Circlips
AssigneeSustainable Engine Systems Limited
InventorRichard F. Kinnersly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A circlip (8) comprises a band of material forming an incomplete ring, and has curved bearing surfaces (10, 11) at opposite ends of the major transverse dimension of the band. The major transverse dimension is generally oriented at less than 90°, and preferably a small acute angle α, to the central axis A of the ring in the unstressed state of the circlip (8).
Claims21
A circlip comprising a band of material in part-conical form forming an incomplete ring, said band having a transverse major dimension along a major axis and having a central axis, and having bearing surfaces located at opposite ends of said dimension of the band, said bearing surfaces curved in transverse cross-section wherein said dimension is at an angle of less than about 45° with respect to the central axis when in an unstressed state of the circlip.
Apparatus for connecting first and second members, the apparatus comprising:
- a male portion of the first member;
- a female portion of the second member for reception of the male portion of the first member;
- and
- a circlip comprising a band of material in part-conical form forming an incomplete ring, said band having a transverse major dimension along a major axis and having a central axis, and having bearing surfaces located at opposite ends of said dimension of the band, said bearing surfaces curved in transverse cross-section. wherein said dimension is at an anole of less than 90° with respect to the central axis when in an unstressed state of the circlip;
- wherein the male and female portions have respective annular regions for abutting the bearing surfaces at opposite ends of the major transverse dimension of the circlip, whereby, in use, the circlip inhibits relative axial displacement of said portions tending to compress the circlip.
Apparatus for connecting first and second members, the apparatus comprising:
- a male portion of the first member;
- a female portion of the second member for reception of the male portion of the first member;
- and
- a circlip comprising a band of material forming an incomplete ring, and having, at opposite ends of a major transverse dimension of the band, bearing surfaces which are curved in transverse cross-section, wherein said major transverse dimension is generally oriented at less than 90° to a central axis of the ring in an unstressed state;
- wherein the male and female portions have respective annular regions for abutting the bearing surfaces at opposite ends of the major transverse dimension of the circlip, whereby, in use, the circlip inhibits relative axial displacement of said portions tending to compress the circlip, wherein the angle of said major transverse dimension to the central axis of the circlip in the unstressed state is greater than the corresponding angle when the apparatus is assembled with the bearing surfaces of the circlip abutting the annular regions of the male and female portions, whereby the circlip is biased into engagement with the male and female portions in the assembled state.
A circlip comprising a band of material in part-conical form forming an incomplete ring, said ring having two ends and a gap between said ends, said band having a transverse major dimension along a major axis and having a central axis, and having bearing surfaces located at opposite ends of said dimension of the band, said bearing surfaces curved in transverse cross-section, wherein said dimension is at an angle of less than 90° with respect to the central axis when in an unstressed state of the circlip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.