US 5,397,270 A · Flex shaft cover retention device

Abstract

A flexible drive cable assembly includes a flexible elongated outer sheath enclosing a flexible elongated inner drive shaft. The drive shaft is connected to a driving element, such as a motor at one end, and to a driven element, such as a transmission at the opposite end. The flexible outer sheath is connected to the housing of the driving element at one end, and to the housing of the driven element at the opposite end, such that the outer sheath is held stationary in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inner drive shaft and the two housings. The outer sheath is connected to the housing by an end fitting. The end fitting includes an elongated connector extending outwardly from the housing to an outer end. The connector has a longitudinally extending aperture for passage of a coupling end of the inner drive shaft for connection to the element disposed within the housing. The connector also includes at least one radially extending projection for engaging an inner surface of the outer sheath to hold the outer sheath stationary in the longitudinal direction with respect to the housing.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A flexible drive cable assembly for connecting two elements in order to enable movement to be transmitted between said two elements comprising:

a flexible elongate inner drive shaft having a first end and a second end for transmitting movement from said first end of said drive shaft to said second end of said drive shaft;
a flexible elongate outer sheath having coaxial inner and outer surfaces, the outer sheath enclosing a longitudinal length of the inner drive shaft with the inner surface of the outer sheath adjacent to the drive shaft;
a housing enclosing an element to be operably connected to the inner drive shaft;
and
an end fitting connected to said housing;
said end fitting including an elongated connector extending outwardly from said housing to an outer end and having a longitudinally extending aperture for passage of said inner drive shaft, said connector including at least one radially extending projection means for engaging said inner surface of said flexible outer sheath to hold said sheath stationary in a longitudinal direction with respect to said inner drive shaft and housing.

3 more elements

A flexible drive cable assembly for connecting a driving rotary shaft to a driven element to enable torque to be transmitted therebetween, said flexible drive cable assembly including a flexible elongate inner drive shaft for transmitting rotational torque, said inner drive shaft sheathed within a flexible elongate outer sheath, said outer sheath connected to an end fitting and disposed stationary in a longitudinal direction with respect to said inner drive shaft, said end fitting comprising:

an elongated connector extending outwardly from said end fitting to an outer end and having a longitudinally extending aperture for passage of a coupling end of said inner drive shaft, said connector including at least one radially extending projection means for engaging an inner surface of said outer sheath to hold said outer sheath stationary in a longitudinal direction with respect to said inner drive shaft and said housing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flex shaft cover retention device

Life of this patent

Flex shaft cover retention device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22