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Coupling for earth boring units

  • US 4,422,794 A
  • Filed: 07/21/1981
  • Issued: 12/27/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A coupling for coaxially joining pipe or rod sections in load transmitting relation to be employed with an earth boring drive unit comprising:

  • a first elongated member having a generally annular wall with the inner surface of said wall defining an axially opening cavity of polygonal cross-sectional throughout at least a portion of the length of said cavity, said wall being formed with a recess opening into such cavity;

    a second member having an exterior surface formed with a pocket opening outwardly thereof, said second member further having an elongate segment telescopically engageable within said cavity, said segment being provided with an exterior cross-section configured to drivingly mate with said polygonal cross-section of the cavity to transmit torque between said members;

    each of said members providing means remote from the telescopically interengageable portions thereof to affix the member to a pipe or rod section;

    a mounting pin carried by said second member and extending transversely within said pocket;

    a load transmitting latch in said pocket having an enlarged transverse bore loosely enclosing said pin for said latch to be capable of limited movement normal to the axis of said pin and pivot on said pin from within said pocket outwardly beyond said exterior surface of said second member;

    biasing means urging said latch outwardly to engage within said recess of said first member when said members are interengaged in load transmitting relation;

    abutment means in said first member cavity with which said second member engages when said elongate segment is telescoped into said cavity to transmit axially compressive loads through said members;

    said recess providing an abutment wall against which said latch engages to lock said members against axial separation upon tension being applied to said members; and

    said pocket providing a stop wall to limit movement of said latch within said pocket, said latch transmitting axial tension loads applied to said coupling by simultaneous engagement of said latch with both said abutment wall and said stop wall, said latch bore being out of contact with said mounting pin when said simultaneous engagement occurs and said latch transmits said tension loads.

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