Patent ID: 6843727
Filing Date: 2005-01-18
Classification: F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A flexible coupling assembly adapted for mounting on the ends of a shaft in coaxial alignment, said coupling comprising: a pair of annular hubs, each hub having an outer end, a central bore open to said outer end for receiving an end of a shaft, an inner end facing in an opposite direction of said outer end and facing the inner end of the other hub, said inner end having a circumferential edge in which a plurality of radially outwardly opening receptacles are formed and are spaced around said circumferential edge, and each receptacle is open to the inner end of the hub and substantially aligned with a receptacle formed in the other hub to form a pair of aligned receptacles; a molded flexible belt wrapped around said circumferential edge of both hubs, and having a plurality of spaced resilient teeth extending from one side of said belt, and each tooth is received in a pair of said aligned receptacles, wherein said belt is molded with a length greater than the circumference of said circumferential edge, and said belt is cut to a length such that there is no more than one tooth per pair of receptacles; an annular retainer slipped over said belt to retain said teeth in said receptacles; and at least one pin extending from another side of said belt, wherein said pin is received in a circumferential groove formed on an inner surface of said annular retainer to retain said retainer over said belt.