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:
Dec. 31, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 02, 2001
Andrew Pollard, Bridgnorth, GB;
GKN Automotive GmbH, Lohmar, DE;
Abstract
A flexible annular coupling made of composite material and an even number of relatively thicker fixing portions ( ) spaced apart circumferentially around the coupling for connection to two rotary members to be coupled by the coupling and a flexible leaf ( ) extending lengthwise between each two adjacent fixing portions. Each leaf includes a relatively thinner central part ( ) and a transition portion ( ) of gradually increasing thickness between the ends of the central part and the thicker fixing portions. The coupling is constructed such that the central part ( ) of at least each circumferentially alternate leaf will always be displaced axially in the same predetermined direction (A) transverse to its length when the leaf is caused to buckle by compressive force(s) acting between the fixing portions at the ends of the leaf. The displacement may be obtained by curving the central part, by suitably shaping the transitional portions or by making the central part of two layers of different stiffness.