GB2180911A - Coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling (1), such as a shackle, clevis or the like, comprises a base member with at least two sides (2,3) spaced apart. They each comprise an insertion opening (7,8) for a suspension bolt (10). The bolt (10) is prevented from falling out of the insertion openings (7,8) by locking members (14,15) disposed transversely to the bolt axis. One locking member (15) projects only partly into one of the two insertion openings (7,8) which have the same diameter. Thus the inside width (16) of the suspension opening (8) is reduced. It is thereby ensured that only the correct size of suspension bolt (10) will be inserted in the coupling (1), the ultimate strength of which bolt (10) is coordinated with the ultimate strength of the chain (11) to be suspended, since a smaller bolt will fall out of the insertion openings. On account of their identical diameter, the two insertion openings (7,8) may be drilled in a simple manner in a single operation, due to which the desired, economical and simple manufacture is achieved for the coupling (1) as a mass-produced product. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coupling The invention relatesto a coupling, in particulara shackle, a clevis or the like, having a base member comprising two sides spaced apart, each ofwhich is provided with an insertion opening for a suspension bolt, and which bolt is secured axially in the insertion openings by locking members disposed transversely of the bolt axis.

In a known coupling (German AS 2221 633), the insertion opening in one side of the basic member is provided with two sections of different diameter. In the installed position, the suspension bolt rests by one end face against the transition from the largerto the smaller section of the opening and is secured axially on the opposite end face by a locking pin passing transversely through the insertion opening ofthe other side. The nominal diameter ofthe suspension bolt is coordinated with the load-carrying capacity of a chain to be suspended in the suspension bolt. However, a suspension bolt with a smaller nominal diameter may accidentally be inserted in the insertion openings, the load-carrying capacity of which bolt is less than the load-carrying capacity of the chain to be suspended. There is then a considerable risk of an accident.The insertion opening with diameters of different size necessitates complicated and expensive manufacture, which is particularly disadvantag- eouswith a coupling which is a mass-produced product.

It is the object of the invention to construct a coupling of this type so that a confusion-free connection of chains and suspension bolts can be achieved without the coupling requiring a complicated and expensive construction and manufacture.

The invention provides a coupling having a base member comprising two sides spaced apart, each of which is provided with an insertion opening in which openings is received a suspension bolt of nominal diametersubstantially equal to that of said inserion openings,and which bolt is secured axially in the insertion openings by at least one locking member disposed transversely of the bolt axis, wherein said at least one locking member projects only partly into one of said insertion openings and reduces the inside width of said one insertion openings whereby a suspension bolt of smaller nominal diameter may pass freely through said one reduced width insertion opening.

In the coupling according to the invention, the two insertion openings for the suspension bolt have the same diameter throughout, so that both insertion op enings can be drilled in a simple manner in a single operation. The economical and simple manufacture desired for a mass-produced product of this type is guaranteed. Nevertheless it is ensured that in the coupling according to the invention, it is only possible to insert a suspension bolt whose load-carrying capacity or ultimate strength is coordinated with the ultimate strength ofthe chain to be suspended. Due to the locking member projecting partly into the insertion opening, one insertion opening is reduced so that the suspension bolt of matching load-carrying capacity can not slide over this locking member, but is secured axially by the latter in the installed posi tion.Ifa suspension boltofa smaller nominal thick- ness is accidentally used, then itslidesthrough the reduced partofthe insertion opening, because the inside width in the region of the locking member is at least as large as the nominal thickness of this suspension bolt. Therefore it cannot be accidentally incorporated in the coupling according to the invention, but drops out of the insertion opening. Itisthusthat the use of a suspension bolt which is too weak with regard to the ultimate strength is prevented, in which a chain with a higher ultimate strength would be sus- pended.

Since both insertion openings ofthe coupling according to the invention have the same diameter, the suspension bolt may be driven into the insertion openingsfrom either side, due to which the assembly of the coupling is facilitated.

The invention is described hereafter with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

The coupling 1 illustrated in the drawing is a shackle, but may also be a clevis or other coupling.

The coupling 1 hastwo sides 2,3 lying parallel with each other, which define a suspension opening 4for a chain link 5a of a chain 5. The chain link 5a passes around the cross-piece 6 of the coupling 1. In the region of their ends, the sides 2,3 comprise aligned insertion openings 7,8,which have the same inside diameter throughout. Provided in one of the two sides, in this embodiment in the side 2, is a transverse bore 9, whereof the axis lies at right angles to the axis of the insertion opening 8 and approximatelytangentially with respectto the insertion opening. The transverse bore 9 is provided approximately over halfthe width ofthe side 2.The insertion openings 7,8 serve to receive a cylindrical suspension bolt 10, whereof the nominal diameter d corresponds with the inside diameter of the insertion openings 7,8 and which servesforthesuspensionofachain link 11 a of a chain 1 liThe suspension bolt 10 is adapted as regard its ultimate strength to that of the coupling 1 and of the chains 5,11. The length ofthe suspension bolt 10 is shorter than the spacing ofthe remote outer sides 12,13 of the sides 2,3. The assembled suspension bolt 10 is arranged in the insertion openings 7,8 so that its end faces 1 Oa, 1 Ob are located approximately at the centre of the sides 2,3.

The suspension bolt 10 is prevented axiallyfrom failing outofthe insertion openings 7,8 bytwo locking members, in this embodiment locking pins 14,15. The locking pin 14 lies in a transverse bore (not shown) in the side 3, which passes perpendicularly through the insertion opening 7. At approximately the centre of the side 3, the locking pin 14 bears against the end face lOb of the suspension bolt 10.

The other locking pin 15 lies in the transverse bore 9 and projects solely over part of its cross sectional thickness, in this embodiment with half its cross sectional thickness, into the insertion opening 8. The locking pin 15 thus reduces the insertion opening 8 so thatthe suspension bolt 10 cannot fall out. The bolt 10 bears by its end faces 1 0a, lOb againstthe locking pins 14, 15 and is thus prevented from falling out axially.

The locking pin 15 is arranged so that the reduced cross section 16 ofthe insertion opening 8 in the region of the locking pin 15 is greaterthan the next smaller diameter of suspension bolt. The inside width ofthe reduced cross section 16corresponds with the nominal thickness d ofthe next smaller suspension bolt 10. Therefore, if a small suspension bolt 10 ofthistype is inserted in the coupling l,the ultimate strength of which suspension bolt is too small with respectto the chain 11 to be suspended, itfalls out of the insertion opening 8. It is thus ensured that chains and suspension bolts of different ultimate strengths are not connected to each other.Since the locking pin 15 has a circular cross section, the suspension bolt 10 which istoosmall iseasilyguided overthe part projecting into the insertion opening 8, so that it slides reliably out of the insertion opening 8.

In order to guarantee reliable and simple assembly, in particular under difficult conditions of use, advantageously one ofthetwo locking pins 14 or 15 is already driven in atthe factory. The locking pin which has been driven in is clearly visible and/or perceptible, so that the suspension bolt 10 is reliably inserted from the correct side in the respective insertion opening 7,8. Since both insertion openings 7,8 have the same diameter, eitherthe locking pin 14 or 15 can be driven into the corresponding transverse bore at the factory.

Due to the various possibilities of assembly with a locking pin inserted at the factory or without a previously inserted locking pin, the suspension bolt 10 can be assembled simply and quickly.

In the embodiment described and illustrated, the locking pin 14 passes through the insertion opening 7. However, this locking pin 14 may be arranged to correspond to the locking pin 15, due to which reliable axial locking of the suspension bolt 10 is likewise guaranteed. In this case itis possible to provide both locking pins 14, 15 on the same side or on opposite sides of the suspension bolt 10.

In the embodiment illustrated, the locking pin 15 is provided on the side of the suspension boltfacing the free end of the side 2. However, the locking pin 15 may also be provided to extend tangentially with re spectto the insertion opening 8 on the opposite side ofthesuspension bolt.

Claims (6)

1. Coupling having a base member comprising two sides spaced apart, each of which is provided with an insertion opening in which openings is received a suspension bolt of nominal diameter substantially equal to that of said insertion openings, and which bolt is secured axially in the insertion openings by at least one locking member disposed transversely of the boltaxis, wherein said at least one locking member projects oniy partly into one of said insertion openings, and reduces the inside width of said one insertion opening whereby a suspension bolt of smaller nominal diameter may pass freely through said one reduced width insertion opening.

2. A coupling according to claim 1 wherein said insertion openings pass through said two sides and a second locking member projects into the other of said insertion openings.

3. Acouplingaccordingtoclaiml orclaim2, wherein said one locking member projects with half its cross sectional thickness into said one insertion opening.

4. Acoupling according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein said one locking member is located adjacent and bears on said bolt substantially at the centre ofthe associated side ofthe coupling.

5. Acoupling according to anyoneofclaims 1 to 4, wherein said one locking member is a locking pin penetrating the associated side of the coupling.

6. A coupling substantially as hereinbefore describedwith reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.