Quick disconnect coupling

Abstract

A quick disconnect coupling including a first hub, a shaft fixedly connected to the first hub, the shaft being non-round in cross-section, and a second hub having a non-round recess extending therethrough, the non-round recess being sized to closely receive the shaft such that the second hub is capable of sliding along the shaft and is prevented from rotating about the shaft, wherein rotation of the first hub results in corresponding rotation of the second hub.

1 . A quick disconnect coupling comprising: 
 a first hub;    a shaft fixedly connected to said first hub, said shaft being non-round in cross-section; and    a second hub having a non-round recess extending therethrough, said non-round recess being sized to closely receive said shaft such that said second hub is capable of sliding along said shaft and is prevented from rotating about said shaft,    wherein rotation of said first hub results in corresponding rotation of said second hub.    
   
   
       2 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 1  wherein said shaft has a generally square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or elliptical cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 1  further comprising a spring for biasing said first hub away from said second hub.  
   
   
       4 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 3  wherein said spring is a coil spring.  
   
   
       5 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 4  wherein said coil spring is coaxially received over said shaft.  
   
   
       6 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 1  further comprising a pin adapted to be received within an opening in said second hub for engaging a slot in said shaft, thereby restricting movement of said second hub relative to said first hub.  
   
   
       7 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 1  wherein said recess extends entirely through said second hub such that said recess is accessible at a first end of said second hub and a second end of said second hub.  
   
   
       8 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 7  wherein said shaft is received through a first end of said recess and a drive shaft of a piece of equipment is received through a second end of said recess.  
   
   
       9 . A quick disconnect system comprising: 
 a drive shaft;    a motor; and    a coupling device for transferring rotational power from said motor to said drive shaft, said coupling device including: 
 a first hub;  
 a non-round shaft fixedly connected to said first hub;  
 a second hub closely and slidably received over said non-round shaft, said second hub having a recess for receiving said drive shaft; and  
 a spring for biasing said first hub away from said second hub,  
   wherein said first hub is connected to said motor and said second hub is selectively connectable to said drive shaft.    
   
   
       10 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 9  wherein said recess is non-round.  
   
   
       11 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 10  wherein said drive shaft includes a non-round end portion adapted to be closely received within said recess.  
   
   
       12 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 9  wherein said spring is a coil spring coaxially received over said shaft.  
   
   
       13 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 9  wherein said recess extends entirely through said second hub.  
   
   
       14 . A quick disconnect coupling comprising: 
 a male coupling member having at least two jaws thereon;    a female coupling member having at least two recesses for receiving said jaws; and    a spider having at least four wings extending therefrom, said spider being shaped to be received within said female coupling member such that each of said recesses includes at least two of said wings,    wherein each jaw of said male coupling member is positioned between two wings of said spider when said male coupling member is engaged with said female coupling member.    
   
   
       15 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 14  further comprising a connector for fixedly connecting said spider to said female coupling member.  
   
   
       16 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 15  wherein said connector is a washer and screw assembly.  
   
   
       17 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 14  wherein each of said jaws extends axially from said male coupling member.  
   
   
       18 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 14  wherein each of said jaws are spaced equidistantly about said male coupling member.  
   
   
       19 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 14  wherein each of said jaws includes a beveled and tapered surface.  
   
   
       20 . The quick disconnect coupling of  claim 14  wherein said male coupling member is connected to a first shaft and said female coupling member is connected to a second shaft such that rotation of said first shaft is translated into corresponding rotation of said second shaft when said male coupling member is engaged with said female coupling member.