US2400568A - Closure operating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

May 21, 1946. H NORRIS 2,400,568

CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed April 2 1945 2- Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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May 21, 1946. V. H. NORRIS CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Kpril 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 li 20\ ,IS

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ATTORNEY (Kym/1.1L

Patented May 21, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 10 Claims.

This invention relates to operating mechanisms for. closure devices and more particularly to those of quick-action type for actuating covers for portholes and the like.

Portholes and other openings or conduits, such as ventilation pipes, are provided ordinarily with pivoted closures adapted to be swung into and out of overlying closing relation to their openings. The closures are then ordinarily frictionally secured or latched'in closed position by suitable latching means. For portholes, the latching means sometimes includes a lock ring 'rotatably surrounding each opening. and having lugs adapted to coact with wedge or cam elements carried by the closure upon movement of said closure into closing position and rotation of the ring. In the past, the closure has been swung into and out of closing position by suitable operating means and other additional means separate and distinct from the operating means has been provided for actuating the lock ring so as to require the use of two hands or a pair of separate and distinct manipulations in closing and securing the closure as well as in unlatching and opening said closure.

The principal object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide for operating a closure device quickly and by a single continuous manipulation thereof.

Other objects of the invention are to provide common actuating means connected both with a closure member for moving the same into and out of overlying closing relationto an opening and with latching means for securing the member in closing relation, whereby said member is swung and the latching means is actuated by manual movement of the actuating means; to provide an improved operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure member adapted to be swung into and out of overlying closing relation to an opening and a lock ring rotatably surrounding the opening so as to coact with the member and maintain the same in its closing relation, the mechanism having independent releasable connections-With said member and ring for swinging the member and rotating the'ring in sequence independently of and relative to each other whereby either said member or said ring is operatively disengaged from said mechanism and remains stationary upon operation of the other; to provide an improved operating mechanism, of the character described, having an actuating shaft releasably connected to the closure member so as to be released therefrom upon rotation of the shaft and swinging of said member into closing relation to the opening, said shaft having a pin and .slot connection with the lock ring for rotating said ring into latching position when the member is in its closed position, whereby said member is closed and latched by a single, continuous actuation of the shaft; and to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an operating mechanism for a closure device, of the character described and for the purposesset forth.

In accomplishing these'and other objects of the invention, I have providedimproveddetails of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a closure device, having an operating mechanism embodying the features of the present invention, in its closed, unlatched position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a portion of the closure device and its operating mechanism in the latched position of said device.

Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a portion of the closure device in its latched position.

Fig. 5 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 61s a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the operating lever and its guide.

Fig. 8 is aside elevational view of the cam sleeve of the operating mechanism detached from its operating shaft.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In Fig. 1, the numeral l designates the frame of the closure device which iscustomarily employed for closing ventilation pipes (not shown) and which is adaptable for use in connection with other conduits or openings, such as portholes. has a flattened lower portion 2 for receiving and supporting an operating mechanism 3. I

An external, laterally outwardly-directed flange 3 surrounds the external'periphery' of the frame I at its inner marginal edge and is pro vided with a plurality of openings 5 to permit passage of fastening devices for securing said frame in place. The frame has a complementary flat, base plate or sheet 6 disposed within and suitably fastened to its internal peripheral 'sur face at its outer marginal edge so as to extend parallel to the flange 4. As is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a circular opening 1 is formed substantially concentrically in the sheet 5 and is The frame is-substantially annular anddistance apart.

adapted to receive an annular band or collar 8 which is suitably secured therein. The collar has an outwardly directed, flat ring 9 connected to its outer marginal edge and the ring is disposed concentrically of said collar as well as parallel to the sheet 6. r

The opening 1 is adapted'to be closed by a circular closure member or plate l having an inverted Y-shaped yoke l I preferably made integral with the internal surface thereof and having a pair of legs [2 projecting or depending beyond the periphery of the plate I!) (Fig. 1). Cylindrical collars l3 are carried by the lower ends of the yoke legs l2 so as to be disposed in spaced, axial alinement; the collars having their bores extend,- ing at a tangent to the plate l0 and parallel to the flattened portion of the frame.

For pivotally supporting the plate, the operate ing mechanism 3 is provided with a cylindrical shaft [4 which extends longitudinally of the flattened frame portion 2 in parallel relationship thereto and which rotatably and slidably engages within the collars l3. A bearing collar or bushing I5 is secured to the frame I adjacent its flattened portion for receiving the outer portion of the shaft [4 and the inner or opposite end of said shaft is journaled within a suitable bearing bracket l6 projecting perpendicularly inwardly from said flattened portion. The bushing 15 is contiguous to and terminates adjacent the'righthand collar l3 (Figs. land 2). In order to pro.- vide sealing engagement between the plate ill and the collar 8 of the opening i, a peripheral groove or channel I! (Figs. 3 and 5) is formed in the external surface of said plate and receives an 7 annular, complementary packing ring or element l8, of rubber, or other suitable material. The inner marginal edge of the collar 8 projects inwardlybeyond the inner surface of the sheet 6 so as to be engaged bythe packing element I3 upon closing of the plate l0. An annular locking member or ring 19 concentrically surrounds the opening 1 and is provided with an external, radial flange 20 to permit fastening of the same to the inner surface of the sheet 6 by a plurality of suitable clips 2l- (Figs. 1, and 5), which are preferably spaced an equal clockwise end portion of its inner flat surface.

inclined or bevelled to provide a cam or wedge surface 24 (Fig. 6). Prior to latching of the plate, thelugs 22 are disposed counter-clockwise of the wedge surfaces 24 (Fig. 1) whereby clockwise rotation of the locking ring moves the outer flat surfaces of said lugs into engagement with and up said wedge surfaces (Figs. 4, 5 and 6).

'As shown in Fig. 1, the outer end of the shaft l4 projects through the frame I and has a suitable handle or lever 25 mounted thereupon .so as to permit manual movement of said shaft. For locking the lever 25in adjusted positions, an

arcuate guide 26 (Fig. 7) is welded or otherwise secured to the marginal edge of the flange l above said shaft l4 so as to be disposed between said flange and the lever 25, The guide 2e'has I an opening 21 formed in each end thereof and these openings are adapted to be engaged by a locking pin element 28, carried by the inner end plate Iii by rotation of the shaft M, a cam sleeve Due to this mounting of the locking ring, the same is rotatable about its axis and relative to the opening. Inwardly-directed,

. radial lugs 22 are formed on the locking ring for 3| (Fig. 8) is fixed to and movable with said shaft between the collars l3 by a pin 32 or other suitable means. The sleeve 3| is releasably connected to the right-hand collar (Fig. 1') by a clutch 33 which preferably includes a'lug 34 projecting fromlthe end of said sleeve and a complementary coacting recess 35 formed in the adjacent end of said collar. As shown, one surface of the lug as and the coacting'wall of the recess 35 are inclined to. permit release of the clutch 33 upon clockwise rotation of the sleeve 3! (Fig. 3) relative to the collar 13. r p e For maintaining theclutch engaged, a short screw or pin 3!; projects radially from the sleeve and coacts with an arcuateguide bracket 3? which is fastened to the inner surface of the plate 3 andencircles the lower portion of said sleeve (Fig. 3). So long as the pin 36 is in engagement with the bracket 31, the lug 34 engages within the recess 35, whereby the closure plate may be pivoted or swung relative to the opening i by rotation of the shaft l4. Disengagernent or release of the clutch 33 occurs upon continued clockwise rotation of the sleeve relative to the collar I3 after swinging of the plate to its closed position and such disengagement or release is accomplished by the inclined surface of the lug 34 and complementary wall of the recess 35 coacting to force said sleeve longitudinally away from said collar. e

The bracket 37 extends at a right angle to the sleeve and has its upper end portion or surface 33 inclined laterally away from the coacting vent binding therebetween upon longitudinal V movement and continued rotation of said sleeve.

For rotating the locking ring I!) so as to move its lugs 22 into frictional engagement withthe wedge elements 23 of the closure plate and latch the latter" in" its closed position upon further clockwise rotation of the sleeve 3!, a pin and slot connection is provided between said ring and sleeve. 'As is clearly shown in Fig. 3, a lateral pin 43 is suitably mounted on the locking ring and engages within a helical or spiral slot ll which is formed in the sleeve. The initial or right-hand end portion of the slot M is straight and extends .ata right angle to the .axis .of .the :sleevexas shown by the number42 (Figs; 2 and 8 to permit opening and closingpivotal swing-ing of. the closure plate without rotation of the ring. Upon release of the clutch and longitudinal sliding of the sleeve to the right, the engagement of the pin 40 within the initial slot portion .42 causes a slight clockwise rotation of the locking ring and continued clockwise rotation of said sleeve (Fig. 3) moves said pin out of said'initial slot portion and into engagement with the main portion of the slot 4|. Due to this engagement, the locking ring is rotated in a clockwise direction so as to revolve its lugs 22 into frictional engagement with the wedge elements 23 of the closure plate and thereby latch the latter in its closed position. Unlatching and opening of the closure plate is accomplished by simple rotation of the sleeve 3| in a counter-clockwise or opposite direction (Fig. 3). It ispointed out that the initial slot portion 42 extends through approximately 90 or one-quarter of the cam sleeve circumference, while the main portion of the slot 4! makes substantially an entire revolution (Fig. 8). However, only one-quarter or 90 of this revolution is utilized in latching the closure plate.

Operation The operation of a closure operating-mechanism constructed as described is as follows:

When the closure plate I9 is in its open position, the pin 28 is engaged within the opening 2! formed in the forward or left-hand end of the guide 28 (Fig. '7) so as to maintain the lever 25 forward and said plate in its open position. By loosening the pin zfi'and retracting the'same from the guide opening, the lever may be swung rearwardly (Fig. 1) or to the right (Fig. '7) so as to rotate the shaft I4 and sleeve 3| in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3). Due to the provision of the clutch 33, the collars ii! are rotated with the sleeve so as to swing or pivot the yoke I2 and the plate toward the opening 7 whereby the packing ring 58 engages the collar 8. This pivotal movement of the plate without rotation of the locking ring it! is permitted by the pin 40 of said ring engaging within the initial portion 42 of the slot 42, while the coaction of the sleevepin 36 with the bracket 3'! maintains the clutch engaged during such movement.

Upon continued clockwise rotation of the sleeve, the collars remain stationary and the inclined wall of the clutch recess 35 coacts with the complementary surface of the clutch lug '34 so as to force or slide said sleeve longitudinally away from the right-hand collar and toward the left-hand collar. The inclined surface '38 of the bracket 3! permits such longitudinal movement of the sleeve. Simultaneously with the release of the clutch, the longitudinal sliding of the sleeve moves the ring pin 40 to the left so as to rotate the locking ring IS in a clockwise direction and engage its lugs 22 with the wedge elements 23 of the closure plate. Further clockwise rotation of the sleeve causes the ring pin 46 to travel through the spiral slot 4| so as to further rotate the locking ring l9 in a clockwise direction and revolve its lugs 22 into frictional engagement with the inclined surfaces 24 of the wedge elements 23 (Fig. 2). This rotation continues until the aforesaid frictional engagement forces the packing ring l8 into tight sealing contact with the collar 8 (Fig. 3). In this position, the closure plate is latched in its closed position.

'Although not Qlustrated, the shaft I4 may be locked against rotation by engaging the pin 28 of the lever 25 in the rear opening 21 of the guide '26 (Fig. 8) and thereby positively assure the closureplate being maintained in its closed position.

. In order to unlatch and swing the plate to its open position, the operation is exactly the reverse of the closing operation. The pin 28 is retracted and the lever 25 swung forwardly in one continuous motion so as to rotate the shaft [4 and its sleeve 31 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 3) and thereby rotate the locking ring in the same direction (Fig. 2) by causing the ring pin 40 to travel through the spiral slot 4|. -Thus, the lugs 22 are moved out of engagement with the wedge elements 23 of the plate so as to unv latch the same.

Upon unlatching of the plate, the sleeve pin 36 moves into engagement with the inclined sur face 38 of the bracket 31 so as to slide the sleeve 31 longitudinally toward the right-hand yoke collar l 3 and engage the clutch 33. At the same time, the ring pin 59 has travelled to the forward end of the spiral slot so as to be disposed adjacent the rear end of the initial slot portion 42 and, upon full engagement of the-sleeve pin with its coacting bracket and the clutch lug within the clutch recess,- engages within said initial slot portion. Thus, continued rotation of the sleeve by forward swinging of the lever 25 results in rotation of the collars I3 and forward swinging of the yoke I2 and closure plate. The plate is secured in this position by engaging the pin 28 within the opening 21 in the forward end of the guide 26.

From the foregoing, it is manifest that an improved operating mechanism has been provided for rapidly closing and latching, or unlatching and opening, a closure device in a single, continuous motion, whereby the use of only one hand is required and the necessity for more than one operating mechanism is obviated.

While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that the device is susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I do not Wish, therefore, to be limited by the disclosures set forth, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim: 7

1. An operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plate adapted to be swung into and out of overlying closing relation to an opening, arcuate wedge elements projecting radially from the plate and having their external lateral surfaces tapered longitudinally, a yoke for supporting and swinging the plate and having a pair of axially-aligned spaced collars, an annular looking ring surrounding said opening and rotatable about its axis, the ring having inwardly-directed radial lugs adapted to overlie and coact with the tapered surfaces of the wedge elements so as to latch said plate in its closed position, the mechanism including, an operating shaft journaled in the yoke collars and slidable longitudinally thereof, a cam sleeve secured to the shaft between said collars and having a circumferential slot formed therein, the slot having an initial short portion disposed at a right angle to the airisof the sleeve and'a communicating spiral portion, a pin pro jecting laterally from the locking ring and engaging within said slot, a clutch connection between oneend of the sleeve and the adjacent collar, an

arcuate bracket disposed circumferentially'of said sleeve and having an inclined outer end portion, and a radial pin carried by the sleeve adjacent the bracket and coacting with said bracket for 'maintaining the clutch connection between said sleeve and collar, whereby initial rotation of the shaft rotates the sleeve and collars so as to swing the plate into overlying closing relation to the opening and causes theinitial portion of the slot to, revolve relative to the ring pin, continued rotation of said shaft and sleeve revolving the a sleeve pin into engagement with the inclined end 'as to move the lugs into latching position relative to the wedge elements of the plate. I

'2. An-operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plate adapted to be swung .into and out of overlying closing relation to an opening, arcuate wedge elements projecting radially from the plate and having their external lat eral surfaces tapered longitudinally, a yoke for supporting and swinging the plate and having a pair of axially-aligned spaced collars, an annular able about its axis, the ring havinginwardlydirected radial lugs adapted to overlie and coact with the tapered surfaces of the wedge elements so as to latch said plate in its closed position, the mechanism including, an operating shaft journaled in the yoke collars and slidable longitudinally thereof, a sleeve fixed to the shaft between said collars and movable with said shaft, a clutch connection between the sleeve and one of the collars whereby rotation of said shaft swings the plate into closing relation to the opening, coacting means associated with said sleeve for main; taining the clutch connection during initial rotation of the shaft and permitting disengagement of the same upon continued rotation and longitudinal sliding of said shaft, and a pin and slot connection between the sleeve and the locking ring for causing rotation of saidring upon such 1 continued rotation of the shaft and sleeve subsequent to the closing movement of said plate whereby the lugs of the ring move into latching position relative to the wedge elements of the plate.

3. An operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plate adapted to be swung into and out of overlying closing relation to an opening, arcuate wedge elements projecting radially from the plate and having their external lateral surfaces tapered longitudinally, a yoke for supporting and swinging the plate and having'a pair of axially-aligned spaced collars, an annular locking ring surrounding said opening androtatable about its axis, thering having inwardlydirected radial lugs adapted to overlie and coact with the tapered surfaces of the wedge elements so as to latch said plate in its closed position, the mechanism including, an operating shaft journaled in the yoke collars and slidable longitudipermitting disengagement of the same upon conhaving a closure plate adapted to be swung into 7 7 locking ring surrounding said opening and rotatnally thereof, a sleeve carried by the shaft and movable therewith, a clutch connecting the sleeve to one of the collars whereby initial rotation of said shaft in one direction swings the plate into its closing, position, coacting means associated with said sleeve for maintaining the clutch in enagement during initial rotation of the shaft and tinued rotation and longitudinal sliding of said shaft, and a pin and'slot connection between the sleeve and locking ring for causingrotation of said ring upon such continued rotation of the shaft and sleeve subsequentto the closing movement of said plate whereby the lugs of the ring are moved into latching position relative to th wedge elements of the plate.

4. 'An operating mechanism for a closure device and out of overlying closing relation to an opening, means connected to the plate for supporting and swinging the same, cam means mounted on said plate, a rotatable locking member surrounding the opening, the member having latchof, a sleeve fixed to the shaft so asto be movable V therewith, a clutch connecting the sleeve to said collar whereby initial rotation of saidshaft in one direction swings the plate 'into its'closing position, coacting means associated with said sleeve for maintaining the clutch in engagement during initial rotation of the shaft and permitting disengagement of the, same upon continued rotation and longitudinal sliding of said shaft, and a pin and slot connection between the sleeve and locking member for causing rotation of said member upon such continued rotation of the shaft and sleeve subsequent to the closing movement of said plate whereby the lugs of the member are moved into latching position relative to the wedge elements of the plate. 1

5. An operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plate adapted to be swung into andcout of overlying closing relation to an opening, means connected to theplate for supporting and swinging the same, cam means mounted on said plate, a rotatable locking member surrounding the opening, the member having latching means for coacting with the cammeans of the plate upon swinging of the latter to its closed position and rotation of said member so as to latch said plate in such'position, the mechanism shaft and permitting disengagement of said clutch means upon continued rotation and longitudinal sliding of said shaft, and a pin and slot connection between the sleeve and locking member, the slot having a spiral portion so, as to cause rotation of said member upon such continued' rotation of the shaft subsequent to the closing movement of said plate whereby the latching means of the ring are moved into coacting relation to the cam means of the plate, said slot having an initial portion disposed in a single plane so as to permit the member to remain stationary upon initial rotation of the shaft.

6. An operating mechanism for a closure device having a closure plate adapted to be swung into and out of overlying closing relation to an opening, means connected to the plate for supporting and swinging the same, cam means mounted on said plate, a rotatable locking member surrounding the opening, the member having latching means for coacting with the cam means of the plate upon swinging of the latter to its closed position and rotation of said member so as to latch said plate in such position, the mechanism including, slidable means mounted so as to undergo rotation about its axis, means for releasably connecting the slidable means to the plate whereby said plate is swung by rotation of said slidable means, means for maintaining the slidabie means connected to the plate during swinging of the latter and permitting release of such connection upon movement of said plate into its closed position, and a pin and slot connection between the locking member and slidable means for causing rotation of said member upon continued rotation of said slidable means subsequent to the plate being moved into its closed position whereby the latching means of the member are moved into latching position relative to the cam means of said plate.

'7. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having an opening therein, a closure for the opening, means pivotally mounting the closure on the member, operating means having releasable connection with said closure for pivoting the same relative to said opening, the connection between the closure and operating means being released upon movement of said closure into its closed position, and lock means for latching the closure in its closed position and havin loose connection with said perating means so as to remain inoperative during pivoting of said closure, the lock means being moved into latching position upon actuation of the operating means when the closure is in its closed position and disconnected from said operating means.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having an opening therein, a closure for the opening, means pivotally mounting the closure on the member, operating means having releasable connection with said closure for pivoting the same relative to said opening, means for maintaining the operating means connected to the closure during pivoting thereof and permittingrelease of such connection upon movement of said closure into its closed position, and lock means for latching the closure in its closed position and having loose connection with said operating means so as to be moved into latchin position upon actuation of the operating means when said closure is in its closed position and disconnected from said operating means.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having an opening therein, a closure for the opening, means pivotally mounting the closure on the member, operating means having releasable connection with said closure for Divoting the same relative to said opening, the connection between the closure and operating means being released upon movement of said closure into its closed position, a locking member for latching the closure in its closed position, and a pin and slot connection between the lockin member and. operating means, whereby said looking member remains inoperative during pivoting of said closure and is moved into latching position upon actuation of said operating means when the closure is in its closed position and disconnected from the operating means.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having an opening therein, a closure for the opening, means pivotally mounting the closure on the member, operating means having releasable connection with said closure for pivoting the same relative to said opening, the connection between the closure and the operating means being released upon movement of said closure into its closed position, a lock ring surrounding the opening and engageable with the closure for latching the same in its closed position, and a pin and slot connection between the ring and operating means whereby said ring remains inoperative during pivoting of said closure and is moved into latching engagement with the closure upon actuation of said operating means when said closure is in its closed position and disconnected from the operating means.

VICTOR H. NORRIS.

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