Patent US3976313A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3976313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lauffen safety locking device for a coupling
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-06-13
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1995-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A coupling is disclosed made up of a female member and a male member adapted to fit together. The male member has an outer peripheral groove and the female member has fastening means including levers swingably connected to it. The levers can swing into alignment with the axis of the coupling to clamp the male member firmly against the seal in the female member. An improved arrangement is provided for holding the levers in place. The arrangement includes spring loaded detent balls in countersinks. The balls project out the side of ears next to the levers. The spring may be leaf springs overlying the detent balls, urging the detent balls into engagement with chamfered edges of the levers. The detent balls prevent the levers from inadvertently rotating to release the coupling due to vibration or ther reasons.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F. Lauffenburger
- 👤 Edmund H. Waszkiewicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:06
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/08; F16L37/12; F16L37/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
In combination, a separable coupling and a safety lock, said coupling comprising a hollow plug member having an external peripheral groove therein, a hollow female socket member receiving said hollow plug member, a seal means in said hollow female member adapted to engage said plug member forming a seal therebetween, elongated levers rotatably supported on said female member said levers having cam means adapted to engage said peripheral groove in said plug member for urging said plug into sealing engagement with said seal, a bracket, said bracket having two spaced ears, a flange connecting said ears together, means extending through said flange removably fixing said bracket to a side of said female member, a counterbored hole in each said ear with a detent ball therein, said balls extending into the space between said ears, one of said levers being adapted to swing into said space between said ears, said detent balls overlying and engaging the external surface of said lever whereby said lever is restrained from moving with said cam to disengage said plug, two leaf springs, each said leaf spring being adapted to rest on the outside of a said ear overlying said counterbored openings therein engaging said detent ball, and a screw extending through each said spring and threadably engaging said ear, clamping said spring to said bracket whereby said detent balls are urged into said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
In combination, a separable coupling and a safety lock, said coupling comprising a hollow plug member having an external peripheral groove therein, a hollow female socket member receiving said hollow plug member, a seal means in said hollow female member adapted to engage said plug member forming a seal therebetween, elongated levers rotatably supported on said female member said levers having cam means adapted to engage said peripheral groove in said plug member for urging said plug into sealing engagement with said seal, a bracket, said bracket having two spaced ears, a flange connecting said ears together, means extending through said flange removably fixing said bracket to a side of said female member, a counterbored hole in each said ear with a detent ball therein, said balls extending into the space between said ears, one of said levers being adapted to swing into said space between said ears, said detent balls overlying and engaging the external surface of said lever whereby said lever is restrained from moving with said cam to disengage said plug, two leaf springs, each said leaf spring being adapted to rest on the outside of a said ear overlying said counterbored openings therein engaging said detent ball, and a screw extending through each said spring and threadably engaging said ear, clamping said spring to said bracket whereby said detent balls are urged into said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said female member has a polygonal shape having flat surfaces and said bracket supported on one of the flat surfaces.
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) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |