Shaft holding device

A shaft holding device, comprising:

• a body having a top and a bottom and a central axis extending between the top and the bottom, a length of the body measured along the central axis being larger than a largest dimension measured perpendicular to the central axis;
• and
• a plurality of slots formed by the body and each configured to releasably secure a shaft therein, each of the plurality of slots having an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the central axis, each of the plurality of slots being open along a side of the body and, for each cross section along the length of the body taken about a plane perpendicular to the central axis, each inner circumferential width of an opening of each of the plurality of slots being smaller than a diameter of each of the plurality of slots,
• wherein the body includes a core and an outer sleeve mounted on the core, and wherein the core includes a top half and a bottom half that are coupled to one another inside of the outer sleeve, the top half of the core extending partially from the top of the outer sleeve and the bottom half of the core extending partially from the bottom of the outer sleeve.

A shaft holding device comprising:

• a body having a top and a bottom and a central axis extending between the top and the bottom, a length of the body measured along the central axis being larger than a largest dimension measured perpendicular to the central axis, the body including an elastomeric material and tapering radially inwardly toward the center between the top and bottom;
• a plurality of slots formed by the body and each configured to releasably secure a shaft therein, each of the plurality of slots having an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the central axis, each of the plurality of slots being open along a side of the body and, for each cross section along the length of the body taken about a plane perpendicular to the central axis, each inner circumferential width of an opening of each of the plurality of slots being smaller than a diameter of each of the plurality of slots, the diameter of each of the plurality of slots and an outer circumferential width of each opening of the plurality of slots is larger toward the top and bottom of the body than corresponding dimensions in a mid-section of the body between the top and the bottom of the body;
• and
• a core extending through the body, the top half of the core extending partially from the top of the outer sleeve and the bottom half of the core extending partially from the bottom of the outer sleeve, the core including a plurality of arms, each of the plurality of arms extending radially between two adjacent slots of the plurality of slots, each of the plurality of arms each including a split finger end allowing for the circumferential width of each of the plurality of arms to contract.