Coupling Device Includes Endless Chain Engaged With Circumferential Teeth On Coupled Members Patents (Class 464/49)
  • Patent number: 8578799
    Abstract: A method and system for a shaft coupling assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first coupling half coupled to a distal end of a first shaft wherein the first coupling half includes one or more projections extending away from the first coupling half. The shaft coupling assembly also includes a second coupling half coupled to a distal end of a second shaft wherein the second coupling half includes a media configured to matingly engage the one or more projections in an axial direction, the projections include a relatively large length to width ratio, the media displaces orthogonally to the insertion direction an amount sufficient to facilitate the insertion for each individual projection while substantially preventing gross movement of all of the projections in total such that a linear force or torque applied to one coupling half is transmitted through the mated projections and media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur N. Maupin
  • Patent number: 8156721
    Abstract: A transport indexing chain for a food-packaging machine is made of two different materials in order to provide the most optimal result of a drive chain that resists wear and tear and thus reduces elongation of the chain over time, and which also provides a drive indexing chain that resists bacterial infection. In order to satisfy the first objective of providing a chain that resists wear and elongation of the drive chain, the parts thereof that remain exposed to greasing or lubrication, and thus are resistant to rusting, are made of the same prior-art material of nickel-plated carbon steel. These parts are: The bushings, the rollers, and the pivot rods or pins. The remaining parts, namely the links or side plates and the clamping attachments, are made of stainless steel, whereby prevention of bacterial infection is substantially achieved without increased wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Moshe Epstein
  • Patent number: 8021233
    Abstract: A coupling for joining rotatable shafts including a pair of mating hubs having projecting pins, which hubs are held together via a free-floating wrap around restraint. The coupling has first and second circular hubs, wherein each circular hub has and a tool for fixing a shaft within each bore. Several coupling pins extend outwardly from each hub such that the coupling pins of the hubs are facing and longitudinally aligned with each other to define mating pairs of coupling pins. The coupling has a flexible annular restraint having split ends and semi-cylindrical concavities through the restraint. The restraint is wrapped around the mating pairs of coupling pins such that the split ends align and one mating pair of coupling pins are positioned within each of the semi-cylindrical concavities. A cincture is then fastened around the outer surface of the restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Alfredo A. Ciotola
  • Patent number: 7980956
    Abstract: A shaft coupling with a flexible annular sleeve, a driver end piece, and a driven end piece. The end pieces have a plurality of axially projecting prongs arranged so that the driver prongs loosely interlock in the spaces between the driven prongs with a gap between each pair of prongs. The sleeve fits snugly around the periphery of the loosely interlocked prongs. Each prong has at least one prong groove in its outer periphery. Each of two peripheral edges may be shaped to form a groove flank, and each set of two adjacent groove flanks on adjacent prongs may form a gap groove. The sleeve has a plurality of inner teeth including a plurality of groove teeth in alternating arrangement with a plurality of gap teeth. The prong grooves and groove teeth mesh, and the gap grooves and gap teeth mesh. Groove teeth may be bigger than gap teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Kneeshaw, John W. Black, Arthur Jack Clarke
  • Patent number: 7658678
    Abstract: A shaft coupling with a flexible annular sleeve, a driver end piece, and a driven end piece. The end pieces have a plurality of axially projecting prongs arranged so that the driver prongs loosely interlock in the spaces between the driven prongs with a gap between each pair of prongs. The sleeve fits snugly around the periphery of the loosely interlocked prongs. Each prong has at least one prong groove in its outer periphery. Each of two peripheral edges may be shaped to form a groove flank, and each set of two adjacent groove flanks on adjacent prongs may form a gap groove. The sleeve has a plurality of inner teeth including a plurality of groove teeth in alternating arrangement with a plurality of gap teeth. The prong grooves and groove teeth mesh, and the gap grooves and gap teeth mesh. Groove teeth may be bigger than gap teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Kneeshaw, John W. Black, Arthur Jack Clarke
  • Publication number: 20090312109
    Abstract: Groups of camshafts (6) are connected to camshaft adjusters (1) via adapters. According to prior art, adaptations to the camshaft adjuster (1) are necessary for different mounting conditions and/or different geometries of camshafts (6). Here, an adapter (32) is provided between camshaft (6) and camshaft adjuster (1), which adapter can then be adapted to different geometries of the camshaft (6) and/or mounting positions. By this, the multiplicity of parts can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Mike Kohrs
  • Publication number: 20080171603
    Abstract: A shaft coupling with a flexible annular sleeve, a driver end piece, and a driven end piece. The end pieces have a plurality of axially projecting prongs arranged so that the driver prongs loosely interlock in the spaces between the driven prongs with a gap between each pair of prongs. The sleeve fits snugly around the periphery of the loosely interlocked prongs. Each prong has at least one prong groove in its outer periphery. Each of two peripheral edges may be shaped to form a groove flank, and each set of two adjacent groove flanks on adjacent prongs may form a gap groove. The sleeve has a plurality of inner teeth including a plurality of groove teeth in alternating arrangement with a plurality of gap teeth. The prong grooves and groove teeth mesh, and the gap grooves and gap teeth mesh. Groove teeth may be bigger than gap teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Kneeshaw, John W. Black, Arthur Jack Clarke
  • Patent number: 6843727
    Abstract: A flexible coupling assembly adapted for mounting on the ends of a shaft in coaxial alignment. The coupling includes a pair of annular hubs. A plurality of radially outwardly opening receptacles are spaced around the circumferential edge of each hub. A molded flexible belt is wrapped around the circumferential edge of both hubs, and has a plurality of spaced resilient teeth extending from one side of the belt. Each tooth is received in a pair of aligned receptacles formed in the hubs. The belt is molded with a length greater than the circumference of the circumferential edge, and the belt is cut to a length such that there is no more than one tooth per pair of receptacles. An annular retainer is slipped over the belt to retain the teeth in the receptacles. The retainer is held over the belt by at least one deformable pin extending from another side of the belt, and the pin is received in a circumferential groove formed on an inner surface of the annular retainer to retain the retainer over the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Rexnord Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis F. Counter, Terence Voss, William R. Hubiak
  • Publication number: 20040204248
    Abstract: A flexible coupling assembly adapted for mounting on the ends of a shaft in coaxial alignment. The coupling includes a pair of annular hubs. A plurality of radially outwardly opening receptacles are spaced around the circumferential edge of each hub. A molded flexible belt is wrapped around the circumferential edge of both hubs, and has a plurality of spaced resilient teeth extending from one side of the belt. Each tooth is received in a pair of aligned receptacles formed in the hubs. The belt is molded with a length greater than the circumference of the circumferential edge, and the belt is cut to a length such that there is no more than one tooth per pair of receptacles. An annular retainer is slipped over the belt to retain the teeth in the receptacles. The retainer is held over the belt by at least one deformable pin extending from another side of the belt, and the pin is received in a circumferential groove formed on an inner surface of the annular retainer to retain the retainer over the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Louis F. Counter, Terence A. Voss, William R. Hubiak
  • Patent number: 6506120
    Abstract: A coupling device includes first and second coupling members for connecting a rotary driving member to a rotary driven member. The first and second coupling members are generally semi-cylindrical and connectable together along there opposite edges to non-rotatably secure the driving member to the driven member. The coupling members include a stop portion at at least one end thereof to limit longitudinal movement of the coupling device relative to the rotary members. The coupling members may be flexible to facilitate wrapping of the coupling members about the rotary members to non-rotatably retain the rotary members within the coupling device. The coupling members are fastened together at their edges via a fastening member which is insertable through a passageway in the corresponding edges of the coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Dirk Lockwood
  • Patent number: 6234909
    Abstract: An improved springless engine compensator comprising a first load bearing flange, a compensator bushing member, an output ring member threadably mounted on the compensator bushing member, a second load bearing flange. The flanges and the compensator bushing are fixedly mounted to an input shaft. The output ring member is mounted between the flanges for limited axial and rotational movement relative to the input shaft. The compensator absorbs rotational shock loads while transferring rotational loads from an input shaft to the output ring member. Compensating rotation is easily and precisely adjustable with the use of shims. Uniquely, the output ring member simultaneously compensatingly rotates and moves; axially on the compensator bushing member, and is captively restrained by the bearing flanges. Buffer members can be provided if desired between the mating faces of the flanges and the output ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Belt Drives, LTD
    Inventor: Steve Yetzke
  • Patent number: 5667442
    Abstract: A chain link 1 assembly body includes a pre-molded resin sleeve having a uniformly cylindrical inner periphery and a partially convexly contoured outer periphery, a bushing conformed to the shape of the sleeve and inner links each having a bushing press-fitted hole for fitting around the ends of the bushing. The method includes the step of providing an engineering plastic resin sleeve and a bushing. The sleeve is pre-molded to have a uniformly cylindrical inner periphery and an outer periphery having a convex contour for a central portion of the sleeve and uniformly cylindrical contours for the opposed ends of the sleeve. The bushing is originally uniformly cylindrical prior to its ends being press-fitted into bushing press-fitted holes of inner links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5163874
    Abstract: A link chain coupler including a pair of sprockets coupled by a double row chain, and a steel ring axially positionable over the chain to hold the chain in the sprocket teeth while torque is transmitted through the connection. A two-piece coupler shield is assembled over the steel ring to hold the ring in position, to act as a shield and to protect the coupler from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jonathan L. Engelstad
  • Patent number: 4499788
    Abstract: In order to simplify the construction and to accelerate the change-over of two drive units in the case of a feeding device having a drive shaft and two gear units each drivable by a motor, which gear units are able to be connected alternately to the drive shaft such that each may alternately rotate with the drive shaft independently of the other, it is suggested that both gear units are designed as slip-on gear units and have a driven hollow shaft, that the two ends of the drive shaft each have the hollow shaft of one of the two slip-on gear units mounted around them in a manner permitting relative rotation, that the gear units are secured against rotation about the axis of rotation defined by the drive shaft and that rotary couples are provided, such that one of the hollow shafts at a time is connected to the drive shaft such that the connected hollow shaft secured against rotation relative to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Durr Automation+Fordertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Obenland
  • Patent number: 4395245
    Abstract: A semi-rigid elastomeric cover for a roller chain coupling which comprises a generally cylindrical center portion having its radial interior contoured to relatively tightly fit the contour of the roller chain and two opposed axially extending flanges connected to the center portion each flange terminating in a circular beaded portion dimensioned for a compression fit with the hub of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Rexnord Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis L. Carlson