Patent US3985213A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3985213A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load release devices
Assignee: Wellman Bibby Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-11-07
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Granted: 1976-10-12
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Expires: 1994-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A resettable release device to replace a shear pin connection between two members comprises a drive ball yieldably held in a seating in one of the members by a plunger slidable in a housing in the other member. The drive ball is located in a bore in the housing. The plunger has an annular shoulder against which a crowded ring of detent balls is held by two ball control rings resiliently urged towards each other. On overload, the drive ball moves out of its seating by pushing the detent balls up over the shoulder, forcing ball control rings apart. Pushing the plunger back to its original position resets the device.
Inventors
- 👤 George Roderick Braggins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:56
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D7/00; F16D7/04; F16D7/06; F16D7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a torque-limiting coupling comprising first and second rotary members mounted for rotation about a common axis and at least one release device spaced from said axis and interconnecting said first and second rotary members, the improvement in which said release device comprises a housing carried by said first member, plunger means mounted for movement in said housing between a projecting position and a retracted position, a seating in said second member for cooperation with said plunger means in the projecting position thereof, cooperating portions of said plunger means and said seating being shaped to cam said plunger means towards said retracted position on relative lateral movement therebetween during relative rotation of said rotary members, said plunger means having shoulder means facing away from said seating, rolling means in contact with said shoulder means, and means yieldably holding said rolling means up to said shoulder means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a torque-limiting coupling comprising first and second rotary members mounted for rotation about a common axis and at least one release device spaced from said axis and interconnecting said first and second rotary members, the improvement in which said release device comprises a housing carried by said first member, plunger means mounted for movement in said housing between a projecting position and a retracted position, a seating in said second member for cooperation with said plunger means in the projecting position thereof, cooperating portions of said plunger means and said seating being shaped to cam said plunger means towards said retracted position on relative lateral movement therebetween during relative rotation of said rotary members, said plunger means having shoulder means facing away from said seating, rolling means in contact with said shoulder means, and means yieldably holding said rolling means up to said shoulder means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 in which said plunger means comprises a ball adapted to seat in said seating and a spindle slidable in said housing and being formed with said shoulder means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 in which said spindle has an adjustable ball-contacting element whereby to take up play between said ball and said seating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 1 in which said rolling means comprise a set of balls which are yieldably held in contact with said shoulder means by two annular members which are resiliently urged towards each other, said annular members having mutually inclined ball contacting faces whereby to wedge said balls towards the axis of said annular members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The release device of claim 4, in which said annular members are radially floating so that their radial position is determined by the balls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The release device of claim 4 in which said shoulder means is inclined to the axis of the second member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 4 in which said plunger means comprises a ball adapted to seat in said seating and a spindle slidable in said housing and being formed with said shoulder means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 7 in which said spindle has an adjustable ball-contacting element whereby to take up play between said ball and said seating.
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) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |