Force-transmitting systems

Claim 2

A force-transmitting system, comprising a cylindrical, openended, 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, each of said layers being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, and a forcetransferring 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, 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, each of said layers 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 4

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, each of said layers 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 5

A force-transmitting system according to claim 2, said means for enabling the driving connection to be established comprising a rigid metal end cap secured to one end of said coupling sleeve and bridging the proximate open end of said tube, means interlocking said end cap and said expansible means against displacement relative to one another in the direction of the force to be transmitted, and means on said coupling sleeve and said end cap adapted to coact with corresponding means on said force-applying means for interlocking the coupling sleeve/end cap entity and said force-applying means against displacement relative to one another in the direction of the force to be transmitted.

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 overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, each of said layers being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, an expansible tubular metal liner sleeve located within said tube and bonded over its entire outer surface to the inner surface of said first elastomer layer, a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve with a cylindrical inner surface disposed in surrounding relation to the outer surface of said second elastomer layer, a cup-shaped end cap secured at the rim thereof to said coupling sleeve at the end of the latter overlying the proximate open end of said tube, said end cap and said coupling sleeve being provided with means adapted to coact with corresponding means on the output end of a drive member for interlocking the coupling sleeve/end cap entity and said drive member against displacement relative to one another in the direction of the force to be transmitted, said end cap being provided with an axial through-bore and with a plurality of radial keyways in its interior surface facing said open end of said tube, 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 liner sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said end cap and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a cylindrical exterior configuration and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said end cap, said elements being roughened on their surfaces facing said liner sleeve, each of said elements at its thickest portion just outside said open end of said tube having a key structure radially slidably received in a respective one of said keyways in said end cap, 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 the keyed thickest portions of said elements and through said bore in said end cap, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod at the exterior of said end cap and bearing against the latter 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 end cap for displacing said elements radially outwardly to an extent sufficient to clamp the overlying region of said tube tightly against said coupling sleeve via said liner sleeve and said elastomer layers, whereby upon such outward displaceMent of said elements, force may be transmitted by said coupling sleeve and said second elastomer layer to the outer surface of said tube, and simultaneously but independently thereof by said end cap, said keys, said elements, said liner sleeve 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 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 overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, each of said layers being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, an expansible tubular metal liner sleeve located within said tube and bonded over its entire outer surface to the inner surface of said first elastomer layer, a rigid metal tubular coupling sleeve with a cylindrical inner surface disposed in surrounding relation to the outer surface of said second elastomer layer, a cup-shaped end cap secured at the rim thereof to said coupling sleeve at the end of the latter overlying the proximate open end of said tube, said end cap and said coupling sleeve being provided with means adapted to coact with corresponding means on the output end of a drive member for interlocking the coupling sleeve/end cap entity and said drive member against displacement relative to one another in the direction of the force to be transmitted, said end cap being provided with an axial through-bore and with a plurality of radial keyways in its interior surface facing said open end of said tube, 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 liner sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said end cap and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a cylindrical exterior configuration and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said end cap, said elements being roughened on their surfaces facing said liner sleeve, each of said elements at its thickest portion just outside said open end of said tube having a key structure radially slidably received in a respective one of said keyways in said end cap, 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 the keyed thickest portions of said elements and through said bore in said end cap, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod at the exterior of said end cap and bearing against the latter 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 end cap for displacing said elements radially outwardly to an extent sufficient to clamp the overlying region of said tube tightly against said coupling sleeve via said liner sleeve and said elastomer layers, whereby upon such outward displaceMent of said elements, force may be transmitted by said coupling sleeve and said second elastomer layer to the outer surface of said tube, and simultaneously but independently thereof by said end cap, said keys, said elements, said liner sleeve 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 8

A force-transmitting system according to claim 4, said interlocking means comprising an external hexagonal configuration of both said coupling sleeve and said end cap.

Claim 9

A force-transmitting system according to claim 4, said interlocking means comprising an external splined configuration of both said coupling sleeve and said end cap.

Claim 10

A force-transmitting system according to claim 4, said interlocking means comprising an external threaded configuration of both said coupling sleeve and said end cap.

Claim 11

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 with a cylindrical inner surface, a cup-shaped end cap secured at the rim thereof to one end of said coupling sleeve, said end cap being provided with an axial through-bore and with a plurality of radial keyways in its interior surface facing the interior of said coupling sleeve, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly of said coupling sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said end cap and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a cylindrical exterior configuration and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said end cap, 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 having a key structure radially slidably received in a respective one of said keyways for interlocking said end cap and said elements against displacement relative to one another 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 the keyed thickest portions of said elements and through said bore in said end cap, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod at the exterior of said end cap and bearing against the latter 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 end cap for displacing said elements radially outwardly toward said coupling sleeve, whereby upon application of said force to said coupling sleeve and said end cap, 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 12

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 with a cylindrical inner surface, a cup-shaped end cap secured at the rim thereof to one end of said coupling sleeve, said end cap being provided with an axial through-bore and with a plurality of radial keyways in its interior surface facing the interior of said coupling sleeve, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly of said coupling sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said end cap and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a cylindrical exterior configuration and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said end cap, 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 having a key structure radially slidably received in a respective one of said keyways for interlocking said end cap and said elements against displacement relative to one another 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 the keyed thickest portions of said elements and through said bore in said end cap, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod at the exterior of said end cap and bearing against the latter 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 end cap for displacing said elements radially outwardly toward said coupling sleeve, whereby upon application of said force to said coupling sleeve and said end cap, 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 13

A clamp fitting according to claim 8, both said coupling sleeve and said end cap having an external hexagonal configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force-applying means.

Claim 14

A clamp fitting according to claim 8, both said coupling sleeve and said end cap having an external splined configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force-applying means.

Claim 15

A clamp fitting according to claim 8, both said coupling sleeve and said end cap having an external threaded configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force-applying means.

Claim 16

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 with a cylindrical inner surface, a cup-shaped end cap secured at the rim thereof to one end of said coupling sleeve, said end cap being provided with an axial through-bore and with a plurality of radial keyways in its interior surface facing the interior of said coupling sleeve, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly of said coupling sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said end cap and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a cylindrical exterior configuration and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said end cap, 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, cylindrical layers of elastomeric material and different diameters adapted to be bonded to respective overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, each of said layers being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, an expansible tubular metal liner sleeve adapted to be bonded over its entire outer surface to the inner surface of the inner one of said elastomer layers and to be located in surrounding relation to said tubular structure, said elements being roughened on their surfaces facing said liner sleeve, each of said elements at its thickest portion having a key structure slidably received in a respective one of said keyways in said end cap for interlocking said end cap and said elements against displacement relative to one another 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 the keyed thickest portions of said elements and through said bore in said end cap, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod at the exterior of said end cap and bearing against the latter 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 end cap for displacing said elements radially outwardly toward said coupling sleeve, whereby upon application of said force to said coupling sleeve and said end cap, 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 17

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 with a cylindrical inner surface, a cup-shaped end cap secured at the rim thereof to one end of said coupling sleeve, said end cap being provided with an axial through-bore and with a plurality of radial keyways in its interior surface facing the interior of said coupling sleeve, a plurality of elongated wedge-shaped elements of circularly arcuate cross section extending axially along and in side-by-side configuration interiorly of said coupling sleeve, said elements decreasing in thickness in the direction away from said end cap and conjointly defining a split tubular structure having a cylindrical exterior configuration and a conical internal space which increases in diameter in the direction away from said end cap, 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, cylindrical layers of elastomeric material and different diameters adapted to be bonded to respective overlying regions of the inner and outer surfaces of said tube, each of said layers being of uniform thickness throughout its expanse, an expansible tubular metal liner sleeve adapted to be bonded over its entire outer surface to the inner surface of the inner one of said elastomer layers and to be located in surrounding relation to said tubular structure, said elements being roughened on their surfaces facing said liner sleeve, each of said elements at its thickest portion having a key structure slidably received in a respective one of said keyways in said end cap for interlocking said end cap and said elements against displacement relative to one another 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 the keyed thickest portions of said elements and through said bore in said end cap, and a nut threaded on said end section of said draw rod at the exterior of said end cap and bearing against the latter 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 end cap for displacing said elements radially outwardly toward said coupling sleeve, whereby upon application of said force to said coupling sleeve and said end cap, 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 18

A clamp fitting according to claim 12, both said coupling sleeve and said end cap 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 12, both said coupling sleeve and said end cap having an external splined configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of force-applying means.

Claim 20

A clamp fitting according to claim 12, both said coupling sleeve and said end cap having an external threaded configuration adapted to coact with a corresponding internal configuration of a force-applying means.