US 5,490,683 AGranted

Tool shaft coupler

AssigneeMednext, Inc.

InventorsThomas J. Mickel, Stewart W. Willason

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Abstract

Apparatus and methods for coupling a driving shaft and a mating tool shaft to transmit rotational forces and axial tension and compression forces between the shafts. The coupler provides for axial tension transmission through tension transmission surfaces spaced-apart from torque and compression transmission surfaces of the mating tool shaft. Reversible shaft locking means prevent accidental disconnection of the driving shaft and mating tool shaft. A separate safety lock release attachment is preferably removed during tool shaft rotation and can automatically hold the driving shaft stopped when used to release the shaft locking means for a tool change. Malfunction (e.g., improper seating) of the shaft locking means with the attachment ring in place results in a positive visual indication of the malfunction.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A tool shaft coupler for drivingly coupling a driving shaft with a mating tool shaft which is effectively engaged with the driving shaft, the driving shaft being rotatable about a substantially longitudinal axis within a driving shaft housing, the coupler comprising

at least one torque transmission surface fixedly coupled to the driving shaft for axially slidingly mating with a mating tool shaft to transmit torque between the mating tool shaft and the driving shaft;
tension transmission spaced apart from said at least one torque transmission surface and comprising at least one tension transmission surface and at least one movable tension-resisting member, said at least one tension-resisting member being reversibly and slidingly movable to a tension-resisting position to couple the driving shaft and a mating tool shaft to reversibly limit maximum axial movement of the mating tool shaft with respect to the driving shaft under an axial tension load;
at least one compression transmission surface fixedly coupled to the driving shaft for substantially limiting maximum axial movement of a mating tool shaft with respect to the driving shaft under an axial compression load;
shaft locking means having an engagement surface and being slidably coupled to the driving shaft for reversibly locking said at least one tension-resisting member in a tension-resisting position;
and
guide means for substantially preventing rotation of said shaft locking means with respect to the driving shaft about the longitudinal driving shaft axis.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.