# US 8,783,996 B2 · Insert ring for spline coupling

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,783,996 B2
- Document ID: US8783996B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/532,943
- Filed: 2012-06-26
- Published: 2013-12-26
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2012-06-26
- Assignees: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
- Applicants: Joseph H. Brand; Richard Kostka; Seham Kenawy
- Inventors: Nasr Kenawy; Joseph H. Brand; Richard Kostka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783996B2

## CPC

- F16D 1/101: {without axial retaining means rotating with the coupling}
- F16D 2001/103: {the torque is transmitted via splined connections}
- Y10T 403/7026: Longitudinally splined or fluted rod
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A spline coupling comprises a male spline having a plurality of spline teeth separated by keyways. An insert ring comprises a plurality of U-shaped segments each having a pair of side walls separated by a gap and interconnected by a proximal end wall. Each U-shaped segment is configured to be received in one of the keyways of the male spline with the side walls being against surfaces of the keyway and the gap leaving a portion of the keyway exposed. Each U-shaped segment is connected to adjacent U-shaped segments by a distal end wall to leave a portion of the spline teeth exposed between each pair of adjacent U-shaped segments. A female spline has a shape complementary to that of a combination of the male spline and insert ring for coupling engagement therebetween.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An insert ring for a spline coupling comprising a plurality of U-shaped segments each having a pair of side walls separated by a gap and interconnected only by a proximal end wall, each U-shaped segment configured to be received in a keyway between male spline teeth such that the side walls are configured to bear/abut against surfaces of the keyway and the gap configured to leave a portion of the keyway exposed, each U-shaped segment connected to adjacent U-shaped segments only by a distal end wall such that a portion of a spline tooth is configured to be exposed between each pair of adjacent U-shaped segments by proximal openings defined between the proximal end walls of adjacent pairs of the U-shaped segments sized to allow the male spline teeth to pass therethrough.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The insert ring according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of U-shaped segments are integrally molded into a single piece.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The insert ring according to claim 1, wherein the distal end walls each comprise interconnected male and female portions releasably interconnecting the U-shaped segments.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The insert ring according to claim 1, wherein each said proximal end wall is adapted to abut a surface of the keyway.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The insert ring according to claim 1, wherein each said distal end wall is adapted to abut an end surface of a corresponding spline tooth.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The insert ring according to claim 1, wherein the insert ring is made of plastic.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The insert ring according to claim 1, further comprising a raised wear pad in each of the sidewalls of the U-shaped segments.

### Claim 8

A spline coupling comprising:
a male spline having a plurality of spline teeth separated by keyways;
an insert ring comprising a plurality of U-shaped segments each having a pair of side walls separated by a gap and interconnected only by a proximal end wall, each U-shaped segment configured to be received in one of the keyways of the male spline with the side walls being against surfaces of the keyway and the gap leaving a portion of the keyway exposed, each U-shaped segment connected to adjacent U-shaped segments only by a distal end wall to leave a portion of the spline teeth exposed between each pair of adjacent U-shaped segments, a distal opening being defined between the distal end walls of adjacent pairs of the U-shaped segments, and sized to allow spline teeth of a female spline to pass therethrough; and
the female spline having a shape complementary to that of a combination of the male spline and insert ring for coupling engagement therebetween, with the spline teeth of the female spline passing through the distal openings during the coupling engagement.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The spline coupling according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of U-shaped segments are integrally molded into a single piece.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The spline coupling according to claim 8, wherein the distal end walls each comprise interconnected male and female portions releasably interconnecting the U-shaped segments.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The spline coupling according to claim 8, wherein each said proximal end wall is adapted to abut a surface of the keyway.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The spline coupling according to claim 8, wherein each said distal end wall is adapted to abut an end surface of a corresponding spline tooth.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The spline coupling according to claim 8, wherein the insert ring is made of plastic.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The spline coupling according to claim 8, wherein the female spline is part of a driving shaft of a gearbox.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The spline coupling according to claim 8, further comprising a raised wear pad in each of the sidewalls of the U-shaped segments.