Compact flexible couplings with inside diameter belt support and lock-on features

摘要

A flexible coupling of the type having hubs secured to aligned shafts and connected to one another through the use of a flexible belt surrounding the hubs is improved by forming axial and circumferential grooves on the exterior surface of the belt, each circumferential groove lying transverse to and opening into an axial groove. A cooperating metal retainer ring has respective pins formed on its interior surface for insertion into the axial grooves. After a test for gross misalignment has been satisfied, the respective pins are rotated into the circumferential grooves, thereby fixing the retainer ring in position with respect to the flexible belt and coupling. The belt further has nine wedge-shaped projections, each conformably fitting with a receptacle in a cooperating hub, each receptacle rotatable into a position where it lies vertically above the shaft on which the hub is mounted, each receptacle further providing inside diameter support to the belt through its mating relationship therewith.