Importance

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Abstract

An improved drive shaft connecting device, including a novel shear bolt (50) for connecting two ends or flanges (42, 44) of the drive shaft connecting device in a manner whereby the separate parts of the drive shaft connecting device are securely connected to each other and are yet free to disconnect from each other and rotate relative to each other in the case of an overload condition on the drive shaft or drive shaft connecting device. The shear bolt is double ended (i.e. threaded on both ends) and shouldered on both ends. The threads on each end allow the two flanges of the drive shaft coupling device to be pulled together to a pre-determined distance, which, together with a shear point (60), is set by the distance between the opposing shoulders (52) on either side of the shear bolt As well, the flanges of the drive shaft coupling device are designed to accept the shear bolts in slotted openings (46, 48). The shear bolts are designed so that there is a flat area (54) on the shear bolt where it fits into the slots of the drive shaft coupling device, so that the resulting fit of the shear bolt the drive shaft coupling device prevents the shear bolt from rotating within the slot of the drive shaft coupling device. By preventing the shear bolts from rotating, this fitting arrangement allows for easy installation and removal of threaded nuts on the shear bolt.

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First Claim