Shaft guard for a machine
A shaft guard for a machine includes a base that has a mounting segment configured to be secured to a stationary part of the machine and a longitudinal segment that extends outwardly from the mounting segment and terminates at a distal end thereof. The longitudinal segment has first non-helical threads on a portion thereof. The shaft guard includes a shaft cover that extends longitudinally from a connection end to a free end thereof. The shaft cover has a second non-helical threads on a portion thereof. One or more of the first non-helical threads engage respective ones of the second non-helical threads to secure the shaft cover to the base.
1 . A shaft guard for a machine, the shaft guard comprising:
a base comprising a mounting segment configured to be secured to a stationary part of the machine and a longitudinal segment extending outwardly from the mounting segment and terminating at a distal end thereof, the longitudinal segment comprising first non-helical threads; and
a shaft cover extending longitudinally from a connection end to a free end thereof, the shaft cover comprising second non-helical threads;
wherein at least one of the first non-helical threads engage a respective one of the second non-helical threads to secure the shaft cover to the base.
2 . The shaft guard of claim 1 , wherein the first non-helical threads comprises first non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads and the second non-helical threads comprises second non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads.
3 . The shaft guard of claim 2 , wherein the first non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads have a first pitch diameter and the second non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads have a second pitch diameter, the first pitch diameter and the second pitch diameter having interference fit magnitudes.
4 . The shaft guard of claim 2 , further comprising an incremental adjustment feature configured to selectively adjust a longitudinal position of the shaft cover relative to the base.
5 . The shaft guard of claim 4 , wherein the incremental adjustment feature comprises selective engagement of a first predetermined number of the first non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads for engagement with a second predetermined number of the second non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads.
6 . The shaft guard of claim 2 , wherein the first non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads are formed on an exterior surface of the base and the second non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads are formed on an interior surface of the shaft cover.
7 . The shaft guard of claim 2 , wherein the first non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads are formed on an interior surface of the base and the second non-helical tapered trapezoidal threads are formed on an exterior surface of the shaft cover.
8 . The shaft guard of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the base and the shaft cover comprise at least one thermosetting polymer and are manufactured via an injection molding process.
9 . The shaft guard of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least a first base segment and a second base segment that longitudinally abut one another.
10 . The shaft guard of claim 1 , wherein the shaft cover comprises at least a first shaft cover segment and a second shaft cover segment that longitudinally abut one another.
11 . The shaft guard of claim 10 , wherein the first shaft cover segment and the second shaft cover segment comprises longitudinal lips that engage one another.
12 . The shaft guard of claim 1 , wherein the mounting segment comprises a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange.
13 . The shaft guard of claim 1 , wherein the shaft cover is cantilever supported by the base.
14 . The shaft guard of claim 1 , wherein the shaft cover comprises a radially inward extending circumferential flange.
15 . A shaft guard for a machine, the shaft guard comprising:
a base comprising a mounting segment configured to be secured to a stationary part of the machine and a longitudinal segment extending outwardly from the mounting segment and terminating at a distal end thereof, the longitudinal segment comprising first non-helical threads having a first pitch diameter;
a shaft cover extending longitudinally from a connection end to a free end thereof, the shaft cover comprising second non-helical threads having a second pitch diameter; and
an incremental adjustment feature that adjusts a longitudinal position of the shaft cover relative to the base, the incremental adjustment feature comprising engagement of the first and second non-helical threads, wherein the first and second pitch diameters form an interference fit.
16 . The shaft guard of claim 15 , wherein the first and second non-helical threads comprises tapered trapezoidal threads.
17 . The shaft guard of claim 15 , wherein the base and/or the shaft cover comprise an injection molded thermoset polymer.
18 . The shaft guard of claim 15 , wherein the shaft cover comprises a first shaft cover segment and a second shaft cover segment that longitudinally abut one another.
19 . The shaft guard of claim 18 , wherein the first shaft cover segment and the second shaft cover segment comprises longitudinal lips that engage one another.
20 . The shaft guard of claim 15 , wherein the first non-helical threads are on an exterior surface of the base and the second non-helical threads are on an interior surface of the shaft cover.