US3738693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for selective engagement and disengagement between a traction means and a mechanical unit
Assignee: Ministère des Armées
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Filing: 1971-06-16
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A locking head is secured to a traction means and permits coupling and uncoupling of the traction means to a guide housing secured to a mechanical unit. The locking head comprises a body provided with rotatable friction rolls automatically placed in locked position when the head is inserted into the housing, whereby the traction means and mechanical unit are engaged. The rolls can be rotated to unlocked position to permit disengagement by withdrawal of the locking head from the guide housing.
Inventors
- 👤 P Loustalet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/01; B60D1/02; B60D1/025; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/16; Y10T403/1633; Y10T403/59; Y10T403/591; Y10T403/593
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for selectively effecting automatic coupling and controlled uncoupling, said apparatus comprising a locking head, a guide housing having an opening with an internal shoulder into which said locking head can be inserted and then withdrawn, a plurality of rotatable rolls carried by said locking head, said rolls each having a peripheral surface of revolution with a local clearance, said head having recesses in which corresponding rolls are carried with their peripHeral surfaces in slidable contact with the head, the rolls being rotatable in said recesses between first and second positions, said rolls being lockable in the first position in the guide housing with their peripheral surfaces in contact with the internal shoulder of the guide housing such that the locking head and guide housing are coupled, said rolls in the second position having their clearances facing the internal shoulder of the housing to enable the locking head to be inserted and removed from said guide housing and means carried by said head for engaging said rolls for rotating the rolls between said first and second positions, the said internal shoulder having a peripheral surface of revolution similar to that of said rolls and recesses and dimensioned to provide a substantially contiguous extension of said recesses when the head is in the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for selectively effecting automatic coupling and controlled uncoupling, said apparatus comprising a locking head, a guide housing having an opening with an internal shoulder into which said locking head can be inserted and then withdrawn, a plurality of rotatable rolls carried by said locking head, said rolls each having a peripheral surface of revolution with a local clearance, said head having recesses in which corresponding rolls are carried with their peripHeral surfaces in slidable contact with the head, the rolls being rotatable in said recesses between first and second positions, said rolls being lockable in the first position in the guide housing with their peripheral surfaces in contact with the internal shoulder of the guide housing such that the locking head and guide housing are coupled, said rolls in the second position having their clearances facing the internal shoulder of the housing to enable the locking head to be inserted and removed from said guide housing and means carried by said head for engaging said rolls for rotating the rolls between said first and second positions, the said internal shoulder having a peripheral surface of revolution similar to that of said rolls and recesses and dimensioned to provide a substantially contiguous extension of said recesses when the head is in the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking head comprises a cylindrical body, the peripheral surface of each roll having a portion which is cylindrical and which in said first position is in engagement with a corresponding cylindrical portion of the respective recess in said head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rolls each includes a toothed segment, said means for rotating the rolls comprising a displaceable rack in mesh with the toothed segments of the rolls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for rotating the rolls further comprises a thrust means for displacing the rack, and elastic means acting on the rack to urge the same to a position in which the rolls are in said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said internal shoulder of the guide housing has a toroidal bearing surface for support of the rolls when these are in the first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said guide housing has an internal cylindrical shoulder for seating of the rolls thereagainst when the latter are in said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said cylindrical body includes two seat members symmetrically arranged in a bore in said body to define each cylindrical recess, said seat members being constructed to transmit force from said body to said rolls and to said housing independently of the teeth of the rack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said seat members are cylindrical and surround each roll sufficiently for the latter not be ejected from the body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said seat members have external inclined surfaces which are symmetrical relative to that axis of the roll which is perpendicular to the axis of the rack, such that the assembly of roll and seat members is secured inside the body of the locking head by a wedging effect.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein each seat member has a surface which is engaged with said rack along an untoothed portion thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said thrust means comprises a single-acting hydraulic jack including a piston which acts on said rack.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said single-acting hydraulic jack is housed in the traction means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said body includes a pivot for each roll, each roll being mounted on a respective pivot with substantial diametral clearance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising an elastic washer interposed between one of the two seat members of each roll and said body to urge the cylindrical surface of the roll into contact with the seat members.
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) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |