Patent ID: 7275630

Claim:
A flexible coupling assembly for interconnecting an output shaft and an input shaft, said flexible coupling assembly comprising: a first hub configured to mount to the input shaft for rotation therewith; a second hub configured to mount to the output shaft for rotation therewith; a flexible element interconnecting said first and second hubs for transferring rotational torque between said first and second hubs while continuously compensating for axial misalignment between said first and second hubs; a first retainer disposed within a first annular slot of said first hub, a first end of said flexible element seated within said first retainer; and a second retainer disposed within a second annular slot of said second hub, a second end of said flexible element seated within said second retainer, said retainers each configured to limit radial deflection of said flexible element during rotation of said flexible coupling assembly; wherein said first retainer is fixedly secured to said first hub and configured with a helical ramp to receive said first end of said flexible element and said second retainer is fixedly secured to said second hub and configured with a helical ramp to receive said second end of said flexible element.