US5488761A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible shaft and method for manufacturing same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-07-28
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Granted: 1996-02-06
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Expires: 2014-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A shaft coupling for transmitting power including a flexible hollow rod extending in a longitudinal direction and having pairs of helical slots formed thereon. The pairs of slots are spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction of the rod. The shaft is manufactured by providing a hollow rod and advancing the rod with a combined rotational and translational motion. An opening is machined across a diameter of the rod during its advancement to form a pair of intertwined helical slots.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald P. Leone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:06
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/02; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B17/164; B; B21; B21K; B21K1/00; B21K1/06; B21K1/063; B21K1/12; B21K1/28; B21K1/30; B21K1/305; B23; B23P; B23P13/00; F16D; F16D3/00; F16D3/50; F16D3/72; A61B17/1613; A61B17/1631; F16C2316/00; F16C2316/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/11; Y10T29/1194; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49609
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of manufacturing a flexible shaft coupling comprising the steps of: providing a hollow rod with a longitudinal central axis; rotating said hollow rod around its longitudinal central axis, and moving said hollow rod in an axial direction; and machining an opening across a diameter of said rod during said step of rotating and moving to form a pair of intertwined helical slots.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of manufacturing a flexible shaft coupling comprising the steps of: providing a hollow rod with a longitudinal central axis; rotating said hollow rod around its longitudinal central axis, and moving said hollow rod in an axial direction; and machining an opening across a diameter of said rod during said step of rotating and moving to form a pair of intertwined helical slots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the speed of rotation of said hollow rod is adjustable with respect to axial movement of said hollow rod to control the pitch of said helical slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said hollow rod is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, chrome cobalt molybdenum and a carbon fiber composite.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of machining comprises one of wire electrical discharge machining, water-jet machining, laser machining, spark erosion machining and rotary cutting machining.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of machining comprises: machining for a predetermined period of time to form a pair of slots having endpoints; advancing said rod to form a continuous surface devoid of slots adjacent one of said endpoints; and repeating said steps of machining and advancing to form a plurality of pairs of slots separated by continuous surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein each of said continuous surfaces extends circumferentially around said rod to form a helical slot interruption.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of: machining a cutting head and an adaptor piece on opposite ends of said rod; and electro-polishing said shaft, said cutting head and said adaptor piece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: providing a cannulated tube for inserting into said hollow rod; and forcing a pressurized fluid through said cannulated tube against an inner surface of said hollow rod and through said slots to clean said shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR634832A
Cited
GB360740A
Cited
US2323700A
Cited
US3554192A
Cited
US3656378A
Cited
US4362520A
Cited
US4669172A
Cited
US4706659A
Cited
US4751922A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-08-07 | 2000-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-05 | 2003-08-07 | 2004-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-05 | 2007-08-07 | 2008-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |