US3684322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibration resistant coupling
Assignee: Clevite Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1970-09-11
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A vibration resistant coupling for use in coupling tubular ducts and the like. The coupling includes a seal structure including a ring formed of an elastomeric material. Within the elastomeric ring is a substantially rigid gripping element and means responsive to an axial compression of the ring to urge the gripping element into gripping association with the outer wall of a tubular duct extended therethrough. The means for constricting the gripping element may comprise wedge means disposed within the elastomeric ring and may include at least one wedge surface on the gripping element. The wedge means is arranged to effectively retain the gripping element in association with the tubular duct notwithstanding a lessening of the compressive force exerted on the gripping element by the elastomeric ring.
Inventors
- 👤 Mike D Kotsakis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:57
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L19/00; F16L19/08; F16L19/083; F16L19/086; F16L19/02; F16L19/0212; F16L19/0218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A coupling for use with a tubular duct, comprising: a contractible retainer ring having an original inner diameter at least substantially equal to the outer diameter of the duct to be coupled and an outer surface; rigid ring-like wedge means wedgedly engaging said outer surface of said retainer ring and having axially opposite end portions and a radially outer external surface, said wedge means comprising means for contracting said retainer ring grippingly about the duct as the result of application of opposing forces acting against said opposite end portions; and outer means for adjustably enclosing said associated retainer ring and wedge means and having resilient means surrounding said opposite end portions and the entire said external surface of said wedge means and extending into engagement with the duct in the made-up arrangement of the coupling, said resilient means being arranged to resiliently apply opposing forces to said wedge means end portions for contracting said retainer ring as a result of adjustment of said outer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A coupling for use with a tubular duct, comprising: a contractible retainer ring having an original inner diameter at least substantially equal to the outer diameter of the duct to be coupled and an outer surface; rigid ring-like wedge means wedgedly engaging said outer surface of said retainer ring and having axially opposite end portions and a radially outer external surface, said wedge means comprising means for contracting said retainer ring grippingly about the duct as the result of application of opposing forces acting against said opposite end portions; and outer means for adjustably enclosing said associated retainer ring and wedge means and having resilient means surrounding said opposite end portions and the entire said external surface of said wedge means and extending into engagement with the duct in the made-up arrangement of the coupling, said resilient means being arranged to resiliently apply opposing forces to said wedge means end portions for contracting said retainer ring as a result of adjustment of said outer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a ring coaxially of said retainer ring and defining a radially inwardly opening annular groove receiving said associated retainer ring and wedge means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said retainer outer surface comprises an outwardly inclined frustoconical surface and said wedge means comprises a wedge ring having a complementary inwardly inclined frustoconical surface facially engaging said retainer ring inclined surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said wedge means comprises a pair of rigid rings one each at opposite axial ends of said retainer ring, said retainer ring outer surface comprising an outwardly inclined frustoconical surface, one rigid ring bearing against said outwardly inclined surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said wedge means comprises a pair of rigid rings one each at opposite axial ends of said retainer ring, said retainer ring outer surface being defined by a pair of axially oppositely, outwardly inclined frustoconical surfaces, one of said rigid rings engaging one of said inclined retainer ring inclined surfaces and the other of said rigid elements engaging the other of said inclined retainer ring inclined surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said retainer ring outer surface comprises a frustoconical surface and said wedge means comprises an annular element coaxially engaging said frustoconical surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The coupling of claim 6 wherEin said annular element has a circular cross section in a plane of the axis of annularity thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coupling of claim 6 wherein said annular element has a frustoconical surface facially engaging said retainer ring frustoconical surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said retainer ring includes a planar end surface and said wedge means includes a back-up element having an end surface engaging said planar surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coupling of claim 9 wherein said back-up element end surface is planar and facially engages said retainer ring planar surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a pair of coaxial annular elements cooperatively defining a radially inwardly opening groove, said associated retainer ring and wedge means being disposed in said groove.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises an annular member having a radially inwardly opening U-shaped cross-section in an axial plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coupling of claim 12 wherein said annular member defines a bight portion having a split extending radially partially through the radial thickness thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said retainer ring is provided with a substantially annular tooth projecting radially inwardly therefrom to bite into the tubular duct in the made-up arrangement of the coupling.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said wedge means and resilient means have planar surfaces abutting each other for transferring an axial force from the resilient means to the wedge means suitable to urge said wedge means against the retainer ring to contract the retainer ring into positive gripping engagement with the tubular duct.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said retainer ring outer surface comprises an outwardly inclined surface and said wedge means comprises an element having a complementary inwardly inclined surface facially engaging said retainer ring inclined surface, said surfaces being at an angle preselected to be no greater than the friction locking angle whereby said wedge element locks said retainer ring in an innermost contracted disposition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said outer means is provided with means for positively limiting the amount of force applied by said resilient means to said wedge means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coupling of claim 1 wherein said wedge means comprises a pair of apposed ring-like wedge elements provided with means for limiting the contraction of said retainer ring effected by said wedge means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The coupling of claim 16 wherein said wedge means and said retainer ring are formed of steel and said wedge inclined surfaces are at an angle to the axis thereof of no greater than approximately 24* whereby said wedging element locks said retainer element in a radially inwardly constricted disposition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The seal structure of claim 1 wherein said wedge means comprises a plurality of rigid rings.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The seal structure of claim 1 wherein said retainer ring is formed of metal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |