Force transmitting system

Claim 2

A force transmitting system, comprising a cylindrical, openended, fiber-reinforced resin tube having a pair of substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material bonded to respective mutually overlying regions of the inner and outer tube surfaces, the outer one of said layers being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, and a force transferring fitting having external rigid sleeve means and concentric internal radially expansible means defining an annular space about the latter in which the portion of said tube carrying said elastomer layers is received, said tube being clamped to said fitting by activation of said expansible means to press said tube outwardly via said elastomer layers against said sleeve means.

Claim 3

A force transmitting system, comprising a cylindrical, open-ended, fiber-reinforced resin tube having first and second substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material bonded to respective mutually overlying regions of the inner and outer tube surfaces, said first layer being of increasing thickness in the direction away from the proximate open end of said tube, said second layer being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, and a force transferring fitting having external rigid sleeve means and concentric internal radially expansible means defining an annular space about the latter in which the portion of said tube carrying said elastomer layers is received, said tube being clamped to said fitting by activation of said expansible means to press said tube outwardly via said elastomer layers against said sleeve means.

Claim 4

A force transmitting system, comprising a cylindrical, open-ended, fiber-reinforced resin tube having first and second substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material bonded to respective mutually overlying regions of the inner and outer tube surfaces, said first layer being of increasing thickness in the direction away from the proximate open end of said tube, said second layer being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, and a force transferring fitting having external rigid sleeve means and concentric internal radially expansible means defining an annular space about the latter in which the portion of said tube carrying said elastomer layers is received, said tube being clamped to said fitting by activation of said expansible means to press said tube outwardly via said elastomer layers against said sleeve means.

Claim 5

A force transmitting system according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of said first layer increases from a minimum value substantially equal to the thickness of said second layer, to a maximum value of no more than about 10 times the minimum value.

Claim 6

A force transmitting system, comprising a cylindrical, open-ended, fiber-reinforced resin tube, first and second substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material bonded to respective mutually overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, said first layer being of increasing thickness in the direction away from the proximate open end of said tube, said second layer being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve with a cylindrical inner surface disposed in surrounding relation to the outer surface of said second elastomer layer, radially expansible means located interiorly of said tube and said first elastomer layer for applying outwardly directed pressure to said tube in the region of said elastomer layers and clamping said tube to said coupling sleeve via said elastomer layers, means for selectively activating said expansible means, and means for enabling establishment of a joint driving connection between force applying means and both said expansible means and said coupling sleeve, whereby upon expansion of said expansible means, force may be transferred by said coupling sleeve and said second elastomer layer to the outer surface of said tube, and simultaneously but independently thereof by said expansible means and said first elastomer layer to the inner surface of said tube, said elastomer layers ensuring a distribution of stress transfer to said tube over the entire expanse of said overlying regions of said tube surfaces.

Claim 7

A force transmitting system, comprising a cylindrical, open-ended, fiber-reinforced resin tube, first and second substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material bonded to respective mutually overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, said first layer being of increasing thickness in the direction away from the proximate open end of said tube, said second layer being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve with a cylindrical inner surface disposed in surrounding relation to the outer surface of said second elastomer layer, radially expansible means located interiorly of said tube and said first elastomer layer for applying outwardly directed pressure to said tube in the region of said elastomer layers and clamping said tube to said coupling sleeve via said elastomer layers, means for selectively activating said expansible means, and means for enabling establishment of a joint driving connection between force applying means and both said expansible means and said coupling sleeve, whereby upon expansion of said expansible means, force may be transferred by said coupling sleeve and said second elastomer layer to the outer surface of said tube, and simultaneously but independently thereof by said expansible means and said first elastomer layer to the inner surface of said tube, said elastomer layers ensuring a distribution of stress transfer to said tube over the entire expanse of said overlying regions of said tube surfaces.

Claim 8

A force transmitting system according to claim 4, said means for enabling said driving connection to be established comprising a rigid metal transverse web interiorly of said coupling sleeve and dividing the latter into first and second sections, said first section having said cylindrical inner surface, said web bridging the proximate open end of said tube, means securing said web and said expansible means to one another, and means on said second section of said coupling sleeve adapted to coact with corresponding means on said force applying means for interlocking said coupling sleeve and said force applying means against displacement relative to one another in the direction of the force to be transmitted.

Claim 9

A force transmitting system according to claim 5, said interlocking means comprising an external splined configuration of said second section of said coupling sleeve.

Claim 10

A force transmitting system according to claim 5, said interlocking means comprising an external hexagonal configuration of said second section of said coupling sleeve.

Claim 11

A force transmitting system according to claim 5, said interlocking means comprising an external threaded configuration of said second section of said coupling sleeve.

Claim 12

A force transmitting system, comprising a cylindrical, open-ended, fiber-reinforced resin tube, first and second substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material bonded to respective overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, said first layer increasing in thickness in the direction away from the proximate open end of said tube, said second layer being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve having an integral, internal, rigid transverse web intermediate its ends, a first section of said coupling sleeve to one side of said web having a cylindrical inner surface and being disposed in surrounding relation to the outer surface of said second elastomer layer and with said web overlying said open end of said tube, a second section of said coupling sleeve to the other side of said web being provided with means adapted to enable the output end of a driving member, when the same is juxtaposed to said second section of said coupling sleeve, to be drivingly connected to the same, said web being provided with an axial opening and with a set of additional openings arranged along a locus concentric with said axial openings, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly oF said tube and said first elastomer layer, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said open end of said tube and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a conical exterior configuration which decreases in diameter in the direction away from said web and having a conical internal space which decreases in diameter in the direction of said web, each of said elements at its thickest end slidably engaging said web, each of said elements at its end facing said web having secured thereto a shank of a headed bolt extending with a degree of freedom of radial movement through a respective one of said additional openings in said web, each of said elements having a radially outwardly extending flange at its thinnest portion to a height insufficient to reach the inner tube surface, said first elastomer layer occupying the entire space between said inner tube surface and said split tubular structure intermediate said flanged and thickest ends thereof, a draw rod having a conical body section arranged coaxially within the confines of said conical internal space of said split tubular structure and having its widest portion juxtaposed to the thinnest portions of said elements, said draw rod including an externally threaded end section extending axially from the narrowest portion of said conical body section through the space within the confines of said thickest portions of said elements and through said axial opening in said web, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod within the confines of said second section of said coupling sleeve and bearing against said web to enable said conical body section of said draw rod, upon rotation of said nut in the appropriate direction, to be pulled toward said web for displacing said elements radially outwardly against said first elastomer layer to an extent sufficient to clamp said tube tightly against said first section of said coupling sleeve via said first and second elastomer layers, whereby force may be transmitted via said second section of said coupling sleeve to said first section thereof and thence via said second elastomer layer to the outer surface of said tube, and independently thereof via said second section of said coupling sleeve to said web and thence via said elements and said first elastomer layer to the inner surface of said tube, said elastomer layers ensuring a distribution of stress transfer to said tube over the entire axial length of said overlying regions of said tube surfaces.

Claim 13

A force transmitting system, comprising a cylindrical, open-ended, fiber-reinforced resin tube, first and second substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material bonded to respective overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, said first layer increasing in thickness in the direction away from the proximate open end of said tube, said second layer being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve having an integral, internal, rigid transverse web intermediate its ends, a first section of said coupling sleeve to one side of said web having a cylindrical inner surface and being disposed in surrounding relation to the outer surface of said second elastomer layer and with said web overlying said open end of said tube, a second section of said coupling sleeve to the other side of said web being provided with means adapted to enable the output end of a driving member, when the same is juxtaposed to said second section of said coupling sleeve, to be drivingly connected to the same, said web being provided with an axial opening and with a set of additional openings arranged along a locus concentric with said axial openings, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly oF said tube and said first elastomer layer, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said open end of said tube and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a conical exterior configuration which decreases in diameter in the direction away from said web and having a conical internal space which decreases in diameter in the direction of said web, each of said elements at its thickest end slidably engaging said web, each of said elements at its end facing said web having secured thereto a shank of a headed bolt extending with a degree of freedom of radial movement through a respective one of said additional openings in said web, each of said elements having a radially outwardly extending flange at its thinnest portion to a height insufficient to reach the inner tube surface, said first elastomer layer occupying the entire space between said inner tube surface and said split tubular structure intermediate said flanged and thickest ends thereof, a draw rod having a conical body section arranged coaxially within the confines of said conical internal space of said split tubular structure and having its widest portion juxtaposed to the thinnest portions of said elements, said draw rod including an externally threaded end section extending axially from the narrowest portion of said conical body section through the space within the confines of said thickest portions of said elements and through said axial opening in said web, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod within the confines of said second section of said coupling sleeve and bearing against said web to enable said conical body section of said draw rod, upon rotation of said nut in the appropriate direction, to be pulled toward said web for displacing said elements radially outwardly against said first elastomer layer to an extent sufficient to clamp said tube tightly against said first section of said coupling sleeve via said first and second elastomer layers, whereby force may be transmitted via said second section of said coupling sleeve to said first section thereof and thence via said second elastomer layer to the outer surface of said tube, and independently thereof via said second section of said coupling sleeve to said web and thence via said elements and said first elastomer layer to the inner surface of said tube, said elastomer layers ensuring a distribution of stress transfer to said tube over the entire axial length of said overlying regions of said tube surfaces.

Claim 14

A force transmitting system according to claim 9, wherein the thickness of said first elastomer layer increases from a minimum value substantially equal to the thickness of said second elastomer layer, to a maximum value of no more than about 10 times the minimum value.

Claim 15

A clamp fitting for a force transmitting system wherein a cylindrical, open-ended tube is used as the force transmitting member, said fitting comprising a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve having an internal rigid transverse web dividing said coupling sleeve into first and second sections, said first section of said coupling sleeve being provided with a cylindrical inner surface, said web being provided with an axial opening and with a plurality of additional openings spaced circumferentially therearound, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly of said first section of said coupling sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said web and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a conical exterior configuration which decreases in diameter in the direction away from said web and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said web, said second section of said coupling sleeve and said tubular structure defining therebetween an annular space adapted to receive the open end region of said tube, each of said elements at its thickest portion being radially slidably secured to said web at a respective one of said additional openings so as to be restrained against displacement relative to said web in the direction of the force to be transmitted, a draw rod having a conical body section arranged coaxially within the confines of said conical space and having its widest portion juxtaposed to the thinnest portions of said elements, said draw rod including an externally threaded end section extending through the space within the confines of said thickest portions of said elements and through said axial opening in said web, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod at the side of said web within the confines of said second section of said coupling sleeve and bearing against said web to enable said conical body section of said draw rod, upon rotation of said nut relative to said draw rod in the appropriate, direction to be pulled toward said web for displacing said elements radially outwardly toward said coupling sleeve, whereby upon application of said force to said second section of said coupling sleeve, stress can be transferred simultaneously but independently into the inside and outside surfaces of a tube clamped between said coupling sleeve and said elements.

Claim 16

A clamp fitting for a force transmitting system wherein a cylindrical, open-ended tube is used as the force transmitting member, said fitting comprising a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve having an internal rigid transverse web dividing said coupling sleeve into first and second sections, said first section of said coupling sleeve being provided with a cylindrical inner surface, said web being provided with an axial opening and with a plurality of additional openings spaced circumferentially therearound, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly of said first section of said coupling sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said web and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a conical exterior configuration which decreases in diameter in the direction away from said web and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said web, said second section of said coupling sleeve and said tubular structure defining therebetween an annular space adapted to receive the open end region of said tube, each of said elements at its thickest portion being radially slidably secured to said web at a respective one of said additional openings so as to be restrained against displacement relative to said web in the direction of the force to be transmitted, a draw rod having a conical body section arranged coaxially within the confines of said conical space and having its widest portion juxtaposed to the thinnest portions of said elements, said draw rod including an externally threaded end section extending through the space within the confines of said thickest portions of said elements and through said axial opening in said web, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod at the side of said web within the confines of said second section of said coupling sleeve and bearing against said web to enable said conical body section of said draw rod, upon rotation of said nut relative to said draw rod in the appropriate, direction to be pulled toward said web for displacing said elements radially outwardly toward said coupling sleeve, whereby upon application of said force to said second section of said coupling sleeve, stress can be transferred simultaneously but independently into the inside and outside surfaces of a tube clamped between said coupling sleeve and said elements.

Claim 17

A clamp fitting according to claim 11, said second section of said coupling sleeve having an external splined configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force applying means.

Claim 18

A clamp fitting according to claim 11, said second section of said coupling sleeve having an external hexagonal configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force applying means.

Claim 19

A clamp fitting according to claim 11, said second section of said coupling sleeve having an external threaded configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force applying means.

Claim 20

A clamp fitting for a force transmitting system wherein a cylindrical, open-ended, fiber-reinforced resin tube is used as the force transmitting member, said fitting comprising a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve having an internal rigid transverse web dividing said coupling sleeve into first and second sections, said first section of said coupling sleeve being provided with a cylindrical inner surface, said web being provided with an axial opening and with a plurality of additional openings spaced circumferentially therearound, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly of said first section of said coupling sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said web and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a conical exterior configuration which decreases in diameter in the direction away from said web and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said web, said second section of said coupling sleeve and said tubular structure defining therebetween an annular space adapted to receive the open end region of said tube, a pair of substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material adapted to be bonded to respective overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, that one of said layers to be the outer layer being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, the other layer being of increasing thickness from one end thereof to the other, each of said elements at its thickest portion being slidably secured to said web at a respective one of said additional openings so as to be restrained against displacement relative to said web in the direction of the force to be transmitted, each of said elements having a radially outwardly extending flange at its thinnest portion to a height insufficient to reach the inner tube surface when a tube is received in said annular space, a draw rod having a conical body section arranged coaxially within the confines of said conical space And having its widest portion juxtaposed to said thinnest portions of said elements, said draw rod including an externally threaded end section extending through the space within the confines of said thickest portions of said elements and through said axial opening in said web, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod within the confines of said second section of said coupling sleeve and bearing against said web to enable said conical body section of said draw rod, upon rotation of said nut relative to said draw rod in the appropriate direction, to be pulled toward said web for displacing said elements radially outwardly toward said coupling sleeve, whereby upon application of said force to said second section of said coupling sleeve, stress can be transferred simultaneously but independently into the inside and outside surfaces of a tube clamped between said coupling sleeve and said elements, said elastomer layers being effective to distribute the stress transfer over the entire expanse of the clamped region of said tube.

Claim 21

A clamp fitting for a force transmitting system wherein a cylindrical, open-ended, fiber-reinforced resin tube is used as the force transmitting member, said fitting comprising a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve having an internal rigid transverse web dividing said coupling sleeve into first and second sections, said first section of said coupling sleeve being provided with a cylindrical inner surface, said web being provided with an axial opening and with a plurality of additional openings spaced circumferentially therearound, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly of said first section of said coupling sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said web and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a conical exterior configuration which decreases in diameter in the direction away from said web and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said web, said second section of said coupling sleeve and said tubular structure defining therebetween an annular space adapted to receive the open end region of said tube, a pair of substantially coextensive, circumferentially continuous layers of elastomeric material adapted to be bonded to respective overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, that one of said layers to be the outer layer being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, the other layer being of increasing thickness from one end thereof to the other, each of said elements at its thickest portion being slidably secured to said web at a respective one of said additional openings so as to be restrained against displacement relative to said web in the direction of the force to be transmitted, each of said elements having a radially outwardly extending flange at its thinnest portion to a height insufficient to reach the inner tube surface when a tube is received in said annular space, a draw rod having a conical body section arranged coaxially within the confines of said conical space And having its widest portion juxtaposed to said thinnest portions of said elements, said draw rod including an externally threaded end section extending through the space within the confines of said thickest portions of said elements and through said axial opening in said web, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod within the confines of said second section of said coupling sleeve and bearing against said web to enable said conical body section of said draw rod, upon rotation of said nut relative to said draw rod in the appropriate direction, to be pulled toward said web for displacing said elements radially outwardly toward said coupling sleeve, whereby upon application of said force to said second section of said coupling sleeve, stress can be transferred simultaneously but independently into the inside and outside surfaces of a tube clamped between said coupling sleeve and said elements, said elastomer layers being effective to distribute the stress transfer over the entire expanse of the clamped region of said tube.

Claim 22

A clamp fitting according to claim 15, said second section of said coupling sleeve having an external splined configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force applying means.

Claim 23

A clamp fitting according to claim 15, said second section of said coupling sleeve having an external hexagonal configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force applying means.

Claim 24

A clamp fitting according to claim 15, said second section of said coupling sleeve having an external threaded configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force applying means.

Claim 25

A clamp fitting according to claim 15, the thickness of said other layer increasing from a minimum value substantially equal to the thickness of said one layer, to a maximum value of no more than about 10 times the minimum value.