The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 18, 1983
Filed:
Dec. 04, 1981
Keith L Henk, Brooklyn Park, MN (US);
Pako Corporation, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A retaining mechanism securely retains a gear in a fixed position on a shaft of a drive system in a photographic processor. The retaining mechanism includes a woodruff key which is held in position between the gear, preferably in a keyway in the gear, and an arcuate keyway in the shaft. The key has a first end portion which is engaged by a set screw and a second end portion which deformably engages an interior surface of the keyway of the gear. The set screw extends through a bore in the gear and has a head portion with a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the bore. The set screw engages the first end portion of the key with its distal end, thereby tipping the key so that the second end portion of the key engages the interior surface of the keyway of the gear. The gear is made of a material, preferably an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, which can be initially deformed by interference with the head of the set screw and, remains deformed, effectively retaining the set screw in a fixed position. As a result, the set screw securely retains the second end portion of the key in engagement with the surface of the keyway of the gear, which in turn securely retains the gear on the shaft.