Flexible coupling

Claim 2

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprises a pair of U-shape yoke members, said yoke members being constructed to be connected to said driving and driven shafts, respectively, a resilient member interposed between said yoke members and constructed to provide a driving connection therebetween, said yoke members each having aperturEs therein, said resilient member having radially extending lug portions protruding through said apertures in driving engagement with said yoke members.

Claim 3

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first U-shape yoke member and a second U-shape yoke member, each of said members having a pair of leg portions, each of said leg portions having a base end and an attachment end, each of said members having an integral base portion interconnecting said base ends of its pair of leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said members and constructed to provide a driving connection therebetween, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures in driving engagement with said yoke members, said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other, each of the edges of said leg portions extending in a generally radial direction with respect to the axis of ratation of said coupling to form longitudinally extending flanges, said edges of said first and second yoke members being arranged in spaced apart pairs, said resilient element having flange portions disposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said pairs, said flange portions being stressed into engagement with the edges of one of said yoke members and normally spaced from the edges of the other of said yoke members, said attachment ends of said leg portions of said first member being constructed to be connected to said driving shaft and said attachment ends of said leg portions of said second member being constructed to be connected to said driven shaft.

Claim 4

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first U-shape yoke member and a second U-shape yoke member, each of said members having a pair of leg portions, each of said leg portions having a base end and an attachment end, each of said members having an integral base portion interconnecting said base ends of its pair of leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said members and constructed to provide a driving connection therebetween, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures in driving engagement with said yoke members, said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other, each of the edges of said leg portions extending in a generally radial direction with respect to the axis of ratation of said coupling to form longitudinally extending flanges, said edges of said first and second yoke members being arranged in spaced apart pairs, said resilient element having flange portions disposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said pairs, said flange portions being stressed into engagement with the edges of one of said yoke members and normally spaced from the edges of the other of said yoke members, said attachment ends of said leg portions of said first member being constructed to be connected to said driving shaft and said attachment ends of said leg portions of said second member being constructed to be connected to said driven shaft.

Claim 5

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first yoke member and a second yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions, a resilient element interposed between said pair of leg portions of said first member and between said pair of leg portions of said second member, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures in torque transmitting engagement with both of said yoke members, said lug portions of said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other.

Claim 6

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first yoke member and a second yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions, a resilient element interposed between said pair of leg portions of said first member and between said pair of leg portions of said second member, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures in torque transmitting engagement with both of said yoke members, said lug portions of said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other.

Claim 7

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first yoke member and a second yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions and a base portion interconnecting said leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said pair of leg portions of said first member and between said pair of leg portions of said second member, said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other, said leg portions of said first and second members having longitudinal edges, said edges of said first yoke member being arranged in spaced apart paired relationship with said edges of said second yoke member, said resilient element having a plurality of radially extending flange pOrtions with one of said flange portions being disposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said pairs, said flange portions being in engagement with said edges of one of said yoke members and normally spaced from said edges of the other of said yoke members.

Claim 8

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first yoke member and a second yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions and a base portion interconnecting said leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said pair of leg portions of said first member and between said pair of leg portions of said second member, said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other, said leg portions of said first and second members having longitudinal edges, said edges of said first yoke member being arranged in spaced apart paired relationship with said edges of said second yoke member, said resilient element having a plurality of radially extending flange pOrtions with one of said flange portions being disposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said pairs, said flange portions being in engagement with said edges of one of said yoke members and normally spaced from said edges of the other of said yoke members.

Claim 9

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first yoke member and a second yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions and a base portion interconnecting said leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said pair of leg portions of said first member and between said pair of leg portions of said second member, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures and in torque transmitting engagement with both of said yoke members, said lug portions of said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other, said leg portions of said first and second members having longitudinal edges, said edges of said first yoke member being arranged in spaced apart paired relationship with said edges of said second yoke member, said resilient element having a plurality of radially extending flange portions with one of said flange portions being disposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said paris, said flange portions being in engagement with said edges of one of said yoke members and normally spaced from said edges of the other of said yoke members.

Claim 10

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first yoke member and a second yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions and a base portion interconnecting said leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said pair of leg portions of said first member and between said pair of leg portions of said second member, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures and in torque transmitting engagement with both of said yoke members, said lug portions of said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other, said leg portions of said first and second members having longitudinal edges, said edges of said first yoke member being arranged in spaced apart paired relationship with said edges of said second yoke member, said resilient element having a plurality of radially extending flange portions with one of said flange portions being disposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said paris, said flange portions being in engagement with said edges of one of said yoke members and normally spaced from said edges of the other of said yoke members.

Claim 11

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first U-shape yoke member and a second U-shape yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions, each of said leg portions having a base end and an attachment end, each of said members having an integral base portion interconnecting said base ends of its pair of leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said base portions of said first and second members and in torque transmitting engagement with said members, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures, said lug portions engaging the edges of said apertures and said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other, said attachment ends of said leg portions of said first member being constructed to be connected to said driving shaft and said attachment ends of the leg portions of said second member being constructed to be connected to said driven shaft.

Claim 12

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first U-shape yoke member and a second U-shape yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions, each of said leg portions having a base end and an attachment end, each of said members having an integral base portion interconnecting said base ends of its pair of leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said base portions of said first and second members and in torque transmitting engagement with said members, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures, said lug portions engaging the edges of said apertures and said resilient element normally holding said first and second yoke members in fixed longitudinal and angular positions relative to each other, said attachment ends of said leg portions of said first member being constructed to be connected to said driving shaft and said attachment ends of the leg portions of said second member being constructed to be connected to said driven shaft.

Claim 13

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first U-shape yoke member and a second U-shape yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions, each of said leg portions having a base end and an attachment end, each of said members having an integral base portion interconnecting said base ends of its pair of leg portions. said members being nested together with said said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member. a resilient element interposed between said base portions of said first and second members and in torque transmitting engagement with said members, each of the edges of said leg portions extending in a generally radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of said coupling to form longitudinally extending flanges, said edges of said first and second yoke members being arranged in spaced apart pairs, said resilient element having flange portions disposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said pairs, said flange portions of said resilient element being in engagement with said edges of one of said yoke members and being spaced from said edges of the other of said yoke members, said attachment ends of said leg portions of said first member being constructed to be connected to said driving shaft and said attachment ends of the leg portions of said second member being constructed to be connected to said driven shaft.

Claim 14

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first U-shape yoke member and a second U-shape yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions, each of said leg portions having a base end and an attachment end, each of said members having an integral base portion interconnecting said base ends of its pair of leg portions. said members being nested together with said said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member. a resilient element interposed between said base portions of said first and second members and in torque transmitting engagement with said members, each of the edges of said leg portions extending in a generally radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of said coupling to form longitudinally extending flanges, said edges of said first and second yoke members being arranged in spaced apart pairs, said resilient element having flange portions disposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said pairs, said flange portions of said resilient element being in engagement with said edges of one of said yoke members and being spaced from said edges of the other of said yoke members, said attachment ends of said leg portions of said first member being constructed to be connected to said driving shaft and said attachment ends of the leg portions of said second member being constructed to be connected to said driven shaft.

Claim 15

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first U-shape yoke member and a second U-shape yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions, each of said leg portions having a base end end and an attachment end, each of said members having an integral base portion interconnecting said base ends of its pair of leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said base portions of said first and second members and in torque transmitting engagement with said members, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures, the edges of said leg portions of said first and second yoke members being arranged in spaced apart pairs, said resilient member having flange portions interposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said pairs, said attachment ends of said leg portions of said first member being constructed to be connected to said driving shaft and said attachment ends of the leg portions of said second member being constructed to be connected to said driven shaft.

Claim 16

A flexible coupling for connecting a driving shaft and a driven shaft, said coupling comprising a first U-shape yoke member and a second U-shape yoke member, each of said members having a pair of longitudinally extending leg portions, each of said leg portions having a base end end and an attachment end, each of said members having an integral base portion interconnecting said base ends of its pair of leg portions, said members being nested together with said base portion of said first member being interposed between said leg portions of said second member and said base portion of said second member being interposed between said leg portions of said first member, a resilient element interposed between said base portions of said first and second members and in torque transmitting engagement with said members, each of said leg portions having an aperture therethrough, said resilient element having lug portions extending radially through each of said apertures, the edges of said leg portions of said first and second yoke members being arranged in spaced apart pairs, said resilient member having flange portions interposed between said spaced apart edges of each of said pairs, said attachment ends of said leg portions of said first member being constructed to be connected to said driving shaft and said attachment ends of the leg portions of said second member being constructed to be connected to said driven shaft.