GB2045392A - Coupling for tubular elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Two tubular elements 2 and 3 are releasably coupled together by a split collar 6 having radially inwardly extending sectors 7 which fit as tongues into corresponding aligned openings 4, 5 provided in the tubular elements 2, 3, after they have been fitted one into the other. A fastener 16 may be provided for clamping the collar 6 to the outer tubular element 2, having a latch portion 12 which becomes inserted through complementary apertures 14, and a square head portion 13 which is engaged between resilient walls 10, 11 of plastics material in the collar 6, such that fastener 16 becomes snapped into a locked position by a 90 DEG rotation of the head 13. Element 2, with a bell-shaped extension 1, may serve as a protective cover for a universal joint, and element 3 as a cover tube for an associated shaft, held stationary in use by a lug 15. Telescopic displacement provides access to the joint. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coupling for tubular elements This invention relates to a coupling for connecting tubular elements, especially tubular elements used as protecting elements for universal or cardan joints, wherein the parts to be coupled are inserted one into the other and are kept in place by means of a suitable collar.

There are provided corresponding openings in the mating parts of the two elements, and sectors protruding from the collar inwards, which fit in said openings and block the positioned parts.

A protecting element for universal joints is obviously useful, in particular whenever said joints are located for instance on the outside of vehicles, or in places where the joint can be attacked by dust or other external agents.

These protecting elements consist generally of a tube covering the shaft and a bell in which the universal or cardan joint components rotate.

At present, the coupling between the covering tube and bell is carried out by means which, because of their being placed at the inside of the whole unit, make the assembling and disassembling thereof difficult, particularly in those cases wherein it is necessary to reach the joint without disassembling any part.

According to the present invention there is provided a coupling for coupling two tubular elements, comprising a split collar provided on its inner side with one more radially inwardly projecting sector portion capable of fitting into corresponding aligned openings in both tubular elements to be coupled, and means being provided for clamping said collar to the tubular members.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a coupling device according to the present invention for coupling together tubular elements forming a protective cover for a universal joint, Figure 2 is a section through a pair of tubular elements connected by a coupling according to the invention, and Figure 3 is a section taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2.

The tubular end 2 of a bell 1 and a tube 3 which can be fitted therein are preferably made of a plastics material. The tubular end 2 is provided with openings 4 and the tube 3 is provided with openings 5 which correspond with the openings 4.

A split collar 6, preferably formed of an elastic material, has a series of sectors 7 radially protruding inwards, in a position corresponding to openings 4 and 5. Collar 6 is provided with an opening defined between a pair of outwardly extending flanges 8 and 9, each of which is limited by two walls 10 and 11.

In each of the flanges 8 and 9 there is provided a hole 14 of the same shape as a tab 12 which is provided at one end of the shank of a securing member 16 having a head 13 which is preferably polygonal, said head 13 having the side and the diagonal respectively shorter and longer than the distance between the walls 10 and 11.

Collar 6 is also provided with a lateral perforated lug 15, and with a hole 19. In order to effect the coupling, the tube 3 is inserted into the tubular end 2 of the bell 1 so that openings 4 and 5 register one with the other; then the collar 6 is opened and inserted on the whole unit so that the sectors 7 fit into the aligned openings 4 and 5, to prevent relative axial displacement of elements 2 and 3.

Afterwards, the tab 12 of fastening member 1 6 is passed through the holes 14 and is rotated through 900 in contact with the elastic walls 10 and 11 which will keep it in place.

During the universal joint and shaft rotation, the protecting unit formed by the bell 1 and tube 2 will keep still with respect to the universal joint and shaft, and will be held in place through the lug 1 5 in any known manner.

Hole 19 could serve as an intake conduit for lubricant for the universal joint.

Through the above construction, there is provided a coupling between tubular elements which employs external constraint agents, permitting thus to use - in the manufacture of the elements to be coupled - a softer material, i.e. a flexible plastics material, which is more easily resistant to deformation and to thermal shocks.

1. A coupling for coupling two tubular elements, comprising a split collar provided on its inner side with one more radially inwardly projecting sector portion capable of fitting into corresponding aligned openings in both tubular elements to be coupled, and means being provided for clamping said collar to the tubular members.

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1, in which said collar is provided with a pair of outwardly extending flanges each having a hole extending therethrough, each of said flanges being delimited by two elastic walls, said clamping means comprising a fastening member that extend through said holes and which has at one end a tab corresponding in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said holes and at the other end a polygonal head which can be locked, when rotated, by means of said elastic walls.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the inwardly extending sector portions are three in number and circumferentially shaped apart at the same distance one from the other.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Coupling for tubular elements This invention relates to a coupling for connecting tubular elements, especially tubular elements used as protecting elements for universal or cardan joints, wherein the parts to be coupled are inserted one into the other and are kept in place by means of a suitable collar. There are provided corresponding openings in the mating parts of the two elements, and sectors protruding from the collar inwards, which fit in said openings and block the positioned parts. A protecting element for universal joints is obviously useful, in particular whenever said joints are located for instance on the outside of vehicles, or in places where the joint can be attacked by dust or other external agents. These protecting elements consist generally of a tube covering the shaft and a bell in which the universal or cardan joint components rotate. At present, the coupling between the covering tube and bell is carried out by means which, because of their being placed at the inside of the whole unit, make the assembling and disassembling thereof difficult, particularly in those cases wherein it is necessary to reach the joint without disassembling any part. According to the present invention there is provided a coupling for coupling two tubular elements, comprising a split collar provided on its inner side with one more radially inwardly projecting sector portion capable of fitting into corresponding aligned openings in both tubular elements to be coupled, and means being provided for clamping said collar to the tubular members. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a coupling device according to the present invention for coupling together tubular elements forming a protective cover for a universal joint, Figure 2 is a section through a pair of tubular elements connected by a coupling according to the invention, and Figure 3 is a section taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2. The tubular end 2 of a bell 1 and a tube 3 which can be fitted therein are preferably made of a plastics material. The tubular end 2 is provided with openings 4 and the tube 3 is provided with openings 5 which correspond with the openings 4. A split collar 6, preferably formed of an elastic material, has a series of sectors 7 radially protruding inwards, in a position corresponding to openings 4 and 5. Collar 6 is provided with an opening defined between a pair of outwardly extending flanges 8 and 9, each of which is limited by two walls 10 and 11. In each of the flanges 8 and 9 there is provided a hole 14 of the same shape as a tab 12 which is provided at one end of the shank of a securing member 16 having a head 13 which is preferably polygonal, said head 13 having the side and the diagonal respectively shorter and longer than the distance between the walls 10 and 11. Collar 6 is also provided with a lateral perforated lug 15, and with a hole 19. In order to effect the coupling, the tube 3 is inserted into the tubular end 2 of the bell 1 so that openings 4 and 5 register one with the other; then the collar 6 is opened and inserted on the whole unit so that the sectors 7 fit into the aligned openings 4 and 5, to prevent relative axial displacement of elements 2 and 3. Afterwards, the tab 12 of fastening member 1 6 is passed through the holes 14 and is rotated through 900 in contact with the elastic walls 10 and 11 which will keep it in place. During the universal joint and shaft rotation, the protecting unit formed by the bell 1 and tube 2 will keep still with respect to the universal joint and shaft, and will be held in place through the lug 1 5 in any known manner. Hole 19 could serve as an intake conduit for lubricant for the universal joint. Through the above construction, there is provided a coupling between tubular elements which employs external constraint agents, permitting thus to use - in the manufacture of the elements to be coupled - a softer material, i.e. a flexible plastics material, which is more easily resistant to deformation and to thermal shocks. CLAIMS

1. A coupling for coupling two tubular elements, comprising a split collar provided on its inner side with one more radially inwardly projecting sector portion capable of fitting into corresponding aligned openings in both tubular elements to be coupled, and means being provided for clamping said collar to the tubular members.

2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1, in which said collar is provided with a pair of outwardly extending flanges each having a hole extending therethrough, each of said flanges being delimited by two elastic walls, said clamping means comprising a fastening member that extend through said holes and which has at one end a tab corresponding in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said holes and at the other end a polygonal head which can be locked, when rotated, by means of said elastic walls.

3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the inwardly extending sector portions are three in number and circumferentially shaped apart at the same distance one from the other.

4. A coupling for coupling two tubular elements, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A coupling as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tubular elements constitute a covering for a universal or cardan joint.