Scott J Zangl

US Patent:

6666614, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Aug 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/928762

Inventors:

Mark A. Fechter - West Bend WI
Scott J. Zangl - Hartford WI

Assignee:

Weasler Engineering, Inc. - West Bend WI

International Classification:

F16B 702

US Classification:

403321, 4033221, 4033222, 403327, 4033595, 403DIG 4, 403DIG 6

Abstract:

A coupler assembly for axially coupling a hub onto a shaft includes a latch assembly that prevents a locking collar from latching to the hub in a released or disengaged position when the shaft is in the hub. The collar latch assembly includes a latch ring biased eccentrically about the hub and release members when in a released position so as to engage a surface of the hub. When the shaft is inserted into the hub, the release members move to a radially outward position and center the latch ring on the hub. This allows the collar to slide by spring force to a locked position in which the locking members are moved radially inward to engage recesses in the shaft. The release members remain in the radially outward position as long as the shaft is in the hub, thereby preventing the locking ring from engaging the hub and locking the collar in the released position while the shaft is engaged with the hub.

US Patent:

6447397, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Oct 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/687667

Inventors:

Daryl J. Jaeger - Kewaskum WI
Scott J. Zangl - Hartford WI

Assignee:

Weasler Engineering, Inc. - West Band WI

International Classification:

F16D 710

US Classification:

464 37, 192 561, 192 8922

Abstract:

A detent type torque overload clutch has a regressive disc spring that exerts a lower engagement force in the disengaged position than in the engaged position. The force exerted by the spring initially increases to a maximum upon compression from the engagement preload on the spring, and then decreases upon further compression as the disengaged position of the detents is approached. In the disengaged position, the spring moves past flat to a concave shape in which the re-engagement force is small so that re-engagement can only occur at small relative speeds and torques.