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US 3,946,844 AGranted
Clutching means adapted for tapping attachments
AssigneeTapmatic Corporation
InventorAllan S. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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AssigneeTapmatic Corporation
InventorAllan S. Johnson
Estimating the term…
The invention is an improved clutching means for tapping attachments and particularly adaptable in attachments having free axial float. Direct and reverse drive is provided for by way of planetary gears for driving in direct and reverse drive in the exemplary attachment in which the clutching means is embodied. An adjustment is provided for depth. Spring biased clutch drive members are provided for both the direct and reverse drive providing a narrow, neutral position. Each clutch driver member is in the form of a sleeve having a ball race carrying driving balls interposed between axial splines on a driving part and on the driven spindle. The splines have arcuate side surfaces to confrom to the driving balls providing for substantially frictionless drive in both direct and reverse modes, the balls being free to roll. The splines are especially configurated to facilitate engagement of the balls with them. In one form the splines have slanted or inclined end surfaces to achieve this purpose and in a preferred form the splines have arcuate side and end surfaces forming a continuous oval shaped track.
In coupling means for transmitting torque, in combination, a first rotating member, a second axially aligned rotating member, said members being relatively movable axially, means for transmitting rotary drive from one member to the other, said means including at least one ball member positioned between the members, both members having axial configurations engageable with the ball member whereby drive is transmitted through the ball member, a circular carrier for said ball member, resilient means biasing the circular carrier, said ball member having rolling engagement to move said carrier against said resilient means upon relative movement of said rotating members.
In coupling means for transmitting torque, in combination, a first rotating member, a second axially aligned rotating member, said members being relatively movable axially, means for transmitting rotary drive from one member to the other, said means including at least one ball member positioned between the members, and both members having configurations engageable with the ball member whereby drive is transmitted through the ball member, said configurations on the members being axial splines, said splines having ball engaging surfaces that are arcuate in cross-section having a radius of curvature to accommodate rolling movement of the ball member, one of the rotating members being a cylindrical tapping spindle, said spindle having a removable section having said splines formed on it.
In coupling means for transmitting torque, in combination, a first rotating member, a second axially aligned rotating member, said members being relatively movable axially, means for transmitting rotary drive from one member to the other, said means including at least one ball member positioned between the members, and both members having configurations engageable with the ball member whereby drive is transmitted through the ball member, said configurations on the members being axial splines, the splines having at least one end surface positioned at an angle to the axis of the member whereby to be on a slant so that a ball engaging the spline causes relative movement to bring the ball into engagement with the side of the spline.
In coupling means for transmitting torque, in combination, a first rotating member, a second axially aligned rotating member, said members being relatively movable axially, means for transmitting rotary drive from one member to the other, said means including at least one ball member positioned between the members, and both members having axial configurations engageable with the ball member whereby drive is transmitted through the ball member, said configurations on the members being axial splines, said splines having ball engaging surfaces that are arcuate in cross-section having a radius of curvature to accommodate the rolling movement of the ball member, the said splines having end surfaces that are arcuate in cross-section, corresponding to the radius of the ball, the side and end surfaces being joined to form a continuous movable arcuate track around the splines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.