EP0048620A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cable-and-sleeve connector
Assignee: FKI Industries Inc
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Filing: 1981-09-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-09-21
Abstract
Abstract In a cable-and-sleeve connector, variations in the real or effective length of the cable 3 will tend to vary the curvature of the sleeve 7, and this can be accommodated by variations in the effective length of the sleeve 7. For this purpose, one end of the sleeve 7 is adjustably fixed to an anchor 6 by a clutch 31. When the cable 3 is relaxed, the means by which the cable 3 can be tensioned moves a member 40 to disengage the clutch 31 so that the position of the end 36 of the sleeve 7 can vary axially within the clutch. Tensioning the cable 3 releases the member 40 to allow the clutch 31 to engage again, with the end of the sleeve 7 fixed relatively to the anchor 6 in whatever position to which it may have been moved by any change in the curvature in the sleeve 7.
Inventors
- 👤 William John Gilmore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:05
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C1/00; F16C1/26; F16C1/262; F16C1/10; F16C1/22; F16C1/226; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A cable-and sleeve connector in which one end of the cable is connected to an actuation member and the other end is connected to a controlled member, and the sleeve extends along a curved, deformable, path between two anchors to which it is connected, the connection to the anchor remote from the controlled member being effected by the co-operation of one end of the sleeve with a clutch through which the end of the sleeve can slide axially when the clutch is disengaged but that, in engagement, is effective to fix the end of the sleeve relatively to the anchor, means being provided to urge the clutch towards engagement, and means being provided that, when the actuation member is operated,permits engagement of the clutch and that, when the actuation member is in its inoperative condition, effects disengagement of the clutch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A cable-and sleeve connector in which one end of the cable is connected to an actuation member and the other end is connected to a controlled member, and the sleeve extends along a curved, deformable, path between two anchors to which it is connected, the connection to the anchor remote from the controlled member being effected by the co-operation of one end of the sleeve with a clutch through which the end of the sleeve can slide axially when the clutch is disengaged but that, in engagement, is effective to fix the end of the sleeve relatively to the anchor, means being provided to urge the clutch towards engagement, and means being provided that, when the actuation member is operated,permits engagement of the clutch and that, when the actuation member is in its inoperative condition, effects disengagement of the clutch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the clutch includes a plurality of collet members encircling the sleeve, the outer surfaces of the collet members form a taper, the anchor provides an opening having a corresponding taper, the means urging the clutch towards engagement includes a spring that urges the collet members towards the narrower end of the taper and into clamping engagement with the outer surface of the sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the spring is a helical spring encircling the sleeve, one end of the spring acting on the collets and other end of the spring ading on a collar projecting outwardly from the sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which, from the collar to the collet members, the sleeve is rigid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the outer surface of the rigid part of the sleeve is serrated and the surfaces of the collet members that co-operate with the rigid part of"the sleeve are matchingly serrated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 in which the means mentioned last in claim 1 includes a sleeve extending along the cable between the anchor at which the clutch is provided and the actuation member and that, when the actuation member is relaxed, is held by the actuation member to exert a force axially on the collet members sufficient to disengage the clutch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which there is interposed between the end of the sleeve and the collet members a rigid cylinder encircling the cable and spring-urged away from the position in which the disengaging force is exerted on the collet members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the rigid cylinder is spring-urged by a helical spring within the cylinder and around the cable and acting between the end of the sleeve with which the collets engage and an inwardly directed flange in the cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which there is a housing fixed to the anchor and containing the part of the apparatus between the collar specified in claim 3 and an abutment member projecting outwardly from the cylinder specified in claim 8 and co-operating with an abutment formed on the housing to limit the extent to which the cylinder may protrude from the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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