Positive ring retaining system

Claim 2

In a positive retaining ring assembly for axially securing a work element to a shaft, the combination including: a shaft adapted to axially receive a work element thereon, said shaft having an annular work element retaining shoulder means thereon, said shaft provided with an annular recess proximate to said shoulder means, said annular recess having essentially a trapezoidal dross-sectional configuration open on a parallel side; a segmented ring having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration with an outer circumferential surface normal to the axis of said ring, said ring adapted to matingly engage said annular recess and the side of a work element mounted on the shaft intermediate said recess and said shoulder means; and clamping means provided in operative engagement with the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping means adapted to move radially inwardly against said segmented ring so as to selectively exert a direct inward radial force upon said segmented ring normal to the outer circumferential surface thereof and wedge said ring radially into said recess whereby said ring exerts a resultant axial retentive force against the side of the work member to lockably retain said work member against said shoulder means.

Claim 3

In the positive retaining ring assembly of claim 1 wherein the segmented ring has a vertical work element engaging surface and a tapered recess engaging surface opposite said vertical work element engaging surface.

Claim 4

In the positive retaining ring assembly of claim 1 wherein the clamping means comprises a pair of clamp segments adapted to matingly engage the outer circumferential surface of the segmented ring, said clamp segments joined by a pair of tightening bolts.

Claim 5

In the positive retaining ring assembly of claim 1 wherein the clamping means comprises a band clamp member provided with tightening means in association therewith.

Claim 6

In the positive retaining ring assembly of claim 1 wherein the segmented ring is provided with an annular groove in the outer circumferential surface thereof.

Claim 7

In the positive retaining ring assembly of claim 5 wherein the clamping means comprises a circular spring wire clamp adapted to matingly engage said annular groove provided in the outer surface of said segmented ring.

Claim 8

In the positive retaining ring assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer circumferential surface of the segmented ring is provided with a raised annular bead portion.

Claim 9

In a ring assembliy as defined in claim 1 wherein the shaft is provided from a housing member, said shaft provided with an annular recess having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration, said shaft adapted to retain a slip thrust ring and spring member intermediate said annular recess and said housing; a segmented ring having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration, said ring adapted to matingly engage said annular recess and the side of the slip thrust ring mounted on said shaft; and clamping means provided in operative engagement with the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping means adapted to selectively exert an inward radial force upon said segmented ring so as to wedge said ring into said recess whereby said ring exerts a resultant axial retentive force against the side of the slip thrust ring so as to maintain the spring member in compression against housing.

Claim 10

In a positive retaining ring assembly for axially securing a work element to a shaft, the combination including: a shaft adapted to axially receive a work element thereon, said shaft having an annular work element retaining shoulder means thereon, said shaft provided with an annular recess proximate to said shoulder means, said annular recess having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration; a segmented ring having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration, said ring adapted to matingly engage said annular recess and the side of a work element mounted on the shaft intermediate said recess and said shoulder means, said segmented ring provided with an annular groove in the outer circumferential surface thereof; clamping band means provided in operative engagement with the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping band means having a raised bead portion provided on the inner surface thereof, said raised bead portion adapted to matingly engage said annular groove provided in the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping band means adapted to selectively exert an inward radial force upon said segmented ring so as to wedge said ring into said recess whereby said ring exerts a resultant axial retentive force against the side of the work member to lockably retain said work member against said shoulder means.

Claim 11

In a positive retaining ring assembly for axially securing a work element to a shaft, the combination including: a shaft adapted to axially receive a work element thereon, said shaft having an annular work element retaining shoulder means thereon, said shaft provided with an annular recess proximate to said shoulder means, said annular recess having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration; a segmented ring having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration, said ring adapted to matingly engage said annular recess and the side of a work element mounted on the shaft intermediate said recess and said shoulder means, said segmented ring provided with an annular groove in the outer circumferential surface thereof; clamping band means provided in operative engagement with the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping band means having a raised bead portion provided on the inner surface thereof, said raised bead portion adapted to matingly engage said annular groove provided in the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping band means adapted to selectively exert an inward radial force upon said segmented ring so as to wedge said ring into said recess whereby said ring exerts a resultant axial retentive force against the side of the work member to lockably retain said work member against said shoulder means.

Claim 12

In a positive retaining ring assembly for axially securing a work element to a shaft, the combination including: a shaft adapted to axially receive a work element thereon, said shaft having an annular work element retaining shoulder means thereon, said shaft provided with an annular recess proximate to said shoulder means, said annular recess having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration; a segmented ring having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration, said ring adapted to matingly engage said annular recess and the side of a work element mounted on the shaft intermediate said recess and said shoulder means, said segmented ring provided with a raised annular bead portion in the outer circumferential surface thereof; clamping band means provided in operative engagement with the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping band means having a recesses portion along the inner surface thereof, said recessed portion adapted to matingly engage said raised annular bead portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping band means adapted to selectively exert an inward radial force upon said segmented ring so as to wedge said ring into said recess whereby said ring exerts a resultant axial retentive force against the side of the work member to lockably retain said work member against said shoulder means.

Claim 13

In a positive retaining ring assembly for axially securing a work element to a shaft, the combination including: a shaft adapted to axially receive a work element thereon, said shaft having an annular work element retaining shoulder means thereon, said shaft provided with an annular recess proximate to said shoulder means, said annular recess having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration; a segmented ring having a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration, said ring adapted to matingly engage said annular recess and the side of a work element mounted on the shaft intermediate said recess and said shoulder means, said segmented ring provided with a raised annular bead portion in the outer circumferential surface thereof; clamping band means provided in operative engagement with the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping band means having a recesses portion along the inner surface thereof, said recessed portion adapted to matingly engage said raised annular bead portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of said segmented ring, said clamping band means adapted to selectively exert an inward radial force upon said segmented ring so as to wedge said ring into said recess whereby said ring exerts a resultant axial retentive force against the side of the work member to lockably retain said work member against said shoulder means.