Kenneth David Pate

US Patent:

49274031, May 22, 1990

Filed:

Nov 18, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/273420

Inventors:

Kenneth D. Pate - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

F16D 376
F16D 702

US Classification:

464 30

Abstract:

The high voltage electrically insulative safety coupler for moling or earth augering equipment prevents high voltage electric shock to the equipment operator. The coupler is composed of first and second coupler elements, with the second coupler element including a shaft surrounded by an elastomeric retention member formed of a dielectric material such as polyurethane capable of withstanding high voltages of on the order of 50 kilovolts without breaking down. The retention member is compressed within a cavity in the first coupler element and frictionally engages the interior walls of the cavity. A hard dielectric guide bearing member fixed in position at the bottom of the cavity partially surrounds the second coupler element and prevents lateral movement of the shaft at the cavity bottom, and a second hard dielectric collar closely surrounds the shaft at the top of the cavity and fits at least partially within the cavity to prevent lateral movement of the shaft at the cavity top. A retainer spaced from the shaft is affixed over the collar to hold the collar and retention member in place. Thus the two coupler elements are totatlly separated from one another by dielectric material but are frictionally engaged to rotate together by the compressed retention member.