Flexible gear coupling having a shear spacer and sleeve capturing means

Claim 1

A flexible gear type coupling for connecting a pair of substantially coaxially aligned shafts to transmit torque therebetween, comprising: a hub means having external gear teeth surrounding an outer portion thereof and rotatably connected to one of said shafts, said hub means including a radially outwardly extending flange axially spaced from an end portion of said hub means forming a shoulder portion between said flange and said end portion; a sleeve means surrounding said hub means and having internal gear teeth surrounding an inner portion thereof and in meshing engagement with said external gear teeth, said sleeve means including a circumferentially extending recess around said inner portion of said sleeve means and in radial alignment with said shoulder portion; a shear spacer means connected between said sleeve means and the other of said shafts for transmitting torque from said one shaft to said other shaft, said shear spacer means being adapted to shear when excessive torque is applied thereto for protecting said coupling from damage by said excessive torque; a capturing means interposed between said hub means and said sleeve means for maintaining said sleeve means substantially concentric about said hub means upon shearing of said shear spacer means, said capturing means comprising an annular ring secured in said recess and extending radially inwardly therefrom and surrounding said shoulder portion in close porximity thereto for axial abuttment with said radially outwardly extending flange; and a separating means for axially separating sheared portions of said shear spacer means upon shearing thereof to prevent contact between said sheared portions while said coupling is rotating.