Stabilized connector

• US 20090211053A1
• Filed: 02/23/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richards Industries, LLC
• Original Assignee: Richards Industries, LLC
• Inventors: Frank, Stephen Phillip, George, John Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,938,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/2.200
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/003 using a detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge

Abstract

Tap mounting assemblies for reducing loads on the threaded end portions of a tap. Some exemplary embodiments employ a spring such as Belleville washers to bias apart the tap and a mounting plate, and some embodiments provide visual indication of proper tightening. Some exemplary embodiments allow angular adjustment of a portion of the tap assembly without disturbing the tapered thread engagement of the tap on the mounting surface. Exemplary embodiments may employ a base plate between a jack screw and a mounting surface.

Claims

1. A mounting system for a tap comprising:

a tap including a threaded portion sized to threadedly engage a hole in a mounting surface;

a mounting plate carrying the tap and including a threaded press mechanism interposing a portion of the tap and the mounting surface, the threaded press mechanism being arranged to expand between the portion of the tap and the mounting surface, thereby pressing the tap in a direction away from the conduit; and

at least one spring component interposing the portion of the tap and the threaded press mechanism, the spring component being arranged to bias apart the portion of the tap and the mounting plate;

wherein the spring component is arranged to be compressed as the threaded press mechanism is expanded.

2. The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a stop on one of the tap and the mounting plate, the stop being arranged to contact the other of the tap and the mounting plate upon at least one of (a) a predetermined amount of compression of the spring component and (b) a predetermined amount of expansion of the spring component.

3. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the threaded press mechanism includes at least one jack screw extending through the mounting plate and towards the mounting surface.

4. The mounting system of claim 3, wherein

the mounting plate includes at least one stepped-down portion;

and

wherein the at least one jack screw extends through the stepped-down portion.

5. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein

the mounting plate includes at least one angled end portion;

and

wherein the at least one jack screw extends through the angled end portion.

6. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein

the threaded press mechanism includes at least two jack screws extending through the mounting plate and towards the mounting surface;

and

wherein the at least two jack screws are spaced apart from the tap.

7. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the threaded press mechanism includes at least four jack screws.

8. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is substantially planar.

9. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the tap and the mounting plate are slidably engaged.

10. The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a base plate having an opening through which the tap extends, the base plate interposing the threaded press mechanism and the support surface.

11. The mounting system of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the base plate extends beyond the support surface.

12. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the spring component includes at least one Belleville washer.

13. The tap of claim 12, wherein the spring component includes two Belleville washers.

14. A tap mounting assembly comprising:

a tap having a first end and a second end, the tap including

a threaded portion proximate the first end, the threaded portion being sized to threadedly engage a threaded hole in a mounting surface,

a central channel extending internally from the first end to the second end, and

an external shoulder located between the first end and the second end;

a mounting plate slidably engaged with the tap between the external shoulder and the first end;

a spring component interposing the external shoulder and the mounting plate, the spring component being arranged to bias the mounting plate towards the first end.

15. The tap mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the tap and the mounting plate includes a stop arranged to engage the other of the tap and the mounting plate upon predetermined compression of the spring component.

16. The tap mounting assembly of claim 15,

wherein the stop includes a flange on the external shoulder;

and

wherein the stop engages a contacting surface on the mounting plate upon predetermined compression of the spring component.

17. The tap mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein the spring component includes at least one Belleville washer.

18. The tap mounting assembly of claim 17, wherein the spring component includes two Belleville washers.

19. A tap comprising:

a first segment, the first segment including

a first male-threaded end for engaging a threaded hole in a support surface,

an opposing female-threaded end,

a first passage extending between the first male threaded end and the female threaded end;

a second segment, the second segment including

a second male-threaded end couplable to the female threaded end of the first segment,

an opposing flanged end, and

a second passage extending between the second male threaded end and the flanged end; and

a seal interposed between the first segment and the second segment to create a fluid sealed interface therebetween;

wherein the first passage and the second passage provide a fluidic connection between the first male threaded end and the flanged end.

20. The tap of claim 19, further comprising a nut threaded onto the second male threaded end and tightenable against the first segment.

21. The tap of claim 19, wherein the seal includes an o-ring.

22. The tap of claim 19,

wherein the first segment includes an external shoulder arranged to oppose a mounting plate, the mounting plate being slidably engaged with the first segment between the first male threaded end and the external shoulder;

and

wherein the external shoulder and the mounting plate are interposed by a spring component.

23. The tap of claim 22, wherein at least one of the first segment and the mounting plate includes a stop arranged to engage the other of the first segment and the mounting plate upon predetermined compression of the spring component.

24. The tap of claim 23, wherein the spring component includes at least one Belleville washer.

25. The tap of claim 24, wherein the spring component includes two Belleville washers.

26. The tap of claim 22, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one jack screw arranged to press the mounting plate towards the external shoulder.

27. The tap of claim 22, wherein the mounting plate includes a support base and a support collar, the support base engaging the spring component and the support collar engaging the support surface.