GB1213466A - Improvements relating to protective sleeves for torque-transmission shafts in agricultural machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,213,466. Machinery guards; bearings. JEAN WALTERSCHEID K.G. 22 Dec., 1967 [2 Jan., 1967], No. 58458/67. Headings F2A and F2J. A non-rotary protective sleeve for universally jointed shafts of an agricultural machine, comprising at least two relatively movable telescopic tubes for enclosing the shafts, at least one of the tubes 1 having an enlarged, open-ended terminal member 2 for covering a shaft joint, is rotatably mounted on a cylinderical member 3 of the joint by bearing balls 5 running in a circumferential groove 4 in the member 3, the balls 5 being retained against radially outward displacement by an axially movable bearing ring 6 which is axially located in the member 2 either by resilient means or by positive locking means. As shown, a resilient annular fitting 7 connects the member 2 to the tube 1 and has tabs 7<SP>1</SP>, 7<SP>11</SP> between which the bearing ring 6 and a guide ring 8 are held. To prevent their rotation, the tabs 7<SP>1</SP> engage recesses 6<SP>111</SP> of lugs 6<SP>1</SP> on the ring 6, and a nose on the ring 7 engages one of four notches (11) in the guide ring 8. A retaining ring 9 has a lug 9<SP>1</SP> projecting through an opening 12 in the ring 7 for attachment to a conventional safety chain. A cage 10 guides the balls 5. To remove the sleeve, tabs 7<SP>1</SP> are raised, e.g. with a screwdriver, and the bearing ring 6 moved axially until the tabs 7<SP>1</SP> engage recesses 6<SP>11</SP> in the lugs 61 (Figs. 5, 6, not shown). The balls 5 can then move radially outwards from the groove 4, so that the sleeve can be slidden relative to the shaft. In a modification, the ring 7 is rigid and has withdrawable locking members to engage either side of the ring 6. Alternatively a separate rigid locking ring with withdrawable members may be used.