Joints and connections – Interfitted members – Radially interposed shim or bushing
Patent
1994-09-29
1996-07-23
Knight, Anthony
Joints and connections
Interfitted members
Radially interposed shim or bushing
403370, 403383, 403 52, F16C 1104, F16B 306
Patent
active
055383564
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to swivel links, especially for use with the rotatable interconnection of two relative to each other swingable members at the adjacent end portions thereof, wherein the end portion of one member may be bifurcated and formed with two aligned swivel link attachment holes which, in the rotatably interconnected condition of the two members, correspond with a through-going bore in the end portion of the other member, said other member through the bore thereof accommodating the central bolt portion of the swivel link and being rotatably supported on said bolt portion, possibly through bearings. The bolt of the swivel link, outside said central bolt portion, is formed with conically tapering end portions each surrounded by a corresponding, internally conical sleeve, a so called cone, each assigned a nut, each rotatable on a threaded coaxial end trunnion of the bolt, each of said end trunnions axially protruding outside the respective conical bolt portion.
Upon tightening of the nuts on the end trunnions of the bolt axially inwardly in the direction of the centre of the bolt from opposite sides, the nuts each causes the associated cone to move axially inwardly, the internally conical faces of the cones being urged against and resting on the adjacent conically tapering end portion of the bolt, while the annular wedge-shaped wall of the cone is pressed into the complementarily shaped wedge-shaped annulus defined between the internal wall face of the attachment hole and the opposing face of the conically tapering end portion (positioned axially inwardly of the adjacent end trunnion) of the bolt, whereby the cones by means of the nuts wedge the conically tapering end portions of the bolt firmly into the attachment holes of the bifurcated end portion of said member. The other member of the two said members which is to be pivotly arranged in relation to the member having the bifurcated end portion, may be formed with a smooth circle-cylindrical bore for rotatable suspension directly on the central correspondingly formed axial portion of the bolt. Between said central bolt portion and said other member, an intermediate bearing may possibly be provided.
Upon large shifting loads and undermeasured (subdimensioned) attachments, a phenomenon called "beating out" will occur in conventionally designed swivel links of this kind, but also with correctly dimensioned attachments, problems will arise when disassembling such swivel links.
All swivel links between movable members include boles to be lubricated, maintained and kept up regularly. A common problem, particularly in equipment on offshore installations, is that the bolts get stuck within the attachments, so that the bolts must be jacked out or burned away upon disassembling or replacing the swivel link. Moreover, in equipment subjected to large loads, such as e.g. contractor machines (excavators, loading and charging machines, etc.), "beating-out" occurs in the attachments for the bolts. Usually, when such "beating-out" occurs, insertion of new linings into the equipment is tried, but more often portions of the attachments have to be burned away, new portions being welded on. Finally, the holes of the attachments, the attachment holes, must be line drilled. Risk of damages to the equipment due to wearing or beating-out, necessitates regular and frequent inspections and overhaulings as well as replacements of the bolts. This work is both time-consuming and expensive. In case the equipment in question has to be disassembled or where the swivel links are located such that they are difficult to reach, scaffolding must be rigged up and safety measures introduced, resulting in increasing consumption of time and increased costs.
As mentioned, in such swivel links, it is previously known to form the bolt body with conically tapering end portions positioned axially inwardly of the threaded end trunnions of the bolt body. These conical bolt portions are brought into engagement with the attachment holes, whereafter the nuts are screwed axially inwardly o
REFERENCES:
patent: 1585532 (1926-05-01), Cole et al.
patent: 3501183 (1970-03-01), Stratienko
patent: 4006993 (1977-02-01), Woerlee
patent: 4367053 (1983-01-01), Stratienko et al.
patent: 5009539 (1991-04-01), Muellenberg
patent: 5176464 (1993-01-01), Tanner
patent: 5190393 (1993-03-01), Svensson
Aarre Arne
Oaland Knut S.
LandOfFree
Swivel link does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Swivel link, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Swivel link will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-708896