Rotary Cam Operated Release Mechanism
OwnerPeter James DOREYinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A release mechanism for a tether assembly. A circular base ring has a central opening sized to accept a connecting member, and a plurality of radial slots. Dogs are disposed in the radial slots, and movable radially inwardly and outwardly. A cam ring having angled slots is operatively connected to the base ring, with upturned ends on the dogs engaged in the angled slots. Relative rotation between the cam ring and the base ring, by hydraulic cylinders connecting the two rings, moves the dogs radially inwardly and outwardly. In their radially inward position the dogs engage a circumferential groove in an elongated connecting member, thereby connecting the tether assembly.
Claims18
A release mechanism for selectively holding and releasing a member in a tether assembly, thereby parting the tether assembly, comprising a locking mechanism comprising:
- a circular base ring having a central opening sized to accommodate an elongated connecting member, said circular base ring further comprising a plurality of radial channels therein;
- a circular cam ring rotatably connected to said base ring, said cam ring comprising a central opening sized to accommodate an elongated connecting member and further comprising a plurality of angled slots therein;
- a plurality of elongated dogs disposed in said radial channels in said circular base ring, each of said dogs comprising a raised portion proximal a radially outward end thereof which engages one of said angled slots in said circular cam ring,
- wherein said angled slots in said cam ring are shaped so as to force said dogs radially inwardly and outwardly with relative rotation between said circular base ring and said circular cam ring.
An apparatus for releasably connecting to a tether, comprising:
- a circular base ring having a central opening sized to accommodate an elongated connecting member therein, said circular base ring further comprising a plurality of radial channels therein;
- a circular cam ring rotatably connected to said base ring, said cam ring comprising a central opening sized to accommodate said elongated connecting member and further comprising a plurality of angled slots therein;
- a plurality of elongated dogs disposed in said radial slots in said circular base ring, each of said dogs comprising a raised portion proximal a radially outward end thereof which engages one of said angled slots in said circular cam ring,
- wherein said angled slots in said cam ring are shaped so as to force said dogs radially inwardly and outwardly with relative rotation between said circular base ring and said circular cam ring;
- and
- one or more hydraulic cylinders connected to said circular base ring and said circular cam ring, and a pressurized hydraulic fluid source connected to said hydraulic cylinders, wherein extension and retraction of said hydraulic cylinders causes relative rotation between said base ring and said cam ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.