Locking device for auger latches

Claim 2

Apparatus for latching and locking together first and second auger sections, said first auger section having an axially extending shank and a generally radially extending transverse opening in said shank, said second auger section having a socket to receive said shank, said apparatus comprising a housing for mounting on said second auger section to have its longitudinal axis extend transversely of said socket, said housing comprising a sleeve member adapted to be mounted to extend through the wall of said socket and a retainer member fixedly engaging said sleeve, a latch bolt having an axis and mounted in said housing and extending through said retainer member and said sleeve for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end protruding from said housing and adapted to extend into said transverse opening in said shank when said auger sections are connected, first and second slots in said retainer member, said second slot extending generally axially of said latch bolt and said second slot being longer in said axial direction than said first slot, a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, said latch bolt being rotatable about its said axis to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the longitudinal movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, the length of said first and second slots axially of said latch bolt being such that said locking pin is free to move in said second slot at least the length of said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, whereby the protruding end of said latch bolt may extend into said transverse opening and may be locked therein or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means biasing said latch bolt to cause its end to protrude from said housing.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said latch bolt has an opposite end protruding from said housing, said opposite end providing means for rotating said latch bolt to move said locking pin into either of said slots.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which said latch bolt has an opposite end protruding from said housing, said opposite end providing means for rotating said latch bolt to move said locking pin into either of said slots, and to permit said latch bolt to be lifted so its first mentioned protruding end can be removed from said first auger section.

Claim 6

In combination, a first auger section having an axially extending shank having generally flat axially extending external surfaces defining a polygonal cross section, said shank having a generally radially extending transverse opening in one of said external surfaces, a second auger section having an axially extending socket with a socket opening defined by generally flat axially extending internal surfaces shaped to receive and fit said shank and defining a socket wall of substantial thickness, said socket having a generally radially extending aperture extending through said wall and terminating in one of said internal surfaces and aligned with said transverse opening, and means for latching and locking said sections together comprising a housing on said socket and extending into said aperture for a major portion of the thickness of said wall, a latch bolt having an axis and supported in said housing for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end adapted to protrude into said transverse opening, first and second interconnected slots in said housing extending generally axially of said latch bolt, and a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, the length of said first and second slots being such that said locking pin is free to move axially of said latch bolt in said second slot at least the length of said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, said latch bolt being rotatable in said housing to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, whereby said latch bolt is locked with its protruding end in said transverse opening or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot.

Claim 7

In combination, a first auger section having an axially extending shank having generally flat axially extending external surfaces defining a polygonal cross section, said shank having a generally radially extending transverse opening in one of said external surfaces, a second auger section having an axially extending socket with a socket opening defined by generally flat axially extending internal surfaces shaped to receive and fit said shank and defining a socket wall of substantial thickness, said socket having a generally radially extending aperture extending through said wall and terminating in one of said internal surfaces and aligned with said transverse opening, and means for latching and locking said sections together comprising a housing on said socket and extending into said aperture for a major portion of the thickness of said wall, a latch bolt having an axis and supported in said housing for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end adapted to protrude into said transverse opening, first and second interconnected slots in said housing extending generally axially of said latch bolt, and a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, the length of said first and second slots being such that said locking pin is free to move axially of said latch bolt in said second slot at least the length of said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, said latch bolt being rotatable in said housing to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, whereby said latch bolt is locked with its protruding end in said transverse opening or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot.

Claim 8

The combination as claimed in claim 5 comprising resilient means biasing said latch bolt to cause its end to protrude from said housing and extend into said transverse opening.

Claim 9

The combination as claimed in claim 6 comprising means on said latch bolt permitting it to be turned about its axis until its locking pin is aligned with said second slot and to be moved axially until its protruding end is moved out of said transverse opening.

Claim 10

In combination, a first auger section having an axially extending shank having generally flat axially extending external surfaces defining a polygonal cross section, said shank having a generally radially extending transverse opening in one of said external surfaces, a second auger section having an axially extending socket with a socket opening defined by generally flat axially extending internal surfaces shaped to receive and fit said shank, said socket having a generally radially extending aperture terminating in one of said internal surfaces and aligned with said transverse opening, and means for latching and locking said sections together comprising a housing on said socket and aligned with said aperture, a latch bolt having an axis and supported in said housing for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end adapted to protrude into said transverse opening, first and second interconnected slots in said housing extending generally axially of said latch bolt, and a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, the length of said first and second slots being such that said locking pin is free to move axially of said latch bolt in said second slot at least the length oF said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, said latch bolt being rotatable in said housing to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, whereby said latch bolt is locked with its protruding end in said transverse opening or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot, the protruding end of said latch bolt and the walls of said transverse opening being tapered to prevent a force tending to pull apart said auger sections from developing a component that acts to push said latch bolt radially outward out of said transverse opening.

Claim 11

In combination, a first auger section having an axially extending shank having generally flat axially extending external surfaces defining a polygonal cross section, said shank having a generally radially extending transverse opening in one of said external surfaces, a second auger section having an axially extending socket with a socket opening defined by generally flat axially extending internal surfaces shaped to receive and fit said shank, said socket having a generally radially extending aperture terminating in one of said internal surfaces and aligned with said transverse opening, and means for latching and locking said sections together comprising a housing on said socket and aligned with said aperture, a latch bolt having an axis and supported in said housing for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end adapted to protrude into said transverse opening, first and second interconnected slots in said housing extending generally axially of said latch bolt, and a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, the length of said first and second slots being such that said locking pin is free to move axially of said latch bolt in said second slot at least the length oF said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, said latch bolt being rotatable in said housing to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, whereby said latch bolt is locked with its protruding end in said transverse opening or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot, the protruding end of said latch bolt and the walls of said transverse opening being tapered to prevent a force tending to pull apart said auger sections from developing a component that acts to push said latch bolt radially outward out of said transverse opening.

Claim 12

The combination as claimed in claim 8 comprising resilient means biasing said latch bolt to cause its end to protrude from said housing and extend into said transverse opening.

Claim 13

The combination as claimed in claim 8 comprising means on said latch bolt permitting it to be turned about its axis until its locking pin is aligned with said second slot and to be moved axially until its protruding end is moved out of said transverse opening.

Claim 14

In combination, a first auger section having an axially extending shank having generally flat axially extending external surfaces defining a polygonal cross section, said shank having a generally radially extending transverse opening in one of said external surfaces, a second auger section having an axially extending socket with a socket opening defined by generally flat axially extending internal surfaces shaped to receive and fit said shank, said socket having a generally radially extending aperture terminating in one of said internal surfaces and aligned with said transverse opening, and means for latching and locking said sections together comprising a housing on said socket and aligned with said aperture, a latch bolt having an axis and supported in said housing for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end adapted to protrude into said transverse opening, first and second interconnected slots in said housing extending generally axially of said latch bolt, and a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, the length of said first and second slots being such that said locking pin is free to move axially of said latch bolt in said second slot at least the length of said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, said latch bolt being rotatable in said housing to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, whereby said latch bolt is locked with its protruding end in said transverse opening or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot, said surface of said shank that contains said transverse opening and contacts the end of such latch bolt has its leading end tapered to cam said latch bolt axially thereof towards said radially extending aperture in said socket as said shank is advanced into said socket.

Claim 15

In combination, a first auger section having an axially extending shank having generally flat axially extending external surfaces defining a polygonal cross section, said shank having a generally radially extending transverse opening in one of said external surfaces, a second auger section having an axially extending socket with a socket opening defined by generally flat axially extending internal surfaces shaped to receive and fit said shank, said socket having a generally radially extending aperture terminating in one of said internal surfaces and aligned with said transverse opening, and means for latching and locking said sections together comprising a housing on said socket and aligned with said aperture, a latch bolt having an axis and supported in said housing for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end adapted to protrude into said transverse opening, first and second interconnected slots in said housing extending generally axially of said latch bolt, and a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, the length of said first and second slots being such that said locking pin is free to move axially of said latch bolt in said second slot at least the length of said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, said latch bolt being rotatable in said housing to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, whereby said latch bolt is locked with its protruding end in said transverse opening or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot, said surface of said shank that contains said transverse opening and contacts the end of such latch bolt has its leading end tapered to cam said latch bolt axially thereof towards said radially extending aperture in said socket as said shank is advanced into said socket.

Claim 16

The combination as claimed in claim 11 comprising resilient means biasing said latch bolt to cause its end to protrude from said housing and extend into said transverse opening.

Claim 17

The combination as claimed in claim 11 comprising means on said latch bolt permitting it to be turned about its axis until its locking pin is aligned with said second slot and to be moved axially until its protruding end is moved out of said transverse opening.

Claim 18

In combination, a first auger section having an axially extending shank having generally flat axially extending external surfaces defining a polygonal cross section, said shank having a generally radially extending transverse opening in one of said external surfaces, a second auger section having an axially extending socket with a socket opening defined by generally flat axially extending internal surfaces shaped to receive and fit said shank, said socket having a generally radially extending aperture terminating in one of said internal surfaces and aligned with said transverse opening, and means for latching and locking said sections together comprising a housing on said socket and aligned with said aperture, a latch bolt having an axis and supported in said housing for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end adapted to protrude into said transverse opening, first and second interconnected slots in said housing extending generally axially of said latch bolt, and a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, the length of said first and second slots being such that said locking pin is free to move axially of said latch bolt in said second slot at least the length of said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, said latch bolt being rotatable in said housing to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, whereby said latch bolt is locked with its protruding end in said transverse opening or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot, said housing including a cylindrical sleeve member received within said aperture, said sleeve member having a threaded portion and a locking pin retainer member threadedly engaging said sleeve member, said latch bolt extending through said pin retainer member and said sleeve member and having an end protruding from said sleeve member and into said transverse opening.

Claim 19

In combination, a first auger section having an axially extending shank having generally flat axially extending external surfaces defining a polygonal cross section, said shank having a generally radially extending transverse opening in one of said external surfaces, a second auger section having an axially extending socket with a socket opening defined by generally flat axially extending internal surfaces shaped to receive and fit said shank, said socket having a generally radially extending aperture terminating in one of said internal surfaces and aligned with said transverse opening, and means for latching and locking said sections together comprising a housing on said socket and aligned with said aperture, a latch bolt having an axis and supported in said housing for reciprocable movement along said axis and having an end adapted to protrude into said transverse opening, first and second interconnected slots in said housing extending generally axially of said latch bolt, and a locking pin extending transversely from said latch bolt and into one of said slots, the length of said first and second slots being such that said locking pin is free to move axially of said latch bolt in said second slot at least the length of said protruding end of said latch bolt and in said first slot substantially less than the length of said protruding end, said latch bolt being rotatable in said housing to position said locking pin in one or the other of said slots to limit the movement of said latch bolt in accordance with the length of the slot in which said locking pin is positioned, whereby said latch bolt is locked with its protruding end in said transverse opening or not in accordance with whether said locking pin is positioned in said first or in said second slot, said housing including a cylindrical sleeve member received within said aperture, said sleeve member having a threaded portion and a locking pin retainer member threadedly engaging said sleeve member, said latch bolt extending through said pin retainer member and said sleeve member and having an end protruding from said sleeve member and into said transverse opening.

Claim 20

The combination as claimed in claim 14 comprising resilient means biasing said latch bolt to cause its end to protrude from said housing and extend into said transverse opening.

Claim 21

The combination as claimed in claim 14 comprising means on said latch bolt permitting it to be turned about its axis until its locking pin is aligned with said second slot and to be moved axially until its protruding end is moved out of said transverse opening.

Claim 22

The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein said first and second slots are formed in said locking pin retainer member.