Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof – Each mating member having similarly shaped – sized – and...
Patent
1995-02-27
1996-07-02
Sakran, Victor N.
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Each mating member having similarly shaped, sized, and...
24597, 24635, 411554, A44B 2100, F16L 3700
Patent
active
055309992
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an axial locking device of the type for locking first and second separable members together by movement of the members relative to each other in one axial sense, followed by a return relative movement, and unlocking the members by a further relative in the first axial sense (repeat first relative movement), the device comprising a locking mechanism associated with the first member, the locking mechanism comprising a locking element for engaging the second member, to lock the members together, actuating means movable axially with respect to the first member and engageable by the second member when said relative movement occurs in the first axial sense, to initiate or cause actuation of the locking mechanism, locking means which are rotatable about an axis of relative movement between the two members to actuate the locking element, first, toothed thrust means associated with said actuating means, for applying rotary thrust, second, toothed thrust means which co-act with the first thrust means and are connected to the locking means to rotate the locking means and hence actuate the locking element, and spring means biassing the second thrust means axially against the first thrust means.
Such axial locking devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,454 and WO 90/15282. Some uses of the devices are given for instance on pages 2, 3, 41 and 42 of WO 90/15282. The devices can have high wear capability and can accept wide manufacturing tolerances. As stress does not pass through the teeth of the thrust means, high strength can be achieved. The devices are easily produced in a wide range of materials, in general of any suitable rigid material, and can be produced in any size and in a wide range of quality levels, from aerospace to consumer products. In general, the devices can be used with any type of end termination, such as male or female threads for general purpose or specific use, swaged in sleeves for use as a rope or hawser joiner, or projection welds for joining to panels. The devices can have a hole through the centre to enable them to be used as fluid couplers. The devices can be used for computer cable connectors or jewellery clasps. One of the members can be provided with screw threading for screwing into, for instance, wood. Push button or plunger operation is possible for for instance cable latches. The locking mechanism can be mounted on a male member or on a female member.
The devices permit one-handed and/or speedy operation. No relative rotary movement is required between the two members. However, there is still a need to simplify the devices and to reduce the number of parts.
THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there are retaining means which are substantially fixed in a rotary sense with respect to the first thrust means and relative to which the second thrust means move axially during actuation, the arrangement being such that during said first relative movement a respective tooth of the second thrust means slides against the retaining means until the tooth reaches the end of the retaining means, when the tooth of the second thrust means is rotated by the respective tooth of the first thrust means, and during said return movement, said tooth of the second thrust means is able to cam over the end of the retaining means to rotate the second thrust means in the same rotary sense, and is able to engage an end surface of the next first thrust means tooth to bias the first thrust means in the return sense.
The invention enables the axial locking device to be further simplified and enables a number of parts to be further reduced. Thus the device can be made with only one spring and only two moving parts in addition to the spring. The device can be arranged to give a positive snap action when locking and when unlocking, which gives a clear indication of operation. There are wide design choices, such as having a long or short stroke, or having a high or low actuation force. For instance, in order to increase the stroke, the number of
REFERENCES:
patent: 2291975 (1942-08-01), Minero
patent: 3470524 (1969-09-01), Culver
patent: 3675499 (1972-07-01), Marosy
patent: 4709454 (1987-12-01), Barnes
patent: 4944073 (1990-07-01), Haug
LandOfFree
Axial locking device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Axial locking device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Axial locking device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1497284