Improvements in Shaft Couplings.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 5th Sept 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Shaft Couplings.
1, WILLIAM NICHOLSON, of Wilkes-Barre, in the County of Luzerne, and
State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America, Machinist, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to shaft couplings; and it consists in the novel construc-
tion and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the coupling.
Figure 2 is an end view of the coupling.
Figure 3 is a cross-section taken on the line y-y in Figure 1.
:
A A' are the adjacent end portions of two shafts. The coupling consists of two
hubs B B' provided with flanges bb, and C are bolts which pass through the said
flanges and secure them together and to the end portions of the shafts.
The hubs B B' are provided with similar tapered chambers d d', which have
slots e el at their smaller ends. E are double tapered friction keys arranged in
the said slots e e' longitudinally of the coupling, and preferably at equal distances
apart.
When the bolts C are tightened up the keys are simultaneously clamped upon
the end portions of the shafts and hold the said shafts concentric and coupled
together.
In order to ensure against accidental slip, when sudden strains are thrown ou
the coupling, one of the keys E is provided with a longitudinal projection fon its
concave surface which bears against the shafts. This projection is narrower than
the key, and the shoulders f¹ on each side of the projection bear against the shafts
and perform their part, as a friction key, in coupling the shafts and holding them
concentric.
The end portions of the shafts are provided with keyways of the same width as
the projection but deeper than the said projection. The projection engages
sidewise with the keyways and ensures the coupling against slip when sudden
strains come upon the coupling, as neither shaft can elip without first shearing
through the projection f and the key which carries it. If desired, more than one
of the double tapered friction keys can be provided with a projection.
The flange of one hub, such as the flange b, is provided with a ring a¹ which
projects over the other flange so as to hide the opening between the flanges and
prevent dirt from getting into the hubs. Set-screws g are provided for forcing the
two flanges apart when the shafts are to be uncoupled. These set-screws engage
with screwthreaded holes in one flange and bear against the inner face of the other
flange.
Any desired number of friction keys more than two can be used, according to the
size of the shafts to be coupled. These keys are held at the desired distances
apart by the metal at the ends of the hubs between the slots e e'.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. A shaft coupling, comprising two hubs provided with tapered chambers
having slots at their smaller ends, double-tapered friction keys inserted in the said

page_text: chambers and slots, one of the said keys being provided with a projection for
engaging with keyways in the shafts, and means for drawing the said hubs
together, substantially as set forth.
2. A shaft coupling, comprising two hubs provided with flanges, one of which
has a ring projecting over the other flange, and both hubs having tapering chambers
provided with slots at their smaller ends, double-tapered friction keys inserted in
the said chambers and slots, one of the said keys being provided with a projection
for engaging with keyways in the shafts, and means for drawing the said hubs
together, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination, with the end portions of two shafts each provided with a
similar keyway.; of, double-tapered friction keys, one of which is provided with a
projection engaging with both the said keyways; and means for clamping all the
said keys simultaneously upon the said shafts, substantially as set forth.
Dated, this 4th day of August 1896.
WHEATLEY. & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.