Patent US3736010A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3736010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pitch link assembly and locking device therewith
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-03
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1990-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A connecting rod assembly particularly adaptable as a pitch link or push-pull rod device in a rotary wing aircraft, comprising a telescoping pair of rods splined to each other to prevent relative rotation but providing for relative axial displacement and thus, adjusting its effective length, a calibrated sleeve mounted on the second of such rods, a union sleeve threaded to the first of such rods for clamping the calibrated sleeve to the first rod, and jam nut, lock ring-and-tang ring combinations mounted on the first rod and calibrated sleeve for tightening against the union sleeve after the length of the assembly has been precisely adjusted by rotation of the calibrated sleeve. Each end of the union sleeve includes notches at staggered intervals for cooperative engagement with projections on the lock ring which also includes serrations for engaging corresponding serrations on the tang ring. One lock ring is keyed to the first rod and one lock ring is keyed to the calibrated sleeve. By trail and error of rotation of lock ring to notches, a maximum fit of lock ring to tang ring is achieved while infinite adjustment in effective length for the assembly by rotation of the calibrated sleeve remains available. An internal locking device for two elements, such as connecting rods, is also disclosed. A pair of spaced circumferential grooves is provided in a cylindrical element (calibrated sleeve) threadedly circumscribing a second rod, and an interior annular groove is also provided in such element, being disposed between the planes of the circumferential grooves. Upon tightening of the cylindrical element against a first rod by means external to the cylindrical element, such as by a threaded sleeve forming a union between external threads on the first rod and the cylindrical element, the threads on the cylindrical element compress against the threads of the second rod, thereby eliminating any tolerance spread or slop that otherwise would exist between such threaded connection and achieving an exact locked position for such rods. The positions of the circumferential grooves and the annular groove are reversible, with the same effect being achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 A M Larkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:54
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C27/00; B64C27/54; F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/06; F16B7/18; F16B7/182; F16C; F16C7/00; F16C7/06; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/69; F16B2200/73; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/43; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32426
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An adjustable connecting rod assembly comprising, a pair of rods, one rod thereof being telescoped in relation to the other rod thereof, means connecting said rods for non-rotational orientation between each other upon such telescoping, an externally threaded sleeve internally threadedly mounted upon said other rod and being rotationally and axially displaceable with respect to said rods whereby the length of said assembly is adjustable, said sleeve having an inner end abuttable with the telescoping end of said one rod, means threaded upon said one rod for clamping said sleeve to the telescoping end of said one rod, a threaded jam nut and a serrated lock ring-and-tang ring combination, one nut and combination mounted on said one rod and another nut and combination mounted on said sleeve, said clamping means being disposed between such combinations, at least one tab mounted on and axially extending from each lock ring towards said clamping means, a plurality of spaced notches on each end of said clamping means, each of said combinations including a radial projection, means mounted on said one rod and on said sleeve for keying said projection thereto, whereby tightening of said jam nuts towards said clamping means after displacing said sleeve to a desired point in said assembly and clamping of said sleeve to said one rod secures the adjusted length for said assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An adjustable connecting rod assembly comprising, a pair of rods, one rod thereof being telescoped in relation to the other rod thereof, means connecting said rods for non-rotational orientation between each other upon such telescoping, an externally threaded sleeve internally threadedly mounted upon said other rod and being rotationally and axially displaceable with respect to said rods whereby the length of said assembly is adjustable, said sleeve having an inner end abuttable with the telescoping end of said one rod, means threaded upon said one rod for clamping said sleeve to the telescoping end of said one rod, a threaded jam nut and a serrated lock ring-and-tang ring combination, one nut and combination mounted on said one rod and another nut and combination mounted on said sleeve, said clamping means being disposed between such combinations, at least one tab mounted on and axially extending from each lock ring towards said clamping means, a plurality of spaced notches on each end of said clamping means, each of said combinations including a radial projection, means mounted on said one rod and on said sleeve for keying said projection thereto, whereby tightening of said jam nuts towards said clamping means after displacing said sleeve to a desired point in said assembly and clamping of said sleeve to said one rod secures the adjusted length for said assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The assembly of claim 1 including calibrated indicia on said sleeve, and similar indicia on said other rod correlated to said calibrated indicia whereby differences in adjusting the length for said assembly is measurable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said clamping means comprises a sleeve having an interior annular projection, said threaded sleeve including a shoulder against which said projection seats thereby making said threaded sleeve clampable to said one rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said connecting means comprises corresponding splined configurations on the interior of said one rod and on the exterior of said other rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 1 in which said radial projection is mounted on said tang ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
221 words
The combination of an internal locking device and means disposed externally thereof to acutate it into a locked condition, said device comprising a cylindrical member having an internally threaded configuration for cooperative surface-to-sUrface locking engagement with a threaded member connected thereto, a combination of grooves in spaced relation to each other and being annularly mounted exteriorly on and interiorly of said cylindrical member, the depth of said grooves being less than the thickness of said cylindrical member, said means comprising a first cylindrical element in the nature of a tube abutting one end of said cylindrical member, and a second cylindrical element in the nature of a sleeve externally mounted about said cylindrical member and provided with an annular projection of lesser internal diameter than the outer diameter of said cylindrical member abutting the other end of said cylindrical member, said first and second elements being rotatably securable to each other, whereby adjustable rotation of said elements generates a force generally longitudinally directed into said cylindrical member, compressing said grooves together in their spaced relation to each other so as to provide a surface-to-surface contact between the threads of said internally threaded configuration and the threaded member, thereby locking the threads of the latter to the former without exceeding the elastic limits of deformation of the material of said cylindrical member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
221 words
The combination of an internal locking device and means disposed externally thereof to acutate it into a locked condition, said device comprising a cylindrical member having an internally threaded configuration for cooperative surface-to-sUrface locking engagement with a threaded member connected thereto, a combination of grooves in spaced relation to each other and being annularly mounted exteriorly on and interiorly of said cylindrical member, the depth of said grooves being less than the thickness of said cylindrical member, said means comprising a first cylindrical element in the nature of a tube abutting one end of said cylindrical member, and a second cylindrical element in the nature of a sleeve externally mounted about said cylindrical member and provided with an annular projection of lesser internal diameter than the outer diameter of said cylindrical member abutting the other end of said cylindrical member, said first and second elements being rotatably securable to each other, whereby adjustable rotation of said elements generates a force generally longitudinally directed into said cylindrical member, compressing said grooves together in their spaced relation to each other so as to provide a surface-to-surface contact between the threads of said internally threaded configuration and the threaded member, thereby locking the threads of the latter to the former without exceeding the elastic limits of deformation of the material of said cylindrical member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 6 in which the combination of said grooves comprises at least one pair of spaced grooves being mounted exteriorly, and at least one groove being mounted interiorly and between said pair of spaced grooves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 6 in which the combination of said grooves comprises at least one pair of spaced grooves being mounted interiorly, and at least one groove being mounted exteriorly and between said pair of spaced grooves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
A rod assembly comprising first and second hollow cylindrical members the first of which telescopes onto the second, means for preventing rotation of said members relative to each other mounted on said members, a calibrated sleeve rotatably mounted on and being threaded to said second member, the inner end of said sleeve being abuttable against the telescoping end of said first member, said second member having indicia correlated to said calibrated sleeve, a sleeve threaded to and mounted on said first member and having means for clamping said calibrated sleeve against such telescoping end, a pair of locking devices one mounted and threaded on said calibrated sleeve, the other mounted and threaded on said first member, said devices locking said sleeve and calibrated sleeve in an adjusted length for said assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
A rod assembly comprising first and second hollow cylindrical members the first of which telescopes onto the second, means for preventing rotation of said members relative to each other mounted on said members, a calibrated sleeve rotatably mounted on and being threaded to said second member, the inner end of said sleeve being abuttable against the telescoping end of said first member, said second member having indicia correlated to said calibrated sleeve, a sleeve threaded to and mounted on said first member and having means for clamping said calibrated sleeve against such telescoping end, a pair of locking devices one mounted and threaded on said calibrated sleeve, the other mounted and threaded on said first member, said devices locking said sleeve and calibrated sleeve in an adjusted length for said assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein each of said locking devices comprises a lock ring and a tang ring each having serrations on facing sides thereof for mutual engagement, a tab mounted on and axially extending from said lock ring towards said sleeve mounted on said first member for engagement therewith, and a jam nut for torquing said lock ring and tang ring against said sleeve mounted on said first member, and a plurality of complementary openings in each end of said sleeve mounted on said first member for selectively receiving said tab.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein said plurality of complementary openings are provided in the ends of said sleeve mounted on said first member at staggered intervals whereby maximum engagement between said serrations for any adjusted length of said assembly is achieved.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1 as a pitch link assembly for utilization in a rotary wing aircraft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
194 words
A connecting rod assembly comprising a pair of rods, each having an externally threaded portion, a first one of said rods telescoped within a second one of said rods, means upon said rods to prevent their relative rotation while permitting them to telescope, a sleeve threadedly engaging said first rod for rotational and axial movement thereupon and adapted to abut the end of said second rod for adjusting the length of the connecting rod assembly, clamp means threadedly engaging said second rod and clamping said sleeve to said second rod, separate lock means upon said second rod and said sleeve and engageable with opposite ends of said clamp means, each said lock means including, a lock ring having serrations on one side and having a tab extending axially opposite said serrations for locking engagement with an end of said clamp means, a key ring having an inwardly extending key for keying to said second rod and said sleeve, respectively, and having serrations engageable with those of said lock ring, and a jam nut for securing said lock means against said clamp means, whereby said connecting rod assembly may be adjusted in length and locked.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
194 words
A connecting rod assembly comprising a pair of rods, each having an externally threaded portion, a first one of said rods telescoped within a second one of said rods, means upon said rods to prevent their relative rotation while permitting them to telescope, a sleeve threadedly engaging said first rod for rotational and axial movement thereupon and adapted to abut the end of said second rod for adjusting the length of the connecting rod assembly, clamp means threadedly engaging said second rod and clamping said sleeve to said second rod, separate lock means upon said second rod and said sleeve and engageable with opposite ends of said clamp means, each said lock means including, a lock ring having serrations on one side and having a tab extending axially opposite said serrations for locking engagement with an end of said clamp means, a key ring having an inwardly extending key for keying to said second rod and said sleeve, respectively, and having serrations engageable with those of said lock ring, and a jam nut for securing said lock means against said clamp means, whereby said connecting rod assembly may be adjusted in length and locked.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |