Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Fluid pressure – Vehicle attached
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2001-07-31
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Fluid pressure
Vehicle attached
C254S13300A, C254S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267354
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a separating device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Hydraulic lifting and separating wedges are known. These wedges usually consist of a central wedge-shaped portion located between two external plates. The external plates are located between the objects to be separated or under the object to be lifted. The wedge is driven forward between the two plates in order to push the plates apart, thereby separating the objects or lifting the object.
Generally, the plates are coupled to the wedge by a form of pivotal connection which retains the plates on the wedge but permits the wedge to move with respect to the plates in order to separate them.
These pivotal connections have the disadvantage that the plates rotate about the pivots describing a rotational movement and do not move directly in the direction of the separation forces exerted by the wedge on the plates. Alternatively, the plates require pivoting linkages in order to enable the plates to move linearly rather than rotationally.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a separating device comprising a wedge-shaped member mounted on a body member for movement in a direction towards and/or away from the apex of the wedge-shaped member, at least one plate member capable of movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wedge-shaped member, and a linear drive mechanism to move the wedge-shaped member relative to the body member.
Preferably, there are two plate members located on opposite tapering surfaces of the wedge-shaped member.
Preferably, the plate members are constrained to move only in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wedge-shaped member, for example by a pin and slot arrangement.
Preferably, the plate members are slidably coupled to the body member. Preferably also, the plate members are slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped member. Preferably, the linear drive mechanism is coupled to the wedge-shaped member.
Preferably, the plate members extend across a tapered surface of the wedge and have legs which extend down the sides of the wedge. Typically, the plate members (via the legs) are slidably coupled to the body member by a first pin and slot arrangement. Typically also, the plate members (via the legs) are slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped member by a second pin and slot arrangement.
Typically, the plate members include a stepped outer surface, the steps originating at the leading edge of the device and increasing in size towards the body member.
Preferably, the first step at the leading edge of the device is provided with an interlocking mechanism, such that one of the plate members interfits with the other of the plate members. Preferably, the plate members have castellated front edges such that when the plate members are brought together, the castellations interfit.
This configuration has the advantage that the thickness of the leading edge of the device can be reduced whilst its strength is increased, allowing for an increase in the force which the device is capable of exerting. It will be appreciated that if the maximum force is not required for a particular application, then the thickness of the leading edge of the device may be reduced further. Typically, the interlocking feature allows the thickness of the leading edge to be reduced from 15 mm to 6 mm whilst retaining the same capacity for expansive force.
Preferably, the first pin and slot arrangement comprises a pin in one of the plate member and the body member which engages with a corresponding slot in the other of the plate member and the body member.
Preferably, the second pin and slot arrangement comprises at least one pin, and most preferably two pins, on each inner face of the legs of the plate members both of which engage a single slot formed in the wedge-shaped member. Preferably, the slot in the wedge-shaped member extends parallel to the tapered surfaces of the wedge-shaped member. Typically, the interengagement of the second pin with the second slot promotes retraction of the plate members as the wedge member is retracted using the drive mechanism without any external force being applied to the plate members such as by hand, for example. The slots on the wedge member act as a guide and the retractive force applied by the ram acts on the pins, via the guide slot, to pull the plate members together.
Alternatively, the pins may be on the wedge-shaped member and the slots may be on the plate members.
Typically, two of the first pin and slot arrangements are provided for each plate member, one pin and slot arrangement being located on each side of the wedge-shaped member. Typically also, two of the second pin and slot arrangements are provided for each plate member, one arrangement associated with each inner face of the legs of the plate members.
Typically, the plate members move in parallel but opposite directions.
In one example of the invention, the drive mechanism may comprise a hydraulic ram. In another example of the invention, the drive mechanism may comprise a threaded stud which engages with a screw thread in the body member and is coupled to the wedge-shaped member to provide for rotation of the threaded stud relative to the wedge-shaped member. Hence, rotation of the threaded stud causes a linear movement of the wedge towards or away from the body member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1407719 (1922-02-01), Boner
patent: 2259932 (1941-10-01), Hejduk et al.
patent: 3883178 (1975-05-01), Darda
patent: 4299347 (1981-11-01), Rougier
patent: 5374033 (1994-12-01), Tilman
patent: 5622353 (1997-04-01), Painter et al.
patent: 6000680 (1999-12-01), Kimura et al.
patent: 0 302 388 (1989-02-01), None
patent: 2 231 607 (1974-12-01), None
patent: 92/14674 (1992-09-01), None
Future Alignments Limited
Hail III Joseph J.
Ratner & Prestia
Wilson Lee
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