US3827407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tug/barge latching mechanism
Assignee: Philadelphia Gear Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-04
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A self-latching self-releasing mechanism for coupling and releasably locking a marine tug to a barge includes, in a preferred form, a non-powered latching mechanism of the keeper type mounted at the aft end of the barge and a power-driven latch coupling mechanism mounted on the fore end of the tug. The powerdriven latch coupling mechanism includes a latch bar mounted at the forward end of an elongated tubular nut adapted to be driven forwardly and rearwardly in the axial direction of the tubular nut by a power-driven screw shaft. Provision is made for rotating the tubular nut, and hence the latch bar, through 90*, to effect latching and unlatching. The rearward end of the screw shaft is supported for rotation in the housing of the power drive which in turn is supported for universal movement on a stub mounted in a self-aligning spherical bearing in a support housing mounted on the tug. Axial or translational thrust forces are transmitted through the screw shaft and its power drive housing to the support housing. The power drive and its housing move axially with any axial movement of the screw, and hence are not subjected to the axial thrust forces. Self-latching and self-releasing of the latching mechanism is accomplished and controlled by the direction of rotation of the tubular nut on the screw shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 A Stratienko
- 👤 R Kornsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:45
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/66; B63B35/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
Apparatus for releasably coupling and latching together first and second units at least one of which is mobile, said couplingand-latching apparatus comprising: A. A first powered mechanism mounted on a first mobile unit, said first mechanism including: a. a screw shaft; b. a reversible power drive for said screw shaft; c. a nut engaged with said screw shaft; d. means responsive to initial rotation of said screw shaft in either direction for allowing limited angular movement in said same direction of said nut and thereafter preventing rotational movement thereof in said same direction thereby to effect axial movement of said nut on said screw shaft in one direction or the other according to the direction of rotation of said screw shaft; e. a latch bar on said nut and adapted to be moved angularly in response to initial rotation of said screw shaft in either direction and thereafter to be moved axially forwardly or rearwardly on said screw shaft to effect self-latching and self-unlatching of said coupling-and- latching apparatus; B. a second non-powered mechanism on a second unit, said second mechanism including: a. a latch-bar keeper mechanism fixed mounted on said second unit and adapted to be engaged by said latch bar for latching said bar, and for unlatching said bar, according to the angular position of said bar and to subsequent axial movement of said nut on said screw shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
Apparatus for releasably coupling and latching together first and second units at least one of which is mobile, said couplingand-latching apparatus comprising: A. A first powered mechanism mounted on a first mobile unit, said first mechanism including: a. a screw shaft; b. a reversible power drive for said screw shaft; c. a nut engaged with said screw shaft; d. means responsive to initial rotation of said screw shaft in either direction for allowing limited angular movement in said same direction of said nut and thereafter preventing rotational movement thereof in said same direction thereby to effect axial movement of said nut on said screw shaft in one direction or the other according to the direction of rotation of said screw shaft; e. a latch bar on said nut and adapted to be moved angularly in response to initial rotation of said screw shaft in either direction and thereafter to be moved axially forwardly or rearwardly on said screw shaft to effect self-latching and self-unlatching of said coupling-and- latching apparatus; B. a second non-powered mechanism on a second unit, said second mechanism including: a. a latch-bar keeper mechanism fixed mounted on said second unit and adapted to be engaged by said latch bar for latching said bar, and for unlatching said bar, according to the angular position of said bar and to subsequent axial movement of said nut on said screw shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second mechanism includes: a. at least one rotational stop for said latch bar preventing rotational movement of said latch bar in one direction beyond a selected angular latching position; b. additional rotational stop for preventing rotational movement of said latch bar in either direction when said latch bar is in angular latching position and also in axial latching position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said latch-bar keeper mechanism includes a housing having an aperture therein of a shape and size to allow passage therethrough of said latch bar when said latch bar is in angular unlatching position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said second mechanism includes guide means for guiding said latch bar into said housing aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein: a. said nut has an elongated tube portion; b. said tube is provided with rotational stop means; c. a support housing is provided on said first mobile unit through which said elongated tube portion of said nut passes; d. said tube support housing is constructed to allow limited movement of said tube within said support housing in all radial directions; e. said tube support housing is constructed to cooperate with said tube stop means to allow limited angular movement of said tube portion about its center axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said tube stop means comprises external key means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: a. said tube support housinG is mounted for limited movement in lateral directions; b. said tube support housing includes a vertical slide having an aperture through which said keyed tube portion passes; c. said slide includes keyway means allowing rotation of said keyed tube portion about its own axis through an angle of less than 180*.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for releasably coupling and latching together first and second units at least one of which is mobile, said coupling-and-latching apparatus comprising: A. a first powered mechanism mounted on a first mobile unit, said first mechanism including: a. an elongated member having a portion extendible in its axial direction, the extendible portion being also rotatable angularly about its own axis; b. support means supporting the rearward end of said member on said first mobile unit for limited universal movement in the radial directions; c. a reversible power drive to extend and retract said extendible portion; d. means for rotating said extendible portion angularly through an angle of less than 180*; e. a latch bar mounted at the forward end of said extendible portion and adapted to be moved angularly in either one direction through an angle of less than 180* and to be moved axially forwardly and rearwardly; B. a second non-powered mechanism on said second unit, said second mechanism including: a. a latch-bar keeper mechanism fixed mounted on said second unit and adapted to be engaged by said latch bar for latching said bar, and for unlatching said bar, according to the angular position of said bar and to subsequent axial movement of said extendible portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for releasably coupling and latching together first and second units at least one of which is mobile, said coupling-and-latching apparatus comprising: A. a first powered mechanism mounted on a first mobile unit, said first mechanism including: a. an elongated member having a portion extendible in its axial direction, the extendible portion being also rotatable angularly about its own axis; b. support means supporting the rearward end of said member on said first mobile unit for limited universal movement in the radial directions; c. a reversible power drive to extend and retract said extendible portion; d. means for rotating said extendible portion angularly through an angle of less than 180*; e. a latch bar mounted at the forward end of said extendible portion and adapted to be moved angularly in either one direction through an angle of less than 180* and to be moved axially forwardly and rearwardly; B. a second non-powered mechanism on said second unit, said second mechanism including: a. a latch-bar keeper mechanism fixed mounted on said second unit and adapted to be engaged by said latch bar for latching said bar, and for unlatching said bar, according to the angular position of said bar and to subsequent axial movement of said extendible portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein: a. said second mechanism includes at least one rotational stop for said latch bar preventing rotational movement of said latch bar in one direction beyond a selected angular latching position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: a. said second mechanism includes an additional rotational stop for preventing rotational movement of said latch bar in either direction when said latch bar is in angular latching position and also in axial latching position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said latch-bar keeper mechanism includes a housing having an aperture therein of a shape and size to allow passage therethrough of said latch bar only when said latch bar is in angular unlatching position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said second mechanism includes guide means for guiding said latch bar into said housing aperture.
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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) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |