Patent ID: 9447823
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: B23B,F16D,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A rotary connector for clamping an axle of a machine, the rotary connector comprising: a sleeve body having an inner surface, the inner surface having a plurality of clamping surfaces separated by expansion regions, the clamping surfaces being generally planar in a relaxed configuration, while the expansion regions having an arcuate shape in the relaxed configuration with a greater radius from a rotational axis of the axle than the clamping surfaces, such that the clamping surfaces are adapted to contact the axle for securing the axle, while the expansion regions are adapted to not contact the axle in the relaxed configuration; wherein the expansion regions are only connected to the clamping surfaces via levers between the clamping surfaces and the expansion regions; a plurality of spokes that extend radially outwards from the sleeve body, wherein the spokes at their radially inner end only connect to the expansion regions, and the spokes and the expansion regions are only connected to the clamping surfaces via the levers; a plurality of masses that are each connected only to a radially outer end of one of the spokes, and do not otherwise connect to the sleeve body, the masses being separated from each other by radial gaps, and from the sleeve body by azimuthal gaps; and wherein each of the masses extends circumferentially around the adjacent clamping surfaces such that the plurality of masses together form a generally annular shape, with each of the masses having a symmetry that is centered on the one of the spokes to which it is connected so that each of the plurality of masses exerts a force on the one of the spokes that is only directed radially outward when the rotary connector is rotating, thereby causing the levers to press the clamping surfaces against the axle.