Multiple shaft diameter flexible coupling system

• US 6,682,432 B1
• Filed: 09/04/2002
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kinzou Shinozuka
• Original Assignee: Kinzou Shinozuka
• Inventors: Shinozuka, Kinzou
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMPSON, KENNETH L
• Application Number:
  US10/233,568
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 464/51, 464/78, 464/87, 464/88, 464/97, 464/106, 464/147, 464/153, 464/181, 464/182, 464/903, 403/110, 403/179, 403/221, 403/222, 403/223, 403/227, 403/286, 403/289, 403/290, 403/291, 403/344, 403/373
• US Class Current: 464/78
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/065 using screw-thread elements F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/22 of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material F16B2/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 1/0864 due to tangential loading of the hub, e.g. a split hub
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/72 with axially-spaced attachments to the coupling parts F16D3/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/452 Longitudinally divided sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/453 Flexible sleeve-type coupling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/535 with separate force-applying means

Abstract

Compression exerted by a clamp collar integral to a molded plastic flexible shaft coupling accommodating angular shaft misalignment upon the circumferential outward surface of a radially compressible molded sleeve insert located in a shaft bore of the flexible coupling facilitates engagement of a reduced diameter shaft located within the sleeve insert. Use of a sleeve insert having a different internal diameter similarly accommodates flexible coupling to another diameter shaft. Utilization of sleeve inserts selected from a plurality of different reduced internal diameters and exterior diameters sized to fit either shaft bore enables flexible coupling of both multiple matched shaft diameters and an exponential number of differing opposed shaft diameter combinations within a range limited by the flexible coupling shaft bores. Radial compressibility of the sleeve insert is facilitated by the utilization of resilient material, interruption of the circumferential extension by a longitudinal slot, or both. Utilization of congruent longitudinally uniform, radially non-uniform, flexible coupling shaft bore and insert sleeve outward surfaces provides additional torque transmission capacity.

Claims

1. A system intended to provide flexible coupling of multiple diameter rotary shafts comprising:

the provision of a coupling possessing a substantially cylindrical exterior surface and two straight, longitudinally uniform, bores each open to an opposed end and each bounded by a wall possessing a substantially uniform thickness further possessing a longitudinal slot therethrough interrupting the circumferential extent of said wall and traversed by a threaded fastener associated with said bore;

the provision of at least one radially compressible sleeve insert possessing a straight, longitudinally uniform, insert outer surface and a substantially cylindrical bore bounded by an insert wall possessing a substantially uniform wall thickness interrupted in circumferential extent by a circumferential gap;

said insert outer surface being congruent to and fitting within either said bore of said coupling having said associated threaded fastener in a loose condition;

wherein said coupling is split into two halves held together by two pairs of threaded fasteners traversing two diametrically opposed continuous longitudinal slots each including a portion associated with both said bores, said system further including two radially opposed keys extending radially from said insert outer surface mating two radially opposed key ways extending into one said bore;

whereby fitting said sleeve insert into one said bore of said coupling presents a reduced diameter bore comprised by said insert bore into which a rotary shaft of a reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of said bore of said coupling is readily fitted;

whereby tightening of said threaded fastener associated with one said bore of said coupling provides radial compression providing engagement of a rotary shaft inserted into said bore possessing a full diameter with respect to the diameter of said bore; and

whereby tightening of said threaded fastener associated with one said bore of said coupling having said sleeve insert fitted therein provides radial compression of said sleeve insert and provides engagement of a rotary shaft possessing a reduced diameter with respect to said full diameter.

2. A system intended to provide flexible coupling of multiple diameter rotary shafts comprising:

the provision of a coupling possessing a substantially cylindrical exterior surface and two straight, longitudinally uniform, bores each open to an opposed end, possessing a radially non-uniform feature resisting rotational displacement of an insert outer surface when in contact with the surface of one said bore, and each bounded by a wall possessing a substantially uniform thickness further possessing a longitudinal slot therethrough interrupting the circumferential extent of said wall and traversed by a threaded fastener associated with said bore;

the provision of at least one radially compressible sleeve insert possessing;

a straight, longitudinally uniform, insert outer surface possessing a radially non-uniform feature resisting rotational displacement of said insert outer surface when in contact with the surface of one said bore of said coupling, and a substantially cylindrical bore bounded by an insert wall possessing a substantially uniform wall thickness interrupted in circumferential extent by a circumferential gap, said radially non-uniform feature comprising one of the three following features;

(1) a key extending radially outward from said insert outer surface fitting a key way extending into the surface of said bore of said coupling,

(2) a flat extending into said insert outer surface, a congruent flat extending outward from said bore of said coupling and a key extending radially outward from said insert outer surface fitting a key way extending into the surface of said bore of said coupling,

(3) six radially symmetrical flats extending into said insert outer surface and six congruent flats extending outward from said bore of said coupling;

said insert outer surface being congruent to and fitting within either said bore of said coupling having said associated threaded fastener in a loose condition;

whereby fitting said sleeve insert into one said bore of said coupling presents a reduced diameter bore comprised by said insert bore into which a rotary shaft of a reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of said bore of said coupling is readily fitted;

whereby tightening of said threaded fastener associated with one said bore of said coupling provides radial compression providing engagement of a rotary shaft inserted into said bore possessing a full diameter with respect to the diameter of said bore; and

whereby tightening of said threaded fastener associated with one said bore of said coupling having said sleeve insert fitted therein provides radial compression of said sleeve insert and provides engagement of a rotary shaft possessing a reduced diameter with respect to said full diameter.