Apparatus for applying high torque levels
AssigneeFlinchbaugh Products, Inc.
InventorsJack K. Shupp, Eugene K. Abel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A novel collet and chuck are disclosed for applying high levels of torque to an article having substantially circular cross-sections about a common axis and sloping sides, such that it cannot be readily gripped by conventional chucks without marring the exterior surface of the article. A collet is provided which is reinforced against torsional distortion and which provides a rubber interior surface conforming to the article. Torque levels as high as 1700 inch-pounds may be applied to such articles, such as projectile shells, in accordance with the invention. Means are provided for rapidly releasing the article from the chuck after the torquing operation.
Claims7
A collet for applying high levels of torque to an article having substantially circular cross-sections about a common axis and sloping sides, without marring the exterior of the article, comprising in combination:
- (a) a deformable plastic frustum-shaped body comprised of rubber or an equivalent resilient material, forming a non-marring continuous interior surface lining for gripping such article substantially conforming to the exterior surface of such article about an axis of rotation corresponding to the geometrical axis of such article;
- and
- (b) a plurality of rigid, axially and radially extending reinforcing members embedded in and distributed circumferentially about said body, the exterior surfaces of said reinforcing members extending beyond the exterior surface of said body for collectively defining a conical camming surface, and each of said reinforcing members forming an interior bearing surface substantially conforming to and within the interior surface of said body over the axial extent thereof for transmitting radial forces applied at its exterior surface to such article through the medium of the body while resisting torsional distortion of the body, said reinforcing members being T-shaped in cross-section with the head of the T forming the bearing surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.