US4673376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal coupling
Assignee: ABB Trallfa Robot AS
•
Filing: 1986-07-16
•
Granted: 1987-06-16
•
Expires: 2006-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A universal coupler for flexibly joining together two members along an axis, wherein one member has a projecting neck having an enlarged curved polyhedron head, wherein each of the faces of the polyhedron have a radius of curvature measured in a plane parallel to the axis, and wherein the second member has a threaded end and an internal polyhedron receptor opening, the polyhedron opening being complementary to the head, and wherein the threaded end incorporates a plurality of slots running parallel to the axis, and a threaded locknut for fitting over the threaded end and for capturing the polyhedron head within the polyhedron receptor opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman N. Fender
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/16; F16D3/20; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32311; Y10T403/53; Y10T403/535; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A universal coupler for attaching two members together along an axis and for permitting limited off-axis displacement of either of the members and for transmitting rotational torque therebetween, comprising (a) a male coupler affixed to one of said members, said male coupler comprising a narrowed neck portion and a curved polyhedron head attached thereto and having a plurality of curved faces; (b) a female coupler affixed to the other of said members, said female coupler comprising a socket having interior polyhedron faces corresponding in number to said polyhedron head curved faces, and having a plurality of slots therethrough, each slot separating adjacent polyhedron faces, said female member further comprising a tapered exterior threaded portion extending substantially over said socket and at least partially along said slots; and (c) a threaded locknut fitted to said threaded portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A universal coupler for attaching two members together along an axis and for permitting limited off-axis displacement of either of the members and for transmitting rotational torque therebetween, comprising (a) a male coupler affixed to one of said members, said male coupler comprising a narrowed neck portion and a curved polyhedron head attached thereto and having a plurality of curved faces; (b) a female coupler affixed to the other of said members, said female coupler comprising a socket having interior polyhedron faces corresponding in number to said polyhedron head curved faces, and having a plurality of slots therethrough, each slot separating adjacent polyhedron faces, said female member further comprising a tapered exterior threaded portion extending substantially over said socket and at least partially along said slots; and (c) a threaded locknut fitted to said threaded portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said polyhedron head further comprises six curved faces in hexagonal relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said curved faces are formed by a radius from a point along said axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said socket interior polyhedron faces each further comprise a smooth face running parallel to said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said polyhedron head further comprises a plurality of curved faces wherein each arc of curvature lies in a plane parallel to said axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said polyhedron head further comprises six curved faces in hexagonal relationship.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said curved faces are formed by a radius from a point along said axis.
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) | 1990-06-15 | 1990-12-15 | 1991-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-15 | 1994-12-15 | 1995-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-15 | 1998-12-15 | 1999-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |