US 4,733,471 A · Tool drive assembly and clamp

Abstract

A self-coupling split-shaft drive assembly for a tool provides for assembly by a user and start-up without concern over the proper or improper orientation of the two shafts. The drive assembly includes components to secure the two shafts for start-up and use independently of whether an orientation condition exists for their rotational coupling to one another. A shaft coupling mechanism then accomplishes the coupling where an improper condition exists after the securing, in response to the initiation of the rotation of the driver shaft by the motor. The coupling mechanism employs a driver shaft which, with a shaft socket, for receiving the driven shaft, slides back and forth, against a spring and then under the recoil force of the spring, in providing for the securing under an improper orientation condition and the subsequent coupling upon start-up. A split clamp, which is used on a driver shaft tube and driven shaft tube is particularly adapted for rapid, easily accomplished and, at the same time, extremely sturdy clamping of elongated members such as the shaft tubes. The clamp employs a pair of clamp member which are formed, with respect to the elongated members, to a designed clamp face separation of less than or equal to about 3.4 percent and greater than or equal to about 0.5 percent of the diameter for the elongated members, among other significant features. Manually tightened and loosened connectors for one end of the clamp members and tool-operated tightening and loosening at the other end signifcantly contribute to the indicated goals.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A self-coupling split-shaft drive assembly for a tool comprising:

a motor;
a driver shaft;
means to couple said driver shaft to said motor;
a driven shaft for rotational coupling to said driver shaft having proper and improper orientations for said coupling;
coupler means to rotatably couple said driven shaft to said driver shaft, said coupler means including,
a spring to bias said driver shaft, and
a socket member fixed to said driver shaft to move with said driver shaft against the force of said spring under a force along said driven shaft in an improper orientation and to move with said driver shaft under the return force of said spring upon said rotational coupling of said shafts ;
said driver shaft being a shaft of substantial length and extending from a substantial distance away from said socket member.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tool drive assembly and clamp

Life of this patent

Tool drive assembly and clamp

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16