Torque and thrust transmitting bushings

A linear torque and thrust transmitting wedge bushing for axially and rotationally securing a part to a circular cross section shaft is positioned within a circular cross section opening of the part, said shaft having a smaller diameter than the opening through the part to provide an annular space for receiving said bushing, said bushing including:

• inner and outer wedge rings concentrically disposed relative to each other and being radially expandable and contractible;
• said outer wedge ring having an outer axially straight surface for engaging the surface defining the opening of the part;
• said inner wedge ring having an inner axially straight surface for engaging the outer surface of the shaft;
• characterized in that
• said wedge rings have engaging non-self-releasing surfaces axially inclined at the same angle;
• a thrust member in the form of an annular flange joined to one end of said outer wedge ring and located axially beyond the annular space between the shaft and part, said thrust member extending radially beyond the outer axially straight surface of said outer ring, said inner wedge ring having a portion which projects axially beyond said one end of the outer ring and including an annular loading member extending in a radially outward direction to overlie the thrust member externally of said annular space between the shaft and part;
• the loading member including a first set of spaced threaded openings for engaging with threads of screw members, and a second set of spaced openings through which threaded screw members can be directed without threaded engagement;
• the thrust member including spaced threaded openings adapted to be axially aligned with the second set of openings in the loading member for threadedly engaging the screw members directed through the second set of openings;
• the screw members in threaded engagement with the first set of openings in the loading member being effective to apply an axial force between the inner and outer wedge rings to move them in a first axial direction relative to each other;
• the screw members threadedly engaging the axially aligned passages in the thrust member being effective to apply an axial force between the inner and outer wedge rings to move them relative to each other in a second axial direction opposite said first axial direction;
• whereby axial movement of the wedge rings relative to each other in one axial direction is effective to cause the inner ring to contract and grip the shaft and the outer ring to expand and grip the surface defining the opening of the part to thereby secure the shaft and part together for transmitting both thrust and rotational forces, and axial movement of the wedge rings relative to each other in the opposite axial direction being effective to permit contraction of the outer wedge ring and expansion of the inner wedge ring for releasing the force transmitting interconnection between the shaft and part.