COUPLING

• US 20150217795A1
• Filed: 02/06/2015
• Published: 08/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SPA Automotive Limited
• Original Assignee: SPA Automotive Limited
• Inventors: BARNES, Richard, HAWKINS, Steven
• Application Number:
  US14/615,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20150217795A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/10 Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/06 for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end attachment of marine propellers on shafts B63H23/34
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/116 the interengaging parts including a continuous or interrupted circumferential groove in the surface of one of the coupling parts circlips for retaining hubs on shafts F16B21/18
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2001/103 the torque is transmitted via splined connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/06 specially adapted to allow axial displacement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7026 Longitudinally splined or fluted rod

Abstract

A releasable coupling (1) comprising a hub (3) and a shaft (5), the shaft (5) being received or receivable in the hub (3), one of the hub (3) and shaft (5) having first (54) and second (55) splines, the other of the shaft (5) and the hub (3) having corresponding first (35) and second (36) rebates in which the first and second splines (54, 55) are received or are receivable, the first spline (54) extending to or substantially to a distal end of the said one of the hub (3) and shaft (5) and beyond the second spline (55).

Claims

1. A releasable coupling comprising a hub and a shaft, the shaft being received or receivable in the hub, one of the hub and shaft having first and second splines, the other of the shaft and the hub having corresponding first and second rebates in which the first and second splines are received or are receivable, the first spline extending to or substantially to a distal end of the said one of the hub and shaft and beyond the second spline.

2. The releasable coupling according to claim 1, the first spline having a lead-in portion extending beyond the second spline.

3. The releasable coupling according to claim 2, wherein the lead-in portion is tapered.

4. The releasable coupling according to any of claim 1, wherein the second spline and the first spline each comprise a lead-in taper, the lead-in taper of the second spline comprising a lead-in angle that is more acute than the lead-in angle of the lead-in portion of the first spline.

5. The releasable coupling according to claim 1, wherein the said one of the shaft and hub has respectively an outer or inner circumferential perimeter and wherein the first spline is in said circumferential direction larger than said second spline.

6. The releasable coupling according to claim 1, wherein the said one of the hub and the shaft comprises a plurality of second splines and the said one of the shaft and hub comprises a plurality of second rebates.

7. The releasable coupling according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of second splines comprise substantially the same shape and/or configuration.

8. The releasable coupling according to claim 1, wherein the hub further comprises a lead-in sleeve portion that is free of splines and/or rebates.

9. The releasable coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a lock for inhibiting removal of the shaft from the hub, the lock comprising a sleeve extending around the shaft and hub when said shaft has been received in said hub.

10. The releasable coupling according to claim 1, wherein the releasable coupling comprises a quick release or detachment mechanism for a steering wheel.

12. The shaft according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of second splines.

13. The shaft according to claim 10, wherein the shaft comprises a steering column shaft.

11. A shaft comprising first and second splines, wherein the first spline comprises a lead-in portion extending to or towards a distal end of the shaft and configured such that when the shaft is inserted into a hub, in use, the lead-in portion of the first spline is received within the hub prior to the second spline.

14. A releasable coupling comprising a hub and a shaft, the hub comprising first and second splines for engagement with respective first and second splines of or associated with the shaft, wherein the first spline of the hub or of the shaft comprises a lead-in portion extending beyond the second spline thereof.