GB342678A - An improved coupling device - Google Patents

Abstract

342,678. Wire &c. couplings. OSBORNE, H. F., 23, Julius Road, Bishopston, Bristol. Oct. 24, 1929, No. 9889. [Class 99 (i).] A member 2 is centrally bored at one end to receive a plug member 4 which is locked therein by a series of balls 9 adapted to be forced into a groove 10 in the plug 4 by a sleeve 11, the latter also being locked in position by a series of balls 8 which engage either a groove 12 therein or a groove 25 in a spring-pressed piston 23 located within the bore 3 of the member 2. The inner end of the plug 4 is formed with a projection 5 which is adapted to abut against the piston 23 and compress its spring 24 when the parts are coupled, and the sleeve is held in a position to maintain the balls 8, 9 in the grooves 26, 10 by a spring 15. The sleeve is also formed with a groove 13 to receive the balls 9 when the parts are to be uncoupled. With the parts locked together as shown in Fig. 1, movement of the sleeve to the left will cause the balls 8 to move into the groove 12 under the action of the spring 24, whereupon the sleeve will be held in this position to permit the balls 9 to enter the groove 13 and release the plug 4. Conversely when the plug is forced into the bore 3 the projection 5 will move the piston and allow the balls 8 to enter the groove 26, whereupon the spring 15 will urge the sleeve 11 to the right and compel the engagement of the balls 9 with the groove 10. Accidental unlocking of the coupling may be prevented by providing the sleeve with a ring 4<1> formed with recesses 13<1> which are adapted to receive balls 9<1>, normally engaging recesses 10<1> in the end of the member 2, upon rotation of the sleeve to permit longitudinal movement thereof. In a modification, Fig. 2, the sleeve 11 is locked in position by balls 45 which engage either a series of recesses 48 in the sleeve or grooves 44 formed in a plurality of spring-pressed pistons 42 which are located within bores or an annular groove 41 in the main member 27 and are formed with end pins which may be engaged by a flanged or enlarged end of the plug member 29. The plug is preferably provided with a hollow nose 37 for the reception of a line &c. The invention is particularly applicable to wires, ropes, cables, &c. for connecting, for example, a trailer to another vehicle; it may also be used on rowlocks or to replace hooks on cranes.