes A and B normal to the tube axis; a high modulus anchor having at least one axially tapered side surface radially aligned with the tube''s terminal side surface; and elastic force-transmitting material interposed between each terminal side surface and each tapered side surface; said elastic material constituting the sole force-transmitting connection between the tube and anchor.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein the elastic material comprises an annulus occupying the entire axial dimension between planes A and B.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 wherein the anchor is provided with two axially tapered side surfaces, one of said tapered surfaces being located within the tube, and the other tapered surface being located outside the tube; there being an elastic force-traNsmitting annulus interposed between each tapered surface and each terminal surface.

Claim 5

The system of claim 2 and further comprising means carried by the anchor for exerting an axial compressive stress on the elastic annulus.

Claim 6

The system of claim 2 wherein the elastic annulus frictionally engages the terminal surface and tapered surface; said elastic annulus being axially compressed by an annular pressure ring adjustably mounted on the anchor.

Claim 7

The system of claim 2 wherein the torsion tube is fiberglass, the anchor is metallic, and the elastic annulus is an elastomer.

Claim 8

The system of claim 2 wherein the anchor side surface tapers so that the elastic annulus has a relatively large radial thickness at plane A and a relatively small radial thickness at plane B.

Claim 9

A force transmitting system having a low-modulus tube and a high-modulus anchor secured thereto, and comprising: a. an anchored terminal zone of said tube, provided with external and internal surfaces which are substantially circular in cross section; b. an anchor to receive the terminal zone and comprising i. a socket element provided with an annular tapered socket and having an axis of symmetry substantially coincident with the axis of said tube, and open along said axis at one end, and ii. a nut element having threaded engagement with the socket element, whereby said external tube surface and an outer surface of said socket cooperate to form a first annular tapered space, and said internal tube surface and an inner surface of said socket cooperate to form a second annular tapered space; and c. elastic means in said spaces securing said zone and the anchor for transmitting force between the tube and the anchor while permitting deflection of the tube relative to the anchor in which said deflection may vary throughout said zone from zero at the free end to a maximum at the opposite end of the zone.

Claim 10

A force transmitting system having a low-modulus tube and a high-modulus anchor secured thereto, and comprising: a. an anchored terminal zone of said tube, provided with external and internal surfaces which are substantially circular in cross section; b. an anchor to receive the terminal zone and comprising i. a socket element provided with an annular tapered socket and having an axis of symmetry substantially coincident with the axis of said tube, and open along said axis at one end, and ii. a nut element having threaded engagement with the socket element, whereby said external tube surface and an outer surface of said socket cooperate to form a first annular tapered space, and said internal tube surface and an inner surface of said socket cooperate to form a second annular tapered space; and c. elastic means in said spaces securing said zone and the anchor for transmitting force between the tube and the anchor while permitting deflection of the tube relative to the anchor in which said deflection may vary throughout said zone from zero at the free end to a maximum at the opposite end of the zone.

Claim 11

A system as in claim 8, the securing means comprising an elastomeric annulus in each of said spaces.

Claim 12

A system as in claim 9, wherein the nut element is provided with a pressure ring adapted to engage the elastomeric annulus in the first annular space, whereby screwing the nut and socket elements together brings greater pressure to bear on the elastomeric annulus in said first annular space.

Claim 13

A system as in claim 10, the securing means also including: a. a second pressure ring for engaging the elastomeric annulus in the second annular space; and b. means threadedly engaging the anchor and the second pressure ring to bring the elastomeric annulus in the second annular space into tighter engagement with boundaries of the second annular space.

Claim 14

A system as in claim 11, wherein the inner and outer surfaces of the annular socket diverge toward the socket opening, forming with the tube said first and second annular spaces wedge-shaped in longitudinal section and wherein each of said elastomeric annuli is also wedge-shaped with the base of each wedge closer to the socket opening than the tip of the wedge.

Claim 15

A system as in claim 12, the annular socket having an annular groove adapted to receive the free end of the tube to prevent the flow of elastomer between said first and second annular spaces.

Claim 16

A system as in claim 9, the annular socket having an annular groove adapted to receive the free end of the tube to prevent the flow of elastomer between said first and second annular spaces.

Claim 17

A system as in claim 14, wherein the nut element is provided with a pressure ring adapted to engage the elastomeric annulus in the first annular space, whereby screwing the nut and socket elements together brings greater pressure to bear on the elastomeric annulus in said first annular space.

Claim 18

A system as in claim 15, the securing means also including: a. a second pressure ring for engaging the elastomeric annulus in the second annular space; and b. means threadedly engaging the anchor and the second pressure ring to bring The elastomeric annulus in the second annular space into tighter engagement with the boundaries of the second annular space.

Claim 19

A system as in claim 9, wherein the inner and outer sufaces of the annular socket diverge toward the socket opening, forming with the tube said first and second annular spaces wedge-shaped in longitudinal section and wherein each of said elastomeric annuli is also wedge-shaped with the base of each wedge closer to the socket opening than the tip of the wedge.

Claim 20

A system as in claim 17, the securing means also including: a. a pressure ring for engaging the elastomeric annulus in the second annular space; and b. means threadedly engaging the anchor and the pressure ring to bring the elastomeric annulus in the second annular space into tighter engagement with the boundaries of the second annular space.