Patent ID: 6524191
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
An inverted coupling for transmitting torque between the generally axially aligned ends of a motor shaft and a gear pinion shaft projecting toward each other from, respectively, a gear box and a motor, the inverted coupling comprising:a pair of center flanges secured to each other and disposed between the respective ends of the motor shaft and the gearbox pinion shaft, each center flange having a center flange bore defined by an annular inner bore surface and a plurality of radially disposed center flange splines projecting inwardly from the annular inner bore surface; a pair of generally cylindrical coupling members with each coupling member mounted to each respective center flange so that the coupling members and center flanges are in axial alignment and each coupling member includes a plurality of radially arranged inner coupling teeth for interengagement with the respective center flange splines, and a plurality of radially disposed outer coupling teeth; a pair of sleeve ring gears with each sleeve ring gear drivingly mounted to each respective coupling member and each sleeve ring gear having an outer facing portion, an inwardly extending flange that defines an interior annular sleeve surface and a plurality of internal ring gear teeth mounted on the interior annular sleeve surface for achieving a driving interconnection with the outer coupling teeth of each respective coupling member; and, each sleeve ring gear being fixedly mounted to, respectively, the end of the motor shaft and the end of the gear pinion shaft whereupon axial displacement of the motor shaft and gear pinion shaft results in the concomitant axial displacement of the sleeve ring gears and the longitudinal movement of the internal ring gears teeth along and in intermeshing engagement with the respective outer coupling teeth of the coupling members.