Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Lugged member – rotary engagement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2001-07-03
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Lugged member, rotary engagement
C403S325000, C403S321000, C403S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254303
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connecting device. More particularly to an improved means for connecting a machine tool to the arm of a stationary machine with the connection being without extraneous tools and where the connection is both quick to connect and quick to release and provides rotational and axial stability. The quick release connector of the current invention will permit easy replacement of a malfunctioning tool without the time delays that normally ensue. This novel connector will operate for all manner of connected objects.
Various devices are known in the art for use on single arm or multi-arm machines that require individual power tools or power bits, or other machine tools requiring quick release adaptors so that said machine tools and/or bits can be easily and quickly replaced. It is required that such connected tools be secured both axially and radially with respect to the arm. A machine tool cannot rotate relative to the arm or be moved axially relative thereto during normal operation. This concern is especially important for high speed machine tools requiring both accuracy and safety. Conventional connecting systems require the use of hand tools, and other connecting systems are often more cumbersome requiring multi-sided profiles and recesses, and independent securing keys or special tools, which may at times be unavailable for use, thus delaying the connection process. It is extremely important to utilize machine room time as efficiently as possible, therefore, it is important to eliminate lost time associate with connecting machine tools.
Replacement of a given machine tool, when appropriate procedure for changing out of one tool with another is required, is particularly aided by this device which can have one of its male member and female member attached, respectively, to a guide arm and the other attached to the machine tool. This will allow the operator to quickly connect drills, reamers, and other power equipment without significant time loss.
Alternative technology for connecting machine and other tools and devices to a machine or a stationary object include standard fittings and connectors often requiring hand tools for making the connection.
Many conventional systems for the assembly of two components provide a female part and a male part, as connectors. Prior art, however, does not provide for such members that can interlock both axially and rotationally, in the manner taught by the instant invention. The male member has a base on an end and a cylindrical shaft extending from the base to the other end, with a pair of nubs or lobes protruding radially from opposite sides of the shaft at a predetermined spaced distance from the base. These lobes are arranged to be transversely disposed relative to another radially symmetrical key disposed on the shaft. In cooperation with correspondingly sized and shaped radially symmetrical key passageways on the female member that are aligned radially, the connection between the male member and female member is both axially and radially fixed.
Unlike prior art devices that employ an extended peripheral groove disposed inside of a bore and inclined cam channel which includes an aperture in communication with the bore to receive an axial male member for engagement which will prevent withdrawal of such member, the instant invention provides for easy engagement through insertion and twisting motion to secure the connection both axially and rotationally.
To alleviate this problem, and others which will become apparent from the disclosure which follows, the present invention conveniently disengages by manually pushing back the spring bias collar sufficiently to allow the second key to be free to rotate followed by sufficient rotation to align the first key with the key way of the inner sleeve for axially withdrawal.
These together with other objects of the invention; along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Still other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a quick-release connector and methods of producing same. The present invention provides a quick-release connector comprising a female member, with a receiving end, having an outer collar with an internal recess defined therein, an inner sleeve fitted into the internal recess, and means for biasing the outer collar towards the receiving end relative to the inner sleeve, where the inner sleeve is movable axially relative to the outer collar and has an internal bore therethrough that is coaxial with the internal recess.
The internal recess of the collar has a radially defined keypath of a precalculated axial height disposed proximate to the receiving end with predefined radial dimensions, and a radial bore portion having a uniform radial bore dimension disposed adjacent to the keypath distally from the receiving end. Furthermore, the inner sleeve has an outer contour comprising a radially defined first key of an axial depth that is less than the axial height of the keypath, having a shape corresponding to the keypath with corresponding radial dimensions in all directions that are less by a predetermined amount than the predefined radial dimensions of the keypath to allow the first key to fit into the keypath, and being disposed proximate to the receiving end thereof. In addition, it further comprises a cylindrical sleeve portion disposed adjacent to the first key with a uniform radius that is less by a predetermined amount than the uniform radial bore dimension to allow the cylindrical sleeve portion to fit in the radial bore portion.
The internal bore of the inner sleeve has a radially defined keyway, with a major radial dimension and a minor radial dimension, commencing at the receiving end of the inner sleeve and extending axially away from the receiving end for a predetermined distance, a radial step adjacent to the keyway with a radial step dimension at least as great as the major radial dimension of the keyway, and a cylindrical bore portion is disposed adjacent to the radial step and distally from the receiving end with a radial dimension at least as great as the minor radial dimension of the keyway.
The first key has a predominant radial dimension that lies in a first plane which passes through the axis of the inner sleeve and the major radial dimension of the keyway.
Further included is a male member with a leading end, that is reversibly and coaxially engageable to the female member, having a shaft extending from the leading end, at least one nub, and a second radially defined key disposed at a spaced axial distance from the at least one nub with a radially defined shape corresponding to the first key.
The second key has a predominant radial dimension, which corresponds to a maximum radial dimension of the keypath, that lies in a second plane which passes through the axis of the shaft. The spaced axial distance being at least as great as the predetermined distance of the keyway. The at least one nub protrudes radially from the side of the shaft in a radial direction with a maximum radial nub dimension that is less than the major radial dimension by a predetermined amount to allow the at least one nub to fit through the keyway and with the maximum radial nub dimension being greater than the minor radial dimension by a predetermined amount to allow the at least one nub that has passed through the keyway axially and into a space bounded by the radial step to be rotated relative to the inner sleeve to misalign the keyway and the at least one nub.
The radial direction of the at least one nub lies in a third plane which passes through the axis of the shaft, and a line no
Bozek Eugene R.
Falat Bogdan S.
Browne Lynne H.
Malcolm Tomlyne A.
McKenna Michael R.
LandOfFree
Quick-release connector and methods therefore does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Quick-release connector and methods therefore, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quick-release connector and methods therefore will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2457165