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Quick coupling for drive shaft

  • US 8,641,314 B2
  • Filed: 02/01/2010
  • Issued: 02/04/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A quick coupling for a shaft comprising:

  • a male coupling comprising;

    a locking portion having an exterior surface with a locking groove formed thereon; and

    an engaging portion having an exterior surface with a non-circular transverse cross section; and

    a female coupling comprising;

    a female body having an exterior surface extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the female body having an interior surface bounding a socket, the socket having an opening formed at the first end, a tapered port being formed on the female body and extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface, the locking portion of the male coupling being received within the socket so that the tapered port is aligned with the locking groove, a cavity also being recessed on the exterior surface of the female body at a location between the socket and the second end of the female body, the interior surface of the socket also comprising an annular engaging surface, the engaging surface being configured so that when the male coupling is received within the socket, the engaging surface engages the engaging portion of the male coupling so that rotation of the male coupling produces concurrent rotation of the female coupling;

    a ball bearing disposed within the tapered port so that a portion of the ball bearing can project into the socket;

    a button disposed within the cavity and being radially inwardly depressible into the cavity; and

    a locking sleeve slidably mounted along the female body, the locking sleeve having an interior surface with a recess formed thereon, the locking sleeve being movable between;

    a first position wherein the locking sleeve pushes against the ball bearing forcing the ball bearing to project into the socket and into the locking groove of the male coupling so as to secure the male coupling within the socket; and

    a second position wherein the ball bearing is aligned with the recess on the locking sleeve so that the ball bearing is free to move out of the locking groove so that the male coupling can be freely removed from the socket, the button being movable within the cavity to cause the locking sleeve to be locked in the first position and to selectively allow the locking sleeve to be moved to the second position, the locking sleeve being free of any spring force in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the locking sleeve when the locking sleeve is in the first position and the second position.

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