Shaft coupling utilizing tension springs and radially and axially projecting pins

Abstract

An input shaft is coupled to an output shaft through a constant velocity joint in which tangentially oriented constraints, spaced 120.degree. apart and resiliently connected, effect the coupling. The input and output shafts have radially projecting pins thereon which abut axially projecting pins on a center coupling element. Tensioned coil springs extend between the radially projecting pins on the input and output shafts while contact element bearings are disposed between the center coupling element and shafts. Alternatively, the input and output shafts are each connected to a center element by tangentially extending wire elements. Alternatively, the shafts are coupled directly to one another with tangentially oriented constraints connected directly to the shafts or shaft elements rather than being connected through an intermediate coupling element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.