GB586599A - Improvements relating to flexible couplings - Google Patents

Abstract

586,599. Universal joints. MACBETH, C. March 13, 1945, No. 5174/44. [Class 80 (ii)] A flexible coupling for transmitting rotary motion between a pair of end members b comprises an intermediate rubber or like ring a reinforced by at least one annular body c, such as a sheet metal plate or a laminar body, e.g., of woven wire, which is rigid radially and has at least one edge extending beyond a peripheral portion of the ring, the end faces of the ring being bonded to the rigid end members. The ring a, Fig. 2, has frusto-conical end faces vulcanized or otherwise bonded to complementary metal pressings b constituting the end members which are secured respectively to driving and driven members, while the plate c is also bonded to the contiguous parts of the ring, the bond being strengthened if desired by forming holes d in the plate. To facilitate positioning of the plate during the moulding operation, its inner edge extends inwardly beyond the inner circumference and/or its outer edge beyond the outer circumference of the ring. To protect the ring against the action of oil, a shell e may be formed integrally with or secured to one of the pressings b and extend around the ring. Modifications are shown embodying respectively two and three reinforcing plates and a further construction is shown in which the rubber ring is bonded to castings. In the coupling shown in Fig. 6, the ring a has flat end faces bonded to flat metal pressings b bolted to the driving and driven members g, h, the heads of the bolts i being accommodated in apertures j in the ring.