Patent US4887989A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4887989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamically balanced driveshaft and method of producing the same
Assignee: RJ Tower Corp
•
Filing: 1987-12-28
•
Granted: 1989-12-19
•
Expires: 2007-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A dynamically balanced tubular shaft. To balance the shaft, a small weight is secured to one or more locations of imbalance on the shaft by a mechanical fastener, such as a blind hole rivet. The shaft and the weight are provided with aligned openings and the rivet is inserted through the openings from the exterior of the shaft and the inner end of the rivet is upset to provide a mechanical connection between the weight and the shaft. A layer of adhesive can be interposed between the weight and the shaft to bond and seal the weight to the outer surface of the shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman C. Kerecman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C3/00; F16C3/02; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/32; F16F15/34; F16C3/023; F16F15/322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A balanced shaft assembly, comprising a tubular shaft, at least one weight engaged with the outer surface of said shaft and disposed at a location to dynamically balance said shaft, said weight being curved to conform to the shape of the shaft and having a thickness less than 1/4 inch, said shaft and said weight having aligned openings, a mechanical fastener extending through said openings for securing said weight to said shaft, and sealing means disposed between said weight and said shaft for sealing the opening in said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A balanced shaft assembly, comprising a tubular shaft, at least one weight engaged with the outer surface of said shaft and disposed at a location to dynamically balance said shaft, said weight being curved to conform to the shape of the shaft and having a thickness less than 1/4 inch, said shaft and said weight having aligned openings, a mechanical fastener extending through said openings for securing said weight to said shaft, and sealing means disposed between said weight and said shaft for sealing the opening in said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said weight has a density in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 lbs. per cu. inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a rivet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A balanced shaft assembly, comprising a tubular shaft, a weight applied to said shaft, said shaft and said weight having aligned openings, a rivet having a head disposed on the outer surface of said weight and having a stem extending through said aligned openings, the inner end of said rivet being upset to provide a mechanical connection between the weight and said shaft, and a layer of adhesive disposed between said weight and the outer surface of said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A balanced shaft assembly, comprising a tubular shaft, a weight applied to said shaft, said shaft and said weight having aligned openings, a rivet having a head disposed on the outer surface of said weight and having a stem extending through said aligned openings, the inner end of said rivet being upset to provide a mechanical connection between the weight and said shaft, and a layer of adhesive disposed between said weight and the outer surface of said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A balanced drive shaft assembly, comprising a tubular shaft, a yoke secured to each end of the shaft, at least one weight applied to said shaft, said shaft and said weight having aligned openings, said weight being curved to conform to the shape of said shaft and having a thickness less than 1/4 inch and an area less than 2 sq. inches, a layer of adhesive disposed between said weight and the outer surface of said shaft, and a blind hole rivet extending through said aligned openings and securing said weight to said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
A balanced drive shaft assembly, comprising a tubular shaft, a yoke secured to each end of the shaft, at least one weight applied to said shaft, said shaft and said weight having aligned openings, said weight being curved to conform to the shape of said shaft and having a thickness less than 1/4 inch and an area less than 2 sq. inches, a layer of adhesive disposed between said weight and the outer surface of said shaft, and a blind hole rivet extending through said aligned openings and securing said weight to said shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3074293A
Cited
US3783522A
Cited
US4170896A
Cited
GB2041159A
Cited
DE3035437A1
Cited
US4400037A
Cited
DE3140368A1
Cited
GB2119063A
Cited
GB2147388A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-18 | 1993-06-19 | 1993-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-18 | 1997-06-19 | 1997-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-18 | 2001-06-19 | 2001-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |