Flexible coupling and method of making same

Claim 2

In a flexible coupling for transmitting rotary power comprising opposed end structures and flexible coupling members disposed between said end structures the improvement wherein said coupling members consist solely of a plurality of rectilinear members having opposite end positions thereof supported by said end structures, said rectilinear members being defined primarily of polymeric material, said rectilinear members being substantially identical and comprising predetermined belt lengths of power transmission belt structure, and each of said belt lengths having a uniform cross-sectional configuration throughout its length.

Claim 3

A coupling as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said belt lengths is of trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration.

Claim 4

A coupling as set forth in claim 2 in which said belt lengths are disposed with their central longitudinal axes in a cylindrical pattern which has a center common with a central axis of rotation of said coupling, each of said trapezoidal belt lengths having a wide parallel side and a narrow parallel side, said belt lengths being disposed with their wide parallel sides closer to said axis than their narrow parallel sides.

Claim 5

A coupling as set forth in claim 3 in which said belt lengths are disposed in said cylindrical pattern with equal angular displacement therebetween.

Claim 6

A coupling as set forth in claim 4 in which each of said end structures has a plurality of holes therein which receive said end portions of said belt lengths, each of said holes being a blind hole defined by confining walls with only one opening therein defining an open end, and each of said holes having a cross-sectional configuration at each axial position therealong which conforms with the cross-sectional configuration of the associated end portion of a rectilinear member received therewithin.

Claim 7

A coupling as set forth in claim 4 in which each of said end structures has a plurality of holes therein which receive said end portions of said belt lengths, each of said holes being a blind hole defined by confining walls with only one opening therein defining an open end, each of said holes having a cross-sectional configuration at each axial position therealong which conforms with the cross-sectional configuration at the associated end portion of a rectilinear member received therewithin, and further comprising, an annular plate detachably fastened to each of said end structures, each of said plates in its fastened position defining the bottom of said holes in said end structure associated therewith, and each plate in its unfastened position allowing access to said holes for replacement of said belt lengths.

Claim 8

A coupling as set forth in claim 6 and further comprising a plurality of threaded fastening screws for threadedly and detachably fastening each of said plates in position.

Claim 9

A coupling as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising means fastening each of said belt lengths in position in their aassociated end structures.

Claim 10

A coupling as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said end structures comprises a hub-like portion and a keyway in each hub-like portion for receiving a key therein which operatively associates with an associated shaft which is to be coupled with a particular end structure.

Claim 11

In a flexible coupling for transmitting rotary power comprising opposed end structures and flexible coupling members disposed between said end structures the improvement wherein said coupling members consist solely of a plurality of rectilinear members having opposite end portions thereof supported by said end structures, said rectilinear members being defined primarily of polymeric material, each of said end structures having a plurality of holes therein which receive associated end portions of said rectilinear members, each of said holes being a blind hole defined by confining walls with only one opening therein defining an open end, and each of said holes having a cross-sectional configuration at each axial position therealong which conforms with the cross-sectional configuration of the associated end portion of a rectilinear member received therewithin.

Claim 12

In a flexible coupling for transmitting rotary power comprising opposed end structures and flexible coupling members disposed between said end structures the improvement wherein said coupling members consist solely of a plurality of rectilinear members having opposite end portions thereof supported by said end structures, said rectilinear members being defined primarily of polymeric material, each of said end structures having a plurality of holes therein which receive associated end portions of said rectilinear members, each of said holes being a blind hole defined by confining walls with only one opening therein defining an open end, and each of said holes having a cross-sectional configuration at each axial position therealong which conforms with the cross-sectional configuration of the associated end portion of a rectilinear member received therewithin.

Claim 13

A coupling as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising an annular plate detachably fastened to each of said end structures, each of said plates in its fastened position defining the bottom of the holes in the end structure associated therewith, and each plate in its unfastened position allowing access to said holes for replacement of said rectilinear members.

Claim 14

A coupling as set forth in claim 10 in which each of said end portions of each rectilinear member is disposed in its associated blind hole free of attaching means between the end portion and surface means defining the associated blind hole.

Claim 15

A coupling as set forth in claim 10 and further comprising means fixing each end portion of each rectilinear member to surface means defining its associated blind hole.

Claim 16

A coupling as set forth in claim 13 in which said fixing means comprises adhesive means.