GB389907A - Improvements relating to resilient couplings - Google Patents

Abstract

389,907. Universal joints. FRASER, R. P., 20, Margravine Gardens, Baron's Court, London. Nov. 17, 1931, Nos. 31892/31 and 704/32. [Class 80 (ii).] A torque-sensitive resilient coupling comprises a circularly disposed group of resiliently deformable strips extending in outwardly peaked form between annular end-members, whereby both relative torsional movement and relative angular movement are permitted between the end-members. The coupling may be formed from a sheet of metal, Fig. 1, provided with end-portions 1 connected by intermediate strips 2 and peaked at 3 so that when the sheet is rolled into cylindrical form and compressed longitudinally, Fig. 3, the strips 2 are outwardly peaked into a spring-bow shape. The strips may be arranged helically between the end members, being formed from the blank shown in Fig. 5, or held in position separately by collars 7, Fig. 6. The strips may be stiffened near their ends with additional leaves. They may be loaded at their centres so as to be sensitive to centrifugal force, one of the end members 1 being splined on its shaft. To prevent the strips from tearing away from the end-members, the slits between them may have circular ends and be tapered away from the ends. Reduction in diameter under torque may be limited by a ring, cage, or ball within the strips or by outwardly flared members 6 which simultaneously shorten the effective length of the strips as the torque increases. Also, the outward deflection near the ends of the strips may be limited by a sleeve, band or flared tube (not shown). The strip portions 2 may be of different lengths on opposite sides of the peaks, those on the driving side being preferably shorter. For heavy work, each spring may be in two parts with spring-bow connecting- pieces. For very light couplings, the strips may be of shellaced paper, for heavier couplings of rubber or the like, and for heavy work of sheet steel.