초록 ▼

A drive engagement mechanism for providing selective engagement with a drive shaft where the drive shaft includes a surface having a discontinuity. The engagement mechanism includes a cylindrical hub with an external surface and an aperture extending along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical hu

A drive engagement mechanism for providing selective engagement with a drive shaft where the drive shaft includes a surface having a discontinuity. The engagement mechanism includes a cylindrical hub with an external surface and an aperture extending along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical hub. The hub includes a protrusion for engaging the discontinuity on the shaft and a surface for allowing rotational and sliding support of the hub against the shaft. The hub is mounted within a support frame that provides sliding and rotational support to the hub from the external surface of the hub, so that the hub may slide along the axis from a first position where the protrusion engages the discontinuity on the shaft, to a second position where the protrusion does not contact the discontinuity and thus disengages the shaft. Structure for moving the hub from the first position to the second position is also provided, so that the hub is supported next to the shaft by the support frame and so that when the hub is in the first position the hub engages the discontinuity on the shaft to transmit power from the shaft and when the hub is slid to the second position the hub is disengaged from the discontinuity.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A shaft mountable drive engagement mechanism for providing selective engagement with a drive shaft, the drive shaft having a diameter and a surface having a discontinuity, the drive engagement mechanism riding on the drive shaft while in a first, engaged, position and whi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A shaft mountable drive engagement mechanism for providing selective engagement with a drive shaft, the drive shaft having a diameter and a surface having a discontinuity, the drive engagement mechanism riding on the drive shaft while in a first, engaged, position and while in a second, disengaged, position, the drive engagement mechanism comprising:a hub adapted for mounting along the drive shaft, the hub having an external surface, a first end and a second end, and an axis extending from the first end towards the second end, the second end having a power transmission component, the hub further having an aperture extending along the axis from the first end towards the second end, so that the hub is adapted to receive the drive shaft through the first end towards the second end, a first portion of the aperture next to the first end of the hub being of a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the drive shaft, so that the diameter of the aperture next to the first end of the hub allows rotational and sliding support of the hub against the drive shaft, a second portion of the aperture near the second end of the hub providing a means for engaging the discontinuity of the drive shaft, the means for engaging the discontinuity occupying a portion of the aperture and extending less than a length of the aperture, so that the means for engaging the discontinuity is not in contact with the discontinuity on the drive shaft when the hub is in the second position; andmeans for moving said hub from said first position to said second position, so that when the hub is in the first position the hub engages the discontinuity on the drive shaft to transmit power from the drive shaft to the power transmission component, and when the hub is slid to the second position the hub is disengaged from the discontinuity on the drive shaft.