Torque-transmitting coupling
US6689138B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T279/17
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
According to the invention, a torque-transmitting assembly is described. A female coupling member defines a shape with a tapered bore. A radially flexible sleeve member has a wall with a tapered exterior surface, received within the bore, and an inner surface defining a through-bore. An elongated shaft member made of super-elastic alloy has an outer surface that is received within the through-bore. Relative motion among at least two of the members causes the inner surface to contact the outer surface, inducing a super-elastic activation in the shaft, simultaneously securing the members together in a fixed relative position. The radially flexible sleeve member has a plurality of collet fingers, which preferably contact the shaft at discrete locations. It is further preferred that the super-elastic activation in the shaft occurs as a result of the discrete contact thereby changing the cross-sectional shape of the shaft, which is generally non-circular, e.g., polygonal, in a further preferred form. A surgical device, e.g., a flexible reamer, is descibed as incorporating the present assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.