Link coupling

A link coupling for transmitting rotary motion from a drive member to a driven member about a longitudinal axis generally aligned with the axes of said drive and driven members, said link coupling comprising:

• at least two flexing structures encircling said axis and extending substantially perpendicularly thereto at spaced locations along the length thereof between said drive and driven members, each of said flexing structures including alternately arranged link elements and associated end connectors;
• connecting means, cooperable with said end connectors, for joining said flexing structures together to form said coupling and for joining said coupling to said drive and driven members;
• said end connectors of each one of said flexing structures including a plurality of outer end connectors symmetrically disposed at an equal radial distance about said longitudinal axis, at least two first inner end connectors each disposed at a first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and at least two second inner end connectors each disposed at a second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, said first radial distance being sufficiently greater than said second radial distance as to space said first and second inner end connectors from each other relative to said longitudinal axis, and said first radial distance being less than said radial distance between said axis and said outer end connectors;
• said inner end connectors of each of said flexible structures being arcuately spaced about said axis from each other at approximately equal arc intervals;
• said link elements of each of said flexible structures including first link elements disposed between and connecting respective ones of said outer end connectors and said first inner end connectors, and second link element disposed between and connecting respective ones of said outer end connectors and said second inner end connectors;
• said first inner end connectors being disposed tangent to a chord extending between the centers of two adjacent outer end connectors at said first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and said second inner end connectors being disposed tangent to said chord at said second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, said first radial distance being greater than said second radial distance by an amount equal to the diameter of said first and second inner end connectors such that said first and second link elements are essentially equal in length.

A link coupling for transmitting rotary motion from a drive member to a drive member about a longitudinal axis generally aligned with the axes of said drive and driven members, said link coupling comprising:

• at least two flexing structures encircling said axis at spaced locations along the length thereof between said drive and driven members, each of said flexing members including alternately arranged link elements and associated end connectors;
• annular reinforcing means disposed between adjacent ones of said flexible members structures for enhancing the radial and torsional stiffness of said coupling;
• connecting means, cooperable with said end connectors, for joining said flexing structures and said reinforcing means together to form said coupling and for joining said coupling to said drive and driven members;
• said end connectors of each one of said flexing structures including a plurality of outer end connectors symmetrically disposed at an equal radial distance about said longitudinal axis, at least two first inner end connectors each disposed at a first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and at least two second inner end connectors each disposed at a second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, said first radial distance being greater than said radial distance and less than said radial distance between said axis and said outer end connectors;
• said inner end connectors of each of said flexible structures being arcuately spaced about said axis from each other at approximately equal arc intervals;
• said link elements of each of said flexible structures including first link elements disposed between and connecting respective ones of said outer end connectors and said first inner end connectors, and second link elements disposed between and connecting respective ones of said outer end connectors and said second inner end connectors;
• said first inner end connectors being disposed tangent to a chord extending between the centers of two adjacent outer end connectors at said first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and said second inner end connectors being disposed tangent to said chord at said second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, said first radial distance being greater than said second radial distance by an amount equal to the diameter of said first and second inner end connectors such that said first and second link elements are essentially equal in length.

A link coupling for transmitting rotary motion from a drive member to a driven member about a longitudinal axis generally aligned with the axes of said drive and driven members, said link coupling comprising:

• at least two flexing structures encircling said axis at spaced locations along the length thereof between said drive and driven members, each of said flexing structures including alternately arranged link elements and associated end connectors;
• connecting means, cooperable with said end connectors, for joining said flexing structures together to form said coupling and for joining said coupling to said drive and driven members;
• said end connectors of each one of said flexing structures including a plurality of outer end connectors symmetrically disposed at an equal radial distance about said longitudinal axis, at least two first inner end connectors each disposed at a first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and at least two second inner end connectors each disposed at a second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, said first radial distance being greater than said second radial distance and less than said radial distance between said axis and said outer end connectors;
• said inner end connectors of each of said flexible structures being arcuately spaced about said axis from each other at approximately equal arc intervals;
• said link elements of each of said flexible structures including first link elemwents disposed between and connecting respective ones of said outer end connectors and said first inner end connectors, and second link elements disposed between and connecting respective ones of said outer end connectors and said second inner end connectors;
• said first inner end connectors being disposed tangent to a chord extending between the centers of two adjacent outer end connectors at said first radial distance from said longitudinal axis, and said second inner end connectors being disposed tangent to said chord at said second radial distance from said longitudinal axis, said first radial distance being greater than said second radial distance by an amount equal to the diameter of said first and second inner end connectors such that said first and second link elements are substantially equal in length.