Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Radially interposed shim or bushing
Patent
1997-02-11
1999-01-19
Green, Brian K.
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Radially interposed shim or bushing
403 11, 403362, 403374, 285 23, 2482301, B25G 320
Patent
active
058607609
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a gripping device.
Clamping devices have been used to secure other devices to pipes or tubes. As an alternative to this a ring with screws has also been used. However, the screws of these rings can damage the pipe or tube to which the device is attached. These clamping or ring devices have a particular application in the oil industry for oilwell tubes and drill pipes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a gripping device having an inner and an outer member, the inner member having a split defining a first and a second end and a selectively operable device to keep said first and second ends apart to allow the device to be placed round an object and to allow the first and second ends to move towards one another so that the inner member grips the object, and in which at least a part of an outer face of the inner member interfits with at least a part of an inner face of the outer member in a manner that when a load is applied to the outer member the inner face of the outer member acts upon the inner member to cause compression of the inner member thereby increasing the grip of the inner member on the object and locking the device in position on the object, and when the load is removed the action of the outer member on the inner member is reduced thereby decreasing the grip of the inner member on the object and unlocking the device on the object.
Preferably, the inner member is a split ring biased so that the ends of the split ring tend towards one another.
Preferably, the selectively operable device comprises a wedging device.
Preferably, the wedging device is a screw within a screw thread, the screw thread being in transverse disposition within the slit. The screw may be accessed from an outer face of the outer member to allow the screw to be removed or placed in the device.
Alternatively, the selectively operable device may be a fastening means such as a jubilee type-clip positioned around the inner member.
Typically, the device may further include an initiation device which biases the inner face of the inner member against the object to help initiate the grip of the device on the object. The initiation device may be provided by a spring loaded clip which at least partially encircles the outer surface of the inner member. Alternatively, the initiation device may be provided a locking mechanism, such as a cable tie, which encircles the outer surface of the inner member and may be tightened to initiate the gripping of the device.
In a further alternative embodiment the selectively operable device may be cooperating eccentric formations on the inside of the outer member and the outside of the inner member which cooperate with each other typically, when the outer member is rotated relative to the inner member.
In one example of the invention the device may be in the form of a ring which is slid over the object.
Preferably, the inner member is a single part.
Alternatively, the inner member may be in two or more parts, to allow the inner member to be placed around the object. The outer member may also be in two or more parts to allow the outer member to be placed round the object with the inner member. The two or more parts may be connected by any suitable means such as pins and/or may be hinged.
Preferably, the outer face of the inner member has at least one taper interfitting with an accommodating recess in the inner face of the outer member. This arrangement may allow locking of the device on the object in the direction of the applied load. Alternatively, this arrangement may be such that the device is lockable to the object in one direction and is moveable in an opposite direction.
Preferably, the outer member is a ring shape.
Preferably, the object is a pipe or tube.
Preferably, an inner face of the inner member has a friction surface facilitating the gripping action when the wedging means is removed.
Preferably, the outer face of the outer member is suitably formed to permit flow of any material past the devic
REFERENCES:
patent: 1377101 (1921-05-01), Sparling
patent: 2455525 (1948-12-01), Schulz
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patent: 2819099 (1958-01-01), Rittle
patent: 3049775 (1962-08-01), Ondeck
patent: 3284114 (1966-11-01), McCord, Jr. et al.
patent: 3458234 (1969-07-01), Bates
patent: 3563575 (1971-02-01), Sanford
patent: 3742562 (1973-07-01), Haby
patent: 4138145 (1979-02-01), Lawrence
patent: 4494778 (1985-01-01), Johnson
Downhole Products plc
Green Brian K.
Miller William L.
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