LATCH AND V BAND COUPLER

• US 3,797,078 A
• Filed: 09/01/1972
• Issued: 03/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas A. Lapointe
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Lapointe
• Inventors: LaPointe, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Donald A.
• Application Number:
  US05/285,640
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 285/2,406,407,410,411,364-367 24/279-286
• US Class Current: 24/279
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/10 with a pivoting or swinging pin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1441 Tangential screw

Abstract

A latch usable as a closing and/or opening mechanism and shown in conjunction with a coupler having segments drawn together to connect V band flanges. In a first embodiment, the latch comprises telescoping inverted U-shaped sections pivoted to the segments at their outer ends. One section carries a bolt which passes through the end of the other section so that tightening of a nut will create tension in the bolt as the sections are drawn together. Guide slots in each section receive a cross pin carried by the other section so that no bending loads are transmitted to the coupler. A safety feature is provided in the form of rupturable portions of one latch section, the cross pin which ruptures these portions remaining captive to prevent complete opening of the coupler. In a second embodiment, the latch sections are so constructed that the bolt is placed in compression instead of tension when the latch sections are drawn together.

Claims

1. In a latch mechanism, inner and outer telescoping latch sections, each section having a cross-section of inverted U-shape with a web and downwardly extending flanges, pivots carried by said flanges for connection to a pair of members to be drawn together. said latch sections extending from said pivots in opposite directions, a bolt extending through the inner latch section, first and second cross pins, said first cross pin extending through apertured portions of said outer latch section and guide slots in said inner latch section parallel to said bolt, said second cross pin extending through apertured portions in said inner latch section and guide slots in the outer latch section parallel to said bolt, a nut on said bolt, and means for causing relative rotation between the nut and bolt whereby the nut will advance axially with respect to the bolt, said nut being connected to one latch section and one end of said bolt being connected by one of said cross pins to said other latch section, whereby said axial advance will cause relative movement of said pivots parallel to the bolt axis.

2. The combination according to claim 1, said one end of the bolt comprising its head, the bolt extending through an end of said inner latch section, said nut being mounted on the bolt outwardly of said inner latch section and engageable with said end.

3. The combination according to claim 2, said cross pin carried by the bolt head being in retaining apErtures of said outer latch section, and additional apertured portions in the flanges of said outer latch section outwardly of the apertures retaining said cross pin, the material between said first and second pairs of apertures being rupturable in response to overloading of said bolt, whereby opening of the latch mechanism upon failure will be limited.

4. The combination according to claim 1, said one end of the bolt being the end remote from its head, the head of said bolt being disposed outwardly of said latch sections, said nut carrying the second cross pin, whereby tightening of said latch will cause compression in that portion of the bolt between the cross pins.

5. The combination according to claim 1, said cross pins having flat surfaces engaging the edges of said guide slots.

6. The combination according to claim 1, the flanges of one of said latch sections having rupturable portions adjacent its cross pin apertures, whereby the cross pin will remain captive in its guide slots after said portions have been ruptured.

7. The combination according to claim 6, said nut being normally outside said latch sections and engageable with the end of the inner latch section, the direction of tightening forces being such that upon failure of said rupturable flange portions the nut will be spaced from said latch section as a visual indication of latch failure.

8. The combination according to claim 6, the head of said bolt being outside said latch sections and normally spaced from the end of the inner latch section, the direction of tightening forces being such that upon failure of said rupturable flange portions the bolt head will move into engagement with said inner latch section end.

9. In combination, a V band coupler having arcuate segments with their lower ends connected by a hinge, and a latch mechanism for drawing together the upper ends of said segments, said latch mechanism comprising telescoping inner and outer latch sections, said sections being of inverted U-shaped cross-section, each section having a web and downwardly extending flanges, pivotal connections between the lower ends of said flanges and the upper ends of said coupler segments, a cross pin carried by each section and slidable in guide slots formed in the flanges of the other section, a bolt carried within said latch sections, one end of said bolt being connected to one latch section, and a nut connecting said bolt to the other latch section, whereby relative rotation of said nut and bolt will draw said latch sections together, said cross pins constraining movement of said pivotal connections to a direction parallel to the bolt axis.

10. The combination according to claim 9, the flanges of one of said latch sections being further provided with rupturable portions adjacent the cross pin which it carries, the rupturable portions being so located that the cross pin rupturing said portions will be permitted only limited movement to prevent said coupler from complete opening.

11. The combination according to claim 10, said cross pins having flat surfaces engaging the edges of said guide slots.

12. The combination according to claim 10, one of said cross pins being secured to the head of said bolt within said inner latch section, the bolt extending outwardly through the end of said latch section, said nut being mounted on said bolt outwardly of said latch sections and normally engageable with said end, failure of said rupturable portions causing said nut to be spaced from said end, whereby the failure will be visually indicated.

13. The combination according to claim 9, the head of said bolt being spaced outwardly from an end portion of said inner latch section, the other end of said bolt having one of said cross pins rotatably mounted thereon, the other cross pin being carried by said nut.

14. The combination according to claim 13, the length of said bolt being such that said head is normally spaced from said end of the inner latch section but is movable against said end in response To failure of said rupturable portions, whereby failure of the latch will be visually indicated.

15. The combination according to claim 9, one of said pivotal connections being removably mounted in a notch formed in the corresponding coupler.

16. The combination according to claim 9, the arrangement of parts being such that a portion of said bolt between the end carrying the cross pin and said nut will be in tension when the coupler is being tightened.

17. The combination according to claim 9, the arrangement of parts being such that a portion of said bolt between the end carrying the cross pin and said nut will be in compression when the coupler is being tightened.

18. The combination according to claim 9, further provided with means for limiting the opening movement of said latch mechanism and coupler in response to failure of a portion of one of the latch sections, and means for visually indicating such failure.

19. A latch mechanism for drawing together two parts, said latch mechanism comprising telescoping inner and outer latch sections, said sections being of inverted U-shaped cross-section, each section having a web and downwardly extending flanges, pivotal connections between the lower ends of said flanges and said parts, a cross pin carried by each section and slidable in guide slots formed in the flanges of the other section, a bolt carried within said latch sections, one end of said bolt being connected to one latch section, and a nut connecting said bolt to the other latch section, whereby relative rotation of said nut and bolt will draw said latch sections together, said cross pins constraining movement of said pivotal connections to a direction parallel to the bolt axis.