US3597989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Angular drive mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-16
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1990-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An angular drive mechanism between two rotatable shafts includes a shaft connection member on the end of each shaft which is relatively rotatable with respect to such shaft about the axis of rotation of such shaft. A pivotal connection structure between these shaft connection members includes either one or two pivot elements with axes at right angles to the axes of rotation of the shafts. A bevel gear secured to the end of each shaft is journaled on a shaft connection member and meshes with bevel gears on the opposite ends of a pivot element. A direct drive modification has an intermediate connection member pivotally connected between the shaft connection members by two spaced pivot elements having parallel axes. Spur gears secured to the bevel gears on the respective ends of the pivot elements mesh with each other. A reverse drive modification has a single pivot element. An angular relationship between the longitudinal axes of any two of the connection members about the axis of a pivot element will prevent rotation of the pivotal connection structure about the axis of either shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Everett H Benson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H1/00; F16H1/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19502; Y10T74/19516; Y10T74/19521
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
An angular drive mechanism for providing a driving connection between the ends of two shafts comprising: pivotal shaft connection means including a plurality of elongated connection members arranged end to end; pivot means including a pivot element pivotally connecting the ends of adjacent connecting members together about a pivot axis extending at right angles to and intersecting the longitudinal axis of adjacent connection members; said connection members including a shaft connection member mounted on the end of each of said shafts for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said shaft connection member with respect to the one of said shafts upon which said connection member is mounted and with said longitudinal axes of said shaft connection member coincident with the axis of said one of said shafts; gear means for establishing a drive between said shafts including at least one bevel gear mounted for rotation on an end of a pivot element and a bevel gear secured to the end of each of said shafts and meshing with at least one bevel gear mounted for rotation on the end of a pivot element, each of the shaft connection means extending through and rotatively supporting one of said bevel gears secured to one of said shafts; and means for maintaining an angular relationship between the longitudinal axes of said adjacent connection members about said pivot axis to prevent rotation of said pivotal shaft connection means when said shafts are rotated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
An angular drive mechanism for providing a driving connection between the ends of two shafts comprising: pivotal shaft connection means including a plurality of elongated connection members arranged end to end; pivot means including a pivot element pivotally connecting the ends of adjacent connecting members together about a pivot axis extending at right angles to and intersecting the longitudinal axis of adjacent connection members; said connection members including a shaft connection member mounted on the end of each of said shafts for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said shaft connection member with respect to the one of said shafts upon which said connection member is mounted and with said longitudinal axes of said shaft connection member coincident with the axis of said one of said shafts; gear means for establishing a drive between said shafts including at least one bevel gear mounted for rotation on an end of a pivot element and a bevel gear secured to the end of each of said shafts and meshing with at least one bevel gear mounted for rotation on the end of a pivot element, each of the shaft connection means extending through and rotatively supporting one of said bevel gears secured to one of said shafts; and means for maintaining an angular relationship between the longitudinal axes of said adjacent connection members about said pivot axis to prevent rotation of said pivotal shaft connection means when said shafts are rotated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
An angular drive mechanism in accordance with claim 1 in which said pivotal shaft connection means also includes: an intermediate connection member between said shaft connection members and pivot means and a pivot element connecting each end of said intermediate connection to an adjacent end of a shaft connection member; a bevel gear is mounted for rotation upon an end of each of said pivot elements and meshes with a bevel gear secured to one of said shafts; and a gear connection between said bevel gears on the ends of said pivot elements for providing a direct drive through said angular drive mechanism between said shafts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
An angular drive mechanism in accordance with claim 2 in which the means for maintaining angular relationship between the longitudinal axis of said adjacent connection members includes bevel gears on each end of each of said pivot elements with the bevel gears on one of said pivot elements meshing with the bevel gear secured to the end of one of said shafts and the bevel gears on the ends of the other of said pivot elements meshing with the bevel gear secured on the end of the other shaft; and includes a spur gear connection between the bevel gears on each of the corresponding ends of said pivot elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
An angular drive mechanism in accordance with claim 1 in which: said pivotal shaft connection means includes a single pivot element pivotally connecting adjacent ends of said shaft connection members together; and said bevel gear on said pivot element meshes with the bevel gears secured to the end of each of said shafts to establish a reverse drive through said connection means between said shafts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
An angular drive mechanism in accordance with claim 4 in which: the means for maintaining an angular relationship between the longitudinal axes of said adjacent connection members includes a bevel gear on both ends of said pivot element meshing with the bevel gears secured to the end of each of said shafts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |