Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1888
Specification Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1888
We, CHARLES FRANCIS COCKSHOTT, and JAMES EDWARD JOWETT, of the Firm of
Cockshott and Jowett, Thornton Road, Bradford, in the County of York, Brass
Founders, 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 tho
following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in that type of shaft coupling commonly
known as plate or disc couplings consisting of coupling discs constructed to be keyed
on the ends of the shafts they are intended to couple and be bolted together to form
the connection. The object of this invention is to provide a light rigid coupling
adapted to remove the torsional strain from the said coupling bolts and allow
any section of the shafting so coupled to be disconnected without disturbing the
remainder.
Shaft couplings have been made from time to time with segmental or similarly
formed projections on the face of one half of the coupling adapted to engage with
corresponding projections or depressions formed on or in the other half of the
coupling but such couplings have not been much employed as the engaged faces of
the couplings. prevented a section of the shaft being removed without disconnecting
the couplings from the shaft or moving the remainder of the shafting longitudinally
in order to separate the engaged faces.
Our improvements consist in forming a parallel or taper tongue on one half of the
coupling adapted to fit into and engage with a similarly shaped groove or depression
formed in the other half of the coupling thus forming engaging faces which remove
the torsional strain from the bolts connecting such couplings but permit any section
of the shafting thus coupled to be readily disconnected when the said coupling bolts
are removed. As comparatively the strain on the said coupling bolts is very slight
much smaller bolts may be employed therefor the diameter of the coupling may be
considerably reduced, as we preferably make the couplings of wrought iron or
malleable cast iron the bosses securing them to the shafting do not require to be so
stout thus still farther reducing the diameter and weight of the coupling.
Our said improvements further consist in providing a flange on the periphery of
the coupling discs arranged to cover the nuts and heads of the coupling bolts and
prevent them projecting in a dangerous manner.

page_text: In order to fully describe our invention reference is to be had to the accompanying
sheet of drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1, represents a plan of our improved coupling. Figure 2, is a side elevation
of the same. Figures 3, and 4 represent perspective views of the two parts of the
coupling.
Figure 5, is a longitudinal section of our improved coupling provided with the said
flange for guarding the nuts and ends of the coupling bolts, and Figure 6, is a
side elevation.
A diametrical tongue A projecting from the flange B of one half of the coupling
disc C is adapted to fit in the recess D formed across the flange E of the other half
of the coupling F, and coupling bolts G are used to hold the flanges Band E together.
The said coupling flanges have hollow central bosses H by which they are keyed or
otherwise secured to the ends of the shafting they are intended to couple in the
ordinary manner.
It will be seen that the engaged faces of the flanges will hear the torsional strain
of the shaft and that when the bolts G are removed any section of the shafting thus
coupled may be taken out without displacing the remainder.
In figures 5, and 6 a flange J is formed round the periphery of the said coupling
flanges to provent the nuts and heads of the bolts G from catching loose belts, or the
garments of work-people etcetera and thus preventing accidents or damage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, wo declare what we claim is :
1. The construction and use of a tongue and groove on the engaging faces of
flange or plate shaft couplings adapted to bear the torsional strain of the shafting and
also enable a section of such shafting to be removed without displacing the remainder,
substantially as herein shown and described.
2. The combination with tho said improved coupling of the flanges J adapted to
guard the nuts and ends of the bolts G, substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 4th day of February 1888.