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US 4,784,044 AGranted
Pressure actuated axial locking
OwnerKlaus-Dieter Klementinventor
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OwnerKlaus-Dieter Klementinventor
Estimating the term…
The present device is intended to lock a member, such as a tool, substantially without play into a form-locked position which can be released only by a fluid pressure intentionally applied to the device. The construction is such that small clamping strokes or displacements can be performed and so that the form-locking or arresting force is maintained as long as desired and with safety. For this purpose a pull rod having, for example, a ring channel, is insertable into a socket type of receiver equipped with radially movable locking elements which cooperate with their own slanted surfaces with slanted surfaces of the pull rod and with slanted surfaces of a ring piston. Certain cooperating surfaces have a slant angle which is smaller than a self-locking angle. The release is possible only if the ring piston is exposed to a fluid under pressure.
A pressure actuated axial locking device having a central longitudinal axis, comprising a hollow cylinder, a hollow locking piston slidably movable in said hollow cylinder, means cooperating with said locking piston for performing an unlocking operation and a locking operation, said hollow locking piston comprising first surface means on a radially inward face of said hollow locking piston for a form-locking and unlocking operation, said first surface means extending at a first slanting angle relative to said central longitudinal axis, said first angle being smaller than a self-locking angle, rod means having a free rod end arranged for an axial displacement in said hollow locking piston, said rod means comprising form-locking means including second surface means next to said free rod end for a form-locking and unlocking of said free rod end, radially movably locking elements having third surface means arranged for cooperation with first and second surface means in a form-locking and unlocking operation, stop means arranged for permitting a radial movement of said radially movable locking elements but preventing an axis movement of said locking elements in the same direction as a form-locking motion of said hollow looking piston, whereby said stop means are effective in a direction opposite form-locking motion of said hollow locking piston, said means cooperating with said hollow locking piston comprising first means for urging said hollow locking piston and thus said radially movable locking elements into engagement with said second surface means at said free rod end for said form-locking, and second means for urging said hollow locking piston into an unlocking position when said first locking means are not effective.
A pressure actuated axial locking device having a central longitudinal axis, comprising a hollow cylinder (51), a hollow open ended locking piston (53) open at both ends and slidably movable in said hollow cylinder, means cooperating with said locking piston for performing an unlocking operation and a locking operation, said hollow locking piston comprising first surface means on a radially inward face of said hollow locking piston for a form-locking and unlocking operation, said first surface means extending at a first slanting angle relative to said central longitudinal axis, said first angle being smaller than a self-locking angle, rod means having a free rod end arranged for an axial displacement in said hollow locking piston, said rod means comprising form-locking means including second surface means next to said free rod end for a form-locking and unlocking of said free rod end, radially movable locking elements having third surface means arranged for cooperation with said first and second surface means in a form-locking and unlocking operation, stop means arranged for permitting a radical movement of said radially movable locking elements but preventing an axial movement of said locking elements in the same direction as a form-locking motion of said hollow locking piston, whereby said stop means are effective in a direction opposite to said form-locking motion of said hollow locking piston, said means cooperating with said hollow locking piston comprising first means (19) for urging said hollow locking piton and thus said radially movable locking elements into engagement with said second surface means at said free rod end for form-locking said free rod end in said hollow locking, piston against axial withdrawal, and second means (42, 53') for urging said hollow locking piston into an unlocking position when said first locking means are not effective, said locking device further comprising a sleeve (20) mounted for axial movement in said hollow cylinder (51) and coaxially to said rod means, said sleeve (20) and said free rod end of said rod means each having an axially facing surface (21, 22) for cooperation between said sleeve and said free rod end, said sleeve (20) having an additional circumferential surface (23) for supporting said radially movable locking elements (13'), and biasing means (44) in said hollow cylinder for biasing said sleeve (20) toward said rod means (50), whereby said sleeve (20) in cooperation with said biasing means (44) reaches into said hollow open ended locking piston for holding said free rod end against further axial movement when said free rod end is in a form-locked position, and whereby said sleeve (20) holds said locking elements in a radially outer position when said rod means is completely withdrawn from said locking device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.