US20010005693A1 - Drive coupler - Google Patents
Drive coupler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010005693A1 US20010005693A1 US09/779,945 US77994501A US2001005693A1 US 20010005693 A1 US20010005693 A1 US 20010005693A1 US 77994501 A US77994501 A US 77994501A US 2001005693 A1 US2001005693 A1 US 2001005693A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- coupler
- shaft
- connector element
- shafts
- splines
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000002262 irrigation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000003973 irrigation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 2
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002028 premature Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
- F16D3/16—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts
- F16D3/18—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts the coupling parts (1) having slidably-interengaging teeth
- F16D3/185—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts the coupling parts (1) having slidably-interengaging teeth radial teeth connecting concentric inner and outer coupling parts
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- F16D1/00—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements
- F16D1/06—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end
- F16D1/08—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with clamping hub; with hub and longitudinal key
- F16D1/0847—Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end with clamping hub; with hub and longitudinal key with radial clamping due to a radial screw
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B2200/00—Constructional details of connections not covered for in other groups of this subclass
- F16B2200/40—Clamping arrangements where clamping parts are received in recesses of elements to be connected
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S464/00—Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for rotary shafts
- Y10S464/901—Rapid attachment or release
Definitions
- This invention relates to couplers for connecting two shafts together for the purpose of transferring rotational motion from one shaft to the other.
- the coupler has particular application in the agricultural irrigation field where irrigation pipeline support towers have centrally located drive motors for propelling wheels located at the ends of the towers.
- the motor's gear box is connected to worm drives at the wheels by drive shafts.
- Drive couplers are used to connect the drive shaft to both the motor gear box and the worm drives.
- couplers could also be used in other applications where two generally aligned but spaced shafts have to be connected such that rotational motion of one shaft is transferred to the other.
- the invention is particularly concerned with situations where the ends of the shafts remote from the coupler have to be fixed in position prior to installing the coupler. Accordingly, the shafts have no axial movement and perhaps little or no transverse movement available with the result that the coupler has to be installed generally between and/or around the pre-installed shafts.
- Prior art couplers of the above type are known as split couplers and have what might be described as a built-up construction wherein a plurality of arms are placed about the end of a shaft and bolted together. The arms extend beyond the end of the shaft where they intersect with the arms of the opposite shaft or some intervening third part in some sort of engagement.
- a rubber connecting block is involved to accommodate misalignment but this leads to problems with the rubber block adding lots of torsional movement called wind-up, with attendant backlash problems.
- wind-up a major problem with the built-up construction is the high number of components and the large number of fasteners required. The high part count adds to cost and installation time.
- the present invention concerns a coupler for transmitting rotational motion from one shaft to an adjacent but spaced shaft.
- a primary object of the invention is a coupler whose installation can be completed after that of the shafts and with a minimal number of parts.
- Another object of the invention is a coupler of the type described which can accommodate misalignment of the shafts.
- a further object of the invention is a coupler that reduces lost torsional movement or wind-up.
- the coupler has first and second connector elements attached to the ends of the respective shafts.
- the connector elements each include a plurality of splines defining grooves therebetween.
- One set of splines is internal and the other external such that the splines of one connector element fit into the grooves of the other connector element to interlock the connector elements in rotationally-driving relation.
- a sill is attached to the second connector element and defines a pocket into which an end portion of the second shaft can be placed by means of a non-axial relative movement between the sill and second shaft.
- a clamp member is engageable with the sill to enclose the end portion of the second shaft and fix the shaft in rotationally-driving relation with the second connector element.
- the clamp has a lug which fits into a slot formed in an end wall of the second connector element.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a portion of the drive system of an agricultural irrigation machine, showing three of the couplers of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation view of the coupler assembly, showing the clamp both in phantom and solid lines to illustrate its installation procedure.
- FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a wear pad.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a connector element in the form of a male cross piece.
- FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of the cross piece of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a connector element in the form of a female body.
- FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the female body.
- FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a clamp.
- FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the clamp.
- FIG. 1 illustrates the drive coupler 10 of the present invention as applied to the propulsion system of a support tower for an agricultural irrigation machine.
- That system includes an electric motor 12 mounted near the center of the tower and coupled to a gear box 14 .
- the gear box has two output shafts 16 , one on each side of the box.
- Each output shaft 16 is connected by a coupler 10 to a square drive shaft 18 .
- the drive shafts 18 extend to the ends of the tower where they are connected by a coupler 10 to an input shaft 20 of a wheel box 22 (only one of a tower's two wheel boxes in seen in FIG. 1).
- the wheel box 22 includes a worm gear 24 driving a hub 26 to which a wheel (not shown) is attached.
- FIGS. 2 and 3 show the assembly of the coupler 10 .
- the coupler comprises first and second connector elements 28 and 30 in the form of a male cross piece and a female body member.
- the first connector element 28 fits on the end of the square drive shall 18 while the second connector element 30 is fastened to the input shaft 20 .
- the cross piece fits within the body member in interlocking engagement as will be explained below.
- the first and second connector elements are preferably die-cast aluminum, although other materials and fabrication methods are possible.
- Element 28 has a body 32 including four walls 34 and a circular stop or flange 36 at one end.
- the stop 36 has a diameter larger than the outside perimeter of the walls 34 .
- the walls 34 define a central socket 38 .
- the socket extends through the stop 35 but is closed off at the opposite end by an end wall 39 .
- the socket is sized and shaped to receive the drive shaft 18 therein.
- the socket matches the square cross section of the drive shaft.
- the body 32 is retained on the shaft by a cross pin 40 (FIG. 3) which extends through aligned holes 42 in two of the walls 34 and an aligned opening in the end of the shaft 18 .
- the body 32 could be fixed to the shaft by staking, swaging, set screw or other suitable method.
- each spline has a root 46 located at a corner of the intersecting walls 34 .
- the spline extends radially to a distal or free end 48 , giving the element a cross shape when viewed endwise as in FIG. 6.
- FIG. 5 illustrates that each spline extends axially from the stop 36 to a taper or relief 50 at the opposite end of the body.
- the clearances between the mating parts of the coupler, together with the taper 50 permit the coupler to run with a slight misalignment between the shafts.
- the design shown has been found to tolerate between three and five degrees angularity between the shafts.
- the splines 44 define a groove or channel 52 between them.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 Details of the second connector element 30 can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8.
- This connector element includes a cylindrical housing 54 having an open end at 56 and a closed end at wall 58 .
- the wall has an aperture 60 therethrough with a semi-circular bottom edge 62 and an angled top edge 64 .
- the housing 54 defines a cavity into which four internal splines 66 (FIG. 3) extend.
- the splines 66 have an anchor portion 68 and a wear pad or cushion 70 .
- the splines include a root 72 at the anchor and a free end 74 on the pad. Details of the wear pad 70 will be described below.
- the second connector element 30 further includes a sill 76 integrally formed on the wall 58 on the side opposite the housing 54 .
- the sill terminates at a ledge 78 which has a central depression forming a pocket 80 .
- the pocket aligns with and conforms to the shape of the bottom edge 62 of the aperture 60 .
- a bore 82 extends through the ledge 78 at the base of the pocket 80 .
- a clamp 84 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
- the clamp has a body 86 with flat bottom surfaces 88 engageable with the ledge 78 of sill 76 .
- One edge of surfaces 88 is beveled as at 90 to facilitate installation of the clamp.
- a central, semi-circular groove 92 extends through the body. Just above the groove, on one side of the body is an upwardly angled lug 94 .
- the lug has a semi-circular cutout on its underside. The cutout is aligned with the groove 92 .
- the angle of the lug matches the angled top edge 64 of the aperture 60 .
- a bore 96 extends through the body of the clamp for receiving a retention bolt 98 (FIG. 2).
- Bolt 98 also extends through a hole in the input shaft 20 and through the bore 82 in the sill. It is held in place by a nut 104 .
- the wear pads or cushions 70 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each pad has a pair of legs 100 which define a channel 102 in the shape of the anchor 68 . Thus, the pads 70 slide lengthwise onto an anchor 68 as best seen in FIG. 3.
- the pads are preferably made of urethane having a Shore D 75 durometer. The pads leave a space between them which is just wide enough to accept a spline 44 of the cross piece 28 in a snug fit.
- the channels 52 have a size and shape that receives the splines 66 in interlocking engagement.
- Two of the second connector elements 30 are prepared by sliding a wear pad 70 onto each of the anchors 68 .
- the second connector elements are then placed over the first connector elements such that the cross piece 28 fits into the housing 54 with the splines of one element engaging the grooves of the other as best seen in FIG. 3. That is, splines 66 of housing 54 fit into the grooves 52 of the cross piece 28 and the splines 44 of the cross piece fit into the spaces between the pads 70 .
- the stop 36 of the cross piece 28 will engage the pads 70 to prevent them from working off of the anchors 68 .
- the assembly can be placed between the gear box 14 and wheel box 22 .
- the shaft 18 is lifted transversely to shaft 20 so that shaft 20 settles into the pocket 80 of the sill 76 .
- the shaft 20 is rotated so its bore aligns with the bore 82 in sill 76 .
- the clamp 84 is placed over shaft 20 . This is done by first tipping the clamp as shown in phantom in FIG. 2. Tipping the clamp allows the lug 94 to clear the top edge 64 of aperture 60 . The clamp is then rotated as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2.
- the clamp can also slide (to the right in FIG. 2) to fully seat the lug 94 in the aperture 60 in an interference fit.
- Bevel 90 provides clearance from the ledge 78 as this movement proceeds.
- the retention bolt 98 is placed through bore 82 , shaft 20 and bore 96 . Tightening the nut 104 locks the second connector element 30 onto shaft 20 .
- the clamp and sill fit tightly about shaft 20 .
- the clearance for the bolt 98 in bores 82 and 96 is minimized so that the bolt is not subjected to backlash that could otherwise lead to premature fatigue failure of the bolt.
- One of the advantages of the coupler of the present invention is the single bolt locking method. Only bolt 98 is required to lock the clamp 84 on the sill. This reduces the number of parts and allows for relatively quick installation of the coupler.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 09/143,981.
- This invention relates to couplers for connecting two shafts together for the purpose of transferring rotational motion from one shaft to the other. The coupler has particular application in the agricultural irrigation field where irrigation pipeline support towers have centrally located drive motors for propelling wheels located at the ends of the towers. The motor's gear box is connected to worm drives at the wheels by drive shafts. Drive couplers are used to connect the drive shaft to both the motor gear box and the worm drives. Of course couplers could also be used in other applications where two generally aligned but spaced shafts have to be connected such that rotational motion of one shaft is transferred to the other. Additionally, it is quite often desirable that the coupler be able to tolerate some degree of misalignment between the shafts. Misalignment usually takes the form of the shafts not being parallel to one another.
- The invention is particularly concerned with situations where the ends of the shafts remote from the coupler have to be fixed in position prior to installing the coupler. Accordingly, the shafts have no axial movement and perhaps little or no transverse movement available with the result that the coupler has to be installed generally between and/or around the pre-installed shafts.
- Prior art couplers of the above type are known as split couplers and have what might be described as a built-up construction wherein a plurality of arms are placed about the end of a shaft and bolted together. The arms extend beyond the end of the shaft where they intersect with the arms of the opposite shaft or some intervening third part in some sort of engagement. Sometimes a rubber connecting block is involved to accommodate misalignment but this leads to problems with the rubber block adding lots of torsional movement called wind-up, with attendant backlash problems. In addition to wind-up, a major problem with the built-up construction is the high number of components and the large number of fasteners required. The high part count adds to cost and installation time.
- The present invention concerns a coupler for transmitting rotational motion from one shaft to an adjacent but spaced shaft. A primary object of the invention is a coupler whose installation can be completed after that of the shafts and with a minimal number of parts.
- Another object of the invention is a coupler of the type described which can accommodate misalignment of the shafts.
- A further object of the invention is a coupler that reduces lost torsional movement or wind-up.
- These and other objects which may become apparent in the following specification are realized by a coupler for connecting first and second shafts. The coupler has first and second connector elements attached to the ends of the respective shafts. The connector elements each include a plurality of splines defining grooves therebetween. One set of splines is internal and the other external such that the splines of one connector element fit into the grooves of the other connector element to interlock the connector elements in rotationally-driving relation. A sill is attached to the second connector element and defines a pocket into which an end portion of the second shaft can be placed by means of a non-axial relative movement between the sill and second shaft. A clamp member is engageable with the sill to enclose the end portion of the second shaft and fix the shaft in rotationally-driving relation with the second connector element. The clamp has a lug which fits into a slot formed in an end wall of the second connector element.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a portion of the drive system of an agricultural irrigation machine, showing three of the couplers of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation view of the coupler assembly, showing the clamp both in phantom and solid lines to illustrate its installation procedure.
- FIG. 3 is a section taken along line3-3 of FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a wear pad.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a connector element in the form of a male cross piece.
- FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of the cross piece of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a connector element in the form of a female body.
- FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the female body.
- FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a clamp.
- FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the clamp.
- FIG. 1 illustrates the
drive coupler 10 of the present invention as applied to the propulsion system of a support tower for an agricultural irrigation machine. That system includes an electric motor 12 mounted near the center of the tower and coupled to agear box 14. The gear box has twooutput shafts 16, one on each side of the box. Eachoutput shaft 16 is connected by acoupler 10 to asquare drive shaft 18. Thedrive shafts 18 extend to the ends of the tower where they are connected by acoupler 10 to aninput shaft 20 of a wheel box 22 (only one of a tower's two wheel boxes in seen in FIG. 1). Thewheel box 22 includes aworm gear 24 driving ahub 26 to which a wheel (not shown) is attached. - FIGS. 2 and 3 show the assembly of the
coupler 10. Generally, the coupler comprises first andsecond connector elements first connector element 28 fits on the end of the square drive shall 18 while thesecond connector element 30 is fastened to theinput shaft 20. The cross piece fits within the body member in interlocking engagement as will be explained below. The first and second connector elements are preferably die-cast aluminum, although other materials and fabrication methods are possible. - Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, details of the
first connector element 28 will be described.Element 28 has abody 32 including fourwalls 34 and a circular stop orflange 36 at one end. As seen in FIG. 6, thestop 36 has a diameter larger than the outside perimeter of thewalls 34. Thewalls 34 define acentral socket 38. The socket extends through the stop 35 but is closed off at the opposite end by anend wall 39. The socket is sized and shaped to receive thedrive shaft 18 therein. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment the socket matches the square cross section of the drive shaft. Thebody 32 is retained on the shaft by a cross pin 40 (FIG. 3) which extends through alignedholes 42 in two of thewalls 34 and an aligned opening in the end of theshaft 18. Alternately thebody 32 could be fixed to the shaft by staking, swaging, set screw or other suitable method. - Extending from the
body 32 are foursplines 44. Each spline has aroot 46 located at a corner of the intersectingwalls 34. The spline extends radially to a distal orfree end 48, giving the element a cross shape when viewed endwise as in FIG. 6. FIG. 5 illustrates that each spline extends axially from thestop 36 to a taper orrelief 50 at the opposite end of the body. The clearances between the mating parts of the coupler, together with thetaper 50, permit the coupler to run with a slight misalignment between the shafts. The design shown has been found to tolerate between three and five degrees angularity between the shafts. Thesplines 44 define a groove orchannel 52 between them. - Details of the
second connector element 30 can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. This connector element includes acylindrical housing 54 having an open end at 56 and a closed end atwall 58. The wall has anaperture 60 therethrough with asemi-circular bottom edge 62 and an angledtop edge 64. Thehousing 54 defines a cavity into which four internal splines 66 (FIG. 3) extend. Thesplines 66 have ananchor portion 68 and a wear pad orcushion 70. The splines include aroot 72 at the anchor and afree end 74 on the pad. Details of thewear pad 70 will be described below. - The
second connector element 30 further includes asill 76 integrally formed on thewall 58 on the side opposite thehousing 54. The sill terminates at aledge 78 which has a central depression forming apocket 80. The pocket aligns with and conforms to the shape of thebottom edge 62 of theaperture 60. A bore 82 extends through theledge 78 at the base of thepocket 80. - A
clamp 84 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The clamp has abody 86 with flatbottom surfaces 88 engageable with theledge 78 ofsill 76. One edge ofsurfaces 88 is beveled as at 90 to facilitate installation of the clamp. A central,semi-circular groove 92 extends through the body. Just above the groove, on one side of the body is an upwardlyangled lug 94. The lug has a semi-circular cutout on its underside. The cutout is aligned with thegroove 92. The angle of the lug matches the angledtop edge 64 of theaperture 60. A bore 96 extends through the body of the clamp for receiving a retention bolt 98 (FIG. 2).Bolt 98 also extends through a hole in theinput shaft 20 and through thebore 82 in the sill. It is held in place by anut 104. - The wear pads or cushions70 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each pad has a pair of
legs 100 which define achannel 102 in the shape of theanchor 68. Thus, thepads 70 slide lengthwise onto ananchor 68 as best seen in FIG. 3. The pads are preferably made of urethane having a Shore D 75 durometer. The pads leave a space between them which is just wide enough to accept aspline 44 of thecross piece 28 in a snug fit. Similarly, thechannels 52 have a size and shape that receives thesplines 66 in interlocking engagement. - The use, operation and function of the coupler are as follows. A common situation encountered in assembly of drive couplers is the need to assemble a portion of the drive train in between two components of the drive train which are already fixed in position. In terms of the drive system of FIG. 1, such a situation would arise when the
gear box 14 andwheel box 22 are mounted first and thedrive shaft 18 has to be inserted between them. Thedrive coupler 10 permits this to be done through the following assembly sequence. Two of thefirst connector elements 28 are attached to the ends of thedrive shaft 18 by inserting the shaft into thesocket 38 and placing thecross pin 40 throughholes 42. This locks thecross pieces 28 on theshaft 18. - Two of the
second connector elements 30 are prepared by sliding awear pad 70 onto each of theanchors 68. The second connector elements are then placed over the first connector elements such that thecross piece 28 fits into thehousing 54 with the splines of one element engaging the grooves of the other as best seen in FIG. 3. That is, splines 66 ofhousing 54 fit into thegrooves 52 of thecross piece 28 and thesplines 44 of the cross piece fit into the spaces between thepads 70. Thestop 36 of thecross piece 28 will engage thepads 70 to prevent them from working off of theanchors 68. - With the first and
second connector elements drive shaft 18, the assembly can be placed between thegear box 14 andwheel box 22. Considering the coupler near the wheel box, theshaft 18 is lifted transversely toshaft 20 so thatshaft 20 settles into thepocket 80 of thesill 76. Then theshaft 20 is rotated so its bore aligns with thebore 82 insill 76. Next theclamp 84 is placed overshaft 20. This is done by first tipping the clamp as shown in phantom in FIG. 2. Tipping the clamp allows thelug 94 to clear thetop edge 64 ofaperture 60. The clamp is then rotated as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2. As the clamp rotates it can also slide (to the right in FIG. 2) to fully seat thelug 94 in theaperture 60 in an interference fit.Bevel 90 provides clearance from theledge 78 as this movement proceeds. Once thegroove 92 of the clamp engages theshaft 20, theretention bolt 98 is placed throughbore 82,shaft 20 and bore 96. Tightening thenut 104 locks thesecond connector element 30 ontoshaft 20. The clamp and sill fit tightly aboutshaft 20. The clearance for thebolt 98 inbores - It will be understood that in cases where
shaft 18 has sufficient flexibility it may be possible to connect a coupler at one end of theshaft 18 first and then finish the connection at the other end. Alternately, both ends of theshaft 18 could be lifted into place and clamped onto their respective adjoining shafts simultaneously. The important point is thecouplers 10 allow theshaft 18 to be lifted into position even though the axial position of shafts, 16 and 20 is essentially fixed. Some axial adjustment of the length of the drive train is afforded by varying the depth to which thecross piece 28 extends into thehousing 54. - One of the advantages of the coupler of the present invention is the single bolt locking method. Only bolt98 is required to lock the
clamp 84 on the sill. This reduces the number of parts and allows for relatively quick installation of the coupler. - While a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, it will be realized that alterations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the following claims.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/779,945 US6343992B2 (en) | 1998-08-31 | 2001-02-09 | Driver coupler |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/143,981 US6231450B1 (en) | 1998-08-31 | 1998-08-31 | Drive coupler |
US09/779,945 US6343992B2 (en) | 1998-08-31 | 2001-02-09 | Driver coupler |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/143,981 Continuation US6231450B1 (en) | 1998-08-31 | 1998-08-31 | Drive coupler |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010005693A1 true US20010005693A1 (en) | 2001-06-28 |
US6343992B2 US6343992B2 (en) | 2002-02-05 |
Family
ID=22506547
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/143,981 Expired - Fee Related US6231450B1 (en) | 1998-08-31 | 1998-08-31 | Drive coupler |
US09/779,945 Expired - Lifetime US6343992B2 (en) | 1998-08-31 | 2001-02-09 | Driver coupler |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/143,981 Expired - Fee Related US6231450B1 (en) | 1998-08-31 | 1998-08-31 | Drive coupler |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6231450B1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8430188B2 (en) | 2006-12-11 | 2013-04-30 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle |
US8801115B2 (en) | 2008-12-09 | 2014-08-12 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle |
US9643667B2 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2017-05-09 | A.S.V., Llc | Conversion system for a wheeled vehicle |
CN107228135A (en) * | 2016-03-25 | 2017-10-03 | 宝山钢铁股份有限公司 | A kind of circulating pump yielding coupling device |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3953290B2 (en) * | 2001-09-18 | 2007-08-08 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Ship coupler mounting structure |
US20040131419A1 (en) * | 2003-01-03 | 2004-07-08 | Multiquip, Inc. | Articulating spline |
US20070131806A1 (en) * | 2003-02-07 | 2007-06-14 | Don Starr | Tire assembly support frame for irrigation systems |
US20040195408A1 (en) * | 2003-02-07 | 2004-10-07 | Donald Starr | Tire assembly support frame for irrigation systems |
US7329189B2 (en) * | 2005-01-27 | 2008-02-12 | Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Flex drive connector |
US20070142117A1 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2007-06-21 | Lear Corporation | Shaft to socket connection having an interference fit |
CN101178097B (en) * | 2007-11-19 | 2010-04-14 | 苏州市飞龙联轴器传动工程有限公司 | Combined special-shaped diaphragm flexible shaft coupling |
JP2009262767A (en) * | 2008-04-25 | 2009-11-12 | Yamaha Motor Co Ltd | Craft |
US8257184B1 (en) | 2008-09-05 | 2012-09-04 | Universal Motion Components Co. Inc. | Driveline coupler |
US8292150B2 (en) | 2010-11-02 | 2012-10-23 | Tyco Healthcare Group Lp | Adapter for powered surgical devices |
DE102012109887A1 (en) * | 2011-10-20 | 2013-05-08 | Johnson Electric S.A. | clutch |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1378319A (en) * | 1921-05-17 | Lathe-chttce | ||
US519454A (en) * | 1894-05-08 | Robert j | ||
US1137290A (en) * | 1913-09-02 | 1915-04-27 | Appleton Mach | Shaft-coupling. |
US1274254A (en) * | 1918-02-18 | 1918-07-30 | William Alfred Fleek | Shaft-coupling. |
US1953063A (en) * | 1931-01-21 | 1934-04-03 | Deere & Co | Detachable power take-off |
US2380113A (en) * | 1943-04-12 | 1945-07-10 | Farrel Birmingham Co Inc | Flexible coupling |
US2444922A (en) * | 1945-03-05 | 1948-07-13 | Hartford Nat Bank & Trust Co | Means for connecting a driven member to a shaft |
US2552149A (en) * | 1949-05-27 | 1951-05-08 | Gen Electric | Junction box cable connector |
US2659219A (en) * | 1949-06-30 | 1953-11-17 | Fiat Spa | Resilient joint for transmission shafts of motor vehicles |
US3013411A (en) * | 1960-04-12 | 1961-12-19 | Gunnar A Wahlmark | Gear type constant velocity joint |
US3094853A (en) * | 1961-12-15 | 1963-06-25 | Gomma Antivibranti Applic | Flexible transmission coupling |
US3298197A (en) * | 1964-09-29 | 1967-01-17 | Roth Leo | Readily disengageable coupling |
US4787878A (en) * | 1986-07-28 | 1988-11-29 | Nikkel Lee F | High torque cushion drive coupling |
US6155743A (en) * | 1998-12-09 | 2000-12-05 | Tay-E Co., Ltd. | Anchoring fixture for holding a musical instrument |
-
1998
- 1998-08-31 US US09/143,981 patent/US6231450B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-02-09 US US09/779,945 patent/US6343992B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8430188B2 (en) | 2006-12-11 | 2013-04-30 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle |
US8827013B2 (en) | 2006-12-11 | 2014-09-09 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle |
US9079614B2 (en) | 2006-12-11 | 2015-07-14 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle |
US9180910B2 (en) | 2006-12-11 | 2015-11-10 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle |
US9352776B2 (en) | 2006-12-11 | 2016-05-31 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle |
US9643667B2 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2017-05-09 | A.S.V., Llc | Conversion system for a wheeled vehicle |
US8801115B2 (en) | 2008-12-09 | 2014-08-12 | Vermeer Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle |
CN107228135A (en) * | 2016-03-25 | 2017-10-03 | 宝山钢铁股份有限公司 | A kind of circulating pump yielding coupling device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6231450B1 (en) | 2001-05-15 |
US6343992B2 (en) | 2002-02-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6343992B2 (en) | Driver coupler | |
US5603594A (en) | Fastener retention system | |
AU594514B2 (en) | Hingeable segmented pipe coupling | |
US6533697B2 (en) | One piece differential bearing adjuster lock and fastener | |
JP3294619B2 (en) | Split-type fittings that limit adjustment problems | |
US4938731A (en) | Rotatable, self-aligning lobe coupling | |
US4473317A (en) | Anti-backlash mechanism for a spline connection | |
US20100119301A1 (en) | Device for the rotationally fixed connection of a pin gearbox to an articulated body of a drive coupling of a drive shaft | |
US6322282B1 (en) | Shaft to actuator hub adapter | |
US20030159536A1 (en) | Steering shaft coupling for automotive vehicle | |
DE102006009740A1 (en) | Motor / generator | |
EP0194032A1 (en) | Securing means | |
DE112015002170T5 (en) | Coupling method for electric adjuster | |
EP0098777A2 (en) | Coupling arrangement for driving and driven members | |
US3513712A (en) | Power take-off assembly | |
EP1182371A2 (en) | Tapered polygon coupling | |
KR100853326B1 (en) | Shaft coupling | |
US4411550A (en) | Torque transmitting coupling | |
US8070376B2 (en) | System for connecting a shaft to a joint | |
US6364777B1 (en) | Torque-transmitting connecting arrangement | |
US20020037117A1 (en) | Lock structure of spherical bearing and lock method thereof | |
US5806161A (en) | Shaft spline alignment tool | |
US6106187A (en) | Torque transmitting device for transmitting torque without play between a shaft and a body complementary thereto | |
US5042332A (en) | Angularly displaced pin coupling | |
US5836713A (en) | Coupling mechanism for establishing an involute spline connection |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LINDSAY CORPORATION,NEBRASKA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:LINDSAY MANUFACTURING CO.;REEL/FRAME:019147/0628 Effective date: 20061211 Owner name: LINDSAY CORPORATION, NEBRASKA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:LINDSAY MANUFACTURING CO.;REEL/FRAME:019147/0628 Effective date: 20061211 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |