CA1290953C - Coupling arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure:
Coupling arrangement consisting of two elements (1, 10) capable of being connected one to the other, namely a first element (1/21) so arranged as to be introduced into and withdrawn from a second element (10) whilst adopting one or more specific positions in relation to the second element. This exhibits a body (12) in the form of a socket having an internal cavity and with slots (14) to permit the introduction of the first element. The first element exhibits a component (3) in the form of a disc having a peripheral surface (4), the dimensions of which match the dimensions of the cavity and a shaft (2) which projects symmetrically from the disc-shaped component. The slots (14) of the second element come together at the front of the element, through which there extends a symmetry axis determined for that element. The slots exhibit dimensions such that the first element can be introduced through the slots with the disc-shaped component and the shaft running in a transverse sense to the symmetry axis of the second element, and can be turned into a secured position by causing the shaft to move in said slots and by bringing the disc-shaped component into a transverse position in relation to it.

Description

9~9~3 Title of the Invention:
Coupl;ng arrangement Techn;caL F;eLd:
The present arrangement relates to a coupl;ng arrangement for the detachable coupl;ng together of component parts. The components mak;ng up a coupling form part of pipework systems for gases and liquids or similar.

Barkground:
The need arises within a number of different areas to be able to connect different components together in such a way that they are held together, but ;n such a way that they can also be separated from one another once more. One type of coupling arrangement is designed for the transmission of forces such as tractive forces. Once coupling has taken place, it must permit certa;n movements to take place beetween the connected elements.
An arrangement ;n accordance w;th the present ;nvent;on ;s relevant, amongst other th;ngs, to the aforement;oned type of coupl;ng arrangement.
Coupl;ng arrangements hav;ng th;s type of funct;on have been disclosed prev;ously, for example ;n US-PS 2,460,216, DaLton and US-PS 3,098,365, Pearson, both of wh;ch show one element w;th a p;n and a second element w;th a sleeve ;nto wh;ch the p;n can be ;ntroduced ;n a certa;n pos;t;on of rotat;on, whereupon ;t ;s locked by turn;ng. A certa;n amount of angular d;splacement ;s perm;tted between the two elements ;n the locked pos;tion.
Other prev;ously d;sclosed coupl;ng arrangements ex;st, although these are not ;ntended pr;mar;ly for the transm;ss;on of forces ;n the connected state, but are ;ntended ;nstead to act as couplings ;n p;pework systems for gases and l;qu;ds. It ;s poss;ble, by means of such coupl;ngs, for p;pe branches to be connected to connect;on po;nts ;n the p;pework system ;n such a way as to perm;t necessary equ;pment to be connected or the p;pework system to be extended by means of hoses, for example. A
number of d;fferent coupl;ng arrangements of this k;nd have been ~Z90953 disc~osed and are used as a general rule e;ther by being held together by means of a locking arrangement which can be released by means of a control device, or by turning the coupling components into the ~ocked position, for which purpose they are provided with threads or bayonet fixings. In the case of certain couplings, in particular those intended for liquids, one or both of the parts of the coupling contain a self-seaLing valve, which ;s opened only when the coupling is made, such that those pipe branches which can be connected together wil~ remain closed so as to prevent leakage with the coupliny arrangement in its disengaged state.

Techn;cal problem:
In the previously disclosed designs in accordance with the aforementioned Patent Specifications of power transmission couplings the spec;fic surface load ;n the various relative pos;t;ons between the elements ;s cons;derable even when the appL;ed force is low, and these arrangements are not, therefore, su;table for high load;ngs and for frequent movements, s;nce h;gh wear will then occur.
Many d;sadvantages are associated with the previously disclosed flu;d couplings referred to above. A serious disadvantage is that, if no self-closing valves are fitted, the component parts of the coupl;ng w;ll, if the pressure has not been ;nterrupted before separating the coupl;ng, be thrown away from one another, in wh;ch case personal injury may be caused, or at any rate an undesired escape of gas or liquids may occur at high pressures. Even if self-clos;ng valves are fitted, the coupl;ng components may st;ll be thrown apart ;f the coupl;ng ;s used at high gas pressures, because ;t ;s ;mpossible to prevent a smalL
quantity of gas from remaining trapped between the valves arranged in the two component parts of the couplingO Moreover, couplings w;th self-clos;r,g valves may be very diff;cult to connect together ;n the presence of pressure in the system, as ;t ;s also necessary ;n th;s case s;multaneously to open the valves, wh;ch are under pressure. Th;s is part;cularly noticeable in the case of grooved couplings which are pushed into engagement, although couplings ~hich are screwed together can also be difficult to connect in the presence of pressure in the system.

Solution:
In the solution proposed in accordance with the invention both parts of the coupling are connected together in a pos;tion in which their axes adopt an angle ;n relat;on to one another, enabling the components parts of the coupling to be brought together. When the component parts of the coupling are directly in line with one another, surfaces on the component parts of the coupling will be locked together. This is achieved because a first part of the coupling can be introduced into a cavity in the second part of the coupling via sLots arranged for this purpose, but only ;n the aforement;oned angled pos;t;on, whereas ;n the connected pos;t;on external surfaces on the f;rst part of the coupling will be locked into engagement w;th surfaces ;n sa;d cav;ty ;n the second part of the coupl;ng. The components are able to sw;ng between the released pos;t;on and the connected pos;t;on because said surfaces const;tute surfaces of rotat;on.

Ad~antages:
The present ;nvent;on proposes a coupl;ng arrangement by means of wh;ch two elements can be connected togetheP- by a s;mple insert;ng and turn;ng movement wh;ch requ;res l;ttle force, and can be separated just as esas;ly, ~ith any assoc;ated load;ng be;ng absorbed by relat;vely large surfaces. The arrangement can be used ;n a large number of appl;cat;ons. In the other appl;cat;on ment;oned, such as a flu;d coupl;ng, one eas;ly operated embod;ment means that a coupl;ng of th;s k;nd offers the advantage that separat;on of the coupling ;n the presence of pressure ;n the system w;ll not result ;n the component parts be;ng thrown apart, as is the case w;th previously d;sclosed coupl;ngs, s;nce ;n;t;al rotat;on ;s requ;red from the coupl;ng pos;t;on to the release pos;t;on. Th;s prov;des an ;n;t;al per;od dur;ng wh;ch the pressure can be ;nterrupted and rel;eved, 1~9095~

enabling separation of the e~ements to take pLace in the absence o~ pressure in the system.

Description of the Drawings:
Four embodiments of the ;nvent;on are descr;bed below with reference to the accompanying draw;ngs. Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first element for the arrangement in a first embodiment; Fig.

2 shows a ~ront view of the eLement; Fig. 3 shows a side view of a second element for the arrangement, which is common to the first two embodiments; a front view of the eLement is shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 5 shows a section of the two elements connecteo together in a first position; Fig. 6 shows a sect;on of the two elements ;n a second position; Fig. 7 shows a side view of the first element in its second embodiment; Fig. 8 shows a front view of the element;
Fig. 9 shows the third embodiment as a partially sectioned side view; Figs. 10 and 11 show the fourth embod;ment ;n positions which correspond to the pos;tions shown respectively in Figs. 5 and 6; f;nally~ F;g. 12 shows a var;ant of a component part of the embod;ment ;n F;gs. 10 and 11.

Preferred embod;ments:
Three embod;ments of a coupl;ng arrangement ;ntended pr;mar;ly to transm;t tract;ve and compress;ve forces are f;rst descr;bed below. As will subsequently be demonsra~ed by the fourth ;llustrat;ve embod;ment, th;s type of coupling ;s relat;vely eas;ly mod;f;ed for other purposes, ;n conjunct;on w;th wh;ch a flu;d coupl;ng ;s descr;bed.
The f;rst element for the arrangement, ;dent;f;ed by the reference des;gnat;on 1~ compr;ses a shaft 2, a d;sc 3, the external surface 4 of wh;ch const;tutes a central ring of a sphere, wh;ch ;s bounded by an outer ax;al surface 5 and an ;nner ax;al surface 6. The shaft extends from the outer ax;al surface 5.
From the ;nner ax;al surface 6 there extends a project;on 7 term;nated by a dome 8 wh;ch, ;n the illustrat;ve embod;ment, cons;sts of a steel ball, poss;bly spr;ng-loaded, partly pressed ;nto the project;on 7.

1~90953 The second element 10 of the arrangement also exhibits a shaft 11 and, attached to one of its ends, a body 12 in the form of a socket. The body 12 exhibits an inner cavity 13 (see also Fig. 5) which is spher;cal and which in this case exhibits a diameter which is slightly larger than the diameter of the spherical surface 4 of the first element 1. The spherical cavity 13 is open towards that end of the body 12 which is on the opposite side from the shaft 11 via at least two slots; four slots 14 are shown in this case, which extend as far as the median plane of the spherical form of the cavity 13, which has the same axis as the shaft 11. The full width of the slot must extend as far as this plane, and since the slots terminate with rounded bottoms, these must extend oeyond the plane. The slots 14 are thus adjacent to one another at the outer end of the body 12 in such a way that the wing-like sect;ons 15 extending between the four slots are term;nated by po;nts 16. The outer surface of the body 12 is of no s;gnif;cance to the coupl;ng funct;on of the arrangement. In the F;gures the body 12 ;s shown to exh;b;t a spher;cal external form wh;ch encloses the cav;ty 13 w;th a reasonable th;ckness of mater;al.
The external form may, however, be executed other than as a sphere, depend;ng on the f;eld of appl;cat;on and the requ;rement for res;stance to deformat;on. In th;s part;cular embod;ment all four slots have been shown as be;ng cut through the mater;al. All that ;s necessary, however, ;s a single transcurrent slot at a po;nt at wh;ch the shaft 2 ;s to be ;ntroduced, on cond;t;on that ;t ;s always poss;ble to select the same pos;t;on for the ;ntroduct;on of the shaft. The other slots 14 can exh;bit outward-fac;ng bottoms wh;ch extend ;n l;ne w;th the external d;ameter of the cav;ty 13, so that the d;sc 3 can be ;ntroduced from outs;de and ;nto these slots w;th the shaft 2 situated ;n the aforement;oned, fully open and interjacent slots. A very sol;d embod;ment ;s ach;eved ;n th;s way, wh;ch ;s capable of w;thstand;ng h;gh tract;ve forces. The outer surface of the component 1D may, for example, be cyl;ndr;cal ;nstead of spher;cal for th;s purpose~

~ ~0953 The second embodiment of the first element may be appreciated from Figs. 7 and 8. The same reference designations applied to the correspond;ng parts in the first embodiment have been used in these Figures, but in the series from 21 onwards. Thus, the f;rst element as a whole is identified by 21, the shaft by 22, the disc by 23, and its outer periphery by 24 and its sides by 25 and 26.
The element addit;onally contains a disc 27 with an outer spherical periphery 28 arranged transversely to the disc 23. The element, apart from its shaft 22, can thus also be regarded as a sphere !aving four slots cut at right-angles to one another, the walls of which form the surfaces 25 and 2c and correspond;ng s;des of the disc 27. In accordance with one variant, the outer part of the disc 27 outside the axial surface 26 could be replaced by a pin corresponding to the pin 7 in Fig. 1.
In the case of the embodiment illustrated ;n Fig. 9, the reference designations used are higher by a further ten units to the extent that they relate to corresponding parts. In this case, too, there is a first element 31 with a shaft 32 and a disc 33.
The disc has an outer periphery 34, which does not, however, constitute part of a sphere as ;n prev;ous embod;ments, but ;nstead const;tutes part of a cyLinder, more precisely a central section cut from a cylinder and bounded by two circular surfaces 35 anr! 36. In this case, too, there may be a projection 37 on the opposite side to the shaft 32. The second element, ind;cated here by 40, exh;b;ts a shaft 41 and a head 42 hav;ng a cylindrical cavity 43. Because the cavity 43 is intersected by the end surface 45 of the head 42, an opening 46 is produced. Extending from the end surface 45 is a slot 44, which may be singl ff ;ded as shown ;n the F;gure, or transcurrent. The slot 44 has a w;dth such as to perm;t the shaft 32 of the f;rst element 31 to be introduced ;nto ;t~
The embod;ment ;llustrated ;n F;gs. 10 and 11 corresponds for the most part to the first embod;ment ;llustrated ;n F;gs. 1-6. It ;s shown ;n two pos;tions, which correspond to the pos;tions ;n Fïgs. 5 and 6. The coupl;ng arrangement ;n accordance with the fourth ;llustrat;ve embodiment is ;ntended to serve as a flu;d 1 ~90953 coup~;ng. As ;n the case of the ~;rst embod;ment, ;t cons;sts o~
a f;rst element 51 (the reference des;gnat;ons used ;n F;gs. 1-6 are used here ;n the ser;es from 51 onwards) and a second element 60. The f;rst element exh;b;ts, as before, a shaft 52 and a d;sc 53 w;th a spher;cal or cyl;ndrical outer surface 54 and a project;on 57. The second element aLso exhibits a shaft 61 and a second part 62 with an internal cav;ty 63, which matches the surface 54 of the first eLement 51. The cavity 62 opens through slots 64. The novel features of the present embodiment are that the first element 51 ;s pierced by a hole 70 (the association w;th the prev;ous reference designations ceases here), and that the shaft of the second element 60 is also pierced by a hole 71. The hole 70 opens into the project;on 57, and the hole 71 opens ;nto the cav;ty 63. It ;s poss;ble to ;nstall self-open;ng valves ;n the mouths of the holes. As an example of th;s, the hole 70 ;s shown to conta;n a ball 72, wh;ch is held aga;nst a seat;ng 73 by the act;on of a spr;ng 74, wh;ch ;n turn ;s supported by a washer 75 pressed into the hole 70, said washer being in the form of a crsss so that fluid can pass through the hole 70, past the washer 75 and out through the mouth past the ball 72, on cond;t;on that th;s has been forced backwards and off the seat;ng 73. In Fig. 10 it ;s shown in the closed posit;on rest;ng aga;nst the seat;ng 73, but ;t ;s shown in the open pos;tion in Fig. 11. A sim;lar valve can be ;nserted into the hole 71, but ;s not shown ;n th;s illustrat;ve embod;ment.
The shafts 52 and 61 are so executed at the;r ends as to perm;t the connect;on of pipework systems; grooving ;ntended to reta;n a hose is illustrated here, although threaded n;pples, for example, for p;pes may be provided as an alternat;ve. The element 51 ;n this ;llustrat;ve embod;ment is intended to be permanently ;nstalled, and the shaft 52 ;s prov;ded for that purpose with a flange 76. The shaft 61 ;s prov;ded w;th a gr;pp;ng sect;on 77.
Illustrated in F;g. 12 is a var;ant of the element 51, ;dent;f;ed here by the reference des;gnat;on 81. Here, too, there ;s a transcurrent hole ;dent;f;ed by the reference des;gnat;on 82.
Into th;s there ;s ;nserted a valve 83, through wh;ch there 1~9()953 extends a hDle 84. The valve has a head 85, a narrower intermediate part 86 and a connecting part 88 for connection to a p;pework system. The head 85 is prov;cled with a sealing ring 89 to produce a seal with the bore 82, and the intermediate part 86 is provided with a sea(;ng r;ng 90 to produce a seal w;th a narrower central part of the bore 82. A spr;ng 91 resting against the head 85 and aga;nst a shoulder 92 ;ns;de the bore 82 attempts to push the slide 83 outwards from the projection 57. The intermediate part 86 exh;bits a transverse bore 93, wh;ch connects the bore 84 ;n the sl;de w;th a chamber 94 formed ;n the bore 82 ;ns;de the head 85. The head 85 ;s so arranged as to f;t ;ns;de the mouth of the bore 71 for the correspond;ng element 60, wh;ch can be of the same des;gn as that illustrated in F;gs. 1û and 11.
~ here no~ ~o~ows a description o~ t~e ~unction o~ t~e ~irst three embodiments, wh;ch are used for power transmission coupl;ngs, for example for the connection together of mach;ne elements and of tow;ng links, and for suspensions, etc.
~ ecause the slots 14 are arranged in pairs directly in line with one another and exhibit the same width as the disc 3 between its axial surfaces 5 and 6, the eLement 1 can be introduced into two of the slots unt;l the m;d-point of its spherical surface 4 is directly in l;ne w;th the m;d-po;nt of the spher;cal cav;ty 13 ;n the element 10; see F;g. 5. If the element 1 ;s now rotated from that pos;t;on so that the shaft 2 adopts a more central pos;t;on than the perpend;cular pos;t;on to the shaft 11 of the element 1û
;llustrated ;n F;g. 5, the spher;cal surface 4 of the element w;ll be locked ;n engagement w;th the spher;cal surface of the cav;ty 13, wh;ch curves ;nwards towards the centre ;n a d;rect;on away from the shaft 11. The ;nward-curv;ng surfaces w;ll thus lock the element 1 ;n pos;t;on, prevent;ng ;t from be;ng w;thdrawn. If the elements are pos;t;oned fully ;n l;ne w;th one another, as shown ;n F;g. 6, the contact surfaces w;ll be as large as poss;ble, actually be;ng one half of the spher;cal surface 4 minus the space occup;ed by the slots 14, wh;ch ;s appl;cable when the elements are separated. When the elements are pushed ;nto engagement w;th one another, a sl;ghtly larger surface area w;ll 1 ~9~)~S~

be achieved due to the fact that the slots 14 taper in that direction, at the same time as which the ball 8 can be so arranged as to constitute a supplementary support. As the eLements are rotated in relation to one another from the position in which they are directly in line, the contact surfaces wiLl be reduced with regard to separation of the elements untiL the angle between them is sufficiently great to permit the disc 3 to be withdrawn via one of the pairs of slots. By curving in this direction the tips of the parts 15 will guide the shaft 2 of the element 1 so that it will engage in one of the slots. The elements can be separated easily without the need for accurate movements only by positioning the elements at a right-angle to one another.
The embodiment in accordance with Figs. 7 and 8 functions in essentially the same manner. When assembling the coupling, however, it i5 necessary to ensure not only that the disc 23 is inserted into two opposing slots 14, as in the case of the first embodiment, but also that the disc 27 is inserted into the other pair of sLots 14 (four slots are required in this embodiment).
Once the elements have been rotated in relation to one another from the connection position and the separation position, the elements will remain locked together at all times, including in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, however, the elements can also be locked in engagement with one another in said position in accordance with Fig. 5 by causing the shaft 22 to rotate so that the disc 27 is no longer in line with any pair of slots. In the first embodiment, on the other hand, rotation of the shaft will not produce the coupling function, since the element is rotationally symmetrical. In the second embodiment, therefore, it is possible to utilize the entire angle of pivoting of the elements, that is to say 180, without any risk of undesired separation arising in the extreme positions as a result.
The arrangement is accordingly very easy to connect together and to separate. It provides relatively large contact surfaces under load, and it provides the possibility for the universal pivoting of the two elements in relation to one another, that is to say angular deflection in all directions. The element 1 is free 1;~9()953 to rotate at all times inside the eLement 10. As an alternative, if it is wished for driving to take place during rotation, the element 1 can be provided with pins or simiLar which act as drivers projecting into the slots 14.
The two elements can be executed in such a way as to require a certain amount of springing in order to permit the element 1 to be introduced into the element 10, in this way producing a snapping function during connection and separation, whereas complete connection is achieved in the locked position.
The embodiment in accordance with Fig. 9, when it is used, exhibits very great similarities with what is appLicable to the first two embodiments. The two elements 31 and 40 can thus be connected together if the element 31 is introduced through the opening 46 into the position shown in Fig. 9. If the shaft 32 is then rotated upwards in line with the shaft 41 the disc 33 will~rest against the cylindrical surface of the cavity 43, when it will be incapable of being withdrawn and will be held in such a way that the surface of the cavity 43 and the surface 34 are concentric.
The elements will remain connected together even if the shafts 32, 41 are deflected through an angle in relation to one another, provided that the surface 34 does not reach the opening 46.
Deflection in two planes, as in the first two illustrative embodiments, is not possible in this case because the interacting surfaces are cylindrical.
ûne interesting application for the element is for securing doors and hatches, for example. If an openable-element of this kind is fitted with two or more pairs of the arrangement, installed on two opposing edges of the openable element, then the element will be held in a closed position by the aforementioned snapping effect on both sides. As soon as one of the sides is swung outwards by snapping apart the arrangements along one edge, the arrangements on the other edge will be locked together and will form coherent hinges during the swinging motion. If the other side is opened instead, then it is here that snapping apart will take place, and the arrangements on the other side will act as hinges. If the element of the second embodiment (Figs. 7, 8) is ~ 290'3~:i3 used, then not only wilL hoLding together through a snapping function be achieved, but aLso actuaL locking together, if the first element 21 isso arranged as to be capable of pivoting about the axis of the shaft 22. As has already been mentioned, the two elements wilL then be locked together in alL angular positions.
This feature may also be utilized in order to permit a hinge to be installed and subsequently locked.
The function of the coupling arrangement as a fluid coupling will now be described. This is based on the assumption, with reference to Fig. 10, that the element 51 is permanently installed, for example on a panel, by means of the flange 76. The fluid, which may be compressed air for example, is supplied through the hole 70, and for as long as the ball 72 is not depressed, the outlet will be closed.
The element 60 is assumed to be supported by a hose, by means of which it is proposed to connect an item of equipment to the outlet represented by the element 51. This takes pLace, as previously described, by causing the elements 51 and 60 to be deflected through an angle in relation to one another and to be ~brought together in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1û. If the free element 60 is now turned up into the position illustrated in Fig.
11, the two elements will be connected together mechanically as previously described. When the ball 72, as it moves, comes up against the wall of the cavity 63, it will be fqrced inwards against the effect of the spring 74, and the outlet, for example for the compressed air, ~ill be opened. It will be unable to flow out, however, for as long as the projection 57 in contact with the surface of the cavity 63 continues to sweep over said surface and until the ball 72 reaches the mouth of the hole 71. In this position a connection will have been established between the holes 70 and 71. The mouth of the hole 71 is best provided with a soft gasket, for instance some previously disclosed kind of collar seal.
If, instead of the element 51, an element of the type identified by the reference designation 81 in Fig. 12 is used, then it must be assumed that the element is connected to the ~9095~3 compressed air line via a shut-off vaLve. For as long as the valve remains closed there will be no pressure in the bores 82 and 84 of the eLement, and it will be possible to pull the head 85 over the end of the eLement by pulLing on the outer end of the slide. ln this position it is possible for the element to be inserted into the element 60, as previously described. Once the elements have been moved into their relative coupling positions in accordance with Fig. 11, the valve is opened. The bore 84 will be pressurized in this way, and the compressed fluid will flow out through the transverse bore 93 and into the chamber 94, thereby causing the head 85 to be forced outwards in the manner of a piston and locked in the mouth of the bore 71 which is shaped so as to accommodate the head. In this way the two elements are Locked in the coupling position in relation to one another, and it will not be possible to turn them into the released position until the valve has been closed and the head 85 can be pulled once more into its inner position.
In the case of a first described var ant, a fluid coupling is achieved which is very easy to connect together even if it is provided with self-closing valves. The valve is not opened by the application of any direct pressure, but by being pushed inwards during a turning motion. The free pipe branch can be used as a lever in order to produce the movement. The elements will not be thrown apart one from the other as the coupling is opened, and the pressure will first be relieved whilst the elements are being turned into the release position, so that no ejection effect will occur.
In the case of the variant in accordance with Fig. 12, a complete guarantee is provided that the outlet from the pressurized system will shut off before any disconnection takes place. In this case it is not necessary to rely on self-closing valves to provide the closing function. Such valves may, in view of the fact that they require to be manufactured with small dimensions, be prone to faults resulting in leakage.
The arrangement is capable of modification in many ways, especially in the more complicated form such as the fluid l,X90~

coupling. Those variants which are described as power transmission couplings can thus be executed as fluid couplings, which is equally true of the third type of embodiment having a cylindrical instead of a spherical connecting surface.
The surface along which the first element slides with its pipe orifice over the second element and as far as its pipe orifice can be executed in such a way as to produce a full sweep of the surfaces only in the connection position with the two elements in line with one another. It is possible in this way to achieve the slow release of the pressure as the coupling is opened. If the coupling is provided with a seLf-closing valve, then as it is being turned to the coupling position and to the release position it will gradually be opened and closed by the successive pushing-in/release as it moves along the surface which deviates from the spherical or cylindrical form. A design of this kind is particularly suitable for very high pressures, since the pushing-in of the self-opening valve calls for less actuating force because of the wedge effect which occurs at the same time as the pressure is relieved progressively.
In the case of fluid couplings having one fixed and one loose component, it is possible for the first or the second element to be used in their respective positions as an alternative. A design in accordance with the third embodiment in which the hollow second --e-lement is fixed may be advantageous in that case. The possibility of swinging is provided in this design only in a plane in which the coupling movement and the actuating movement are effected. It is appropriate to restrict the swinging to a single plane in this way in those cases in which a row of connection points are to be provided, when swinging in a sideways sense also would encroach upon the adjacent coupling points. An advantageous design thus involves executing the elements of the coupling arrangement in the form of modules capable of being installed in a row of the desired length.
The aforementioned restriction of the swinging to a single plane only can also be achieved, for example, in the second embodiment of the disc, the centre plane of which is situated on ~. 290~t~3 the axial line of the shaft, is executed with a diameter greater than that of the other disc. At the same time the second element is provided with a slot for the larger disc. In this way a rotating fixing is produced in one plane, whilst the locking function is maintained, as before, by the smaller disc once the two component parts of the coupling have been turned into line with one another. The expression "in line with one another" need not necessarily be understood to denote that any of the shafts are in line with the others. In certain applications it is not necessary for any shaft to be present apart from the section of shaft which is capable of being introduced into the slot, but for flanges, for example, to be provided instead, it being permissible for such shafts or flanges to be angled relative to the symmetry plane in relation to which the coupling and connecting positions are determined.

Claims (6)

1. Coupling means consisting of a first element including a main portion provided with at least one outer surface forming a surface of rotation and connected to the same, a shaft, and a second element including a cavity with an inner surface forming a part of a spherical surface of rotation, of a diameter slightly larger than said surface of rotation of the first element, and an opening into the cavity provided to let the main portion of the first element through to be inserted in the cavity, in which said main portion of the first element having the form of at least one disc of a sphere with sides connected by means of said spherical surface with said shaft extending from one of said sides, and the opening of the second element being in the form of at least one, a radius to the spherical surface crossing slot being of at least the same length as the width of the main portion of the first element measured perpendicularly to the axis of the shaft and at least one slot connecting to the first one at said radius and being at least of the same width as the width of the shaft making it possible to introduce the disc shaped main portion of the first element into the cavity by threading it through first said slot and with the shaft introduced in said connecting slot until the center of the spherical surface of the first element coincides with the center of the spherical surface in the cavity of the second element whereby the two elements can be locked to each other by turning the main portion of the first element in the cavity as the shaft moving in said slot so that its spherical surface or surfaces are substantially out of alignment with said slots.

2. Coupling according to claim 1, in which the main portion of the first element has the form of a disc with the two said sides being substantially flat and with the shaft extending from the center of one of said sides in the direction of a radius of the spherical surface.

3. Coupling according to claim 1, in which the main portion of the first element has the form of a first disc-shaped body with the two said sides being substantially flat and with the shaft extending from the center of one of said sides in the direction of a radius of the spherical surface and a second similar disc shaped body crossing the first one and stretching with its said sides in the same direction as the shaft.

4. Coupling means comprising:
a first element which includes a main portion defining an outer surface having the shape of a segment of a spherical surface;
a shaft;
a second element including a concavely curved portion defining a spherical cavity in the form of a part of spherical surface having diameter slightly larger than that of said segment;
passage means in said second element including an opening provided in a first pole section of the spherical cavity compatible with the main portion of the first element to allow said main portion to be introduced in the cavity;
said main portion of the first element having a generally disc-like form having two opposed ends, each end delimiting a circular limiting edge portions of said segment to define therewith said generally disc-like form;
said shaft extending from one of said ends;
said second element means further including disc receiving slot means extending transversely across said cavity and across said opening such that the ends of said slot means as measured across said cavity, are generally equal to the outside diameter of said segment as measured perpendicularly to said shaft;
said second element further defining, in the wall of said cavity, stem receiving slot means extending from said first pole section in a direction toward an opposed second pole section of said spherical cavity;

the width of the stem receiving slot means being sufficient to allow passage therethrough of that portion of said shaft which coincides with said wall when the ends of the disc-like member are in said disc-like member is being inserted into the cavity by threading the disc-like member through the disc receiving slot means;
the distance of the end of said stem receiving slot means from said second pole section being sufficiently short to allow the placement of the disc-like member such that the segment is concentric with the centre of said spherical cavity;
whereby the first element and the second element can be connected to each other by displacing the shaft to any position at which the spherical segment is out of alignment with said disc receiving slot means.

5. Coupling means according to claim 4, wherein said shaft extends from the centre of the respective end and radially away from the centre of said segment.

6. Coupling means according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the main portion of said first element further includes a second generally disc-like member similar to the first mentioned disc-like member and also having a segment of a spherical surface of the same radius as that of the first mentioned segment, said first and second disk-like members being so disposed that the two segments intersect each other along a line of intersection generally coincident with the axis of said shaft.