Mechanical connection means
US4585369A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 1984 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/60
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This connection means comprises a male connector (1) with a circular groove (5) and a female connector comprising a body (2), a cap (3) and a sleeve (4). The cap (3) hangs from the bottom end of body 2 within which it is able to partly slide. The cap has a bearing surface (7) bearing on the male connector (1) and its bottom part (9) covers the male connector. This bottom part is provided with a circular series of openings (10) each equipped with a finger (11) operable to slide radially. These fingers cooperate with windows (27) in a conical wall (26) of the sleeve (4). Connection is made by gravity, by body 2 pushing down on sleeve 4, which slides downward causing the fingers (11) to slide radially inward. Disconnection is accomplished by sending oil pressure through purposely provided channels (35, 33, 30) into a chamber (20), causing the sleeve (4) to slide up and the fingers (11) to retract. The invention finds particular application in the anchoring of tethers for buoyant marine platforms anchored by means of vertical tethers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.