Apparatus for drive component disconnection
AssigneeHarnischfeger Corporation
InventorsHarvey J. Kallenberger, Robert H. Blaszynski, Jerry C. Sem
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention involves a machine, e.g., a walking dragline having a drive gear, a driven member which loads (and wears) gear teeth unequally and an interconnecting shaft. The quill-mounted gear is separately supported by bearings. The shaft can be moved axially and when so repositioned, it is also separately supported by other bearings. When the gear needs to be "indexed," (due to unequal tooth wear) the shaft is moved axially out of connection with the gear but remains connected to the eccentric. The gear can then be indexed using its drive motor and the shaft can be re-engaged with the quill without the necessity of auxiliary lifting equipment and without disengaging the shaft from the eccentric.
Claims8
In a machine having a drive gear, a driven member unequally loading gear teeth and a shaft transferring driving power from the gear to the member, the improvement wherein:
- the shaft is supported for axial movement;
- a quill connects the gear to the shaft by a first set of teeth extending along a first length;
- and,
- a second set of teeth connects the shaft and the member along a second length greater than the first length,
- whereby axial shaft movement along the first length disconnects the gear for free gear rotation while maintaining shaft-member connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.