GB444656A - Improvements in and connected with couplings - Google Patents

Abstract

444,656. Universal joints. HAMILL, W. W., Beechcroft, Four Oaks Road, Four Oaks, Warwickshire. June 26, 1934, Nos. 12562 and 16531. [Class 80 (ii)] A universal shaft coupling comprise rubber bodies 5 which share the load positively and are closely seated over substantially the whole of their area excepting that occu pying the clearance space, in complementary cavities in the driving and driven members. Adjustable initial compression is applied to the rubber bodies either by drawing the complementary cavities together or by forming the cavities in one or both members as separate sections such as 8, Figs. 1 and 2, bolted together at 81. The rubber bodies may be spherical, square, cvlindridal or ovoidal, in the last case with the major axis radial or axial. In Figs. 1 and 2, the rubber bodies are loaded in compression, and the cavities are formed in interengaging lugs 1, 2 on the coupled shafts, which lugs may, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18 be further separated by lugs 48, 49 on one or more floating intermediate members 48, 49, 50, also provided with cavities receiving rubber bodies, arranged in two or more groups through which the drive passes in series. In Fig. 29 the rubber bodies are loaded in shear, the driving and driven members 54, 58 being directly connected by one group 80 and also by four groups 59, 60 in a series arrangement including three floating intermediate members 55, 56 and 57. Initial compression is applied by axial bolts 61, which draw together the halves of the outer intermediate member 56, and also loosely engage peripheral notches in the shaft-members 54, 58 to limit the relative movement therebetween. Alternatively axial compression may be applied by a screwed end-ring. In modifications, loosely interfitting lugs and recesses on the coupled members limit the relative movement therebetween. The plane of shear of the rubber bodies may, as shown, be substantially radial or be parallel to the shaft axes. Additional initial compression may be applied to cylindrical rubber bodies by screwed bolts, passing axially through them, and having coned heads and nuts engaging in them, or flat washers engaging their ends. Each rubber body may have a metal or hard rubber core and also an integral or loose externally projecting washer filling the clearance space. Surface recesses may be provided in the rubber bodies and cavities to accommodate the flow of rubber under compression, and the outer ends of the cavities are rounded. A part spherical rubber block 9, Fig. 1, or rubber rings may centre the coupling. The coupling-halves shown in Fig. 1, may be fabricated from sheet metal, in a welded, riveted or bolted assembly, Figs. 31 and 32, (not shown). They may alternatively be of aluminium alloy, bronze or delta-metal, and be sand- or die-cast, forged, or pressed.