Shock-absorbing propeller assembly
AssigneePrecision Propeller, Inc.
InventorJames M. Booe, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for connecting a drive axle to a propeller. A drive member is configured to mount on a drive axle, a tubular member is coupled to the propeller, and a resilient members is configured to be positioned between the drive member and the tubular member. The drive member has an axis and includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs. The tubular member is coupled to the propeller and has an axis and a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs. The resilient members has an axis and is configured to be positioned between the outwardly extending ribs and the inwardly extending ribs. Furthermore, the resilient members is mounted coaxially with the drive member and the tubular member.
Claims21
An assembly for connecting a propeller to a drive axle, the assembly comprising
- a drive member configured to mount on the drive axle, the drive member having an axis and including a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs,
- a tubular member coupled to the propeller, the tubular member having an axis and a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs, and
- a plurality of U-shaped resilient members, each resilient member having two appendages, each appendage extending between one of the plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs and one of the plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs.
An assembly for connecting a propeller to a drive axle, the assembly comprising
- a drive member configured to mount on the drive axle, the drive member having an axis, a plurality of coupling portions and a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs,
- a tubular member coupled to the propeller, the tubular member having an axis and a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs, and
- a plurality of resilient members, each resilient member being positioned between one of the plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs and one of the plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs, the resilient members each having a coupling portion configured to engage an associated coupling portion of the drive member.
A method of resiliently connecting a propeller to a drive axle, the method comprising the steps of
- mounting a drive member on the drive axle, the drive member having an axis and a cylindrical outer surface having a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs extending therefrom,
- positioning a plurality of resilient members adjacent the outer surface, each resilient member being positioned adjacent one of the radially outwardly extending ribs,
- mating a boss end of each resilient member in a cavity formed in the drive member, and
- positioning the propeller over the resilient members, the propeller having a concentric tubular member defining an axis and a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs, wherein each of the radially inwardly extending ribs is configured to extend between two of the resilient members.
An assembly for connecting a propeller to a drive axle, the propeller including an inner hub having a plurality of inwardly-facing surfaces, the assembly comprising
- a drive member configured to mount on the drive axle, the drive member having an axis and including a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs,
- an insert having a plurality of outwardly-facing surfaces configured to engage associated inwardly-facing surfaces of the inner hub of the propeller when the insert is mated with the propeller, the insert having an axis and a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs, and
- a plurality of resilient members, each resilient member extending between one of the plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs and one of the plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs.
A method of resiliently connecting a propeller to a drive axle, the method comprising the steps of
- mounting a drive member on the drive axle, the drive member having an axis and a cylindrical outer surface having a plurality of radially outwardly extending ribs extending therefrom,
- positioning a plurality of resilient members adjacent the outer surface, each resilient member being positioned adjacent one of the radially outwardly extending ribs,
- mating a boss end of each resilient member in a cavity formed in the drive member,
- mating an insert with an inner hub of the propeller, the insert having a plurality of radially inwardly extending ribs, wherein each of the radially inwardly extending ribs is configured to extend between two of the resilient members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.