Tapered key coupling

Abstract

A substantially annular ring having a bore sufficiently large to engage each of two oscillatory shafts, the ring having a radial slot through to the bore and a circumferential slot through to the bore running from the radial slot to a point on the ring opposite the radial slot, thereby forming two semi-annular, rigid spring arms, each having one free end, a tapered key secured in a transverse slot on the inner surface of the central portion of each of the spring arms, the keys engaging tapered keyseats on the ends of each of the shafts, and means for detachably clamping the free ends of each of the spring arms to the ring across the radial slot, thereby independently locking each of the shafts into the coupling. In an alternative embodiment, the annular ring has a second radial slot through to the bore at the point on the ring opposite the other radial slot, forming the spring arms into completely detachable coupling segments. In order to ensure positive alignment of the shafts, a shim may be rigidly affixed to one of the semi-annular portions in the area of one radial slot, substantially filling the slot when the coupling segments are attached thereto.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.