Receptacles – Closures – Removable closure retained by ductile in situ deformation
Patent
1992-05-06
1995-07-25
Moy, Joseph Man-Fu
Receptacles
Closures
Removable closure retained by ductile in situ deformation
B65D 4132
Patent
active
054354552
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a locking plug arrangement using a plug which may be releasably locked in a bore.
In fluid control technology, plugs are used which are shaped to provide an abutment for a control piston movable in a bore, and which also seal the bore against escape of hydraulic fluid. Conventional plugs of this type may be positively locked with respect to a housing containing the bore, even under high dynamic loads, by devices such as bolts, pins or locking rings. A disadvantage of this type of locking plug, however, is the large number of structural details required as well as the high cost of manufacturing and assembly, especially in connection with arrangements for removing the plug.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a locking plug arrangement using a releasable locking plug which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a locking plug which can be easily installed and removed, but is positively fixed in position even under high dynamic loads.
These and other objects of the invention are attained by providing a locking plug having a body with an outer surface adapted to be received in sealing relation in a bore and having a catch member projecting from the body which is arranged to be received in a passage extending transversely to the axis of the bore. A locking plug arrangement according to the invention may be mass produced by making the plug from an injectable synthetic material and making a die-cast housing to receive the plug. In this way, all of the necessary elements of the locking arrangement may be provided during the formation of the plug and the housing so that no machining will be required. By making the plug in the form of a hollow cylinder, the amount of material required can be reduced, providing economic advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a representative embodiment of the invention in which a locking plug is received and locked in a housing bore;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the locking plug arrangement shown in FIG. 1, taken along line II--II and looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second representative embodiment of the invention showing a locking plug received and locked in a housing bore; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, taken along the line IV--IV and looking in the direction of the arrows.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the typical embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a locking plug 1, in the shape of a hollow cylinder, has a closed end 1.1 and a cylindrical outer wall 1.2 which is in contact with a wall of a bore 2 in a housing 3. The housing 3 may, for example, be part of a valve box for a fluid control system, and may be formed as a die casting. A passage 4 is formed in the housing 3 substantially perpendicular to the centerline of the bore 2 and a catch member 5, projecting outwardly from the cylindrical outer wall 1.2 of the locking plug 1 and capable of being bent resiliently toward the cylindrical outer wall 1.2, is received in the passage 4. In addition, the plug 1 has a sealing lip 6 engaging the bore 2 and an annular shoulder 7, which may, for example, be an abutment for a control system movable in the bore 2 (not shown). Also cast into the housing 3 are a longitudinal groove 8 extending along the bore 2 as far as the passage opening 4, and two abutment surfaces 9.1 and 9.2 in the opening 4. In the locked condition of the plug, an abutment surface 10 at the end of the catch member 5 engages the surface 9.1 essentially in area contact therewith and hence is not subject to wear.
Two lateral surfaces 11 and 12 of the catch member 5, visible in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, are confined by two side wal
REFERENCES:
patent: 3023925 (1962-03-01), Sher
patent: 3385466 (1968-05-01), Hook et al.
patent: 3893487 (1975-07-01), Engelking
patent: 4627597 (1986-12-01), Brausfeld et al.
patent: 4787795 (1988-11-01), Kraus
patent: 4981310 (1991-01-01), Belisaire
Siegfried Hildebrand, Feinmechanische Bauelemente. Carl Hanser Verlag Munchen Wien, 1978, pp. 243-244.
Man-Fu Moy Joseph
Volkswagon AG
LandOfFree
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 Locking device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Locking device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-734753