Patent ID: 6755746
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A coupling apparatus for coupling a tubular exterior shaft with a linear interior shaft arranged coaxially in concentrically spaced relation therein, comprising:(a) first coupling means (ii) connecting said shafts by friction, thereby to normally effect simultaneous rotational movement of said shafts; and (b) second coupling means (12) connecting said shafts for axial and limited rotational displacement relative to each other; (c) said first coupling means including a generally annular longitudinally-slit resilient member (3) formed of metal and arranged concentrically between said exterior and said interior shafts, said resilient member having a generally serpentine cross-sectional configuration defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced alternate internal and external recessed portions in frictional engagement with adjacent surfaces of said exterior and interior shafts, respectively; (d) said second coupling mews being longitudinally arranged relative to said first coupling means and including a plurality of axially-extending circumferentially-spaced first and second splines (21, 22) on said adjacent surfaces of said exterior and interior shafts, respectively, the thickness of said splines being such as to define clearance spaces between cooperating pairs of first and second splines, respectively, thereby to permit limited relative rotational displacement of said shafts, and with the axial displacement of said shafts being resisted by the frictional effect of said first coupling means.