Method for making a flexible wrap-type shaft coupling

Abstract

A flexible coupling assembly adapted for mounting on the ends of a shaft in coaxial alignment. The coupling includes a pair of annular hubs. A plurality of radially outwardly opening receptacles are spaced around the circumferential edge of each hub. A molded flexible belt is wrapped around the circumferential edge of both hubs, and has a plurality of spaced resilient teeth extending from one side of the belt. Each tooth is received in a pair of aligned receptacles formed in the hubs. The belt is molded with a length greater than the circumference of the circumferential edge, and the belt is cut to a length such that there is no more than one tooth per pair of receptacles. An annular retainer is slipped over the belt to retain the teeth in the receptacles. The retainer is held over the belt by at least one deformable pin extending from another side of the belt, and the pin is received in a circumferential groove formed on an inner surface of the annular retainer to retain the retainer over the belt.

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         19 . A method of making a resilient coupling member for use in a flexible coupling assembly adapted for mounting on the ends of a shaft in coaxial alignment, said coupling including a pair of annular hubs, each hub having an outer end, a central bore open to said outer end for receiving an end of a shaft, an axially inner end facing in an opposite direction of said outer end and facing the inner end of the other hub, said inner end having a circumferential edge in which a plurality of radially outwardly opening receptacles are formed and are spaced around said circumferential edge, and each receptacle is open to the inner end of the hub and is substantially aligned with a receptacle formed in the other hub to form a pair of aligned receptacles, said method member comprising: 
 molding a flexible belt which can be wrapped around the circumferential edge of both hubs, said belt having a plurality of spaced resilient teeth extending from one side of said belt, and said belt is molded with a length greater than the circumference of the circumferential edge; and    cutting said belt to a length such that there is no more than one tooth per pair of receptacles.    
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 19 , in which molding said flexible belt includes forming at least one pin extending from another side of said belt.  
     
     
         21 . the method as in  claim 19 , in which said belt is molded from a material selected from a group consisting of EPDM, rubber, isoprene, and neoprene.