Element Is Tube With Slot Through Wall To Provide Flexibility Patents (Class 464/78)
  • Patent number: 11603888
    Abstract: A torsion damper is configured to be disposed inside a coil spring. The torsion damper includes a body and a helical groove. The body is made of resin. Besides, the body has a columnar shape. The helical groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uehara, Yoshiyuki Hagihara, Masahiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 11160565
    Abstract: Tool holder, in particular a milling cutter holder, which comprises a main body with a substantially oblong cylindrical shape defining a channel in which a transmission passes designed to transmit to the tool, in particular the milling cutter, a movement from the axis of a drive motor, and a gripping element for gripping the tool holder, characterized in that an intermediate part is provided arranged between the transmission and the axis of the drive motor, the intermediate part comprising means for enabling the rotatable connection of said intermediate part to the transmission and the axis of the motor, the intermediate part comprising means forming an abutment designed to lock in translation in the longitudinal direction of displacement of the axis of transmission by abutment in particular against the gripping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: XNOV IP
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Biegun
  • Patent number: 11035439
    Abstract: An injection molded shaft includes a shaft body having a first connecting part formed integrally with the first torque applied part, a second connecting part formed integrally with the second torque applied part, a core part extending from the first connecting part to the second connecting part along the longitudinal center axis, the core part having a crisscross cross section orthogonal to the axial direction, and a framework part disposed in a portion partitioned by the first connecting part, the second connecting part, and the core part. The framework part is a diagonal brace extending diagonally across the first connecting part, the second connecting part, and the core part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Shinichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11022199
    Abstract: In a shaft body, a first end in an axial direction of a core part having a crisscross cross section orthogonal to the axial direction is connected to a helical gear via a first connecting part, and the second end in the axial direction of the core part is connected to a worm via a second connecting part. A plurality of first framework parts are formed at regular intervals along a direction of a shaft core in the core part between the first connecting part and the second connecting part. A second framework part extends across the first connecting part, the first framework part, and the core part like a diagonal brace. A third framework part extends across a pair of the first framework parts adjacent to each other and the core part like a diagonal brace. A fourth framework part extends across the second connecting part, the first framework part, and the core part like a diagonal brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Shinichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11011957
    Abstract: A coupler for coupling an output shaft of a servo to an auxiliary shaft, comprises an coupler body having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end. The coupler body comprises a first bore, configured to accept a portion of the auxiliary shaft, centered on the longitudinal axis and extending into the first end a first distance. The coupler also comprises a second bore centered on the longitudinal axis and extending into the second end a second distance. The coupler also comprises a first fastener disposed proximate the first end, wherein adjusting the first fastener deforms a cross sectional dimension of the first bore. The coupler also comprises a second fastener disposed proximate the second end, wherein adjusting the second fastener deforms a cross sectional dimension of the second bore. An inner surface of the second bore has a female spline configuration to accept and engage a portion of the output shaft of the servo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Robotzone, LLC
    Inventor: Brian T. Pettey
  • Patent number: 10948022
    Abstract: A torsional spring that can be used as a joint adapted to transmit at torsion actuation with elastic response. The torsional spring relates to a compact torsional elastic element, provided with a linear torque characteristic which is also not affected by the direction of rotation. The torsional spring is capable of attaining a high transmissible torque relative to its weight and overall dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANT'ANNA
    Inventors: Francesco Giovacchini, Marco Cempini, Nicola Vitiello, Maria Chiara Carrozza
  • Patent number: 10933525
    Abstract: A horizontal articulated robot includes a base, a first arm supported by the base to be pivotable in a horizontal direction, a second arm supported by the first arm to be pivotable in the horizontal direction, a shaft supported by the second arm to be linearly movable along a longitudinal axis in a vertical direction, and a stopper mounted to the shaft and limiting movement of the shaft within a movable range. The stopper includes a fixing section fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the shaft and protruding therefrom, and a shock absorbing section fixed to one of the fixing section and the second arm. The shock absorbing section is disposed in a position sandwiched by the fixing section and the second arm in the vertical direction, and is elastically compressed in the vertical direction when the shaft tries to move beyond the movable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hikaru Yamashiro
  • Patent number: 10215222
    Abstract: A universal joint comprising a first band, a second band, and a third band. The three bands are cylindrical bands coaxial with one another with respect to a common axis. The first band and the second band are separated by a first slot, and the second band and the third band are separated by a second slot. Two connection points, which are diametrically opposed, assure the connection of the first band and of the second band. Two other connection points, which are diametrically opposed, assure the connection of the second band and of the third band. The two connection points between the first band and the second band are offset by substantially 90° in rotation about the common axis with respect to the two connection points between the second band and the third band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventor: David Blain
  • Patent number: 9579132
    Abstract: A flexible intramedullary nail is disclosed that is manufactured from a biocompatible rigid material and having a substantially cylindrical hollow body, a leading segment with an entry hole at a distal end and at least one securing means and a trailing segment having a trailing edge and an attachment mechanism. The body has at least one flexible center section, each having at least one slot to provide flexibility. In one embodiment the at least one slot follows a sinuous, serpentine path to form a plurality of interlocking teeth that can follow a helical or a concentric path. Each of the slots has a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being spaced from the trailing segment and the distal end being spaced from the leading segment. When multiple slots are incorporated, the proximal end of a slot is spaced from a distal end of a subsequent slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: William R. Krause
  • Patent number: 9488130
    Abstract: A VAFN system is provided for a fan case of an engine. The system includes a motor; a gearbox; an actuator; a nozzle; and a drive coupling extending between the gearbox and the actuator and configured to transmit the mechanical torque from the motor to the actuator. The drive coupling includes an external tube extending from a first one of the gearbox or the actuator, the external tube defining first and second slots extending in a longitudinal direction, and an internal tube extending from a second one of the gearbox or the actuator and at least partially extending within the external tube, the internal tube including a pin with first and second ends respectively positioned within the first and second slots such that the internal tube is configured to translate within the external tube and to be rotatably coupled to the external tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chakkera, Ron Vaughan
  • Patent number: 9353904
    Abstract: A rotatable stand comprising a front body and a rear body. The front body has a containment slot, a connecting portion and a stopping portion, the rear body has an engaging portion, a positioning column and a hollow portion. The stopping portion of the front body further has a first positioning slot and a second positioning slot. By engaging the connecting portion of the front body and the engaging portion of the rear body, the positioning column of the rear body is capable of being rotated between the first positioning slot and the second positioning slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: MYWISH INFORMATION CORP.
    Inventors: Wei Nien Sun, Sheng Wei Tsai
  • Patent number: 9244496
    Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). The electronic device may also include a hinge assembly to secure a top portion of the electronic device to an accessory. The hinge assembly is to allow a rotation of the top portion in relation to the accessory. The hinge assembly may include a plurality of discs to receive a plurality of segments of the accessory as the hinge assembly engages to secure the top portion of the electronic device to the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sameer Sharma, Douglas Satzger, Gadi Amit, Yoshikazu Hoshino, Chadwick Harber, Daniel Clifton, Phil Houdek, Stanislav Moiseyenko, Nathan Jauvtis
  • Patent number: 9206857
    Abstract: A compensating torque-transmitting coupling has a tubular base body extending in a longitudinal direction along a center axis and formed in one piece of an intermediate region and a pair of end regions longitudinally flanking the intermediate region. The intermediate region is of greater inside diameter and smaller outside diameter than the end regions and is formed with a plurality of angularly spaced transversely extending slots also spaced in the longitudinal direction. The slots each extend radially from an outer surface to an inner surface of the tubular base body. An elastomeric body filling each of the transverse slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: RINGFEDER POWER-TRANSMISSION GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Englert
  • Patent number: 9099226
    Abstract: An electrically conductive spring having first and second coils defining first and second electrical pathways for completing an electric circuit between two components which may move relative to each other. In one embodiment, the spring is a double start helical spring with first and second coils extending between respective, electrically insulated ends with the coils extending in alternating, spaced relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane Daniel Dicken, Dennis Eugene Lund, Jr., Mark Russell Squires
  • Patent number: 9095464
    Abstract: A delivery system for an intraluminal medical device comprises an elongate tubular sheath 20 and an elongate tubular pusher 50 slidably disposed within a lumen of the sheath and having a flexible configuration due to circumferentially-extending fins 154 along its exterior surface. The spacing and/or the size of the fins 154 may vary along the pusher 50. Different regions of the pusher 50 may be of materials with different flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: David E. Orr
  • Patent number: 8814463
    Abstract: In a first aspect the invention relates to a device for interconnecting a first element (2) and a second element (1) to each other in order to transmit a rotational motion. The device (3) comprises a tubular wall (4) having a circular inner surface, a part of which that is adjacent to said first end being arranged to abut said first element (2), and having a circular outer surface, a part of which that is adjacent to said first end being arranged to abut said second element (1). Furthermore, said tubular wall (4) comprises at least one pair of slits (18), which slits (18) are adjacent to each other and extends from said first end towards said second end, obtaining a finger shaped segment (19), which is deflectable in relation to neighboring parts of said tubular wall (4). The invention also relates to a pump comprising such a device (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Gert Hallgren
  • Patent number: 8376865
    Abstract: Torque shafts and other related systems and methods are described herein. The torque shafts are both flexible and capable of transmitting torque. The torque shafts are useful for procedures that require torque and pushability to drive or deploy a device. The flexibility and pushability of the torque shafts enable them to curve along a tortuous path, and the torque transferring capability of the shafts enable them to transmit torque along the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: CardiacMD, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Forster, Brian Beckey, Brandon Walsh, Scott Heneveld, Alex T. Roth
  • Patent number: 8202170
    Abstract: Example aspects of the present invention broadly comprise at least two concentric rings with complementary ramped surfaces, at least one of the rings being rotatable relative to another one of the rings so that contact is made at the ramped surfaces. The complementary ramped surfaces form respective circumferences of the rings. At least one of the ramped surfaces may have a sinusoidal profile, or a profile forming at least one of a straight line, concave, or convex. In some example embodiments of the invention, a first one of the rings is a coupling member and a second one of the rings is a tubular slipper with a friction surface radially opposite of the ramped surface. The tubular slipper is arranged to radially expand or contract upon contacting the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Brian Lee
  • Patent number: 8182349
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a first coupling end operably connectable to a first shaft and a second coupling end operably connectable to a second shaft. A coupling body of a plastic material is located between and operably connected to the first coupling end and to the second coupling end. The coupling body includes at least one spring segment allowing relative motion between the first coupling end and the second coupling end along a coupling assembly axis. Also disclosed is a vehicle steering system utilizing the coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Ross, Steve B. Al-Rawi, Daniel J. Diffin
  • Patent number: 7736083
    Abstract: Device for connecting two rotating shafts (10, 12), one driving and the other driven, comprising rectilinear splines (20) formed on the driving shaft (10) and engaged in complementary rectilinear splines (22) of the driven shaft (12), the splined region of the driven shaft having, in the vicinity of one of its longitudinal ends, at least one cylindrical portion (26) having a greater torsional flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Xavier Firmin Camille Jean Lescure, Lucien Paul Pham
  • Patent number: 7303480
    Abstract: A flexible shaft coupling is comprised of a tubular hub made of a rigid material, wherein the hub is provided with a slit extending substantially circumferentially for providing flexibility to the hub, the hub having an axial bore so that a rotational force of a drive rotation shaft received in the axial bore at one end of the hub can be transmitted to a driven rotation shaft attached to the other end of the hub, wherein circumferential ends of a part of the hub adjoining the slit are each provided with a convex shape having an arcuately receding surface at least at an outer peripheral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Miki Pulley Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Endou
  • Patent number: 7097564
    Abstract: A flexible coupling for flexibly joining two shafts includes a unitary solid cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and therebetween having one or more longitudinally spaced circular disks spaced by asymmetric slot pairs; a radially offset beam formed between a first slot and a second slot of each asymmetric slot pair, such that the radially offset beam is parallel to a diameter of the cylindrical body and is offset from the parallel diameter by a radial beam offset distance R1; each beam being rotationally offset from longitudinally adjacent beams; and hub means at the first end for coaxially connecting the first end to a first one of the two shafts, and hub means at the second end for coaxially connecting the second end to a second one of the two shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Rino Mechanical Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis G. Berg
  • Patent number: 6966839
    Abstract: A propshaft assembly with a shaft structure and an insert member. The insert member has a front end having a first slot and a rear end having a second slot. The first slot is configured to at least partially overlap the second slot providing a staggered slot configuration, which ensures a proper fit when installed into the shaft structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph Tomonelli
  • Publication number: 20040176172
    Abstract: A flexible coupling for flexibly joining two shafts includes a unitary solid cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and therebetween having one or more longitudinally spaced circular disks spaced by asymmetric slot pairs; a radially offset beam formed between a first slot and a second slot of each asymmetric slot pair, such that the radially offset beam is parallel to a diameter of the cylindrical body and is offset from the parallel diameter by a radial beam offset distance R1; each beam being rotationally offset from longitudinally adjacent beams; and hub means at the first end for coaxially connecting the first end to a first one of the two shafts, and hub means at the second end for coaxially connecting the second end to a second one of the two shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Dennis G Berg
  • Patent number: 6682432
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Kinzou Shinozuka
  • Patent number: 6585445
    Abstract: This application describes the design of the split-tube flexure, a unique precision revolute joint that exhibits a considerably larger range of motion and significantly better multi-axis revolute joint characteristics than a conventional flexure. The development of this joint enables the implementation of spatially-loaded revolute joint-based precision machines with well-behaved kinematic and dynamic characteristics and without the backlash and stick-slip behavior that would otherwise prevent precision machine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Michael Goldfarb, John E. Speich
  • Patent number: 6318923
    Abstract: A coupling comprises blade flexures that connect two end members through which control rods extend to cross members that are attached near the mid-points of the blade flexures, providing stable-linear load reaction means for use as end pivots for linkages where stick-slip motion is undesirable. The blade flexures are housed in a rigid cage comprising four separators that are attached to end members, and the flexures are attached to the end members by the separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Toren S. Davis
  • Patent number: 6261182
    Abstract: An installation structure of a rotation detector for detecting a rotation amount of a rotational shaft such as a kingpin. The installation structure prevents wear and damage to an input shaft of the rotation detector caused by a radial force applied to the input shaft and has high detection accuracy by eliminating slack between the rotational shaft and the input shaft. The rotation detector is fixed to a support member rotatably supporting the rotational shaft such that the input shaft is substantially coaxial with the rotational shaft. The input shaft is coupled to the rotational shaft through a rotation transmitting means. The rotation transmitting means permits the axis of the input shaft to be offset from the axis of the rotational shaft and limits relative rotation between the input shaft and the rotational shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kenji Chino, Masaya Hyodo, Yoshihisa Iwanaga, Kazuo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6203437
    Abstract: A flexible coupling for connecting a pair of rotating elements, comprising a body part (10) adapted at each end to receive part of the rotating elements, and comprising four slits (20a) each slit being longitudinally and angularly spaced from the other slits, each slit terminating in a concave face (24). The invention provides advantages over known flexible couplings since the provision of arcuate and concave end faces on each slit produces an increased material overlap with adjacent slits which decreases variations in torsional stiffness but does not affect the flexibility of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Gear Company Limited
    Inventors: Allistair David Durie, Robert Michael Barton
  • Patent number: 6080078
    Abstract: A planetary gear is described, with a compensating coupling (9), a housing (1) enclosing the gear (2) and the compensating coupling and a planet wheel carrier (3), which has a shaft journal (4) rotatably mounted in the housing. The compensating coupling is provided on the input side of the gear (2) and its gear-side coupling part (10) at the same time forms a component of the gear and is rotatably mounted in the housing. A second compensating coupling (14) is provided on the output side of the gear (2), its gear-side coupling part (15) having a projection (17) which engages in frictional and/or interlocking manner in a recess (13) in the shaftjournal (4). The housing (1) has a housing section (1c) on the output side of the gear (2) which is an integral component of the housing (1) and encloses the second compensating coupling (14). (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Jakob GmbH & Co. Antriebstechnik KG
    Inventor: Ludwig Jakob
  • Patent number: 6053922
    Abstract: An improved flexible shaft used in the reaming of the medullary space in bones is described. The shaft is comprised of a solid element with a longitudinal bore the entire length and an appropriately formed slot which extends spirally around the shaft either continuously or segmentally. Attached to the shaft's opposite ends respectively, are a cutting head and a means of connecting the shaft to a driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventors: William R. Krause, Garland U. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5917259
    Abstract: An improved connection coupling for providing rotary motion from an electric motor rotor to a load wherein a mechanical coupling element is attached to an end of the rotor and to the shaft of the load. The free end of the rotor includes a cavity which extends axially from the end surface of the rotor inward to allow for insertion of a portion of the mechanical coupling element in the cavity. The walls of the cavity do not contact the portion of the mechanical coupling element to allow this mechanical coupling element to move freely in the rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Stridsberg Innovation AB
    Inventor: Lennart Stridsberg
  • Patent number: 5517850
    Abstract: Sensitive rotating viscometers which include a head, rotor and stator, for example, a Brookfield viscometer, and have their head supported by a hollow housing and their stator held in place by the same hollow housing are improved by an internally threaded wall in a lower portion of the hollow support member, having means to exert guiding pressure on a means to accept pressure of a correspondingly, externally threaded nut, the correspondingly, externally threaded nut for attachment within the internally threaded wall, which threaded nut has an extension which is perforately slotted, the nut extension having the means to accept pressure, so as to cause the nut extension to be directed inwardly by tightening of the nut within the internally threaded wall, so as to cause snug contact between the lower interior surface of the hollow support member and the exterior cylindrical surface of the stator. The device may be embodied as a separable collar housing and stator/tube collar with such an aforesaid nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Tannas Co.
    Inventor: John L. Van Meter
  • Patent number: 5324235
    Abstract: A Cardan-type universal joint has a pair of joint bodies (11) each having a cylindrical hub (12) for securing thereto a rotary shaft (10), and a cross-shaped member (15) for connecting the pair of joint bodies together. Each of the hubs has at least one first slit, or escape slit, (20) formed therein radially inwardly from the circumference thereof having a sector shape with a sectoral angle of not less than 180 degrees and being disposed on a plane intersecting the axis of the shaft at an angle, thereby enabling the joint body to elastically deform in a spring-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Piston Ring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tomii, Yukio Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5167582
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of flexible coupling for transmitting torque from one rotatable member to another, and in such a way as to compensate automatically for any small misalignments between the driving and driven ends of the coupling. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 and 2, the flexible coupling (10) comprises a hollow cylindrical body (11) having an annular wall, and a helical spring configuration (14) formed in the annular walls with the turns thereof extending radially outwardly from the hollow interior (13) of the cylindrical body to the outer periphery of the cylindrical body. The helical spring configuration (14) comprises at least two spring formations extending circumferentially and adjacent to each other around the axis (15) of the cylindrical body (11), each formation extending in a continuous spiral from a start at one end portion of the cylindrical to a finish at the opposite end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventor: Anthony O. Hunt
  • Patent number: 5062619
    Abstract: A spring given elasticity by way of elastic portions formed between slits which are provided on a base material of, e.g. solid cylindrical shape, cylindrical pipe shape, etc. The slits are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the base material at different phase angles. They are arranged along the length of the material and parallel to each other. The elastic portions are disposed at different pitches along the length so that some of them have different elasticity from the others. The elasticity between some portions and the others may be varied by way of changing an inner diameter of a through hole formed in the spring. Thereby the spring has non-linear elasticity characteristics. The spring may have a through hole and a line of slit spirally extending about the axis and communicating with the through hole. A line of elastic portion is defined by the slit and also extends spirally about the axis of the spring. The width of the elastic portion is changed along the axis of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Nabeya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Sato
  • Patent number: 4913266
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a braking disc for a disc brake. The braking disc comprises an annular disc member with a number of radially inwardly projecting lugs, located coaxially with respect to a central hub member which has a number of radially outwardly projecting lugs, the lugs on the hub member being located between adjacent lugs on the annular disc member. The lugs on said members are interconnected by at least one resilient member which is designed to flex generally radially but not circumferentially. Thus the or each resilient member positively transmits circumferential torque forces but is sufficiently flexible to allow for radial deflection due to thermal expansion of the disc member, without being over-stressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: David F. Russell, Simon B. Dobson, Alexander J. Williams
  • Patent number: 4858897
    Abstract: A cylinder having a bore extending therethrough is formed with pairs of slits arranged axially of the cylinder at a predetermined spacing, the slits in each pair being opposed to each other diametrically of the cylinder. Like a coiled spring, the cylinder is adapted to perform a spring action against tension, compression or torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Hideki Irifune
  • Patent number: 4792340
    Abstract: A prosthetic ankle having an elongated tubular shank, which provides bending. The shank is part of a monolithic ankle with the lower portion being a flexure joint. The flexure joint has a flexing post defined by an entrapment kerf. The entrapment kerf allows relatively free movement of flexure within defined limits in axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, inversion and eversion. The kerf surfaces provide resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Ernest M. Burgess
    Inventors: Alan L. Aulie, Ernest M. Burgess
  • Patent number: 4690661
    Abstract: A flexible coupling in which one or more flex elements are positioned in a spaced apart relationship between two torsional force transfer members. Each of the flex elements are connected to another flex element or a transfer member and maintained at a spaced distance by spacer links positioned along the periphery of the flex elements. Areas of potentially high stress in the flex elements are distributed within the elements by varying the thickness of the flex elements in peripheral directions along the peripheral length of the flex elements and in radial directions relative to the axis of the flex elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Rexnord Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Fredericks, Edward W. McCullough
  • Patent number: 4449955
    Abstract: An operating shaft mechanism in a pushbutton tuner, etc. characterized in that there is formed an enlarged portion in a central portion of a shaft element and the enlarged portion is formed with a plurality of slits in different phases with each other. The enlarged portion thus comprises a plurality of disc portions connected to each other by connecting portions which remain at the bottoms of the slits, thus to be flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadaaki Watanabe, Yoshio Tanaka