Improvements in Flexible Couplings or Joints for Toothed Wheel Gearing.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Flexible Couplings or Joints for Toothed Wheel
Gearing.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the firm of G. F. Redfern & Co., the
General Patent Office, No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me by Frederick York Wolseley, of the Union Club, Sydney, in the Colony
of New South Wales, Gentleman), and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention has reference to certain improvements in flexible couplings or
joints for toothed wheel gearing or what are sometimes termed "universal gearing
joints "which allow of flexibility within certain limits in one direction that is
allow of the spindles of the gearings hinging or having radial motion from a straight
or through line towards each other so as to make an acute angle between them.
This invention has been devised so that such flexible coupling or joint may be
easily and quickly put together and locked in such coupled position and may be
likewise easily and quickly unlocked and taken apart.
These improvements in flexible couplings or joints for toothed wheel gearing
consist in the combination and arrangement with the sleeves of the spindles of the
toothed wheels having flanges or heads (to hold and protect such toothed wheels)
of a male and a female lug or knuckles on opposite ends of a widened out part of
the flange or head of each sleeve such lugs or knuckles having recesses or keeps on
the inside of the one and a projection or ward on the inside of the other so that
when two of these couplings are placed closely together the male and female lugs
or knuckles will take one within the other and the keeps and wards thereon be in
juxtaposition and when such couplings so coupled are opened out or the heads
parted on the joint so made they will be locked from uncoupling. The space
occupied by the toothed wheels when they are fixed on the ends of the spindles
inserted in the sleeves necessitates the opening out of the coupling so that when
such wheels are inserted in the flanges or heads the coupling is locked until they
are removed.
But in order that this invention may be clearly understood reference will now
be made to the drawings herewith which show the most approved construction of
this flexible gearing coupling.
Figures 1 and 2 are elevation and section respectively of the flexible gearing
coupling complete.
Figure 3 plan and Figure 4 face view respectively of the same when the coupling
is parted.
Figures 5 and 6 are side and back views respectively.
Figures 7 and 8 are respective sections of the coupling in its locked and unlocked
positions.
The sleeves A and a carry the spindles B and b of crown or coronetted toothed
wheels C and c. These sleeves A and a terminate in flanges or heads A¹ and a¹
having male lugs or knuckles A2 and a² and female lug or knuckle A³ and a³ on
widened out or hinge back A' and a'. The lugs or knuckles have on their inner
faces the keeps A and a and the wards A and a°. The spindles B and b have
shoulders B and 61 at one end and connecting eyes (for universal couplings) at the
other. Toothed wheels C and c are screwed hard against shoulders B' and bor
otherwise fastened to the spindles B and b. The half-couplings are coupled or
hinged together by placing the faces of the flanges or heads A' and a' closely
together which thus brings the male lugs or knuckles A' and a* in juxtaposition
Γ

page_text: with female lugs or knuckles A³ and a³. The formation of hinge backs A and a
allows of each half coupling to move lengthwise relatively to one another or side-
ways relatively to the whole and thus bring such half couplings into the position
shown in Figures 3 and 8 and called the unlocked position because the
wards A and as are in juxtaposition with keeps A' and as although at the same
time disengaged. The heads A' and a¹ being now parted or moved on the hinge
joint formed of lugs or knuckles A' and a the wards A and a travel in
keeps A and a and lock the half couplings into one whole. The spindles B and b
being inserted through sleeves A and a the toothed wheels C and care screwed on
to or otherwise fastened to the ends hard against shoulders B' and 6' and take up
sufficient space within the heads or casings A¹ and a to prevent said heads being
closed into the unlocked position and thus becoming uncoupled. To free or
uncouple this gearing coupling it is only necessary to remove the wheels C and c
(say by unscrewing them) when the heads A¹ and a³ may be closed to the unlocked
position from which a sideways motion will free each half coupling. It will be seen
that rotary motion being communicated to one connecting eye the toothed wheels
convey it to the other eye to which say a sheep-shearing or other machine is attached
and no matter what angle the one spindle C makes with the other spindle c within
certain limits the improved coupling allows of it and is thus flexible.
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
First. In a flexible coupling or joint for toothed wheel gearing the combination
and arrangement with sleeves or bearings for the spindles of the toothed wheels of
flanges or heads having male and female lugs or knuckles adapted to take together
and make two joints or a hinge and to be locked in such hinged position by the
fastening of the toothed wheels on their spindles substantially as herein described
and explained.
Second. In a flexible coupling or joint for toothed wheel gearing the con-
bination and arrangement with a bearing or sleeve such as A having a flange or head
such as A of lugs such as A and A³ hinge back such as A* and keeps and wards
such as A and A substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated
in the drawing.
Third. The combination and arrangement together of all the mechanical
parts forming an improved flexible coupling or joint for toothed wheel gearing
substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in the
drawing.
Dated this Ninth day of March One thousand eight hundred and ninety-one
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.