US4466551A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closure device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-02-28
•
Granted: 1984-08-21
•
Expires: 2003-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A releasable closure device adapted to provide sealing engagement between abutting surfaces by means of a rotatable locking ring comprising a plurality of locking lugs adapted to frictionally engage recessed locking channels disposed in said surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Kam F. Leung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:06
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J13/00; F16J13/02; F16J13/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A closure device comprising two opposed surfaces adapted to be brought into abutting relation to each other, each surface further comprising a locking groove; a locking ring disposed between said surfaces, said locking ring further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking lugs, said locking lugs being adapted to provide frictional engagement with said locking grooves when said locking ring is rotated, thereby bringing said surfaces into abutting relation to each other; and means for rotating said locking ring and said locking lugs relative to said locking grooves to provide said frictional engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A closure device comprising two opposed surfaces adapted to be brought into abutting relation to each other, each surface further comprising a locking groove; a locking ring disposed between said surfaces, said locking ring further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking lugs, said locking lugs being adapted to provide frictional engagement with said locking grooves when said locking ring is rotated, thereby bringing said surfaces into abutting relation to each other; and means for rotating said locking ring and said locking lugs relative to said locking grooves to provide said frictional engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking lugs are adapted by means of inclined surfaces to provide frictional engagement with said locking grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking groove further comprises a plurality of receiving channels and a plurality of locking channels, said receiving channels being circumferentially spaced in alternating relation with said locking channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the receiving channels in the locking grooves of said opposed surfaces are circumferentially aligned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said locking channels further comprise at least one inclined surface adapted to provide frictional engagement with said locking lugs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking ring is adapted to be rotated so as to bring said opposed surfaces into abutting relation to each other while said opposed surfaces are maintained in constant rotational alignment to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opposed surfaces are pivotally connected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said opposed surfaces further comprises an annular sealing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said sealing means is disposed in an annular groove in said surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portion of said surfaces comprising said locking grooves are recessed from the portion of said surfaces adapted to be brought into abutting relation to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opposed surfaces are flanges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said opposed surfaces is a flange and the other is a flange cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said locking ring and said locking lugs further comprises a drive mechanism adapted to move said locking ring in a circumferential direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said locking ring further comprises an outwardly disposed drive gear and wherein said drive means comprises a worm gear adapted to engage said locking ring drive gear in such manner that said locking ring can be moved in a circumferential direction by rotating said worm gear.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said drive means is hydraulically actuated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said drive means is pneumatically actuated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said drive means is electrically actuated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said drive means is actuated from a remote location.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for locking said drive means so as to prevent unintended rotation of said locking ring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A releasable flange closure comprising two opposed flanges having a rotatable locking ring disposed therebetween for providing sealing engagement between them, said locking ring further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking lugs adapated to cooperate with recessed annular locking grooves disposed in said flanges.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
A releasable flange closure comprising two opposed flanges having a rotatable locking ring disposed therebetween for providing sealing engagement between them, said locking ring further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking lugs adapated to cooperate with recessed annular locking grooves disposed in said flanges.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said locking lugs and said locking grooves further comprise inclined locking surfaces adapted to evenly and continuously increase the locking force applied to said flanges by said locking ring.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
A releasable closure device comprising hinged flange and flange cover portions adapted to be brought into sealing engagement with each other by a rotatable locking ring comprising a plurality of tapered locking lugs, said locking lugs further comprising inclined locking surfaces adapted to frictionally engage cooperating inclined surfaces in locking grooves disposed in said flange and flange cover portions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
A releasable closure device comprising hinged flange and flange cover portions adapted to be brought into sealing engagement with each other by a rotatable locking ring comprising a plurality of tapered locking lugs, said locking lugs further comprising inclined locking surfaces adapted to frictionally engage cooperating inclined surfaces in locking grooves disposed in said flange and flange cover portions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said closure device is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said closure device is fabricated from materials selected from group consisting of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymeric resins.
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) | 1987-08-21 | 1988-02-20 | 1988-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-21 | 1992-02-20 | 1992-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-21 | 1996-02-20 | 1996-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |