Coupler for interconnecting externally splined power take off shaft of prime mover and driveline of implement

A coupler for operatively interconnecting an externally splined power take off (PTO) shaft of a prime mover and a driveline of an implement that is configured to be driven by the prime mover so as to operate the implement, the PTO shaft having at least one spline and a groove extending generally circumferentially of the PTO shaft such that the groove has a pair of sidewalls which are axially opposite one another with respect to an axis of the PTO shaft, the coupler comprising:

• a coupling hub extending longitudinally between first and second ends and which is operatively connectable at its second end to the driveline of the implement;
• the coupling hub defining a bore arranged to receive the PTO shaft, the bore extending longitudinally of the coupling hub and opening at the first end of the coupling hub so as to receive the PTO shaft passed therethrough;
• the bore having a smooth cylindrical peripheral surface such that the bore is free of splines;
• the coupling hub being arranged to support a spline-forming member at a periphery of the bore, the spline-forming member defining, on a radially inward side thereof in relation to the coupling hub, a longitudinally extending groove which is arranged to receive a respective one of the at least one spline of the PTO shaft;
• the spline-forming member being movable in a radial direction relative to the bore between a working position in which the radially inward side of the spline-forming member projects into the bore at a prescribed depth for mating engagement of the groove with the respective one of the at least one spline of the PTO shaft and a retracted position in which the radially inward side of the spline-forming member is located further radially outwardly than in the working position such that the groove is free of mating engagement with the respective spline of the PTO shaft;
• a locking member arranged for mating engagement with the groove of the PTO shaft and supported for movement relative to the bore between a locking position in which the locking member projects into the bore at a prescribed depth for mating insertion into the groove of the PTO shaft and an unlocked position in which the locking member is located further radially outwardly than in the locking position so as to be free of mating engagement with the groove of the PTO shaft;
• and
• a control component supported for operative association with the spline-forming member and the locking member and arranged to enable displacement of the spline-forming member between the retracted and working position and to enable displacement of the locking member between the unlocked and locked positions.