Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Hand operated
Patent
1994-01-07
1996-08-13
Bonck, Rodney H.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Hand operated
745015R, F16C 122
Patent
active
055445438
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a device to adjust the length of cables, of flexible, mechanical remote-controls and the like comprising two mutually adjustable components that can be locked into or snapped into different positions relative to each other.
b) Description of the Related Art
Frequently motor-vehicle cables for couplings or clutches are not made by the automobile manufacturer but instead are supplied by the accessories industry. They must be pre-set in such manner that a minimum of costs shall be entailed during assembly at the plant of the motor-vehicle manufacturer. The cables, which consist of a wire rope and a sheath surrounding it, are fitted for such a purpose with a length-adjusting device which as a rule will change the sheath length. As a rule the cables are supplied to the motor-vehicle manufacture with their sheath length set at a minimum so that the cable ends can be easily hooked into the clutch pedal and the disengaging lever. If the sheath length is initially excessive and if the cable wire can be hooked up only by pre-displacement of the disengaging lever, the clutch might no longer engage. Moreover pre-displacing the disengaging lever is work making tool use practically mandatory. Accordingly a cable sheath less than nominal length must be supplied to the automotive manufacturer. This length deficiency is compensated during assembly in a first adjustment by the length-adjusting device of the initially cited kind, whereby the length of wire rope and of sheath of the cable will precisely match in the assembled state.
The German patent 671,006 describes a length-adjusting device of the initial cited kind which automatically changes the length of a brake linkage using two ratchet connections in the manner of a freewheel. The lengthening of the brake linkage upon brake-pad wear is implemented by actuating the brake, where required several times. However the first brake actuation may not achieve the desired braking. Furthermore operation of this device requires a fixed rest directly supporting this device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide an operationally reliable length-adjusting device of simple theoretical and practical design making possible first-time adjustment of the cable or remote control. Another object of the invention is a length-adjusting device for automatic cable-length compensation.
This problem is solved in that the mutually locking components are secured in their locking position by a movable securing element. Locking or snap-in connection herein denotes a geometrically locking connection by a spring-loaded latch, which can be disengaged from its locking position by applying a force, moving over a sloping surface. In the invention, the securing element is displaced out of the securing position when the proper setting of the length-adjusting device is desired, and thereupon the two force-transmitting components are pulled apart in the sense of an elongation of the compressed sheath and finally the securing element is again slipped-on into the desired locking position. This method can be repeated arbitrarily often as a readjustment in the presence of wear and it assures length adjustment already upon first-time actuation for instance of a handbrake.
An advantageous embodiment mode of the invention provides that in the locking position of the components, the securing element will be caught and/or locked. This feature ensures that unwanted slippage of the securing element and hence unwanted release of the locking components is precluded. Said locking motion or locking can be implemented or replaced by a bayonet lock, by a position behind the dead point or merely by clamping.
In an alternative embodiment mode of the invention, the securing element is spring-loaded to keep it in its securing position. In the simplest way, spring-loading can be achieved by a helical spring. Similarly a snap lock with a flexible hook may engage matching recesses. The invention covers any fastening mode of th
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Hilgert Gunter
Medebach Thomas
Battista Mary Ann
Bonck Rodney H.
Kuster & Co. GmbH
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