Drive member for automatic paint stirring equipment

Abstract

An improved drive mechanism is provided for use with automatic paint stirring equipment of the type having a rack adapted to removably receive and support paint cans wherein each paint can has a cover, a stirring element contained within the can and a driven member positioned above the cover and mechanically connected to the stirring element. The improved drive mechanism includes a drive shaft having a diametric cross bore at a position spaced from the first end of the shaft. A diametrically extending opening extends from the cross bore to the first end of the shaft and this opening has a smaller cross-sectional area than the shaft cross bore. The shaft is rotatably mounted to the rack so that the first end of the shaft is positioned adjacent the driven member on the paint can. A drive member is then secured to the first end of the shaft which drivingly engages the driven member on the paint can during rotation of the shaft. This drive member has an axle and a drive plate secured to the axle. Additionally, the axle includes a diametrically extending through slot dimensioned so that, upon inward compression of the axle causing reduction in the size of the size of the slot, the axle has a cross-sectional shape smaller than the shaft opening so that the axle is slidable through the shaft opening and to the shaft cross bore. With the axle positioned in the crossbore, the slot expands such that the axle has a cross-sectional shape greater than the shaft opening thereby securing the axle to the shaft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.