Abstract: A cardan-type joint has flanges which are arranged on mutually facing shaft ends and preferably have three axially projecting driving pins, respectively, which are mutually staggered and uniformly arranged on the circumference of a common graduated circle. The driving pins are connected with one another in a torsion-proof manner by a flexible joint ring which is provided in corner points with sockets for the driving pins. The multi-part joint ring is formed by a collar of several oval driving loops. Each of the driving loops winds around two adjacent sockets. In order to easily permit relatively large bending angles during rotation, even in the event of a high mechanical and thermal loading of the cardan-type joint, the oval driving loops are indirectly or directly swivellably disposed on the driving pins by a pair of contact surfaces which are round in a meridian section in an axially slidable manner on the socket or on the driving loop.

Abstract: A joint for the angularly movable connection of two shafts with one another has flanges which are arranged on the shaft ends. Each of the flanges has three axially projecting driving pins which are connected with a hexagonal, elastically deformable joint ring. The joint ring, in turn, is formed in several parts by a collar of chain-link-type driving loops which can be swivelled on sockets at the corner points of the joint ring. For relieving the driving loops, one linear compression bar is also arranged in the interior of each driving loop. The compression bar has faces placed onto the sockets while transmitting force under load. The effective length of the compression bars is dimensioned such that the bars fill the clear space between two adjacent sockets only with play. The play is large enough so that the compression bars are placed in contact only after a defined basic load has been exceeded so that as the result of the load, the driving loops are elastically stretched to a defined degree.

Abstract: A universal joint with flanges located at the ends of two shafts connected by the joint includes three driving tabs projecting axially from the respective flanges. Each of the total of six driving tabs being located opposite a gap located uniformly on the circumference of a common partial circle. These tabs are connected with one another by means of a hexagonal axially elastically deformable joint ring provided with sockets at the corner points. The joint ring in turn is formed in a multipartite fashion by a ring of several driving loops that are endless, oval, and each wrapped around two adjacent sockets, said loops preferably being made of endless-fiber-reinforced plastic.

Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly includes a spindle connection arrangement for connecting a first and second crank arm to a bicycle frame. The first crank arm includes a first portion of the spindle and the second crank arm includes a second portion of the spindle. The first and second spindle portions are connected to one another using two spaced apart bearing surfaces that provide a durable yet easily disassemblable spindle. The crank assembly also includes a removable chain ring and a chain ring adjuster for adjusting the position of the chain ring along the rotational axis of the spindle in order to allow the chain ring to be properly aligned with other components of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the assembly includes variable length crank arms that increase the ground clearance of the crank assembly and improve the leverage provided by the crank assembly during the downward stroke of the crank assembly.

Abstract: A cardan-type joint has flanges which are arranged on mutually facing shaft ends and preferably have three axially projecting driving pins, respectively, which are mutually staggered and uniformly arranged on the circumference of a common graduated circle. The driving pins are connected with one another in a torsion-proof manner by a flexible joint ring which is provided in corner points with sockets for the driving pins. The multi-part joint ring is formed by a collar of several oval driving loops. Each of the driving loops winds around two adjacent sockets. In order to easily permit relatively large bending angles during rotation, even in the event of a high mechanical and thermal loading of the cardan-type joint, the oval driving loops are indirectly or directly swivellably disposed on the driving pins by a pair of contact surfaces which are round in a meridian section in an axially slidable manner on the socket or on the driving loop.

Abstract: The centering unit for the primary and secondary flywheels of a torsional vibration damping apparatus for use in the power train of a motor vehicle employs a radial bearing with a sleeve which is or can be a press fit on or in one of the flywheels, and the still accessible internal or external surface of the sleeve is calibrated simultaneously with or following the press fit. The calibrated surface of the sleeve is thereupon inserted into a socket or receives an extension of the other flywheel. The centering unit further utilizes an axial bearing wherein the function of the sleeve in the radial bearing is performed by an annular collar which can extend radially inwardly or radially outwardly of the sleeve. One of the bearings can be installed radially inwardly of the fasteners which secure the primary flywheel to the output shaft of the engine, and the other bearing can be installed radially outwardly of such fasteners.

Abstract: A high torsional stiffness, low axial, angular and radial deflection stiffness tape drive coupling apparatus is used for driving a cassette reel with a drive motor. The apparatus includes a base which is attached to the drive motor, a compression spring disposed against the base, and a flexure member positioned adjacent the base. The flexure member includes a plurality of orthogonally extending flexible arms, at least two of the arms having a distal end connected with the base. A driver is engageable with the cassette reel and is connected with at least two of the flexible arms. An apparatus is provided for limiting axial separation of the base and driver while allowing radial and angular misalignment therebetween. Accordingly, the driver is movable axially and angularly with respect to the base by compression of the spring between the driver and base. The driver is movable radially with respect to the drive axis by flexion of at least two of the plurality of flexible arms.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, the coupling including a first hub connected to the driving shaft, a second hub connected to the driven shaft, a set of flex elements located between the first hub and the second hub, a plurality of fasteners, and a series of bolt holes and clearance holes in the first and second hubs affording the alternative connection of the first and second hubs, the flex elements and the fasteners in a first arrangement wherein the coupling has a biased torque transmission capacity in a first direction of rotation and in a second arrangement wherein the coupling has a biased torque transmission capacity in a second direction of rotation.

Abstract: A flexible coupling comprised of one or more flex frames connected in series between end fittings has the legs of its flex frames so dimensioned as to provide the coupling with a uniform bending stiffness with respect to bending moments in planes at all angles to the rotational axis. This is achieved by having each flex frame itself be of uniform bending stiffness with the other coupling components designed so as to have substantially no influence on the coupling's bending characteristics, or by using in the coupling at least one "compensator" flex frame specifically dimensioned to have a non-uniform bending stiffness compensating the non-uniform bending stiffnesses of the other coupling components.

Abstract: A method of forming flexible disks containing annular loop packets for the purpose of transmitting traction forces between fastening elements is disclosed. The loop packets and the fastening elements are combined into a ring and subsequently embedded in rubber-elastic material. In a preparatory operation, the loop packets are injection-coated either individually or in groups by a coating of elastomer material, which defines and stabilizes their outer contour. The elastomer material is only partially vulcanized before the ring is completely embedded in the rubber-elastic material. Injection coating renders the loop packets or groups of loop packets into components which are true to shape and size with defined wall thicknesses. Consequently, the characteristics and the life of the flexible disks are standardized for mass production and material consumption is reduced.

Abstract: Leaf spring members (12a through 12d, 14a through 14d, 16a through 16d, 18a through 18d) are disposed on the rear surfaces of a driving side flange portion (2) and a driven side flange portion (4). One end of each leaf spring member taken in a circumferential direction is mounted to the flange portions (2, 4), and the other end is interconnected to the other end of the adjacent leaf spring member. At positions of the flange portions (2, 4) which correspond to a portion for interconnecting these leaf springs, hole portions (7a through 7d, 9a through 9d) are provided, the hole portions (7a through 7d) and the hole portions (9a through 9d) being each disposed at the corresponding position. Torque transmitting rods (10a through 10d) are disposed passing with an allowance through the corresponding hole portions, and to both ends of the torque transmitting rods, interconnecting portions of the leaf spring members of the driving and driven side are each mounted.

Abstract: A flexible coupling between two rotary shafts comprises a flexible metallic member rigidly connected to each of the shafts, the flexible member comprising connection zones interconnected by deformation zones which are traversed by slots perpendicular to the axis of the shafts and dividing the deformation zones into a plurality of strips which are integrally connected with each other and with the connection zones.

Abstract: A Coupling for coupling non-aligned rotating parts is provided with driving-side and driven side coupling halves and an intermediate coupling member including separable parts. The intermediate coupling member is connected with the driving-side coupling half through a first pair of mutually centro-symmetcially arranged links and is connected with the driven side coupling half through a second pair of mutually centro-symmetrically arranged links. In order to facilitate dismantling of the coupling, the intermediate coupling member (10) is composed of two arcuate intermediate coupling member halves (20,22), each of which extends through more than 180.degree., such that each intermediate member half defines a lateral opening (32), which permits lateral removal of the intermediate member half (20,22) from a shaft passing centrally through the coupling, which are axially offset with respect to each other, and which are angularly offset by 180.degree. with respect to each other.

Abstract: A coupling to balance radial movement and axial displacement between a first and second half-coupling, with an unsupported intermediate member which is connected via two connecting rods with the first half-coupling on one side and via another two connecting rods with the second half-coupling, the intermediate member consisting of two releasably interconnected arc-shaped half-members (11,12), the end sections of the half-members (11,12) overlap at the periphery and are held together in the two overlap regions (19) by two aligned axial drillings (15,17) to take the bolts (29,30,35,36) securing the connecting rods. In addition, each half-member (11,12) is cut from sheet-steel and at least both their two end sections are arranged in the same plane. This provides a heavily loadable coupling with extremely simply made half-members (11,12) which can easily be fitted and dismantled.

Abstract: An articulated coupling, especially for rail vehicles, for transmitting the engine power from a hollow input shaft mounted on the vehicle frame, to an output shaft of limited movement surrounded by the hollow shaft has a first flange rigidly connected to the hollow shaft and a second flange rigidly connected to the output shaft. Two pairs of links connect the flanges. An overhung intermediate member surrounds the output shaft, with the links being supported on the intermediate member. To obtain optimum central symmetry; the two flanges are aligned, all the links are of equal length and so positioned relatively to one another that the projections of the articulation points in a plane extending perpendicularly to the output shaft form the corners of a square. The two opposite links on the intermediate member are pivotally supported at their center. These two links form an obtuse angle facing in the direction of the output shaft.

Abstract: A power steering pump and air conditioning compressor are axially aligned. Power from the power steering pump is provided to the air conditioning compressor through a coupler. The coupler has two axially spaced flexible discs separated by a spacer.

Abstract: A damped driven disc assembly comprises a disc concentrically mounted with respect to a hub, wherein the disc is driven by engagement with a flywheel and the hub drives an output shaft. A plurality of pairs of beam springs have first ends secured to the disc and second ends secured to the hub at points angularly spaced, in one embodiment, about 180.degree. from one another and, in another embodiment, about 0.degree. from one another. In a specific preferred embodiment, the assembly includes three pairs of beam springs.

Abstract: A flywheel clutch assembly disposed between an engine and transmission includes an external damper positioned between a flywheel and a clutch housing. The external damper allows relative motion between the flywheel and the clutch housing, while elastically resisting relative motion in both the driving and coast modes. The clutch housing is relatively heavy and functions as an additional flywheel as it is being rotated by the main flywheel of the assembly. The clutch mechanism disposed within the housing includes a rigid driven disk which assures minimum inertia in the drive line. In one specific aspect of the invention, the damper is comprised of a plurality of arcuate, nested beam springs pivoted at one end to the flywheel and at the other end to the heavy cover enclosing the clutch assembly. The resulting flywheel clutch assembly with the external damper disposed between the flywheel and clutch provides improved shiftability while minimizing rattle in both the idle and drive modes of the drive line.

Abstract: A link for use in a link-type rotary coupling. The link has an elastomeric bearing which incorporates a pair of cavities that provide discontinuities for preventing the transfer of tensile stresses in the elastomeric layers when the link is tensioned axially while permitting the elastomeric layers to accept compressive stresses when the link is compressed axially. The resulting link is durable.

Abstract: A flexible coupling element used in a flexible coupling for interfacing a drive shaft and a driven shaft and for transmitting torque therebetween while accommodating angular misalignment; the flexible coupling may be offset-link type or single disc type, both types incorporating a composite fiber wound around drive-bushings and driven-bushings in a winding pattern; the flexible coupling element being formed by compression and heat cured so that the runs connecting each bushing taper to a point midway between adjacent bushings.

Abstract: An all-steel clutch having at least one eccentric pack of spring plates which holds the clutch halves axially at a distance in the unloaded condition and is so inclined by an acute angle to the axial normal plane that a slight axial displacement of the clutch halves in relation to one another produces a comparatively large angular offsetting, thereby enabling angular displacements caused by loading to be compensated.

Abstract: A power splitting transmission, particularly for high energy and/or for high rotational speeds. Two sun gears are connected to the shaft of a drive starting and stopping mechanism and are coupled to each other by at least three double power splitting gears which are arranged equidistantly about the circumference of the sun gears and connected thereto by a coupling. The coupling and the connection with the shaft of the drive starting and stopping mechanism together function as a membrane coupling.

Abstract: A reversible endless belt rotary coupling particularly suited for use in connecting a drive shaft and driven shaft permitting the driven shaft to rotate in either, rotational direction and to rotate about an axis that may be angularly misaligned with respect to the rotational axis of the drive shaft. The coupling includes a series of preloaded endless belts embedded in an elastomer matrix material, arranged tangentially with respect to the connected shafts and connected thereto by bobbin-like spools at the ends of the belts. The endless belts are axially stiff to accommodate tensile and compression loads and are flexibly and torsionally soft to accommodate the motion while transferring torque between the drive and driven shaft.

Abstract: The tie-bar comprises a pair of spaced apart bushings each having end flanges extending from a central cylindrical portion and a through opening for connecting to flexing structures. A plurality of wires comprising bands of parallel wires wrapped endlessly about the spaced-apart bushings provide a tie-bar having bushings disposed at the ends and connected by a pair of spaced-apart side portions of superimposed bands. The wires are coated with a dry film lubricant so that the wires are dry wrapped about the bushings, and then a resin material encapsulated about the dry wrapped wire bands and bushings. A body of resin material disposed between the spaced-apart side portions and the bushings maintains the spaced-apart relationship of the bushings, by withstanding the compressive tension of the tightly wrapped wires. The wires are free to move relative to one another in response to tension and torsional forces exerted upon the tie-bar.

Abstract: A flexible all-steel shaft coupling with two connecting flanges which are connected by a laminated spring ring arranged between them. The laminated spring ring is arranged on clamping bolts by clamping bushes and is held at a distance from the flanges by spacer collars. A washer with a low-friction coating is arranged between the laminated spring ring and each of the spacer collars. The washers prevent the upper lamellae from wrapping as a result of the rotation of the spacer collars during the bracing of the laminated spring ring, this being the cause of premature breaking of the lamellae.

Abstract: A flexible coupling in which two collars are connected with each other through two pairs of coupling rods which are offset from each other angularly by 90.degree., the two pairs lying in parallel planes. The coupling rods are connected through torsion layers to coupling arms which are articulated to each other. One of the coupling rods or coupling arms are connected to their respective collars while the other of the coupling rods or coupling arms are connected to an intermediate member located between the two collars.

Abstract: A link-type coupling particularly suited for use in connecting a drive shaft to a rotor hub in an aircraft for permitting the hub to rotate about an axis that may be angularly misaligned with respect to the rotational axis of the drive shaft. The coupling includes a series of links arranged tangentially with respect to the hub and shaft and connected thereto by laminated elastomeric bearings at the ends of the links. The laminated elastomeric bearings accommodate the motion of each link while transferring torque between the shaft and hub.

Abstract: A dual coupling (1) comprises two elastic and articulated couplings (2 and 2a) interconnected by a hollow, intermediate shaft (3). Each one of the couplings (2,2a) contain an outer half (4,4a) with a hub (5,5a) from which extend several arms (6). Between them sit more arms (6a) of the intermediate shaft (3). With its arms (6a), the intermediate shaft represents the inner halves of the couplings (2,2a). The ends of the interacting arms (6 and 6a) are interconnected by rubber-elastic connecting rods (7) so that two rows (8) of arms are provided on bolts (10) to the left and right of the arms (6 and 6a) forming a joint plane. Therefore, two joint planes are present. While the connecting rods are connected to the bolts (10) in form closing fashion, the bolts are fixed or articulated in the arms (6 and 6a). One hub ( 5) is connected to a solid axle (15) and the other hub (5a) to a hollow shaft (18).

Abstract: A flexible power transmission coupling wherein a drive member is connected to a driven member by a link assembly. The links are stacked and connected in series. Each link has a first end, a second end and an intermediate part. The first ends of each link are connected together and to the driven member, the second ends of each link are connected together and to a driven member or vice versa. The intermediate part of each link is convoluted and narrower than the ends. This allows greater axial and angular misalignments between drive and driven members. Also this results in a more linear relation between axial force and deflection of the coupling.

Abstract: A coupling comprising two hubs (1) elastically joined to a hollow shaft (2), which surrounds the hubs, by six elastically resilient links (3) which are bolted alternatingly in an hexagonal pattern to a hub flange (10) and a shaft flange (20) at the ends of the coupling. This permits parallel and angular misalignments according to the cardanic principle while torque is being transmitted. Because the flanges lie in the same transverse plane, the coupling is protected against slipping in the event that the resilient link elements should fail. Because the links are externally mounted, they permit optimum cardanic motion. The hubs may be fitted inside the hollow shaft (short configuration) or they may bolted on so as to project beyond the ends of the hollow shaft (long configuration).

Abstract: A coupling has input and output members interconnected by two-link coupling elements which are flexible in the plane of rotation by centrifugal force acting on them as the coupling rotates and by the torque transmitted. The coupling is soft over a range of speeds and torques.The input member is constructed from two metal spinnings welded together to form a housing which supports the pivot of each coupling element at both ends. The output member is similarly constructed with bushes welded on to support the pivot also at both ends. The pivots are axially free within limits increasing the axial misalignment capability of the coupling. A spring arrangement to buffer the links if they rapidly approach their stops is provided.

Abstract: A flexible shaft coupling comprising drive side connecting elements and driven side connecting elements arranged alternately and equidistantly in an annular orientation, and coupling pieces of annular form linking mutually adjacent pairs of drive side connecting elements and driven side connecting elements, each of both connecting elements being formed of an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and an elastic intermediate member bonding them, the coupling pieces being formed of a belt strip wrapping around the outer sleeve and an elastomeric body surrounding and covering the wrapped belt strip. The elastic intermediate member is formed as a rubber bushing press-fitted between the inner and outer sleeves and extends only in an axially middle portion of both sleeves, and adjacent to the rubber bushing, intermediate sleeves are fitted to the inner sleeve or outer sleeve. The elastic intermediate member has a compressive strain of 25-40%.

Abstract: A flexible all-steel shaft coupling has two coupling halves each comprising a connecting flange and which are axially and angularly movable but antitorsionally connected to each other through a yieldable stapled lamella crown connected to the connecting flanges. Each connection of the stapled lamella crown with one of flanges consists of a bolt on which rests, in clamped position between spacer rings, the stapled lamella crown on a spring collet provided with a conical press seat. Due to its conical support on the bolt, the conical spring collet is radially expanded and transmits radial pretension into bores of the stapled lamella crown. Due to the tolerance-free support of the stapled lamella crown on the bolt, and due to radial pretension in the bores of the stapled lamella crown, the shaft coupling may be easily mounted without precision machning and without tolerance on the support seats, while expansions and ovalizations of the bores, which lead to ruptures due to notch corrosion are prevented.

Abstract: A shaft coupling working on the principle of an Oldham's coupling in which rotary members are connected by pairs of guide links (20,26). Additional guide links (28,38), displaced at an angle of 90.degree. to one another, are provided between the first rotary member (14) and the intermediate member (16) and between the intermediate member (16) and the second rotary member (18). The pivotal axes of the additional guide links extend in a crossed direction to the rotational axis of these members. These additional guide links provide resistance against axial forces in the coupling but do permit the coupling to operate with radial misalignment of the input and output shaft.

Abstract: A constant-velocity transmission, particularly for connecting the drive motor to the driving axle of a motorized railway vehicle, comprises two hollow coaxial shafts interconnected by a resilient coupling and provided with respective end flanges articulated, through two groups of four connecting rods, to respective flanges of a hollow driven shaft and a hollow driving shaft coupled for rotation with the axle. The transmission allows considerable relative movements, both radial and axial, between the driving and driven shafts without the use of members which require lubrication.

Abstract: A shaft coupling which is torsionally stiff yet capable of being elastically bent having guides arranged between two coupling halves at right angles to the axis of rotation in the form of thin-walled plates. Their overlapping end sections assigned to one another being alternately fixed to the coupling halves between tightening washers. So as to reduce its stiffness under flexure, the front side nearest the plate of one tightening washer supported against the corresponding coupling half has a middle section running radially and intersecting the extended axis of rotation at least more or less obliquely, which passes over on both sides into flat zones extending at right angles to the axis of rotation, so that the middle planes of the plates running on both sides of the tightening washer lie in a common plane.

Abstract: An internal combustion power plant system provides a rotary engine and a rotary fuel/air mixture compressor for the rotary engine on a common driveshaft, coaxially mounting each end and supported between them by a gearbox which synchronizes operation of various ignition and valve and abutment components of the system; compressed fuel/air mixture is supplied to and ignited in a valve-isolated manifold chamber in the rotary engine in successive charges following which each ignited charge is valved radially into one of plural expanding chambers defined by the rotary engine rotor and abutment mechanism, where it urges rotation of the rotor and then exhausts radially; in preferred embodiment the exhaust actuates a parallel fuel-feed which booster pumps fuel/air mixture into the manifold chamber; detail improvements disclosed include designs of runners, abutments, valving and rotary compressor mechanism.

Abstract: A flexible coupling includes a quadrilateral, flex member, which coupling rotatably couples a driving shaft to a driven shaft and accommodates endwise, parallel or angular misalignment between the shafts. The flex member includes corner portions each having one substantially aligned face and a raised face created by thickening of each corner portion. The substantially aligned faces of two diagonally opposed corner portions face in one generally axial direction and the substantially aligned faces of the other corner portions face in a direction generally opposite to that of the substantially aligned faces of the two diagonally opposed corner portions to minimize the endwise spacing required between the driving shaft and the driven shaft needed to insert the coupling. The decreased endwise spacing minimizes the bending moment on the flex member and facilitates the identification of the proper assembly orientation of the flex member within the flexible coupling.

Abstract: A link coupling having at least one coupling hub and one outer coupling flange interconnected by links or groups of links which are disposed at a tangent to the rotational axis. The links are arranged in pairs at an angle to one another, and are secured at their ends, by dowels or bolts, alternately to the hub and to the coupling flange. As an improvement, bolt-on ring segments are provided on at least one coupling part for the securing of the links. The bores for receiving the securing bolts or fasteners are enlarged, i.e. are formed with clearance. Unavoidable tolerances in bore diameters, and spacing errors, can therefore be compensated especially along with increase in reliability of operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a homokinetic shaft coupling which permits an offset angular disposition and, if need be, a radial and/or an axial offset, between the two parts to be coupled. For this purpose, at least one radially-extending intermediary member is provided between the two coupling halves which is coupled on both diametrically opposite ends with the two coupling halves by guides which generally are disposed in a circumferential direction. The guides are universally mounted on the two coupling halves, as well as on the intermediary member on pins which are disposed in axial direction, axially aligned with one another. If two or more intermediary members are provided, they may be coupled with a universal joint for the purpose of generally effecting a centering with respect to each other.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for disposition between two rotating shafts to reduce transmission of vibration or to increase the torque and speed range of the coupling for a given level of vibration transmission comprises input and output members connectible to driving and driven shafts and interconnected by a spacer via coupling elements which are flexible in the plane of rotation by centrifugal force and by torque transmitted through the coupling, such that, over a range of speeds and torques the spacer is relatively rotatable to at least one member.A secondary coupling is also disclosed to render radially rigid a primary coupling comprising input and output members and coupling elements. The secondary coupling may comprise a bearing or a plain bearing, a multiple bearing or a cross links flexural pivot.

Abstract: A kinematic universal coupling assembly for converting rotation about a first rotational axis to rotation about a second rotational axis comprises a driving member rotatable about the first rotational axis and having first, second and third torque transmitting portions relative to the first rotational axis, a driven member rotatable about the second rotational axis and having first, second and third torque transmitted portions relative to the second rotational axis, lines connecting the first, second and third torque transmitted portions to the first, second and third torque transmitting portions intersecting one another at a point, and a torque transmitting device for transmitting a torque from a rotative driving member to a rotative driven member. The torque transmitting device includes first, second and third members for transmitting a torque from the first, second and third torque transmitting portions to the first, second and third torque transmitting portions.

Abstract: A joint coupling, in particular for transmitting the motor output in electrically driven rail vehicles to a drive axle, includes a hollow shaft which is provided on a frame or bogie, and the drive axle is enclosed by the hollow shaft and is arranged radially movably with respect thereto. Each of two linkage elements are hingedly connected both to a first flange member which is rigidly connected to the hollow shaft and also to a second flange member which is connected rigidly to the drive axle. The linkage elements are each with their free ends hingedly connected to an intermediate member which surrounds the drive axle and is radially movable with respect thereto. The intermediate member is divided into two halves in a direction transversely to its axis and the axis of the drive axle, which halves are connected releasably to one another.

Abstract: In a coupling operating on the principle of the Oldham coupling, parallel drives are disposed orthogonally relative to one another and include pairs of guide rods. In order to reduce the axial measurements of such a coupling, the guide rods are disposed in recesses located in the intermediate member. This permits the guide rods to be located, according to one embodiment of the invention, in a single plane.

Abstract: A telescoping shaft which is displaceable in the axial direction with low force wherein the inner shaft and hollow shaft are connected by guide pins swivelly connected to the shafts.

Abstract: The invention concerns a shaft coupling between a section rotating about an input axis and a section rotating about an output axis which permits an angle of flexure between input axis and output axis, incorporating: a first coupling half which is fastenable to the section rotating about the input axis, a second coupling half fastenable to the section rotating about the output axis and a number of flexible connecting elements which are arranged in a fashion so as to permit transmission of torsional moment between the first coupling half and the second coupling half.

Abstract: The coupling comprises a plate rigid with each shaft and a floating intermediate device connected to each of the two plates. The floating device comprises at least three levers which are assembled by a center articulation. Each of the levers is connected by a radially slidable ball joint at one end to one of the plates, and at the other end to the other plate. At least one of the ball joints of each lever is axially fixed.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for drivingly connecting two rotatable shafts or the like, and for use in applications where torque is transmitted only in one direction of rotation or where the torque transmitted in one direction of rotation is significantly greater than the torque transmitted in the other direction of rotation, includes a flex member consisting of four elongated flex elements fixedly joined together in a unitary rectangular arrangement. The two elements positioned on opposite sides of the rectangular arrangement are of substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape along a major portion of element length, and the elements of one such pair are thicker than the elements of the other pair. The flex member is connected between the two rotatable shafts in a manner which causes the thicker elements to be in compression and the thinner elements to be in tension during torque transmission in the favored direction.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for drivingly connecting driving and driven members and for accommodating both angular and endwise misalignment of such members comprises a plurality of quadrilateral flex frames arranged face-to-face along the central axis of the coupling. The two end frames are connected respectively to the driving and driven members through opposite corner portions of each such frame. Among the flex frames themselves, each frame is connected to the next adjacent frame by having two of its opposite corner portions rigidly connected to two opposite corner portions of the adjacent frame.

Abstract: A link coupling is provided by the present invention for transmitting rotary motion and accommodating misalignment between a drive and driven shaft. The coupling consists of a plurality of flexing structures connected together, each of which consists of individual link elements joined together in an offset configuration to form a compact, relatively flat structure. Forces applied by any misalignment of the drive and driven shafts are accommodated primarily by flexure of the links.