Flexible coupling and old leather washer by peter Brotherhood

This Flange coupling, patented in 1883 by Peter Brotherhood, will allow a small miss-alignment of the connecting shafts and also a limited amount of end play. This coupling has been totally machined even on the faces not connected with its function.

A disc of leather or other flexible material is clamped at its outer edge by a ring onto a flange which is keyed to a shaft. It is similarly secured at its centre to a flange keyed to the other shaft. This example is bored to key a 2" diameter shaft to a 2 1/4" diam. shaft. This particular leather disc was in use for 12 months in 1883 /1884 for transmitting about 40 h.p. @ 80 r.p.m.