US 5,181,792 AGranted

Retainer for splined members

AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation

InventorEdwin T. Grochowski

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Abstract

A retainer embodying the concepts of the present invention is adapted for releasably securing a splined radially innermost rotatable member to a splined radially outermost rotatable member. The retainer so secures the rotatable members in order to preclude relative axial displacement therebetween. The retainer has a body portion. A first stop surface is presented from the body portion to engage one of the rotatable members and thereby preclude relative axial movement between the body portion and that rotatable member in one axial and directional frame of reference. A first dog extends outwardly from the body portion to engage the same rotatable member engaged by the first stop surface and thereby preclude relative axial movement between the body portion and that rotatable member in the opposite axial and directional frame of reference. A second stop surface is presented from the body portion to engage the second of the rotatable members and thereby preclude relative axial movement between the body portion and the second rotatable member in one axial and directional frame of reference. A second dog extends outwardly from the body portion to engage the second rotatable member and thereby preclude relative axial movement between the body portion and the second rotatable member in the opposite axial and directional frame of reference. The dogs are adapted releasably to engage the rotatable members.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A retainer for releasably securing a splined radially innermost rotatable member to a splined radially outermost rotatable member in order to preclude relative axial displacement between the radially innermost and the radially outermost rotatable members, said retainer comprising:

a body portion;
a first stop surface presented from said body portion to engage one of said rotatable members and thereby preclude relative axial movement between said body portion and said one rotatable member in one axial and directional frame of reference;
a first dog extending outwardly from said body portion to engage said same rotatable member engaged by said first stop surface and thereby preclude relative axial movement between said body portion and said one rotatable member in the opposite axial and directional frame of reference;
a second stop surface presented from said body portion to engage the second of said rotatable members and thereby preclude relative axial movement between said body portion and said second rotatable member in one axial and directional frame of reference;
a second dog extending outwardly from said body portion to engage said second rotatable member and thereby preclude relative axial movement between said body portion and said second rotatable member in the opposite axial and directional frame of reference;
said dogs being adapted releasably to engage said rotatable members;
said first stop surface is presented from a first flange extending substantially orthogonally outwardly from said body portion;
said first dog is disposed in axially spaced relation from said first flange to embrace one of the rotatable members therebetween;
said body portion is substantially planar;
said first dog is unitary with and bent outwardly from said substantially planar body portion;
and
said first dog has a modulus of elasticity which permits said first dog to be forcibly depressed so as to lie within said substantially planar body portion but which will cause said first dog to spring outwardly from said substantially planar body portion upon the release of said depressing force.

9 more elements

In combination with a tooth-splined innermost rotatable member connected to a tooth-splined outermost rotatable member for simultaneous rotation resulting from the interengagement of the teeth forming the splines, a retainer to preclude relative axial displacement between the innermost and the outermost rotatable members;

a successive plurality of teeth removed from one of the rotatable members to form a slot between said innermost and said outermost rotatable members;
first and second radially disposed side faces on that rotatable member from which said teeth have been removed;
the retainer having a body portion that is insertably receivable within said slot;
a first flange extending substantially orthogonally outwardly from said body portion to engage said first radial face on that rotatable member from which said teeth have been removed;
a first locking lug extending outwardly from said body portion in axially spaced relation from said first flange;
said first locking dog adapted to interact with said second face on that rotatable member from which said teeth have been removed to preclude relative axial displacement between said body portion and that rotatable member;
said locking dog having sufficient resilience releasably to engage said rotatable member;
and
means to preclude relative axial displacement between said body portion and said other rotatable member.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/850,736Filed 13 Mar 1992
Granted: 26 Jan 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

F16B 21/10
Means for preventing relative axial movement of a pin, spigot, shaft or the like and a member surrounding it ; Stud-and-socket releasable…
F16D 1/06
Couplings for rigidly connecting two coaxial shafts or other movable machine elements: for attachment of a member on a shaft or on a shaft-end
F16B 2200/406
Clamping arrangements where clamping parts are received in recesses of elements to be connected: clamping parts being collars, bushings or wedges
F16D 2001/103
Quick-acting couplings in which the parts are connected by simply bringing them together axially: the torque is transmitted via splined connections