GB453178A - Improvements in or relating to devices for locating rotatable members - Google Patents

Abstract

453,178. Locking rods. FOLLAND, H. P., 7, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. May 9, 1935, No. 13705. [Class 80 (iii)] [See also Group XXIX] A locating-device for two relatively rotatable parts, comprises ball plungers carried in radial housings in one part and seated resiliently on a pad of rubber so as to bear yieldably and radially against recesses in the other part. The application to a rotatable valve is shown in Fig. 1, in which the spindle 2 has a squared end 3 to receive the boss 6 of the hand wheel 4. The boss has a depending flange 7, bores 8 in which house balls 10 adapted to be urged radially, by a rubber sleeve 9, into recesses 12 in a wall 11 integral with the body 1. In a modification, Fig. 2 (not shown), the locating device is formed as a separate unit adapted to be attached to a wall or bulkhead. In a further modification, Fig. 3 (not shown), the locating device forms the means for connecting the actuating spindle to the valve. In Fig. 4 is shown a construction wherein the rod 40 to be rotated and located is also angularly movable. The rod has a partly spherical boss 41 with axially arranged flutings 42 in its periphery which are adapted to be engaged by the balls 49 loaded by the rubber sleeve 47. The balls, to some extent, form a bearing for the rod. An indented metal plate may be interposed between each ball and the rubber sleeve, Fig. 5 (not shown). According to the Provisional Specification, the annular rubber sleeve may be replaced by small segmental portions located over depressions to enhance their yielding and, to provide for rapid changing between one series of possible locations and another, one or other of the elements of the device may be displaceable axially so that two or more different series of apertures may be aligned with the plungers.