A New or Improved Coupling, and its Application to Vices, Revolving Shafts, Traction Rods, and Analogous Objects.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 20th June, 1890
A New or Improved Coupling, and its Application to Vices,
Revolving Shafts, Traction Rods, and Analogous Objects.
I, JOHANN BRANDNER, Manufacturer, of Regensburg, Bavaria, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its primary object, to bring the thread of a screw nut rapidly.
into, and out of gear with that of the spindle.
For this purpose, the nut consists of two halves or cheeks, each of which is pivoted
on a separate stud or pin parallel to the axis of the nut; but so that the two pins are
diametrically opposite each other.
Each cheek or half has two parallel contact faces situated on opposite sides
of the screw spindle and at a right angle to the line that connects the two
pivots.
The latter are fixed in a disc or base plate which also serves as a bearing or guide
for the spindle. One of the two jaws is provided with a radial lever, the weight of
which tends to keep the jaws in contact with the spindle.
When the lever is lifted, it turns on the pivot of the jaw; the contact face which is
furthest from the lever presses on the contiguous contact face of the other jaw, in
consequence of which the latter turns on its pivot, so that both cheeks will get out
of gear with the screw thread of the spindle. When the jaws are entirely closed, the
contact faces touch each other along their entire length, and when they are
entirely open, a small part of each face lies flat upon a part of the contiguous.
face; but, in certain intermediate positions, they only slide upon each other with their
edges:
If the lever is allowed to drop into its closing position, the nearest contact face of
its half or cheek presses upon the contiguous contact face of the other half until both
cheeks are closed.
The adjustment of the cheeks may, however, be effected by a special ring which is
provided with a lever, and adapted to turn concentrically to the spindle.
Each of the two cheeks has an eccentrically curved projection or cam, and the ring
has on its face a pair of pius or studs, which slide over the cam or eccentric projection,
when the ring is turned.
In the case of a parallel vice, the coupling would be situated immediately behind
the rear jaw of the vice through which the screw spindle passes freely, the screw nut
being not used generally for shifting the spindle, but only to produce the necessary
final adjustment and pressure.
Or the motion of the jaws may be produced by means of a pair of eccentric
ledges formed on the flat face of the jaws, and a pair of guides (single or double;
for instance two pairs of guide pins), mounted on a lever adapted to turn
concentrically to the axis of the screw spindle; whereby the side guides slide over
the said ledges and expand or compress. the coupling. The latter function may be
assisted or performed by springs.
In the case of shaft couplings, one of the two shaft-ends would carry, instead of a
muff, the circular base plate, from the face of which project the two bolts serving as
pivots for the two cheeks of the screw nut.
The screw spindle would be formed of a sleeve mounted on the other shaft, and,
adapted to slide thereon, by means of groove and feather.
may be held together by springs.
which are adapted to come in contact
ledges formed on a disengaging lever.
movable sleeve.
The two movable cheeks
These may be provided with projections,
with, and to slide over, eccentrically curved
A second lever is employed for, shifting the

page_text: The eccentric ledges may, however, be formed on the cheeks and the concentric
projections on the disengaging lever, if preferred.
Instead of forming screw threads on the sleeve and the cheeks, they may be provided
with a series of circular grooves and projections fitting over each other; in which case
the power would be transmitted by friction only, which friction is produced between
the grooves and the projections.
This modification may be applied in the case of traction rods; for instance, piston-
rods..
On the face of the flanges or rams would be mounted the two movable cheeks, and
behind the same, the ring which carries the driving pins. The end of the rod situated
between the cheeks would be provided with one or more circular grooves into which
the cheeks would be fitted.
Instead of pins serving as pivots, I may employ noses formed on the cheeks and
resting against similar noses formed on the circular disc and pressed against them by
circularly curved springs.
Dated this 19th day of June 1889.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Coupling, and its Application to Vices,
Revolving Shafts, Traction Rods, and Analogous Objects.
I, JOHANN BRANDNER, Manufacturer, of Regensburg, Bavaria, 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 is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 to 47, and has
for its primary object, to bring the thread of a screw-nut rapidly into and out of gear
with that of the. spindle.
Fig. 1 represents several consecutive opening positions, and Fig. 2 an equal number
of consecutive closing positions of the coupling, by means of variously dotted lines
which are marked with corresponding figures.
In order to ensure that the nut takes well into the threads of the spindle, but can
be rapidly released, when required, the nut consists of a cheek A adapted to turn on a
pin secured to the base plate B serving to guide the spindle, and of a cheek C
connected with lever hand likewise pivoted to the piece B by means of a pin b. The
lever can be moved with ease and exerts (by its own weight) a downward pressure,
when the nut is closed. The cheek A has a pair of straight faces d and f, and the
cheek C has a pair of corresponding faces and fl, Figs. 3 and 4.
These faces d, d¹ and f, f¹ act upon each other in the following manner:-
If lever is lifted, it pivots on pin b, while the edge or extremity of the face
(Figs. 1 and 3) acts on the face of the cheek A, and exerts a pressure on the same,
so that it turns on the pin 11. whereby both cheeks A and C are set out of gear with
the thread of the spindle. The fulcras a and b are arranged on opposite sides of the
centre line N, N, Fig. 3, in consequence of which the faces d, & f f actually slide
upon each other in such a manner, that in certain positions, as shown by the diagram
Fig. 1, only the edges or extreme ends are in contact, while in the opening or closing
position, the faces are parallel to each other (Figs. 1 and 2.)
If the lever is allowed to drop into its previous position, the face fl presses on the
outer edge of the face f of the cheek A, until the two parts A and C enclose the
spindle D. The motion of the lever therefore puts the cheeks simultaneously and
completely into gear with the thread of the spindle, and sets them out of gear in the
same manner; the accidental escape of the nut A, C from the spindle is prevented by
the weight of the lever h.
This security may be increased by providing the spindle D with a flat or a trapezoidal
screw thread.

page_text: In order that the cheeks A and C are not moved apart simply by means of the
contact faces d, d, f, f¹, acting upon each other as in Figs. 1 to 4. The said cheeks
may be armed with curved projections or cams m, Figs. 5 and 6, and a ring E is
mounted on the spindle or on the disc-supporting the cheeks, and adapted to turn
thereon, which ring has resistances n in the shape of pins, claws, studs etc. adapted to
act on the said cams m.
If the pins n (Fig. 5) situated in front of the cams m. are moved against the
cams m by turning the ring E, in the direction indicated in Fig. 5 by the arrow, the
cheeks A and C pivot on the centres a and b and are thereby released from D, as
shown by Fig. 6.
This type of disengaging gear is applicable to dynamic screw spindles, such as are
used in lathes, boring machines etc.
Figs. 14 to 18 illustrate its application to a parallel vice G. The movable half or
cheek H of this vice is separated from the spindle D by the disengaging device so
that it may be moved freely until the screw nut is applied, after which the half H can
be tightened by the spindle D, but need not be moved by the same during its whole
travel.
Figs. 7 and 8 show another method of operating the cheeks A and C.
In this case
the latter are provided with excentric ledges or strips 2, which are in contact with
concentrically movable guides o secured to a handle L, so that by turning the latter,
the cheeks may be pressed together or drawn apart. The former motion may be
assisted by springs k, and must be effected by the latter alone, if the guide pins are
only adapted to press the cheeks apart.
Figs. 7 and 8, however, show a double acting guide consisting of a handle L,
adapted to turn around the spindle and carrying duplex pins, o, o, adapted to slide on
the inner and outer surface of the ledges 2. In Figs. 9 and 10 the handle L carrying
the pins o, is shown separately.
This latter arrangement, in conjunction with that shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is
especially applicable to shaft couplings, as shown by Figs. 19 to 24.
Figs. 11 to 13 illustrate a method of coupling a piston with the piston rod by means
of a pair of expansible cheeks A and C which fit like two half collars over a neck D
turned into the piston rod. If the two cheeks are placed apart (Fig. 13), they allow
the piston rod to slide in and out, while the piston remains stationary. If the cheeks
are placed close together, so as to grip the neck D, Figs. 11 and 12, .they force the
piston to follow the to and fro motion of the piston rod. The cheeks A and C are
pivoted to a pair of pius or bolts a b which project over the face of the piston and
are fixed to the latter. The same pins pass also through the cover plate B (Fig. 11)
and serve to secure the same to the piston. This cover plate prevents the axial
motion of the piston in one direction independently of the piston, and serves also as a
guide for the cheeks during their pivotal motion. As the cheeks A and C project
radially over the face of the piston, they serve also as a guide and support to the
ring E, which has the same function as in the couplings already described.
The coupling shown by Figs. 19 to 24 is constructed as follows:-
On the driving shaft g is mounted a disc E, provided with bolts a and b which
serve as pivots for the cheeks A and C. The latter are connected with a screw
muff secured to the driven shaft by groove and feather.
If the cheeks A and C, which may be held together by springs k, take into the
screw muff F, the latter is gradually shifted towards the disc E and thereby the
shaft driven without shock. The cheeks A and C have projections m and are
controlled by a disengaging lever M, which carries ledges and surrounds the
cheeks. When the coupling is in gear, Figs. 19 to 21, the ledges are out of
contact with the projections m, and the cheeks A and C are pressed together by the
springs k. When the coupling is disengaged, Figs. 22 to 24, the ledges overlap or
cover the projections m, and keep them apart, Fig. 22. The lever N, serves to move
the muff F forward and backward, after the parts have been uncoupled and before
they are coupled together.
?

page_text: This coupling device may be modified by providing the cheeks A and C with
excentric ledges p and the lever with concentric projections by which the cheeks are
pressed apart when pressure is exerted on the lever.
In this case the fever may at the same time act on the screw muff F, and one of
the levers M and N or both may be omitted.
Figs. 25 to 47 show various modifications, which partly supplement, and partly,
extend the previous types. These modifications, which can only be employed with
the special coupling cheeks (A and C) described above are a supplement in as much
as they show, that the said cheeks are not only used in frictional couplings for shafts,
but by means of special mechanisms, also as traction or draw bar couplings, clamping
devices and as a screw coupling.
The construction, arrangement and mode of action of the individual parts
necessary for these mechanisms is shown by the drawings and the following
description; ;-
Figs. 25 to 33 illustrate the application of my invention to a friction coupling, al is
the driving shaft carrying a friction cone A¹ adapted to slide thereon and guided by
groove and feather. The face of the friction cone A' is bevelled off and forms in
conjunction with the lenticular disc B¹ the bearing for the expansible driving or
coupling cheeks C¹ C¹, which are not pivoted on pins, but capable of turning on the
edges e, Figs. 25, 27, and 30. The coupling cheeks have projections c, shown
in Figs. 26, 28, 31 and 33, by means of which the coupling ring R, Figs. 26, 28,
The
and 33, is caused to act on the coupling cheeks, or on the friction cone A¹.
lenticular disc B' is mounted on the driving shaft a¹ and adapted to slide on the
same, its object being to act as an abutment for the friction cone A¹, in transmitting
the power upon the driven shaft b¹. The angle or the degree of conicity of the
disc Band of the friction cone may, of course, be varied. Instead of the friction
cone A¹ I may employ a disc similar to B', but with greater diameter. The effect is
the same in all cases. The cheeks C¹ C₁ are acted upon by springs fil secured to
the box D¹. The mechanism acts as follows:-
The
Supposing the shaft is to be coupled to the driving shaft a¹ which revolves in
the direction of the arrow, Figs. 26 and 28, the ring R is mounted on the coupling
sleeve D' and adapted to slide thereon, by means of disengaging lever E', in such a
manner, that the teeth of the ring I are placed within the reach of the
projections cc, of the cheeks C¹ C¹ or out of their reach. In the act of coupling the
shaft, the ring R is moved away from the projections cc, (as indicated by
the arrow Fig. 26), this shifting of the coupling ring has the following effect.
expansible checks C C¹ become free and are able to follow the action of the
springs ff, the said cheeks approach each other, and the annular projections g¹
of the same enter between the face of the friction cone A¹ and the lenticular disc B'.
The springs f" fl exert a pressure, owing to the influence of the shaft a the
friction increases up to a limit corresponding to the magnitude of the power to be
transmitted. During this operation the two shafts are coupled together safely but
without any shock. The uncoupling takes place likewise without shock, and with the
same safety and speed.
The ring R is shifted towards the projections c c of the expansible cheeks (as shown
by the arrow in Fig. 28). The teeth of the ring R enter gradually
underneath the projections c c of the expanding cheeks, and press the latter
gradually apart, that is the expanding cheeks, only one of which need be operated
upon by a tooth, open and leave the annular space situated between the face of the
friction cone and the lenticular disc B¹, in consequence of the driven shaft ceases
to receive power and comes
of the
stand still, until after the release
a
projections cc, the expanding cheeks are again closed together and the two shafts are
coupled together by friction. The strains on the individual parts of the coupling
The
mechanism are very small, and the wear and tear therefore quite insignificant.
operation of coupling as well as that of uncoupling is quite smooth and free from
shock. The box D" has a smooth surface and can therefore be used as a belt pulley.
to

page_text: Owing to the absence of shocks, even in transmitting large forces, the coupling may
for instance, be used in the case of rolling mills.
n.
Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show a method of connecting a pump-piston with the piston-
rod. In this case, the piston is provided with the cheeks A, C, carrying projections m
and the ring E carrying and the driving pins A circular groove D is turned into
the traction rod, and one or more cam rings applied, which gear into the cheeks A
and C or keep clear of the same, according to the motion of E, so as to establish or
interrupt connection between the piston and the connecting rod.
Figs. 34 to 42 illustrate the application of my invention for coupling together
traction rods, and for coupling together railway carriages from the side. The expansible
cheeks G¹ G¹ are pivoted to the bolts h¹¹, and combined with a semicylindrical guide
or catch F which serves to guide the rod S to be coupled, between the expansible
cheeks GG, the said rod S being for the purpose provided with a conically pointed
head, as shown by Figs. 34 and 36. Over the catch F¹ is situated a flap H adapted
to pivot on h', and carrying a slotted arm ", which receives the guide pin ¹ of the
safety tumbler J. The operation of coupling is as follows:-The flap or drop lever H¹
is closed, as well as the expansible cheeks G₁ G¹. The rod S, Figs. 37 and 41, enters
with its conical head s into the guide F¹, thereby raising the flap H¹, which again
lifts the pin and thereby the safety tumbler J by means of the slotted arm kli, so
that the head of the bar S will be placed behind the expansible cheeks G G¹, see
Figs. 34, 35 and 36, after which the said cheeks collapse and the flap assumes
automatically its closing position, so as to hold the rod S in position.
After that, the coupling can only be opened or disengaged, if the tumbler J¹, which
carries the arm L', is turned in the direction of the arrow (Figs. 38 and 39) by means.
of the handle formed on the said arm, or by a string acting on the said handles. The
safety tumbler J¹ carries a pin (as mentioned above) which slides in the slotted
arm of the flap H¹ and serves to lift the same (Figs. 38, 39 and 41) so that the
opening and closing of the coupling cheeks, together with the flap can only be
effected by the motion of the safety tumbler J, without which it is not possible to
release the coupling rod S. The latter may serve as a coupling for railway carriages
or for other apparatus. The essential features of the present construction consists in
the combination of the expansible cheeks G G¹ with a safety tumbler J and with the
flap H, which parts are adapted to co-operate in such a manner, that the coupling
may be effected automatically, and that by disengaging (that is by turning aside) the
safety tumbler J (Figs. 38 and 39) the expansible cheeks G¹ G¹ and the flap H¹ may
be opened and fixed in position.
In Figs. 43 to 47 the coupling cheeks are used as a clamping device, for instance
as a means for holding candles. In a casing P are placed a pair of expansible
cheeks U U¹, pivoted at uu one of the cheeks being provided with an arm vand
actuated by a spring .
The cheeks may be provided with downward projections z which are formed as
parts of sleeves and may serve to hold candles, music stands and other cylindrical
objects.
If one of the cheeks is moved by an arm the other cheek opens also, and a spring m
exerts pressure on the piece y clamped between the cheek U W, thereby holding the
said piece Y in position. The method of using the expansible cheeks may be applied
to many purposes, the application for fixing the candles in candle-sticks being only
shown as an example.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A disengaging device, comprising in its construction a pair of pivoted cheeks, A
and C provided with screw threads or other recesses, and with straight faces d d f f
placed parallel to each other in the two end portions (open or closed) of the expansible
cheeks A, C, and mechanism for causing the faces d d', f f to act upon each other in
order to open and close the said cheeks, substantially as described,

page_text: 2. In apparatus of the type specified by claim 1; the combination of curved pro-
jections or cams m, with detents or guides n capable of turning on the axis of the
spindle D, for forcing the expansible cheeks apart, substantially as described.
3. The application of a disengaging device as specified by claims 1 and 2, to
clamping mechanism, such as a parallel vice G, Figs. 14 to 18, in which the jaw H,
need not be actuated by the spindle D, until it is approximately in the desired position,
substantially as described.
4. In apparatus of the type specified by claim 1, the combination of excentric
ledges formed on the cheeks, with single or double guides oo movable concentrically
to the axis under the influence of springs k, in order to force the cheeks apart or draw
them together, substantially as described.
5. The adaptation of the disengaging devices claimed under clauses 1, 2, and 4, for
coupling shafts and other mechanisms for the transmission of power, the coupling
cheeks A and C being suspended from a disc E fixed on shaft g, and combined with a
screw muff F movable along shaft i and with disengaging levers M and N which parts
are caused to effect the coupling and uncoupling of the shafts g and i by means of
projections m, ledges p and springs k, substantially as described.
6. The modification of the coupling specified in claim 1, which consists in using
instead of the expansible cheeks A and C a pair of plates G¹ G¹, and in conjunction
with the same, a closing flap or cover H¹ having a slotted arm k", and a safety
tumbler J, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 34 to 42.
7. A shaft coupling, comprising in its construction a pair of expansible cheeks C¹ C¹
combined in a box D and armed with projections c c (instead of projection m) and a
ring R armed with teeth d"adapted to act on the projections cc, a lenticular
disc B and a friction cone A¹, the said cheeks C¹ C¹ being provided with frictional
surfaces g g and adapted to act in conjunction with B₁ and A¹ substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 25 to 33.
8. The modification of the expansible cheek specified in claim 1, which consists
in arming them with tubular or hollow extensions zz and combining them with a
spring, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 43 to 47.
LOOD
Dated this 18th day of April 1890.
JOHANN BRANDNER.
By Fairfax & Wetter,
433, Strand, London, Agents.
JOHANN BRANDNER.
By Fairfax & Wetter,
433, Strand, London, Agents.