Lord Corporation

James R Barickman

Ulrich A Kuester

Thomas A David

Nicola Freri

A dual-rate drive coupling (20) for use in transmitting drive torque between drive and driven members. The first torque rate is near zero for no-load and near no-load conditions. A pair of flexible elastomeric arms (24, 26) which is preferably bonded to the inner member (22) are received in recessed portions (44, 46) in the outer member (40) and provide the coupling with this first very low torque rate. When higher torque loading produces a relative rotation between the outer member (40) and the inner member (22) of at least about 15.degree., a pair of snubbing arms (28, 30) of the inner member (22) interact with surfaces of openings (48, 50) of the outer member (50). The contact surfaces of these second snubbing arms (28, 30) are coated with an elastomer to snub all contact between the inner member (22) and the outer member (40) to inhibit vibration induced rattling. In a second preferred embodiment, the elastomeric arms are curved in opposite directions and the metal arms are skewed away from drive engagement such that a relative rotation of at least about 25.degree. is needed to bring the second pair of arms (28, 30) into driving engagement with the outer member (40).

Dual-rate coupling exhibiting an ultra-soft initial spring rate and

A drive coupling is fail-safed by providing an inner metallic member with a pair of machined opposing flat surfaces that can engage a pair of pins that are positioned in pockets in the intermediate elastomeric member. These pins are anchored in place with respect to the outer housing by staking the ends of the pins, or the like.

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Erie, PA, United States of America

James R Barickman