US4376592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shaft coupling
Assignee: Continental Group Inc
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Filing: 1980-05-08
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Granted: 1983-03-15
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Expires: 2000-05-08
Abstract
Abstract This relates to the mounting of a control shaft for a machine. The control shaft is formed in sections and each shaft section other than a starting section is supported by a single bearing. Adjacent ends of the shaft sections are formed with projecting half-circular cross-sectional portions which are overlapped and then are clamped together by a radially expanding wedge device disposed within a sleeve encircling the shaft portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold H. Martinek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:05
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C13/00; A22C13/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A drive shaft coupling comprising first and second shafts of a preselected diameter, each of said shafts having a projecting end portion of semicircular section and including a diametrical flat, said projecting end portions being of a different length and overlapped with said flats in opposed contacting relation, a sleeve with a stepped internal diameter encircling said overlapped end portions in radially spaced relation, and an annular wedge element disposed within said sleeve and surrounding said end portions, said wedge element being wedged between said sleeve and said overlapped shaft end portions and tightly clamping said flats together to interlock said shafts in fixed relative rotational relation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A drive shaft coupling comprising first and second shafts of a preselected diameter, each of said shafts having a projecting end portion of semicircular section and including a diametrical flat, said projecting end portions being of a different length and overlapped with said flats in opposed contacting relation, a sleeve with a stepped internal diameter encircling said overlapped end portions in radially spaced relation, and an annular wedge element disposed within said sleeve and surrounding said end portions, said wedge element being wedged between said sleeve and said overlapped shaft end portions and tightly clamping said flats together to interlock said shafts in fixed relative rotational relation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A coupling according to claim 1 wherein said wedge element includes an inner split ring surrounding said shaft end portions, an outer split ring engaging said sleeve, axially spaced wedge rings between said split rings, and fastener means drawing said wedge rings together axially and urging said split rings apart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A coupling according to claim 2 wherein each of said split rings has axially spaced annular wedge surfaces, and each of said wedge rings has radially inner and outer wedge surfaces engaging respective ones of said wedged rings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
150 words
A machine drive shaft coupling comprising first and second machine shaft sections of a preselected diameter, one of said shaft sections being supported by at least two bearings disposed adjacent opposite ends thereof, the other of said shaft sections being supported by a single bearing remote from said one shaft section, each of said shafts having a projecting end portion of semicircular section and including a diametrical flat, said projecting end portions being overlapped with said flats in opposed contacting relation, a sleeve encircling said overlapped end portions in radially spaced relation, and an annular wedge element disposed within said sleeve and surrounding said end portions, said wedge element being wedged between said sleeve and said overlapped shaft end portions and tightly clamping said flats together to interlock said shafts in fixed relative rotational relation and wherein said coupling serves also to interlock said shaft sections in straight line relation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
A machine drive shaft coupling comprising first and second machine shaft sections of a preselected diameter, one of said shaft sections being supported by at least two bearings disposed adjacent opposite ends thereof, the other of said shaft sections being supported by a single bearing remote from said one shaft section, each of said shafts having a projecting end portion of semicircular section and including a diametrical flat, said projecting end portions being overlapped with said flats in opposed contacting relation, a sleeve encircling said overlapped end portions in radially spaced relation, and an annular wedge element disposed within said sleeve and surrounding said end portions, said wedge element being wedged between said sleeve and said overlapped shaft end portions and tightly clamping said flats together to interlock said shafts in fixed relative rotational relation and wherein said coupling serves also to interlock said shaft sections in straight line relation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A coupling according to claim 4 wherein said wedge element includes an inner split ring surrounding said shaft end portions, an outer split ring engaging said sleeve, axially spaced wedge rings between said split rings, and fastener means drawing said wedge rings together axially and urging said split rings apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A coupling according to claim 5 wherein each of said split rings has axially spaced annular wedge surfaces, and each of said wedge rings has radially inner and outer wedge surfaces engaging respective ones of said wedge rings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A coupling according to claim 4 wherein said machine shaft is part of a machine of modular construction and each shaft section is carried by a separate machine component base.
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) | 1986-03-14 | 1986-09-13 | 1987-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-14 | 1990-09-13 | 1991-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-14 | 1994-09-13 | 1995-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |