U.S. patent number 3,797,079 [Application Number 05/287,765] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-19 for latch and v band coupler.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aeroquip Corporation. Invention is credited to Larry R. Nixon.
United States Patent |
3,797,079 |
Nixon |
March 19, 1974 |
LATCH AND V BAND COUPLER
Abstract
A "V" band coupler having arcuate segments pivoted to a bottom
hinge with a latch mechanism connecting the upper segment ends. The
latch mechanism comprises two sections each having a web and a pair
of flanges pivoted to the upper ends of the coupler segments. The
head of a bolt is pivoted to one latch section and extends through
the web of the other, a nut on the bolt drawing the latch sections
together when tightened. Bridges on the latch sections initially
engage the segments so as to create angular closing forces thereon.
However, the latch sections have facing edges which contact above
the bolt centerline, changing the pulling angle on the segments
until it is parallel to the bolt axis. Any overtorque is taken up
in the latch, protecting the segments.
Inventors: |
Nixon; Larry R. (Michigan
Center, MI) |
Assignee: |
Aeroquip Corporation (Jackson,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23104238 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/287,765 |
Filed: |
September 11, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/285; 285/420;
285/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
23/10 (20130101); F16L 3/12 (20130101); F16L
3/1075 (20130101); Y10T 24/1453 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
3/10 (20060101); F16L 23/00 (20060101); F16L
23/10 (20060101); B65d 063/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;24/279,285,284,280,263DL ;285/367,410,411,420 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
663,646 |
|
Dec 1951 |
|
GB |
|
638,761 |
|
Jun 1950 |
|
GB |
|
553,141 |
|
Feb 1958 |
|
CA |
|
1,104,922 |
|
Mar 1968 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Gelak; Bernard A.
Assistant Examiner: Borner; Kenneth J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce
Claims
I claim:
1. In combination, a latch mechanism for drawing two parts together
comprising first and second latch sections, each section having a
pair of flanges pivoted to one of said parts, each part having a
pair of flanges joined by an outer web, each section being pivoted
by a pivot pin passing through said section flanges adjacent said
web, each section further having a bridge engageable with the top
of said part and a pair of straight edges facing the edges of the
other latch section, and bolt and nut members interconnecting said
latch sections, relative rotation of said members drawing the
sections together and causing said bridges to engage the tops of
said parts, whereby combined rotary and translatory forces will be
exerted by said sections on said parts which will cause said pivot
pins to exert an outward force component on said part flanges,
continued relative rotation of said members causing said facing
pairs of edges to abut each other on the side of the bolt axis
opposite said parts, whereby said bridges will be lifted from
engagement with said parts to reduce said outward force component
and the directions of forces on said parts will be shifted toward
alignment with the bolt axis.
2. The combination according to claim 1, the lower portions of said
edges being in alignment with said bolt axis, whereby full
engagement of said edges will prevent overtorquing forces from
being transmitted to said parts.
3. In combination, a coupler having facing arcuate segments pivoted
to a hinge at the bottom, each segment having a pair of flanges
joined by an outer web, and a latch mechanism for drawing together
the tops of said segments, said latch mechanism comprising two
latch sections pivoted to said segments by pivot pins passing
through said flanges adjacent said web, a bolt having a head
pivoted to one section and passing through the other section, a nut
on said bolt, means responsive to rotation of said nut for drawing
together said segments, bridges on said latch sections between said
bolt and said pivot pins engageable with tops of said segments
during initial tightening of the nut to create a combined
rotational and direct pulling force on the segments which will
cause said pivot pins to exert an outward force component on said
segment flanges, and facing edges on the segments so shaped that
continued tightening of the nut will cause the edges to contact
each other above the bolt axis, whereby the sections will pivot
about the contacting point to reduce said outward force component
and shift the direction of pulling forces on the segments toward
alignment with the bolt axis.
4. The combination according to claim 3, said facing edges being
straight whereby the edges will come into complete contact in
response to increased torquing of the nut, the lower portions of
the facing edges being in alignment with the bolt axis, thus
preventing excessive force from being placed on the segments.
5. The combination according to claim 4, said bolt having a
necked-down portion subject to rupture upon overtorquing, and a
cage interconnecting said latch sections to maintain them in a
semi-closed position upon such rupture.
6. In combination, a coupler having facing arcuate segments pivoted
to a hinge at the bottom, and a latch mechanism for drawing
together the tops of said segments, said latch mechanism comprising
two latch sections pivoted to said segments, a bolt having a head
pivoted to one section and passing through the other section, a nut
on said bolt, means responsive to rotation of said nut for drawing
together said segments, bridges on said latch sections engageable
with tops of said segments during initial tightening of the nut to
create a combined rotational and direct pulling force on the
segments, and facing edges on the segments so shaped that continued
tightening of the nut will cause the edges to contact each other
above the bolt axis, whereby the sections will pivot about the
contacting point to shift the direction of pulling forces on the
segment toward alignment with the bolt axis, said facing edges
being straight whereby the edges will come into complete contact in
response to increased torquing of the nut, the lower portions of
the facing edges being in alignment with the bolt axis, thus
preventing excessive force from being placed on the segments, said
pivotal bolt connection having retaining portions engaging said
cage, the cage being U-shaped with its central portion mounted on
said bolt.
7. In combination, a pair of "V" band arcuate coupler segments
pivoted to a hinge at their bottoms, flat upper surfaces on said
arcuate segments, a latch mechanism comprising a pair of latch
sections with side flanges, lower portions of said flanges being
pivoted to the upper portions of said segments, bridges on said
latch sections disposed above said flat segment surfaces, a bolt
pivoted to one latch section and extending through the other
section, a nut on said bolt, convex spacer means between said nut
and other latch section, and facing straight edges on said latch
sections, the relative proportions of the parts being such that
upon initial nut torquing said bridges will engage said upper
segment surfaces to provide a combined rotational and direct
pulling force on said segments, continued torquing causing the
upper portions of said facing edges to contact above the bolt axis
whereby the latch sections will pivot about the contact points and
bring the forces acting on the segment closer to alignment with the
bolt axis while said bridges lift from said segment surfaces, the
lower portions of said facing edges being in alignment with the
bolt axis whereby full engagement of the facing edges will prevent
overtorquing from exerting any further forces on the segments.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to latch mechanisms which may be used with
couplers of the "V" band type having arcuate segments connected at
their lower ends by a hinge and capable of drawing together ducts
or other members having abutting flared flanges. A problem which
exists with present day constructions of this general type is that
the forces are exerted by the latch mechanism on the coupling
segments in directions of lesser segment strength. This may cause
failure of these segments upon overtorquing of the latch mechanism.
Conventional latch mechanisms for such couplers are also quite
expensive to manufacture.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and
improved latch mechanism for a segmented coupler which allows large
installation torques to be applied without overstressing these
segments.
It is another object to provide a novel and improved latch
mechanism of this nature which can be constructed to carry a
predetermined capacity at substantially lower cost than
conventional latch mechanisms of this general type.
It is another object to provide an improved latch and coupler
mechanism which allows a non-catastrophic failure mode in that
during and after failure of the coupler maintains a semi-closed
position, preventing complete separation of the ducting or other
clamped parts.
Briefly, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a
coupler having facing arcuate segments pivoted to a hinge at the
bottom, and a latch mechanism for drawing together the tops of said
segments. The latch mechanism comprises two latch sections pivoted
to said segments, a bolt having a head pivoted to one section and
passing through the other section, a nut on said bolt, means
responsive to rotation of said nut for drawing together said
segments, bridges on said latch sections engageable with tops of
said segments during initial tightening of the nut to create a
combined rotational and direct pulling force on the segments, and
facing edges on the segments so shaped that continued tightening of
the nut will cause the edges to contact each other above the bolt
axis, whereby the sections will pivot about the contacting point to
shift the direction of pulling forces on the segments toward
alignment with the bolt axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a coupler and latch mechanism
constructed in accordance with the invention, shown before
tightening with the latch section bridges engaging the coupler
segments.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the latch and coupler.
FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3
of FIG. 1 to show the coupler segment construction.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the latch
mechanism just prior to reaching the proper closing torque, with
the latch sections in contact and the pivot bridges lifting off the
segments.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 4 but
showing the contact position of the latch sections at the assembled
position with the pivot bridges lifted off the segments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The assembly is generally indicated at 11 and comprises a "V" band
coupler generally indicated at 12 and a latch mechanism generally
indicated at 13. The coupler is by itself of conventional
construction, having a pair of arcuate segments 14 and 15 pivoted
to opposite ends of a hinge 16. The cross-sectional shape of each
segment is shown in FIG. 3, comprising a web portion 17 and
diverging flanges 18 which serve to draw together complementary
flanges (not shown) of aligned ducts or other members to be
secured.
Latch mechanism 13 comprises a pair of latch sections generally
indicated at 19 and 20 pivotally connected to segments 14 and 15
respectively. Section 19 has a pair of side flanges 21 the lower
ends of which are connected to segment 14 by a pivot pin 22, a
bridge 23 connecting intermediate portions of these side flanges.
This bridge is engageable with the flat upper edge 24 of segment 14
as seen in FIG. 1, but is swingable away from such contact to the
positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The outwardly facing edges 25 of flanges 21 are of concave shape to
accommodate the complementary surface of a spacer 26. The spacer
transmits forces to latch section 19 from a nut 27 mounted on a
bolt 28. This bolt passes through the flanges 21 of latch section
19 and its head 29 is pivoted at 30 between the flanges 31 of latch
section 20.
The latter section is shaped similarly to latch section 19 in that
the lower ends of flanges 31 are pivoted at 32 to the upper end of
coupler segment 15. Section 20 has a bridge 33, an intermediate
portion thereof being engageable with the upper flat surface 34 of
segment 15 when in the position of FIG. 1. As in the case of bridge
23, bridge 33 can be swung away from contact with surface 34 to the
positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Bolt 28 is provided with a necked-down portion 35 (FIG. 2) which
will rupture when excessive torque is placed on nut 27. Means are
provided for preventing complete separation of the ducting or other
clamped parts when this occurs. A U-shaped cage 36 has its central
portion disposed between nut 27 and spacer 26, and its legs
extending along opposite sides of the latch mechanism. These legs
have guide slots 37 which are retained by enlarged portions 38 on
pivot 30. Thus, upon rupture of the bolt the latch mechanism will
open only until pivot 30 reaches the ends of slots 37, maintaining
the coupler in a semi-closed position.
The latch pivot means is so arranged as to allow large installation
torques to be applied without overstressing coupler segments 14 and
15. This is done by changing the loading mode acting on the
segments as torque is increased on nut 27, from a combined rotary
and translatory force to a direct translatory force parallel to the
bolt axis. This avoids overstressing the coupler segment ends and
permits a lighter construction for any predetermined load
requirements.
The means for accomplishing this comprises the facing pairs of
straight edges 39 and 41 of latch sections 19 and 20 respectively,
together with the relative positions of bridges 23 and 33. The
construction is such that during initial tightening of nut 27, as
shown in FIG. 1, bridges 23 and 33 will be supported by surfaces 24
and 34 respectively of the segments. As a result, the forces
exerted by the latch sections on the coupler segments will be in
the directions of arrows 42 and 43. These forces are the resultant
of the tendency of the latch sections to rotate about contacting
bridges 23 and 33 and the direct pull in the direction of the bolt
axis. It will be observed that these forces are being transferred
through relatively weak portions of the coupler segments.
Further tightening of nut 27 will cause the upper portions of edges
39 and 41 to come into contact, as shown in FIG. 4. This will be
achieved prior to reaching the proper closing torque. Continued
tightening of nut 27 will thus cause sections 19 and 20 to pivot
about their contact point 44 rather than tending to pivot at
bridges 23 and 33. Since point 44 is above the axis of bolt 28, the
lower portions of sections 19 and 20 will be drawn together in an
axial direction. Bridges 23 and 33 will begin to be lifted off
surfaces 24 and 34 respectively, and the directions of the forces
acting on segments 14 and 15 will be as indicated by arrows 45 and
46. That is, these forces will become more aligned with the axis of
bolt 28. Convex spacer 26 will slide on edges 25 of flanges 21
during this movement to maintain the alignment of bolt 28.
As the proper closing torque is reached, straight edges 39 and 41
will come into full contact with each other as shown in FIG. 5.
Bridges 23 and 33 will be lifted off surfaces 23 and 34
respectively and the forces acting on segments 14 and 15 will be as
shown by arrows 47 and 48, that is, parallel to the axis of bolt
28. At this time, the forces will be acting on these segments
through relatively strong portions thereof, thus protecting the
segments against damage.
After fully bottoming against each other straight edges 39 and 41,
the lower portions of which are in alignment with the bolt axis,
will further protect the segments by allowing no additional torque
to be transferred thereto. Any overtorque on nut 27 will be taken
up in the latch itself, protecting the segments.
It should be observed that parts of the latch mechanism such as
sections 19 and 20 could be fabricated as stampings, thus
substantially reducing the cost of manufacture of the assembly.
* * * * *