Expansible element for an assembling device and devices including said element

Claim 2

Assembling device comprising, in combination, a tubular expansible cluster of a plurality of juxtaposed identical filaments having a circular cross-section, said cluster having an axis and two opposed ends and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces, one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, each filament having the shape of a helix whose axis coincides with the axis of said cluster and extending through at least two thirds of a complete turn of its helix, all the contact lines between adjacent filaments being contained in a single geometrical surface coaxial with said cluster and located between said envelope-surfaces, whereby the filaments are temporarily held together owing to their very helical shape, and means for exerting an axial force of compression on said element, said force exerting means comprising two members having transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster and capable of bearing against ends of the filaments at said opposed ends of the cluster.

Claim 3

Assembling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each filament extends over at least a full turn of its helix.

Claim 4

Assembling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said force exerting means comprises, in combination, a rod axially engaged in said cluster and having a head, at least one member movable along said rod, the head and the movable member having, in facing relation, said transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster, and means for axially urging the head and the movable member towards each other and maintaining them in a position closer together for exerting said axial force of compression on said element.

Claim 5

A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rod and the movable member are respectively a bolt and a nut screwed on the bolt, a washer being provided on the bolt and interposed between the head and the nut, one of said transverse faces being formed on one of two elements consisting of said head and said nut and the other of said transverse faces being formed on said washer which bears against the other of said two elements, the diameter of said washer distinctly exceeding the diameter of said outer envelope-surface.

Claim 6

A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said one of said two elements having said transverse face has on the periphery of the corresponding transverse face indentations in which are engageable the filaments in the vicinity of free ends of the filaments in the course of thE spreading of an adjacent portion of the cluster under the action of said corresponding transverse face, whereby said free ends of filaments can leave said indentations and bend outwardly.

Claim 7

A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said washer has two series of teeth respectively provided on the outer and inner peripheral portions thereof said teeth being twisted in such a manner as to define edges which are respectively on each side of said washer and which force in opposite directions to thereby exert locking effects in opposite directions.

Claim 8

Assembling device comprising, in combination, a tubular expansible cluster of juxtaposed filaments, said cluster having an axis and two opposed ends and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces, one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, each filament having the shape of a helix whose axis coincides with the axis of said cluster and extending through at least two thirds of a complete turn of its helix, whereby the filaments are temporarily held together owing to their very helical shape, and means for exerting an axial force of compression on said element, said force exerting means comprising two members having transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster and capable of bearing against ends of the filaments at said opposed ends of the cluster, said force exerting means comprising, in combination, a rod axially engaged in said cluster and having a head, at least one member movable along said rod, the head and the movable member having, in facing relation, said transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster, and means for axially urging the head and the movable member towards each other and maintaining them in a position closer together for exerting said axial force of compression of said element, the rod having a smooth portion and a groove adjacent an end of the rod remote from the head, said groove being provided for the temporary engagement of pulling tool means, said groove constituting a region of diminished strength which, by the fracture of the rod in the groove, constitutes a force limiter, the device further comprising a stop washer having tabs adapted to engage and wedge against the smooth portion of the rod.

Claim 9

Assembling device comprising, in combination, a tubular expansible cluster of juxtaposed filaments, said cluster having an axis and two opposed ends and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces, one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, each filament having the shape of a helix whose axis coincides with the axis of said cluster and extending through at least two thirds of a complete turn of its helix, whereby the filaments are temporarily held together owing to their very helical shape, and means for exerting an axial force of compression on said element, said force exerting means comprising two members having transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster and capable of bearing against ends of the filaments at said opposed ends of the cluster, said force exerting means comprising, in combination, a rod axially engaged in said cluster and having a head, at least one member movable along said rod, the head and the movable member having, in facing relation, said transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster, and means for axially urging the head and the movable member towards each other and maintaining them in a position closer together for exerting said axial force of compression of said element, the rod having a smooth portion and a groove adjacent an end of the rod remote from the head, said groove being provided for the temporary engagement of pulling tool means, said groove constituting a region of diminished strength which, by the fracture of the rod in the groove, constitutes a force limiter, the device further comprising a stop washer having tabs adapted to engage and wedge against the smooth portion of the rod.

Claim 10

An assembling device comprising, in combination: an expansible element comprising a tubular expansible cluster of juxtaposed filaments, said cluster having an axis and two opposed ends and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, and joining means capable of yielding upon application of an axial force tending to radially expand the cluster and of maintaining the filaments temporarily assembled with each other, each filament having, in at least a part of its length, the shape of a helix having an axis which coincides with the axis of said cluster, a corresponding portion of the cluster constituting a helical torsade, said joining means extending over a part of the length of said cluster whereby a free end region of said corresponding portion is uncovered; and means for exerting an axial force of compression on said element, said force-exerting means comprising in combination a bolt axially engaged in the cluster and having a head and at least a nut screwed on said bolt, said head and said nut having, in facing relation, transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster, whereby movement of said nut on said bolt urges said transverse bearing faces together for exerting said axial force of compression on said element, a washer being provided on the bolt and interposed between the head and the nut, one of the said transverse faces being formed on one of two elements consisting of said head and said nut and the other of said transvErse faces being formed on said washer which bears against the other of said two elements, wherein said one of said two elements having said transverse face has on the periphery of the corresponding transverse face indentations in which are engageable the filaments in the vicinity of free ends of the filaments in the course of the spreading of an adjacent portion of the cluster under the action of said corresponding transverse face.

Claim 11

An assembling device comprising, in combination: an expansible element comprising a tubular expansible cluster of juxtaposed filaments, said cluster having an axis and two opposed ends and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, and joining means capable of yielding upon application of an axial force tending to radially expand the cluster and of maintaining the filaments temporarily assembled with each other, each filament having, in at least a part of its length, the shape of a helix having an axis which coincides with the axis of said cluster, a corresponding portion of the cluster constituting a helical torsade, said joining means extending over a part of the length of said cluster whereby a free end region of said corresponding portion is uncovered; and means for exerting an axial force of compression on said element, said force-exerting means comprising in combination a bolt axially engaged in the cluster and having a head and at least a nut screwed on said bolt, said head and said nut having, in facing relation, transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster, whereby movement of said nut on said bolt urges said transverse bearing faces together for exerting said axial force of compression on said element, a washer being provided on the bolt and interposed between the head and the nut, one of the said transverse faces being formed on one of two elements consisting of said head and said nut and the other of said transvErse faces being formed on said washer which bears against the other of said two elements, wherein said one of said two elements having said transverse face has on the periphery of the corresponding transverse face indentations in which are engageable the filaments in the vicinity of free ends of the filaments in the course of the spreading of an adjacent portion of the cluster under the action of said corresponding transverse face.

Claim 12

An assembling device comprising in combination: an expansible element comprising a tubular expansible cluster of juxtaposed filaments, said cluster having an axis and two opposed ends and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, and joining means capable of yielding upon application of an axial force tending to radially expand the cluster and of maintaining the filaments temporarily assembled with each other, each filament having, in at least a part of its length, the shape of a helix having an axis which coincides with the axis of said cluster, a corresponding portion of the cluster constituting a helical torsade, said joining means extending over a part of the length of said cluster whereby a free end region of said corresponding portion is uncovered; and means for exerting an axial force of compression on said element, said force-exerting means comprising in combination a rod axially engaged in the cluster and having a head, at least one member movable along the rod, the head and the movable member having, in facing relation, transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster, and means for axially urging the head and the movable member towards each other and maintaining them in a position closer together for exerting said axial force of compression on said element, wherein the rod has a smooth portion and a groove adjacent an end of the rod remote from the head, said groove being provided for the temporary engagement of pulling tool means, said groove constituting a region of diminished strength which, by the fracture of the rod in the groove, constitutes a force limiter, the device further comprising a stop washer having tabs adapted to engage and wedge against the smooth portion of the rod.

Claim 13

An assembling device comprising in combination: an expansible element comprising a tubular expansible cluster of juxtaposed filaments, said cluster having an axis and two opposed ends and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, and joining means capable of yielding upon application of an axial force tending to radially expand the cluster and of maintaining the filaments temporarily assembled with each other, each filament having, in at least a part of its length, the shape of a helix having an axis which coincides with the axis of said cluster, a corresponding portion of the cluster constituting a helical torsade, said joining means extending over a part of the length of said cluster whereby a free end region of said corresponding portion is uncovered; and means for exerting an axial force of compression on said element, said force-exerting means comprising in combination a rod axially engaged in the cluster and having a head, at least one member movable along the rod, the head and the movable member having, in facing relation, transverse bearing faces perpendicular to said axis of the cluster, and means for axially urging the head and the movable member towards each other and maintaining them in a position closer together for exerting said axial force of compression on said element, wherein the rod has a smooth portion and a groove adjacent an end of the rod remote from the head, said groove being provided for the temporary engagement of pulling tool means, said groove constituting a region of diminished strength which, by the fracture of the rod in the groove, constitutes a force limiter, the device further comprising a stop washer having tabs adapted to engage and wedge against the smooth portion of the rod.

Claim 14

An expansible element for an assembly device comprising a tubular expansible cluster of a plurality of juxtaposed identical filaments having a circular cross-section, said cluster having an axis and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, each filament having, in at least a part of its length the shape of a helix having an axis which coincides with the axis of said cluster and extending through at least a complete turn of its helix, all the contact lines between adjacent filaments being contained in a single geometrical surface coaxial with said cluster and located between said envelope surfaces, whereby the filaments are temporarily held together owing to their very helical shape.

Claim 15

An expansible element for an assembly device comprising a tubular expansible cluster of a plurality of juxtaposed identical filaments having a circular cross-section, said cluster having an axis and being defined by two coaxial and concentric geometrical envelope-surfaces one of which surfaces is an outer surface and the other an inner surface, the filaments being of a resiliently flexible crush-resistant material, each filament having, in at least a part of its length the shape of a helix having an axis which coincides with the axis of said cluster and extending through at least a complete turn of its helix, all the contact lines between adjacent filaments being contained in a single geometrical surface coaxial with said cluster and located between said envelope surfaces, whereby the filaments are temporarily held together owing to their very helical shape.