Rotatable assemblies and methods of securing such assemblies

• US 7,063,537 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smar Research Corp.
• Original Assignee: Smar Research Corp.
• Inventors: Gullo, Geraldo, Selli, Basilio
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US10/223,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20040033704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 439/8, 439 21- 30, 248919-922, 737/56
• US Class Current: 439/21
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/00 Flexible or turnable line connectors , i.e. the rotation angle being limited rotary current collectors, distributors H01R39/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/922 Angular

Abstract

A rotatable assembly and a method to use the same are provided. In particular, the assembly includes a first field device housing arrangement associated with a first electrical system, and a second field device housing arrangement associated with a second electrical system are connected by a connector arrangement. The connector arrangement may include probes (e.g., spring probes) that are adapted to engage with contacts (e.g., electrical contacts), and is configured to allow an unrestricted rotation of the first field device housing arrangement relative to the second field device housing arrangement while maintaining a continuous electrical coupling between the first electrical system and the second electrical system. For example, the assembly can be a field device, such as a smart field device. Two devices may be secured to one another by use of a captive locking screw which can be used to secure the first device in desired positions.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a first field device housing arrangement associated with a first electrical system;

a second field device housing arrangement associated with a second electrical system; and

a connector arrangement configured to allow an unrestricted rotation of the first field device housing arrangement relative to the second field device housing arrangement while maintaining a continuous electrical coupling between the first electrical system and the second electrical system, the connector arrangement comprising a locking system configured to fix the first field device housing arrangement to the second field device housing arrangement, wherein the locking system comprises;

at least one securing element adapted to secure the first field device housing arrangement to the second field device housing arrangement, and including a head portion, and

a cap element adapted to cover at least one portion of the securing element, wherein the cap element includes a bore formed therethrough, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the bore is less than a cross-sectional area of the head portion of the at least one securing element.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one securing element is one of a screw and a bolt.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one securing element comprises at least one portion adapted to prevent the second field device housing arrangement from being entirely detached from the first field device housing arrangement.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the connector arrangement is configured to allow the unrestricted rotation of the first field device housing arrangement relative to the second field device housing arrangement when the at least one securing element is loosened by rotating the at least one securing element in a predetermined direction.

5. A method of securing an assembly which includes a first field device housing arrangement associated with a first electrical system, a second field device housing arrangement associated with a second electrical system, and a connector arrangement configured to secure the first field device housing arrangement to the second field device housing arrangement, the method comprising:

maintaining a continuous electrical coupling between the first electrical system and the second electrical system while enabling an unrestricted rotation of the first field device housing arrangement relative to the second field device housing arrangement; and

securing the first field device housing arrangement to the second field device housing arrangement after the first field device housing arrangement reaches a predetermined position relative to the second field device housing arrangement, the connector arrangement comprising a locking system configured to fix the first field device housing arrangement to the second field device housing arrangement, wherein the locking system comprises;

at least one securing element adapted to fix the first field device housing arrangement to the second field device housing arrangement, and including a head portion, and

a cap element adapted to cover at least one portion of the securing element, wherein the cap element includes a bore formed therethrough, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the bore is less than a cross-sectional area of the head portion of the at least one securing element.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one securing element is one of a screw and a bolt.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one securing element comprises at least one portion adapted to prevent the second field device housing arrangement from being entirely detached from the first field device housing arrangement.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of rotating the at least one securing element in a predetermined direction to allow the unrestricted rotation of the first field device housing arrangement relative to the second field device housing arrangement.