Patent ID: 6131493
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: B25B,F16B

Abstract:
A torque transmission system comprising male and female clamp members to be engaged with each other for transmitting torque, wherein:the female clamp member has curved inner peripheral surfaces to be engaged with the male clamp member, the curved inner peripheral surfaces having a peripheral outline consisting of circular arcs which circumscribe a first square such that each of the circular arcs contacts a center portion of a corresponding side of the first square;the male clamp member has curved outer peripheral surfaces to be engaged with the female clamp member, the curved outer peripheral surfaces of the male clamp member having a peripheral outline consisting of circular arcs which circumscribe a second square smaller than the first square such that each of the circular arcs of the male clamp member contacts a center portion of a corresponding side of the second square;the relative size of the first square with respect to the second square being selected such that when the female and male members are rotated relative to each other through a predetermined angle, the curved inner peripheral surfaces of the female clamp member contact the curved outer peripheral surfaces of the male clamp member, whereby locking of the female and male clamp members occurs in a predetermined contact position;the curved inner peripheral surfaces of the female clamp member and the curved outer peripheral surfaces of the male clamp member circumscribe a third square in the predetermined contact position in which the locking occurs whereat said first, second, and third squares have a common axis; andthe locking is released when each of the female and male clamp members is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the first-mentioned rotation.