US3434729A

US3434729A - Ram assembly

Info

Publication number: US3434729A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald U Shaffer; John A Vertson
Original assignee: Shaffer Tool Works
Current assignee: Shaffer Tool Works
Priority date: 1965-10-21
Filing date: 1965-10-21
Publication date: 1969-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 1986-03-25

Description

United States Patent RAM ASSEMBLY Donald U. Shaffer and John A. Vertson, Brea, Calif, as-

signors to Shaffer Tool Works, Brea, Califl, a corporation of California Continuation of application Ser. No. 243,706, Dec. 6,

1962. This application Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 508,630 Int. Cl. F16] 15/02; E21b 33/.06 US. Cl. 277-181 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ram assembly for control gates and the like, in which a laterally movable ram block holder mounts an axially reversible ram block, the ram block having an axially reversible rubber assembly comprising a pair of axially aligned spaced apart semicircular parts each provided with an inwardly extending flange for interlocking engagement with the ram block, the semicircular parts having their opposite ends integrally connected with a diametrical part of reduced height fitted with upper and lower extrusion plates bonded thereto and arranged to extend together with the diametrical part into a groove in the ram block with the rubber of the diametrical part forming flanges which extend along the rear edges of the extrusion plates. At the ends of the semicircular parts, where connected with the ends of the diametrical part, insert plates are provided Which cooperate with the extrusion plates to control rubber flow when the rubber assembly is subjected to scaling compressive forces. The rubber assembly is anchored to the ram block by means of embedded inserts having right angled connecting portions engageable with the ram block.

This invention relates generally to well drilling equip ment and relates more particularly to ram assemblies for control gates such as are used in the drilling of oil wells and the like, and is a continuation of our pending application for Ram Assembly, Ser. No. 243,706, filed Dec. 6, 1962, which is a continuation-in-part of our copending application for Ram Assembly, Ser. No. 119,604, filed June 26, 1961, both of which are now abandoned.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with ram assemblies for control gates used in the drilling of wells, particularly oil wells, and is shown and described in such connection, it is to be understood that its utility is not confined thereto.

In connection with the terminology used herein it will be of advantage to define the following terms:

Ram assembly.-refers to the entire assembly of ram block, rubber assembly and ram holder.

Rubber assembly.-refers to the assembly comprising the rubber, the extrusion plates, insert plates and T-bolts.

Ram rubber or rubber.refers to that portion only of the assembly that is formed of rubber, a rubber compound, sealing compound, or the like, which meets the sealing and wearing requirements of the sealing element of rams for control gates used in the well drilling art.

Various difficulties or problems have been encountered in the provision of ram assemblies for control gates which will meet certain strict specifications or requirements.

For example, it has been found that ram assemblies may be installed upside down in control gates. This problem is greatly aggravated in localities where the workmen have little skill in working with equipment of the present character and/or are illiterate or do not read English. Of course, when the ram assemblies are installed upside down there is malfunctioning of the gates and serious trouble may be encountered because of such improper installation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ram gate assembly that will overcome this diificulty and solve the problem involved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ram assembly that is reversible; that is, a ram assembly that may be installed with either side up and that will work properly regardless of which side is up.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a ram assembly wherein extrusion or flow of rubber outwardly and downwardly is inhibited or prevented, there being means included at the sides of the ram assembly which diverts rubber flow inwardly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rubber assembly having extrusion plates which are bonded to the rubber and which function as pistons for deflecting rubber flow under pressure.

Another difiiculty or problem involved in equipment of the present character is that the rubber may be torn or gouged and it is a still further object of the invention to provide a ram assembly wherein the rubber will flow into the holes or the torn or gouged places and effect proper sealing at such locations.

It is another object of the invention to provide a rubber having two bands which are isolated from each other.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rubber exposed over a relatively small area and having an extremely high unit pressure.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a ram assembly that can be used in the present gates without redesigning or altering same.

A still further object of the invention. is to provide a ram assembly that is interchangeable with present ram assemblies.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ram assembly that may be readily serviced and repaired in the field. For example, the rubber assembly may be readily replaced in the field should it become damaged to such an extent as to require replacement.

It is still another object of the invention to provide plates on the rubber which extend outwardly into end portions thereof and give additional and more etfective support to the vertical parts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of this character having spacer means limiting movement of the plates toward each other.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide rubber portions of the seal so formed as to prevent pinching off of the edges thereof.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ram assembly that is reliable and efi'ective in operation.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a ram assembly having a long effective life as compared with present equipment.

A further object of the invention is to ment of this character that is rugged.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character that is simple in construction and operation.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufiiciently referred to in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings with respect to one arrangement. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that variations may be made without departing from the principals disclosed and any structures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated.

provide equip- Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a hydraulic control gate with ram assemblies embodying the present invention installed therein, portions of the gate being broken away to show the interior construction of certain parts;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan of the ram assembly with parts thereof broken away;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the ram assembly; that is, it is a view from the diametrical side of the device;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rubber assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative rubber assembly;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing an alternative spreader or spacer construction;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of said spreader or spacer; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of an end portion of the rubber assembly.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a control gate, indicated generally at 10, of known type and construction, such as shown in the 1960 General Catalog of Shaffer Tool Works, p. 4936. A brief description of this structure is therefore believed to be suflicient.

This control gate has a body 12 with a vertical bore 14 therethrough. There are the usual ram compartments 16, there being a pair of such compartments oppositely arranged relative to each other and in the same plane normal to the axis of the bore 14. There is the usual hydraulic mechanism, indicated generally at 18, for operating the rams and each such mechanism includes a cylinder in which is operably disposed a piston 22 having a piston rod 2.4 which extends through a bore provided therefor in the body .12. The inner end of the piston rod 24 is provided with a connecting member 28 having top and bottom grooves 30 which slidably receive oppositely arranged flanges 32 at the outer end of a recess 34 in the ram block holder, indicated generally at 3 6. The hydraulic mechanism 18 actuates the ram assemblies between the open position whereat said assemblies are at their outer position, and the closed position whereat the inner diametrical sides of said assemblies are in contact with each other and with a pipe disposed in the axial bore 14 when there is such a pipe therein.

Since the ram assemblies 36 are the same, a description of one will suffice.

The ram assembly comprises the ram block holder 36, ram blocks, indicated generally at 42, and a rubber assembly, indicated generally at 44.

The rubber assembly is best shown in FIG. 5 and comprises the rubber, indicated generally at 45. Rubber comprises a pair of axially aligned semicircular parts 46 axially spaced apart from each other. Each of the parts 46 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 47 along the inner side thereof, the outer side 48 of said flange being spaced inwardly from the outer surface 49 of the part 46. The surface 48 is normal to the axis of the rubber assembly. It is to be noted that the inner edge of the flange 47 is rounded, as at 50. It is also to be noted that the radial extent of the flange 47 is greatest at the center and tapers towards the ends where it merges with the inner side 51 of the part 46 at a location 52 which is spaced inwardly from the adjacent free end of said part 46. This arrangement greatly facilitates installation of the rubber on the ram block.

Connecting the ends of the parts 46 of the rubber is a rubber part, indicated generally at 53, which will be termed the diametrical part, although said part 53 has an arcuate central portion 54 between and connecting the inner ends of radial portions 55. Portion 54 is coaxial with the semicircular parts 46 but is on a substantially smaller radius with the interior surface adapted to sealingly engage a pipe disposed in the vertical bore 12 of the gate.

The thickness of the diametrical part is less than the distance between the adjacent inner sides 58 of the semicircular parts 46 but the ends of the radial portions of the diametrical part 53 are connected with the adjacent end portions of the parts 46 so that when viewed from the diametrical side of the rubber assembly the radial portions 55 form oppositely arranged Ts with the end portions of said semicircular parts and the connecting portions between said end portions and the ends of the radial portions, said Ts being on their sides.

Along the rear edges of the radial portions 55 and the integral arcuate portion are upwardly and downwardly extending flanges 60.

At each side of the diametrical part 53 is an extrusion plate 62, said plates being the same. The top and bottom sides of the extrusion plates 62 are parallel and each plate comprises radial portions 63 joined at their inner ends by an arcuate portion 64. The inner edges 65 of said plates albut against the adjacent inner axially extending surfaces 66 of the respective flanges 60. The width of the extrusion plates is such that the inner edges are spaced outwardly from the plane of the inner sides of the respective radial portions 55 and arcuate portion 54 of the diametrical part of the rubber so that there is an inner edge portion 68 of the diametrical part that extends beyond the plane of the adjacent corresponding portions of the extrusion plates. It is to .be noted that the thickness of the extrusion plates is the same as the axial dimension of the flanges 60. The sides and edges of the extrusion plates contacting the respective parts of the diametrical part 53 of the rubber are bonded thereto by any suitable well known means.

Each of the radial portions 55 of the diametrical part of the rubber is provided with a T-bolt 70. Each bolt 70 has a cross-piece 71 at the inner end embedded in the respective radial portions 55 and of a length equal to the thickness thereof. At the ends of the cross-piece are reduced diameter parts 72 which extend axially outwardly of the respective cross-piece ends and said reduced diameter parts are received in openings provided therefor in the respective parts 63 of the extrusion plates 62. At the inner ends of the reduced diameter parts 72 are shoulders 71a which are substantially flush with the respective adjacent faces or surfaces of the diametrical part of the rubber, said shoulders being engaged by the extrusion plates and limit compression movement of the plates toward each other and prevent said plates from being displaced. Bolts 70 extend outwardly of the radial portions '55 at an angle substantially normal thereto and the outer free ends of said bolts 70 are externally threaded, as a 74, for reception of nuts 75, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

Rubber assembly 44 also includes inserts or insert plates which are received in notches 81 provided therefor in the outer sides of the rubber and at the free ends of the semicircular parts 46. Each plate 80 is provided with an internal rib 82 which extends across the inner face of said insert in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the rubber and the ribs 82 are received in corresponding grooves 83 provided therefor in the adjacent parts of the rubber, plates 80 having their inner faces and outer edges bonded to the surfaces of the rubber against which these parts of the plates 80 abut. It is to be noted that each of the ridges 82 is somewhat rounded at each side of its base, as indicated at 84, and at the apex 85, the latter being positioned in a plane substantially midway between the top and bottom sides of the radial portions 55 and extending inwardly. Each plate 80 is also provided with an external lug 86 extending from the front edge of the plate 80 to the rear edge and in a plane normal to the axis of the rubber, lugs 86 being substantially midway between the top and bottom ends of the inserts 80.

The ram block 42 comprises a metal body 90 of generally semicircular shape. At the upper aud lower outer arcuate edges the body 90 is provided with recesses 92 which extend throughout the length of the arcuate side of the body 90. Each recess 92 receives one of the semicircular parts 49 of the rubber and each of the grooves 92 is provided with an inwardly extending recess 93 of the same shape and extend as the flange 47 of the respective semi-circular part 46, the groove 93 receiving said flange, as best shown in FIG. 4.

The inner side of the body is provided with a groove 95 in which is operably disposed the diametrical part of the rubber together with the extrusion plates bonded thereto, it being noted that there are inner edge portions of the extrusion plates that project ouwardly somewhat of the inner side 96 of the body.

Body 90 has a recess 98 adjacent each free end, the recesses 98 extending inwardly from the outer side of the block body 9t), the recesses 98 being closed at their forward ends by walls 99. Spaced inwardly of said recesses 98 are recesses 10!) which extend a limited distance inwardly from the outer side of the body 90 and are closed at their inner ends by walls 101. Bores 102 extend inwardly from the walls 101 for reception of the bolts 70, the outer threaded end portions of said bolts extending into the recesses 100 and the nuts 75 on said threaded end portions are turned against the walls 101 thereby operably securing the rubber assembly 44 and the block 42 together and providing a ram block and rubber assembly.

Ram block holder 36 comprises a body of suitable steel alloy and has a semicircular or arcuate configuration 112 at its inner side for operable reception of the assembly comprising the ram block and rubber assembly. There are the usual relatively large pockets 114 at each outer side of the holder. From each pocket there is an opening 116 through the body and into the semicircular part 112. The ram block is provided with bores 11 8 aligned with respective openings 116, the inner end portions 120 of said bores 118 being of reduced diameter and also being tapped. Thus there is a shoulder 122 at the outer end of the reduced diameter portion 120. There are a pair of retracting screws, indicated generally at 126, having a smooth shank portion 128 provided with a shoulder 130 intermediate the ends thereof which is adapted to abut against the shoulder 122 of the ram block. Bolt 126 has a reduced diameter free end portion 132 which is externally threaded for screwing into the part 120 of the respective bore of the block 42. The smooth shank portion 128 of each bolt is loosely received in its respective opening 116 and there is a head 134 on said bolt which engages an upturned annular lip 136 about the outer end of the opening 116. When the bolts 126 are screwed in tightly the shoulder 130 of the bolt is in abutment with the shoulder 122 in the bore 118 to thereby limit the drawing together of the block and holder so as to permit proper functioning of the ram assembly, as will be more particularly described hereinafter.

It is to be noted that the recess 34 at the outer side of the ram block holder extends between pockets 114. The connecting member 28 is receivable in either pocket and slidable into the recess 34 from either end thereof, the flanges 32 at the outer sides of the recess 34 being slidably received in the grooves 30 at the outer side of the connecting member 28.

Ram block holder 36 is provided at its free ends with internal recesses 140 which extend inwardly from the free ends and slidably receive the ends 86 of the insert plates 80 to thereby hold said plates against vertical movement or movement longitudinally of the ram assembly.

At the outer sides of the free end portions of the holder 36 there are lugs 141 of known character which slidably engage the respective side walls of the respective ram compartments or chambers to prevent tilting of said rams in a horizontal plane and operably guide them in said chambers.

There is also self-centering means provided which comprises angular guides 145 integral with the ram block and protruding alternately top and bottom, so that as the ram assemblies move toward their closed position, the angular guides engage the drill pipe and center it in the bore of the ram. Opposite each angular guide 145 the ram block is provided with recesses 146 so that said recesses are arranged alternately top and bottom and as the ram assemblies continue closing the angular guides are received in or telescoped into the respective corresponding recesses of the opposite ram block, thus permitting a tight seal between adjacent abutting parts of the oppositely arranged ram assemblies.

It will be noted that the semicircular parts 46 of the rubber are disposed between the ram block and adjacent portions of the ram block holder, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

When the block assemblies are installed in a gate they are movable from an open or extended position, such as shown in FIG. 1, to a closed position by means of the hydraulic mechanisms 18. When said ram assemblies are moved in a closing direction the leading faces of the diametrical part of the rubber of the respective assemblies will first engage each other and the arcuate portion 54 will engage the pipe disposed in the vertical bore 14 of the gate.

It is to be noted that while the outer arcuate surface of the semicircular parts 46 of the rubber are in contact with the adjacent surfaces of the ram block holder there is a space between the outer arcuate surface of the ram block and the adjacent arcuate surface 112 of the ram block holder.

Continued inward pressure by the hydraulic mechanism 18 will cause a compression of the semicircular parts 46 of the rubber as well as the diametrical part of said rubber, the compression of the semicircular parts 46 being limited by engagement of the adjacent arcuate surfaces of the ram block and of the ram block holder when there has been relative movement t-herebetween equal to the radial spacing of the outer arcuate surface of the ram block and the inner arcuate surface 112 of the ram block holder.

When the ram assemblies are in the open position and are not under pressure the exposed surface portions of the semicircular parts project outwardly a certain distance from the plane of the respective adjacent sides of the ram block and the ram block holder. When the ram assemblies are in the closed position these exposed surfaces of the semicircular parts 46 at the top are in engagement with the upper inside faces 151 of the ram compartments 16 and when the ram assemblies are in closed position said semicircular parts 46 at the top of the assembly are forced into tight sealing engagement with said surfaces 151, said upper semicircular parts being compressed and squeezed upwardly.

When the ram assemblies are moved] to the closed position the diametrical parts of the opposed ram block assemblies are also compressed so that they flow somewhat under such compression. As the assemblies are forced to their fully closed position the exposed edge portions of the extrusion plates 62 come together as the diametrical part of the rubber is compressed and said extrusion plates are forced inwardly into the recess 95. As the plates 62 move in this manner they exert pressure on the respective flanges 60 of the rubber and act as pistons which force the rubber to flow toward the diametrical sides of the ram block assemblies, as indicated by the arrows 153 in FIG. 4.

The compression of the rubber when the ram block assemblies are moved to the closed position also causes rubber flow at the free ends of the rubber but this flow is diverted from the outer ends of the radial portions 55 inwardly toward the inner ends of said radial portions by the ribs 82, as indicated by the arrows 155 in FIGS. 3 and 5.

When the hydraulic mechanisms 18 operate to move the ram assemblies to the open position the pull is on the ram block holder and the latter is moved along with the holder because of the connection provided by the retracting screws 128, the rubber assembly being moved along with the ram block since said rubber assembly is operably connected to the ram block by means of the bolts 70.

It is to be noted that the exposed areas of the rubber are relatively small and hence an extremely high unit pressure is secured at the sealing surface.

While the invention is shown and described embodied in ram assemblies for closing around pipe, it is to be understood that it may also be embodied in ram assem blies of the complete shut-off type.

The rubber assembly of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, inclusive, comprises the rubber, indicated generally at 45a, which includes a pair of axially aligned semicircular parts 46a axially spaced apart from each other. Each of the parts 46a is provided with an inwardly extending flange 47a along the inner side thereof eccentric to the part 46a, the upper side 48a of said flange being spaced inwardly from the outer surface 49a of the part 46a, the surface 48a being normal to the axis of the rubber assembly.

It is to be noted that the inner edge of the flange 47a is rounded, as at 50a, and it is also to be noted that the radial extent of the flange 47a is greatest at the center and tapers towards the ends where it merges with the inner side 51a of the part 46a at a location 52a which is spaced inwardly from the adjacent free end of said part 46a. This arrangement facilitates installing the rubber on the ram block.

When the rubbers are under operating pressure the rubber will flow upwardly and the edges will be pinched off under certain well known conditions. In order to overcome this difficulty and solve a serious problem the inner and outer upper edges 46]) and 46c of the parts 46a are beveled. Also the other outer edges 4M of said parts 46a are beveled; that is, the adjacent outer edges of said parts 46a.

Connecting the ends of the parts 46a of the rubber is a rubber part 53a which will be termed the diametrical part and which extends entirely across the diametrical part of the rubber since it is for complete shut-off rams.

The thickness of the diametrical part is the distance between the adjacent inner sides 58a of the semicircular parts 46a but the ends of said diametrical part 53a are connected with the adjacent end portions of the parts 46a so that when viewed from the diametrical side of the rubber assembly said diametrical part and said end portions of the parts 46a form a reclining I.

Along the rear edges of the radial portion 53a are upwardly and downwardly extending flanges 60a.

At the top and bottom sides of the diametrical part 53 is a straight extrusion plate 62a, said plates being the same. The top and bottom sides of the extrusion plates 62a are parallel. The inner edges 65a of said plates abut against the adjacent inner axially extending surfaces 66a of the respective flanges 60a. The width of the extrusion plates is such that the inner edges are spaced outwardly from the plane of the inner sides of the diametrical part 53a, so that there is an inner edge portion 68a of the diametrical part that extends beyond the plane of the adjacent corresponding portions of the extrusion plates. It is to be noted that the thickness of the extrusion plates is the same as the axial dimension of the flanges 60a. The sides and edges of the extrusion plates contacting the respective parts of the diametrical part 53a of the rubber are bonded thereto by any suitable means well known in the art.

In order to give effective support for the vertical portions of the rubber at the diametrical side thereof, end portions 62b of the plates 62a extend into said end portions, as best shown in FIG. 9, the front corners of said end portions being cut off at 62c.

Adjacent each end of the diametrical part 53a of the rubber there is provided a spacer or separator which includes a central body 171 embedded in the diametrical part. From the opposite ends of said body 171 are axially aligned oppositely extending stub shafts 172 which extend into openings 173 provided therefor in the extrusion plates 62a. At shafts 172 are shoulders 173 which are substantially flush with the respective adjacent faces or surfaces of the diametrical part of the rubber, said shoulders being engageable by the extrusion plates and limit compression movement of the plates toward each other and prevent said plates from being displaced.

Stub shafts 172 are of less length than thethickness of said plate 62a and the outer ends of the openings 173 are filled with rubber, as indicated at 17 4.

The body 171 of each of the spacers or separators has a rearwardly projecting and tapered parts 176 which has a rearwardly opening tapped bore 177 therein with a flat wall 178 at the closed forward end.

There is a cap screw, indicated generally at 180, for each of the spacers or separators, said cap screw having a smooth shank 181 with an externally threaded portion 182 at one end and a head 183 at the opposite end. The threaded ends of said cap screws are screwed into the respective tapped openings 177 and each of said cap screws has a free end portion 185 of reduced diameter having a flat end 186 and each of the cap screws is screwed against the wall 178 of the tapped bore 177 to thereby position the head 183 a predetermined distance rearwardly.

Cap screws 180 extend outwardly of the diametrical portion 53a at an angle substantially normal thereto and the heads 183 of said screws are received in the recesses 100 of the block body and engage the inner walls 101 of said recesses.

We claim:

1. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) a ram block holder having a semicircular recess in one side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular recess of the holder with the semicircular side of the block adjacent the wall of the semicircular recess of the holder, said means providing for limited motion between said ram block and ram block holder;

(D) a reversible, symmetrical rubber comprising a pair of like axially spaced semicircular flanged parts operably disposed between the ram block and the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacing said ram block from the ram block holder, said rubber also having a diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircular parts and received in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical side of the ram block;

(E) extrusion means disposed in said groove and at the top and bottom sides of the diametrical part of said rubber;

(F) means operably connecting the extrusion means and the diametrical part of the rubber to said ram block;

(G) and a rubber flow diverter means carried by the ends of the diametrical part of the rubber for diverting rubber flow inwardly at the respective ends of said diametrical part.

2. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) a ram block holder having a semicircular recess in one side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular recess of the holder with the semicircular side of the block adjacent the wall of the semicircular recess of the holder, said means providing for limited motion between said ram block holder;

(D) a reversible, symmetrical rubber comprising a pair of like axially spaced and aligned semicircular flanged parts operably disposed between the ram block and the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacing said ram block from the ram block holder, said rubber also having a diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircular parts and received in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical side of the ram block;

(E) extrusion means disposed in said groove and at the top and bottom sides of the, diametrical part of said rubber;

(G) and diverter plates secured to each end of said diametrical part for diverting rubber flow inwardly at the respective ends of said diametrical part.

3. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) an axially reversible ram block holder having a semicircular recess in one side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side with a longitudinally extending groove therein open at the inner side and closed at the outer side, said groove having walls respectively inwardly spaced from the adjacent outer surfaces of the ram block;

(D) a rubber including a diametrical part received in said groove in the diametrical side of the ram block;

(E) and extrusion means adhesively secured to the rubber and operably disposed in said groove for forcing rubber flow from the closed side of said groove toward the open side.

4. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower semicircular parts spaced apart longitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having an inwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flanges being radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends where they merge with the end portions of said parts and having adjacent free corner parts rounded in cross section;

(B) and an integral diametrical part connected to the ends of said semicircular parts.

5. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) an axially reversible ram block holder having a semicircular recess in the inner side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side;

(C) means operably securing the ram block in the semicircular side of the block adjacent the wall of the semicircular recess of the holder, said means providing for limited motion between said ram block and ram block holder;

(D) and a reversible rubber comprising a pair of axially spaced, corresponding semicircular parts operably disposed between the ram block and the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacing said ram block from the ram block holder, said semicircular parts having flanges on their inner sides received in grooves provided therefor in the ram block for retaining said parts in position on said block, said rubber also having a diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircular parts and received in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical side of the ram block.

6. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a diametrical side;

(D) and a reversible rubber comprising a pair of axially spaced, corresponding semicircular parts operably disposed between the ram block and the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacing said ram block from the ram block holder, said semicircular parts having flanges on their inner sides received in grooves provided therefor in the ram block for retaining said parts in position on said block, said rubber also having a diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircular parts and received in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical side of the ram block, and upstanding and depending flanges extending longitudinally of said diametrical part and at the closed side of the groove of the ram block;

(E) and extrusion plates of substantially uniform thickness bonded to the upper and lower sides of the diametrical part of the rubber and to the flanges thereof, the edges of the plates at the open side of the groove in the ram block extending outwardly thereof and the adjacent edge of the diametrical part of the rubber extending outwardly beyond the projecting edges of said plates.

7. The invention defined by claim 6, including means securing the diametrical part of the rubber and the extrusion plates to the block, said latter means providing for movement thereof inwardly of said groove but limiting movement outwardly of said groove.

8. In a rubber assembly:

(A) semicircular sealing means;

(B) an integral diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircular sealing means;

(C) and spacer members extending parallel to the axis of the rubber and embedded in the diametrical part thereof at opposite sides of the axis of said rubber, said members having stem portions which extend outwardly of the top and bottom sides of the diametrical part parallel to the axis of said rubber, there being shoulders at the respective inner ends of said stems, said shoulders being substantial- 1y flush with the respective adjacent sides of said diametrical part, said members having rearwardly opening tapped bores therein axially aligned with openings in the rubber portion for reception of securing bolts.

9. A ram assembly for operable installation in control gates and the like, comprising:

(A) a rubber having a pair of similar semicircular parts aligned with each other and axially spaced apart axially relative to said rubber, and a diametrical part in a plane intermediate the planes of said semicircular parts, said diametrical part including a central semicircular portion and radial portions between the ends of the semicircular portions and the ends of the semicircular parts;

(B) interior flanges on the semicircular parts at the adjacent axial ends thereof, said flanges being radially widest at their centers and tapering toward the ends to merge with the inner sides of the respective semicircular parts adjacent the free ends thereof;

(C) upwardly and downwardly extending flanges on the diametrical part at the outer side thereof;

(D) top and bottom extrusion plates each having parallel top and bottom sides, said plates conforming to the shape of the diametrical part and bonded to the top and bottom surfaces and to the flanges of said diametrical part;

( E) external insert plates at the ends of the diametrical side of the rubber, said insert plates being received in recesses provided therefor in the rubber and bonded to the walls defining said recesses, there being internal ribs on said insert plates normal to the axis of the rubber and received in grooves provided therefor in the adjacent portions of the rubber, said insert plates having external transverse lugs thereon normal to the axis of said rubber;

(F) a ram block of generally semicircular shape having recesses therein for reception of the rubber assembly;

(G) means securing the rubber assembly to said ram block;

(H) a holder adapted to be connected to actuating means, said holder having a semicircular recess at the inner side in which the ram block and rubber assembly is operably disposed;

(I) and retraction means for operably securing the ram block and the holder together, the outer surface of the block being normally spaced from the wall of the semicircular recess of the holder while the arcuate outer sides of the semicircular parts of the rubber are in engagement with adjacent areas of the wall of the semicircular recess of said holder, said holder having internal horizontal grooves at the ends of said recess of said holder for reception of the inserts so as to hold said inserts against vertical movement.

10. A ram assembly for operable installation in control gates and the like, comprising:

(A) a rubber having a pair of similar semicircular parts aligned with each other and spaced apart vertically and a diametrical part in a plane intermediate the planes of said semicircular parts;

(B) interior flanges on the semicircular parts at the adjacent longitudinal ends thereof;

(C) upwardly and downwardly extending flanges on the diametrical part at the side facing the semicircular parts;

(D) top and bottom extrusion plates of substantially uniform thickness, said plates conforming to the shape of the diametrical part and bonded to the top and bottom surfaces and to the flanges of said diametrical part;

(B) a ram block of generally semicircular shape having grooves therein for operable reception of the rubber assembly;

(F) and means securing the rubber assembly and the extrusion plates to said ram block, said means pro viding for movement of the diametrical part of the rubber and the extrusion plates inwardly relative to the recesses in which they are disposed, but holding same against displacement from said recess.

11. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower similar semicircular parts spaced apart longitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having an inwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flanges being radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends where they merge with the end portions of said parts and having adjacent free corner parts rounded in cross-section;

12. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower similar semicircular parts spaced apart longitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having an inwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flanges being radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends;

13. A separator for a ram rubber assembly:

(A) a body;

( B) axially aligned oppositely extending stems at opposite ends of said body, there being shoulders at the respective inner ends of said stems, said body having a tapped bore therein having an axis normal to the axis of said stems; said bore being open at one end and closed at the other end;

(C) and a bolt having a head at one end and having a portion of the opposite end externally threaded for threadable reception in said tapped opening, the latter end of said bolt having a free end portion of reduced diameter for seating on the inner closed end of said tapped bore.

14. In a rubber assembly for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower similar semicircular parts spaced apart longitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having an inwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flanges being widest at the center and tapering towards their ends, an integral diametrical part at the diametrical side, said part including radial portions connected with respective end portions of said semicircular parts and an arcuate semicircular portion connecting the ends of said radial portions and adapted to engage a pipe, there being grooves in the exterior sides of the end portions of the rubber;

(B) T-shaped means having cross pieces at their inner ends embedded in the respective radial portions of the rubber with the stems of said T-shaped means extending outwardly substantially normal to said radial portions, said T-shaped means having reduced diameter free end portions extending outwardly of and normal to the adjacent sides of said radial portions;

(C) upwardly and downwardly extending flanges along the outer edges of the radial portions and the arcuate portion of the diametrical part of the rubber;

(D) extrusion plates at the top and bottom sides of the diametrical portion and shaped to conform to the radial portions and arcuate portion thereof, said extrusion plates being bonded to the top and bottom sides and the flanges of said diametrical part and having openings therein for reception of the reduced diameter end parts of the crosses of the T-shaped means;

( E) inserts at opposite sides of the end portions of the rubber, said inserts having parts received in the groove in the exterior sides of the end portions of the rubber, said inserts being bonded to the rubber;

(-F) and exterior, transverse lugs on said inserts.

15. In a rubber assembly:

(A) semicircular sealing means including a diametrical part;

(B) extrusion plates at the top and bottom sides of said diametrical part;

(C) and T-bolts having cross-pieces at their inner ends embedded in the diametrical part at opposite sides of the axis of the rubber, said T-bolts having end portions received in openings provided therefor in said extrusion plates, said T-bolts limiting movement of said extrusion plates outwardly of said diametrical part and for keeping the front face of diametrical part of the rubber from blowing out.

16. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower similar semicircular parts spaced apart longitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having an inwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flanges being radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends where they merge with the end portions of said parts and having adjacent free corner parts rounded in cross section;

(B) and an integral diametrical part connected to the ends of said semicircular parts, said diametrical part having a longitudinal axis centrally spaced between said semicircular parts, whereby said rubber is axially reversible.

17. In a rubber for a ram assembly:

(A) upper and lower reversible semicircular parts spaced apart longitudinally of the axis of said rubber, each of said parts having an inwardly projecting flange along adjacent inner edges, said flanges being radially widest at the center and tapering towards the ends;

18. In a reversible rubber assembly:

(A) semicircular sealing means;

(C) and means for securing said rubber assembly to a ram block, said means including parts parallel to the axis of said rubber embedded in the diametrical part at opposite sides of the axis of the rubber, said parts having reduced diameter portions which extend outwardly of the top and bottom sides of the diametric al part parallel to the axis of said rubber, there being shoulders at the respective inner ends of the reduced diameter portions, said sthoulders being substantially flush with the respective adjacent sides of said diametrical part, and a member between said shoulders extending at a right angle to said part for engaging with the ram block.

19. In a rubber assembly for a ram:

(A) a pair of similar semicircular sealing parts aligned with each other and spaced apart axially with ad jacent free ends connected together by vertical parts, and a diametrical part connecting together said vertical parts;

(B) upward and downwardly extending flanges on the diametrical part at the side facing the semicircular parts;

(C) and top and bottom extrusion plates of substantially uniform thickness, said plates conforming to the shape of the diametrical part and bonded to the top and bottom surfaces and to the flanges of said diametrical part, said plates having end portions extending into said vertical parts.

20. In a ram assembly for installation in control gates and the like:

(A) a ram block holder having a semicircular recess in the inner side;

(B) a ram block having a semicircular side and a di ametrical side;

(D) a rubber comprising a pair of axially spaced, corresponding semicircular parts operably disposed between the ram block and the ram block holder and normally resiliently spacing said ram block from the ram block holder, said semicircular parts having flanges on their inner sides received in grooves provided therefor in the ram block for retaining said parts in position on said block, said rubber also having a diametrical part interconnecting the ends of said semicircular parts and received in a groove provided therefor in the diametrical side of the ram block;

(E) said diametrical part of said rubber having upstanding and depending flanges extending longitudinally of said diamctrical part and at the closed side of the groove of the ram block;

(F) extrusion plates of substantially uniform thickness bonded to the upper and lower sides of the diametrical part of the rubber and to the flanges thereof, the edges of the plates at the open side of the groove in the ram block extending outwardly thereof and the adjacent edge of the diametrical part of the rubber extending outwardly beyond the projecting edges of said plates;

(G) and means securing the diametrical part of the rubber and the extrusion plates to the block, said latter means providing for movement thereof inwardly of said groove but limiting movement outwardly of said groove.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,861,614 6/ 1932 Schweitzer 277-129 XR 1,963,683 6/1934 Shaffer 251-1 1,967,417 7/1934 Martin 277-126 2,060,248 11/1936 Schweitzer 277-129 2,194,255 3/1940 Allen 277-73 2,246,709 6/1941 Allen 277-129 2,604,903 7/ 1952 Neilon 277-6 2,690,320 9/1954 Shaffer et a1 277-73 XR 2,912,214 11/1959 Allen et a1. 277-127 3,132,662 5/1964 Allen 251-1 XR WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner. RICHARD GERARD, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 251-1; 277-73, 129, 227; 137-315 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,434 ,729 March 25 Donald U. Shaffer et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

"deflecting" should read effecti Column 2, line 18,

"upward" should read upwardly Column 13, line 35,

Signed and sealed this 28th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER,

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Pan Attesting Officer