US3801207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fail-safe turnbuckle
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1972-02-10
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-02-10
Abstract
Abstract An automotive steering linkage turnbuckle formed of a rolled metal sheet having side projections to form abutment surfaces providing split ends to the formed turnbuckle sleeve with a central opening intermediate the projections, the turnbuckle having a bulged central portion of increased diameter, the threads, of opposite hand from either end, running out gradually as the inner diameter of the turnbuckle increases to provide a fracture point at the last full-depth thread so that in case of failure of the turnbuckle, separation of the elements will not occur.
Inventors
- 👤 E Herbenar
- 👤 L Calvin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:27
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16G; F16G11/00; F16G11/12; B; B62; B62D; B62D7/00; B62D7/20; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/06; F16B7/18; F16B7/182; B60; B60G; B60G2206/00; B60G2206/01; B60G2206/10; B60G2206/11; B60G2206/111; B60G2206/1112; F16C; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/20; F16C2326/24; F16C7/00; F16C7/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49606; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/29; Y10T403/295
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A turnbuckle assembly comprising a longitudinally elongated, longitudinally split turnbuckle sleeve with internal female threads of opposite hand extending into the sleeve from both ends thereof, said sleeve having an increased diameter central section and smaller diameter end sectIons merged into the central section along gradually sloping transition zones, the longitudinal walls of the sleeve on each side of the split being abutted together at said transition zones and spaced apart along the lengths of said end sections and the central portion of said central section to provide a central longitudinal slot closed at both ends in the central section and gaps along the length of the end sections opening through the outer ends of said end sections, said transition zones each having an inner diameter varying from less than the major diameter of the female threads to a diameter greater than the major diameter of said female threads, the female threads continuing into said transition zones and running out therein to provide partially formed female threads on the inner diameter of each transition zone, and male threaded members threaded into both ends of the sleeve beyond said transition zones with some of the male threads threaded into the partially formed female threads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A turnbuckle assembly comprising a longitudinally elongated, longitudinally split turnbuckle sleeve with internal female threads of opposite hand extending into the sleeve from both ends thereof, said sleeve having an increased diameter central section and smaller diameter end sectIons merged into the central section along gradually sloping transition zones, the longitudinal walls of the sleeve on each side of the split being abutted together at said transition zones and spaced apart along the lengths of said end sections and the central portion of said central section to provide a central longitudinal slot closed at both ends in the central section and gaps along the length of the end sections opening through the outer ends of said end sections, said transition zones each having an inner diameter varying from less than the major diameter of the female threads to a diameter greater than the major diameter of said female threads, the female threads continuing into said transition zones and running out therein to provide partially formed female threads on the inner diameter of each transition zone, and male threaded members threaded into both ends of the sleeve beyond said transition zones with some of the male threads threaded into the partially formed female threads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein each transition zone slopes outwardly from the end section to the central section at an angle of about 10* to 25* to the axis of the sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has external protuberances projecting radially therefrom and positioned in each end section and circumferentially spaced from the gap of the end section, and clamp members encircling the end sections having means interfitting with said protuberances to restrict axial movement of the clamp members on the sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly of claim 3 including at least two circumferentially spaced protuberances on each end section and wherein said means on the clamp members allow rotation of the clamp members on the sleeve.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |