Patent ID: 6471436
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A61M,F04B,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A resilient coupling assembly for transmitting a rotational drive force from a first shaft to a second shaft, comprising:(a) a generally elongate elastomeric member having: (i) a first orifice disposed at one end of the elastomeric member and sized to provide an interference fit over the first shaft; and (ii) a second orifice disposed at an opposite end of the elastomeric member and sized to provide an interference fit over the second shaft; and (b) an elongate sleeve having a central opening that is sized to provide an interference fit over an outer surface of the elastomeric member and providing a compressive force against the elastomeric member that retains the elastomeric member on at least one of the first and the second shafts, so that the shafts are coupled together through the elastomeric member; wherein an outer surface of the sleeve comprises a cam surface having a profile that defines a locus of points at a varying radius about a central axis of the elastomeric member; and (c) a link having a generally quadrilateral opening through which the sleeve extends, said link riding against the cam surface of the sleeve as the sleeve rotates.