Joints and connections – Selectively engageable hub to shaft connection
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-17
2001-06-19
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Selectively engageable hub to shaft connection
C403S033000, C403S359400, C192S069900, C192S11400R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247867
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
This invention relates to a coupling for a driven member and more specifically to a driven member incorporating a coupling that allows for the driven member to be conveniently engaged and disengaged from a drive means.
BACKGROUND
The coupling between a drive and its driven member is exposed to considerable pressures and stresses and as a result frequently requires servicing and/or replacement. Indeed, couplings serve as a link between a drive means and a driven member and are frequently formed of materials such as metal and the like which are responsible for the transfer of considerable stresses, including torsional and vibrational stresses, produced between the coupling and the driven member along the drive train thus resulting in the stressing and wear of the coupling and other parts which can be costly and time consuming to repair or replace.
Further, when a drive is semi-permanently coupled to its corresponding driven member, disengaging the coupling (and as such the engine) from its driven member can be a complex and time consuming task requiring the apparatus to be broken down in order to gain access to the coupling to effect the disengagement.
Another problem with coupling arrangements is running contact which results in the wearing of components due to friction. Running contact during the engagement of the drive means with a driven member is clearly undesirable and can greatly affect the working life of the coupling. Present methods for dealing with the problem of running contact are less than adequate.
SUMMARY
The present invention seeks to provide a coupling means which at least assists in overcoming the difficulties discussed above. The coupling means of the present invention is suitable for use in a variety of applications and is especially applicable in situations where a drive means is required to be disengaged and re-engaged intermittently.
The present invention provides a coupling means for engaging and disengaging a drive means from a driven member, the coupling means comprising a drive means associated portion and a driven member associated portion, at least one of the said associated portions being stress absorbent, and at least one of the said associated portions being moveable relative to the other said associated portion between a first position at which the drive means is disengaged from the driven member and a second position at which the drive means engages the driven member.
The present invention also provides a coupling means adapted for the static engagement and disengagement of a drive means from a driven member, the coupling means comprising a drive means associated portion and a driven member associated portion, at least one of said associated portions being stress absorbent, and at least one of said associated portions being moveable relative to the other said associated portion between a first position at which the drive means is disengaged from the driven member and a second position at which the drive means engages the driven member.
The drive means associated portion may be of various forms. In one preferred form, the drive means associated portion is provided by a stress absorbent coupling member. Preferably, the stress absorbent coupling member is slidably mounted on a shaft forming part of the drive means, such that the coupling member may slide along the shaft to engage and disengage the drive means from the driven member. Alternatively, the stress absorbent coupling member may be fixed on the shaft and the shaft is adapted to be moveable to allow the stress absorbent coupling member to slide in and out of engagement. In yet another alternative, the stress absorbent coupling member may be moved in and out of engagement by moving the entire drive means relative to the driven member.
Preferably, the engagement and disengagement of the drive means from the driven member is achieved by movement of the stress absorbent coupling member relative to either or both of the drive means and driven member. In this respect, the stress absorbent coupling member may be of various forms. In one preferred form, the stress absorbent coupling member is provided by a portion of the driven member. Alternatively, the coupling member may be provided as a portion of the drive means.
It will be appreciated that the stress absorbing capability of the coupling member prevents the transfer of stresses including torsional and vibrational stress to other parts of the drive means and driven member. The stress absorbent coupling member may thus be formed partly or wholly of a variety of materials having stress absorbing qualities. In one particular form, the stress absorbent coupling member is formed at least partially of a rubber material.
Further, the coupling means of the present invention allows for the mechanical isolation of the engageable components. Thus, when the drive means is disengaged from the driven member there is no contact and no wearing of the components.
The driven member associated portion may be of various forms. In one preferred form, the driven member associated portion is provided by a stress absorbent coupling member. Alternatively, the driven member associated portion may be adapted to receive the drive means associated portion in the form of a stress absorbent coupling member.
In the most preferred form of the present invention, the driven member associated portion is a stress absorbent coupling member and the drive means associated portion is adapted to engagedly and releasibly receive the stress absorbent coupling member. Indeed, the following description of the additional preferred features of the present invention will (for ease of reference) refer to this most preferred form. However, it must be appreciated that the following description is not to limit the generality of the above description.
With this in mind the present invention also provides a coupling means adapted for the static engagement and disengagement of a drive means from a driven member, the coupling means comprising a driven member associated portion in the form of a stress absorbent coupling member, a shaft operably connected to the driven member, and an actuating member, the coupling member being slidably mounted on the shaft such that on operation of the actuating member, the coupling member is caused to slide along the shaft between a first position at which the driven member is disengaged from the drive means and a second position at which the driven member engages the drive means.
The shaft may be of various configurations provided it can accommodate the stress absorbent coupling member. In one preferred form, the shaft is splined and the coupling means is mounted on the splined shaft such that on rotation of the shaft the stress absorbent coupling member is also caused to rotate.
The shaft may also incorporate at least one locating means and preferably a first and second locating means. In this preferred form, the locating means are preferably in the form of first and second grooves located around the circumference of the outer surface of the shaft, and the stress absorbent coupling member may incorporate a detent, preferably in the form of a spring and ball bearing arrangement. The detent and locating means allow for the stress absorbent coupling member to be releasably and positively engaged at a first position at which the drive means is disengaged from the driven member and a second position at which the drive means engages the driven member.
The coupling means of the present invention may be provided as a retrofit in which the coupling member is mounted on the shaft of an existing drive means via a sleeve member. Alternatively, the coupling member may be mounted directly on a suitable shaft. In this respect, if the coupling member is to be mounted directly on the shaft of a driven member it may be necessary to replace the original shaft with a shaft that is compatible with the coupling member.
The actuating member is preferably provided by a handle means or the like which may be levered to allow for a small movement of the handle means to cause a relativ
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Norncott Pty Ltd.
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