US3362050A

US3362050A - Concentric tube releasable clasp

Info

Publication number: US3362050A
Application number: US542938A
Authority: US
Inventors: John J Mccarthy
Original assignee: Norco Inc
Current assignee: Norco Inc
Priority date: 1966-04-15
Filing date: 1966-04-15
Publication date: 1968-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1985-01-09
Also published as: DE1575221A1; GB1180293A

Description

Jan. 9, 1968 J. J. M CARTHY 3,362,050

CONCENTRIC TUBE RELEASABLE CLASP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April l5, 1966 INVENTOR. John J; McCa t-thy Jan. 9, 1968 CCART Y 3,362,050

CONCENTRIC TUBE RELEASABLE CLASP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1966 INVENTOR.

John J- McCarthy United States Patent O CONQENTRIC TUBE RELEASABLE CLASP John J. McCarthy, Weston, Conn., assignor to Norco, Inc., Ridgefield, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Apr. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 542,938 9 Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates to releasable clasps, and more particularly to clasps having tubular parts.

Objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved releasable clasp characterized by a plug-like configu'ration having telescopic tubular members presenting a divergent mouth structure for receiving a cooperable bar, which members at one and the same time are simple and economical to produce while being sturdy and reliable in operation; to provide such a clasp, wherein the components are easily and quickly assembled, which is readily understood and operated even by relatively unskilled personnel, is fool proof and not likely to malfunction or require servicing, is resistant to shock and vibration, and wherein the separable members may be easily and quickly latched together or else released as desired.

Other .features andadvantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of pluglike clasp structure as provided by the invention, and also a'sectional view of a cooperable structure, both being in separated relation.

FIG. 2 is a right end elevational view of the plug-like clasp structure, referring to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view like that of FIG. 1, but with the structures being brought into initial contact with each other during the fastening operation.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 3, showing a further step in the fastening of the plug-like structure to the cooperable structure.

FIG. 5 is also a similar view, showing the final fastened positions of the structures.

FIG. 6 is an elevational-sectional view of a plug-like clasp and cooperable structure, illustrating a modification of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an axila sectional view of a plug-like clasp and cooperable structure, illustrating yet another modification of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an elevational-sectional view of a plug-like clasp and cooperable structure, constituting yet another modification of the invention.

Considering first FIGS. 15, the present improved releasable clasp is shown as comprising a plug-like configuration designated generally by the numeral 10, said configuration being characterized by inner and outer telescopic

tubular members

12 and 14 respectively, having corresponding (right) end portions which present a fishmouth or divergent mouth structure adapted to receive a diametric bar 16 of a cooperable structural member, the latter being designated generally by the numeral 18. The telescopic or concentric, tubular plug-like configuration 10 comprises a manually operable and releasable clasp, whereas the structure 18 (which is also hereinafter referred to as a receiver structure) is not operable for releasing purposes.

The assemblage 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5 in the process of being attached to the receiver structure 18 by the mere act of advancing the plug-like structure onto the receiver structure, with the advancing or left-to-right force being applied to the inner tubular member 12. The inner and

outer members

12, 14 are relatively axially movable from positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 wherein the member 14 is advanced, to positions illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the member 14 is in a retracted position. The outer tubular member 14 is also herein Patented Jan. 9, 1968 ice termed a locking and release sleeve or collar, since it must be actuated to effect release of the diametric pin 16 when the latter is held captive as in FIG. 5.

A loose sliding fit is provided between the inner and

outer tubes

12, 14; also, the outer tube 14 is preferably provided with an outward flare 20 at its left end, to constitute a convenient finger grip by which it may be grasped and pulled from right to left, to effect release of the diametric bar 16.

The inner tube 12 has a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots 22 through which there passes a cross pin 24 rigidly atfixed in the release sleeve 14. In the inner tube 12 there is a helical compression spring 26.which engages the cross pin 24 and also engages a second cross pin 28 rigidly afiixed to the shank or body portion of the tube 12. Thus, the release sleeve 14 is biased to the right, to the locking positions of FIGS. 1 and 5, being .normally yieldably held in such positions and being retractable to the position of FIG. 4 either by force exerted by the'fingers of the user or else, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, by force exerted on it by the diametric pin 16.

It will be understood that the inner tube 12 may be carried by a structure (not shown) which is to be releasably connected with another structure (not shown) on which the receiver part 18 is mounted. In FIGS. 1-5, the receiver part 18 is shown as comprising a pair of spaced arms 30 which rigidly carry the diametric bar 16, the latter extending between the arms 30.

In accordance with the present invention, the plug-like clasp configuration 10 is constituted essentially of two concentric, telescopic tubular members and such members "are' 'soj' organized at one pair of corresponding ends (the right ends as viewed in the figures) as to present a divergent' mouth or fish-mouth structure which is designated generally by the numeral 32, for engagement by and reception of the diametric bar 16. This entry or mouth structure 32 is arranged to guide the bar 16 to its center or smallest portion, and such mouth structure is constituted of a pair of diametrically opposite notches 34 only one of which is seen in the figures for the reason that the other is directly behind the visible or front notch and has an identical shape thereto.

Each of the notches 34 is characterized by

divergent edges

36, 38 which are adapted for engagement by the diametric bar 16. It will be understood that, by virtue of the

members

12, 14 being tubular, the

divergent edges

36, 38 will be curved when looking at the end of the plug-like configuration 10, this for example being shown in FIG. 2.

The right end portion of the release sleeve 14 has a pair of straight edges 40, said edges being parallel to the common axis of the tubes. The corresponding right end portion of the inner tube 12 has a pair of slots 42 (see FIG. 4), said slot-s being characterized by opposite

parallel edges

44, 46. The slots 42 extend transversely of the common axis of the

members

12, 14 and communicate with the divergent notches 34, being adapted also to receive the diametric bar 16 from the notches when relative movement of the

tubes

12, 14 brings these to the barreceiving position of FIG. 4.

It will be understood by observing FIG. 5 that the relative positions of the

tubes

12, 14 in this figure and also in by the numeral 34 constitute an advantageous feature, and represent a distinct advantage in that the

divergent edges

36, 38 are adapted to guide the diametric bar 16 to the center or smaller portion of the mouth, whereby the bar thereafter as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 can exert pressure on the sleeve 14 to retract the same while simultaneously finding its fully nested position in the

slots

42, 50. This greatly facilitates the connecting of the

clasp parts

10, 18 even though the assemblage is constituted of the simplest structural configurations, namely concentric or telescopic tubes one of which is slidable on the other.

With such tubular configuration and particularly with a telescopic assemblage, it can be understood that difficulty might be experienced in quickly and easily bringing together the

clasp parts

10, 18. However, by virtue of the advantageous configuration comprising the divergent notches 34 and wherein a portion of the retractable sleeve 14 is arranged to be engaged by the diametric bar when the latter is received in said notches, there can be effected a surprisingly simple and easy attachment or connection of the

structures

10, 18 as is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. Further, with such simple

tubular members

12, 14 and the fish-mouth configuration 34 there is still had a positive retention and locking action by which the diametric bar 16 is securely held in its captive position as illustrated in FIG. 5, until intentionally released by a right-to-left movement of the release sleeve 14.

I have found that the illustrated configurations of the components may be economically fabricated and easily and quickly assembled, and that they enable an easy and simple securement of the clasp to be effected, while at the same time insuring a positive retention of the assembled clasp parts until these are intentionally released. Further, the release of the clasp parts can as well be easily and quickly effected by merely grasping the flare of the release sleeve 14 and shifting the said sleeve from right to left, to the position illustrated in FIG. 4. But few components of extremely simple construction are thus seen to be involved in the concentric tube assemblage 10, in accordance with the present invention.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the end configurations of the inner and outer tubular clasp members are exchanged or interchanged, so to speak, as compared with the structure of FIGS. 1-5. Additionally, the receiver is constituted as a socket-carrying structure having a floating diametric pin.

As shown, the plug-like configuration comprises inner and outer

tubular members

56, 58 which are relatively axially movable between limits, the inner member 56 having longitudinal slots 60 through which a cross pin 62 passes, the pin being rigidly carried by the release collar or sleeve 58. A helical extension spring 64 has its ends formed with eyes which encircle respectively a cross pin 66 of the inner tube 56 and also the cross pin 62, thereby normally biasing the release collar 58 to a left-most position as shown.

The corresponding juxtaposed right end portions of the

members

56, 58 are so organized as to present divergent notches 68 at the right end of the clasp, said notches having

divergent edges

70, 72 and 74. The inner member 56 has a pair of straight edges 76 which, with the edges 74 define slots 78.

The release collar 58 has a pair of slots 80 defined by opposite

parallel edges

82, 84, the slots 80 extending transversely of the common axis of the tubes and communicating with the divergent notches 68.

In FIG. 6 a receiver part 88 has a socket 90 in which there is disposed a diametric pin 92 which is floating by virtue of being carried in a pair of slots 94. With such arrangement, the release sleeve 58 may slidably fit in the socket 90 without excessive clearance, inasmuch as the diametric pin 92 because of its floating mounting can accommodate itself to the different positions required for reception in the slots 78, 80 of the

members

56, 58 respectively.

The releasing action of the clasp of FIG. 6 is the reverse of that of the clasp of FIGS. 1-5, in that the release collar 58 is moved from left-to-right to effect the release, as distinguished from the right-to-left movement of the release collar 14 previously described. Otherwise, the clasp of FIG. 6 has the various advantages already set forth above in detail.

The attachment of the clasp to the receiver part 88 is effected by pushing on the release collar 58 to shift the latter from left to right while holding the inner tube 56 stationary, whereby the slots 78, will be cleared for the reception of the floating pin 92. Release of the clasp is effected by merely pulling on the inner tubular member 56 to shift the latter from right to left. This type of action is intended for specialized applications wherein release is desired by exertion of a pull on the inner tubular member, as will be understood.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. Here, the clasp comprises inner and outer tubular members 98, biased by a helical compression spring 102 and presenting a fish-mouth configuration comprising divergent notches 104 adapted to receive a diametric bar 106 carried by arms 108 of a receiver part 110. The notches 104 have

divergent edges

112, 114 on the inner tubular part 98, and such part also has a pair of edges 116 which are parallel to the edges 112 and with the latter form slots 118 extending transversely of the common axis of the tubes. The release sleeve 100 has pairs of parallel straight edges 120, 122 forming slots 124 which extend parallel to the axis of the tubes. The slots 118, 124 receive the diametric bar 106 when the locking and release collar 100 is shifted from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the left, so as to remove the obstruction in the slots 118, as will be understood. The features and advantages of the preceding forms of the invention are also had with the construction of FIG. 7.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. In this figure, the receiver part has arms 132 carrying a diametric bar 134 which is engageable in divergent notches 136 of a plug assemblage 138. The plug assemblage 138 comprises an inner tubular part 140 and an outer tubular part 142, the latter having slots 144 defined by pairs of

parallel edges

146, 148, said slots extending transversely of the common axis of the

members

140, 142.

The divergent notches 136 are formed by pairs of

edges

150, 152 on the inner tubular part 140, said part also having pairs of

straight edges

154, 156 which define slots 158 extending longitudinally or parallel to the common axis of the members.

A helical extension spring 160 normally biases the locking collar 142 to a leftmost position as shOWn in FIG. 8, and the releasing position of the collar 142 is one attained by shifting the collar to the right from the position shown in FIG. 8, as will now be understood.

With this form of the invention, the assemblage of the clasp is effected by pushing on the release collar 142 to shift the latter from left to right while the inner tube 140 is held stationary, this being similar to the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel, extremely simple and yet efficient and effective releasable clasp device utilizing the simplest of structural forms, namely concentric or telescopic slidable tube parts having special end configurations by which a divergent mouth structure is presented for the reception of a diametric pin. The clasp is sturdy and vibration resistant, and will withstand considerable rough usage without malfunctioning or requiring servicing.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A concentric-tube releasable clasp comprising, in combination:

(a) a pair of inner and outer, coaxial, telescopically arranged tubes having one pair of corresponding end portions located in juxtaposition to each other,

(b) said tubes being relatively movable axially,

(c) said end portions providing an entry mouth structure constituted of a pair of diametrically opposite notches each characterized by divergent edges adapted for engagement by a diametric bar to guide the bar to the center of the mouth structure,

(d) said end portion of the inner tube having at least one pair of said divergent edges forming parts of both notches,

(c) said end portion of one of the tubes having a pair of straight edges parallel to the common axis of the tubes,

(f) said end portion of the other tube having slots characterized by opposite parallel edges,

(g) said slots extending transversely of the common axis of the tubes and communicating with said divergent notches, and being adapted to receive said diametric bar from the said notches when :relative movement of the tubes brings them to a given relative bar-receiving position,

(h) said tubes having relative locking positions differe nt from said bar-receiving position, wherein exit from said slots is obstructed by said pair of straight edges disposed parallel to the common axis, and

(i) resilient means biasing said tubes to and normally holding the tubes in said locking positions.

2. The invention as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said end portion of said one tube has a second pair of straight edges spaced from the first said pair and parallel thereto,

(b) said two pairs of straight edges defining slots in the said one tube, in which the diametric bar is received and locked.

3. The invention as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said one tube constitutes the inner of said tubes.

4. The invention as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said one tube constitutes the outer of said tubes.

5. The invention as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) said other tube has portions disposed in the small part of the mouth structure and engageable by the diametric bar to enable the latter to shift said other tube with respect to said one tube as the bar is forced against the mouth structure.

6. The invention as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the divergent edges of said notches which constitute the entry mouth structure comprise portions of both tubes.

7. The invention as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the divergent edges of said notches which constitute the entry mouth structure comprise portions of one tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1958 Kahl 24238 9/1966 Decker 24--239 BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A CONCENTRIC-TUBE RELEASABLE CLASP COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A PAIR OF INNER AND OUTER, COAXIAL, TELESCOPICALLY ARRANGED TUBES HAVING ONE PAIR OF CORRESPONDING END PORTIONS LOCATED IN JUXTAPOSITION TO EACH OTHER, (B) SAID TUBES BEING RELATIVELY MOVABLE AXIALLY, (C) SAID END PORTIONS PROVIDING AN ENTRY MOUTH STRUCTURE CONSTITUTED OF A PAIR OF DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE NOTCHES EACH CHARACTERIZED BY DIVERGENT EDGES ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT BY A DIAMETRIC BAR TO GUIDE THE BAR TO THE CENTER OF THE MOUTH STRUCTURE, (D) SAID END PORTION OF THE INNER TUBE HAVING AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF SAID DIVERGENT EDGES FORMING PARTS OF BOTH NOTCHES, (E) SAID END PORTION OF ONE OF THE TUBES HAVING A PAIR OF STRAIGHT EDGES PARALLEL TO THE COMMON AXIS OF THE TUBES, (F) SAID END PORTION OF THE OTHER TUBE HAVING SLOTS CHARACTERIZED BY OPPOSITE PARALLEL EDGES,