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US 2012/0235382 A1Published application
Drawbar spring coupler
OwnerJay Rodger Elrodinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linkage comprises a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a first drawbar spring, and a second rounded end opposite the first rounded end. The second rounded end provides a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a second drawbar spring. The linkage is configured to be positioned between the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated with the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the second rounded end is mated with the loop element in the second drawbar spring to mechanically couple the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring.
Claims20
An assembly comprising:
- a first drawbar spring, wherein the first drawbar spring includes:
- a first spring coil;
- a first loop element that extends through the first spring coil and hooks on a first end of the first spring coil;
- and
- a second loop element that opposes the first loop element, wherein the second loop element extends through the first spring coil and hooks on a second end of the first spring coil,
- wherein the first and second loop elements are configured to compress the first spring coil when a tension load is applied to the first drawbar spring;
- a second drawbar spring, wherein the second drawbar spring includes:
- a second spring coil;
- a third loop element that extends through the second spring coil and hooks on a first end of the second spring coil;
- and
- a fourth loop element that opposes the third loop element, wherein the fourth loop element extends through the second spring coil and hooks on a second end of the second spring coil,
- wherein the third and fourth loop elements are configured to compress the second spring coil when the tension load is applied to the second drawbar spring;
- and
- a linkage coupling the first drawbar spring to the second drawbar spring,
- wherein the linkage includes a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile with respect to an inner radius of the first loop element,
- wherein the linkage includes a second rounded end providing a complimentary profile with respect to an inner radius of the fourth loop element,
- wherein the linkage is positioned within the first loop element at the second end of the first drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated to the first loop element, and the linkage is also positioned within the fourth loop element at the first end of the second drawbar spring such that the second rounded end is mated to the fourth loop element to mechanically couple the first loop element of the first drawbar spring to the fourth loop element of the second drawbar spring.
14 more elements
A linkage comprising:
- a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a first drawbar spring;
- and
- a second rounded end opposite the first rounded end, the second rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a second drawbar spring;
- wherein the linkage is configured to be positioned between the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated with the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the second rounded end is mated with the loop element in the second drawbar spring to mechanically couple the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring.
1 more element
A kit comprising:
- linkage comprising:
- a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a first drawbar spring;
- a second rounded end opposite the first rounded end, the second rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a second drawbar spring;
- and
- two substantially planar surfaces that form corners with the first rounded and the second rounded end,
- wherein the linkage forms an aperture that extends through the substantially planar surfaces,
- wherein the linkage is configured to be positioned between the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated with the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the second rounded end is mated with the loop element in the second drawbar spring to mechanically couple the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring;
- two washers, each washer being configured to be positioned in alignment with the aperture of the linkage with one washer being on either side of the linkage;
- a bolt configured to extend through both washers and the aperture of the linkage;
- and
- a nut configured to be threaded on the end of the bolt opposite a head of the bolt to secure the washers on either side of the linkage,
- wherein the washers have outer diameters that are greater than twice the inner radii of the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the washers are configured to prevent the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring from slipping off the linkage when the washers are secured on either side of the linkage and the linkage mechanically couples the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.