Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A speed reducer comprising an orbitally driven rotor having a perimeter defined by a smooth curve forming a plurality of equally-spaced lobes, a plurality of spaced rollers arranged on a circle each simultaneously engaging an outer periphery of said rotor, and drive means for producing orbital movement of said rotor including a drive shaft, a rotor drive element rotatably coupled to said rotor arranged to drive said rotor along an orbital path and having a radial opening therein with spaced opposing substantially parallel faces, a coupling element arranged to be driven by said drive shaft and having first and second drive surfaces, each of said drive surfaces being crowned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft, said first and second drive surfaces being respectively in slidable engagement with said opposing faces of said rotor drive element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A speed reducer comprising an orbitally driven rotor having a perimeter defined by a smooth curve forming a plurality of equally-spaced lobes, a plurality of spaced rollers arranged on a circle each simultaneously engaging an outer periphery of said rotor, and drive means for producing orbital movement of said rotor including a drive shaft, a rotor drive element rotatably coupled to said rotor arranged to drive said rotor along an orbital path and having a radial opening therein with spaced opposing substantially parallel faces, a coupling element arranged to be driven by said drive shaft and having first and second drive surfaces, each of said drive surfaces being crowned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said drive shaft, said first and second drive surfaces being respectively in slidable engagement with said opposing faces of said rotor drive element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A speed reducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling element has first and second fingers and includes spring means pressing each of said fingers into engagement with one of said opposing faces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A spaced reducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling element has first and second spaced fingers carrying respectively said first and second drive surfaces and including adjustment means arranged to vary the distance between adjacent surfaces of said fingers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A speed reducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said drive surfaces is crowned in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A speed reducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said drive surfaces forms in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of said shaft an arc of a common circle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A speed reducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling element comprises a sleeve secured to said drive shaft and having a driving extension extending from one end thereof, said extension having a longitudinal slot therein forming first and second drive fingers each providing one of said driving surfaces, and wherein the said driving surfaces are dimensioned to maintain constant pressure against the said parallel faces of said rotor drive element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A speed reducer as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said drive surfaces is crowned in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of said shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A speed reducer as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein each of said drive surfaces forms in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of said shaft an arc of a circle having a diameter substantially equal to the distance between said opposing faces of said radial opening.