← Back to Patent Explorer
US4385897A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Assembly of a driving element with coupling means

Assignee: FINANCIERE DES CARDANS Cie
•
Filing: 1981-02-27
•
Granted: 1983-05-31
•
Expires: 2001-02-27
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract In the assembly, an elastomeric sleeve is radially compressed between a cylindrical bore of a hub of a universal joint and the outer surface of a tubular element. The outer surface has for example a rectangular cross-sectional shape so that torque can be transmitted between the hub and the tubular element. In order to ensure that the transmission of torque is maintained in the event of failure of the sleeve, a washer, which the tubular element extends through normally without contact and which is fixed to the hub, ensures a rotational driving connection between the tubular element and the hub by a circumferential abutment of the tubular element with the inner opening of the washer when the elastomer of the sleeve is destroyed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Bernard Mallet

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 21:13
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/50; F16D3/76; F16D3/16; F16D3/26; F16D3/38; F16D3/382; F16D3/387

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 178 words
A co-axial assembly comprising a driving element coupling means having a hollow hub which defines an inner wall, an elastically yieldable sleeve which is interposed in a radially compressed state between said inner wall of the hub and an outer surface of the driving element, and a member rigidly mounted on the hub adjacent one end of the hub, said member defining an opening through which opening the driving element extends with clearance between the driving element and said member, said element having a non-circular cross-sectional shape with rounded corners and said opening in said member having such non-circular shape that said rounded corners are capable of contacting and bearing against said member in an oblique manner were it not for the action of said elastically yieldable sleeve which is operative to normally maintain the driving element out of contact with said member but which, in the event of deterioration of the elastically yieldable sleeve, allows said oblique contact to occur so as to ensure the permanence of a drive between the driving element and the coupling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 178 words
A co-axial assembly comprising a driving element coupling means having a hollow hub which defines an inner wall, an elastically yieldable sleeve which is interposed in a radially compressed state between said inner wall of the hub and an outer surface of the driving element, and a member rigidly mounted on the hub adjacent one end of the hub, said member defining an opening through which opening the driving element extends with clearance between the driving element and said member, said element having a non-circular cross-sectional shape with rounded corners and said opening in said member having such non-circular shape that said rounded corners are capable of contacting and bearing against said member in an oblique manner were it not for the action of said elastically yieldable sleeve which is operative to normally maintain the driving element out of contact with said member but which, in the event of deterioration of the elastically yieldable sleeve, allows said oblique contact to occur so as to ensure the permanence of a drive between the driving element and the coupling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the driving element is a tubular element adapted to receive a shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hub defines a bore and at least one radial cavity in an end portion of the hub and said member is a washer which is fitted in the bore and in said at least one radial cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
An assembly according to claim 3, comprising a formed-over portion of the end portion of the hub which formed-over portion engages a peripheral portion of the washer and maintains the washer in position axially of the hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 53 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said member has a substantially cylindrical portion which caps an end portion of the hub on which end portion it is clamped by a pinching effect of a localised pleat of said cylindrical portion which pleat engages at least one axial cavity in said end portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
An assembly according to claim 5, comprising a groove in the hub, said member being cooperative with said groove so as to be maintained in position axially of the hub with reliability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 32 words
An assembly according to claim 6, wherein said cylindrical portion of said member is extended by a narrower portion forming a skirt which defines said opening through which the driving element extends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said cylindrical portion of said member is extended by a narrower portion forming a skirt which defines said opening through which the driving element extends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 37 words
An assembly according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the driving element has a cross-sectional shape which is substantially identical to the cross-sectional shape of said opening through which the driving element extends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
An assembly to claim 9, wherein said cross-sectional shape is polygonal with said rounded corners on said element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
An assembly according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the hub defines two branches of a universal joint yoke.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 33 words
An assembly according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the hub defines at least one fixing branch contained in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the hub.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3808838A Cited
US4183258A Cited
FR2391390A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-05-30 1986-11-29 1987-05-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-05-30 1990-11-29 1991-05-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-05-30 1994-11-29 1995-05-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag