Method for making a shaft coupling with tapered spines for a pull-type forage harvester

• US 6,470,560 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2002
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: New Holland North America Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Wanner, John E., Wagstaff, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuda-Rosenbaum, I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hong, John C.
• Application Number:
  US10/073,703
• Time in Patent Office: 260 Days
• Field of Search: 295/251.1, 295/250.1, 295/15, 295/17, 292/34, 292/35, 292/37, 292/55, 292/82, 298/91, 403/359.1, 403/359.5, 409/10
• US Class Current: 29/525.11
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/05 with radial clamping due to axial loading of at least one pair of conical surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/092 the pair of conical mating surfaces being provided on the coupled hub and shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/112 the interengaging parts comprising torque-transmitting surfaces, e.g. bayonet joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2001/103 the torque is transmitted via splined connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49448 Agricultural device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53987 Tube, sleeve or ferrule
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32893 including distinct pin retainer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5793 including member wedging or camming means

Abstract

The device consists of a tapered spline coupler for a drive shaft of a pull-type forage harvester. The first drive shaft and second drive shaft each have a set of tapered splines that are inserted into a tapered, internally splined coupler. A pair of retaining rings affixed to the drive shafts draws the shafts into the coupler. A retaining bolt may be tightened to force the shafts into the coupler. A method for manufacturing the spline coupling consists of a cutting a groove in the drive shafts for a retaining ring. Tapered splines are cut onto the drive shafts. A tapered bore in the coupler is cut on a lathe by a boring bar. Splines in the coupler are created by use of a broaching tool. After the retaining rings are placed on the drive shafts, a retaining bolt tightens the assembly.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a coupler having a tube for receiving a first and second drive shafts of a pull-type forage harvester comprising the steps of:

a. grooving the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft for a retaining ring;

b. cutting a plurality of tapered splines into the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft;

c . creating a tapered bore in the tube; and

d. cutting a plurality of internal splines in the tube;

e. affixing a first retaining ring into the groove in the first drive shaft and affixing a second retaining ring into the groove in the second drive shaft;

f. placing a first retainer into contact with the first retaining ring and placing a second retainer into contact with the second retaining ring;

g. inserting the first tapered splines and the second tapered splines in to the coupler;

h. inserting a retaining bolt into the first retainer and the second retainer; and

i. tightening the retaining bolt.