WO2002066860A1

WO2002066860A1 - A connecting link and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2002066860A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/000384
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olle Wandin
Original assignee: Scana Ramnäs Ab
Priority date: 2001-02-21
Filing date: 2001-02-21
Publication date: 2002-08-29

Abstract

A connecting link (1) comprising a first link part (2) and a second link part (3), an intermediate part (5) comprising a connection means (6) for connection to any lifting apparatus. The first and second link parts (2, 3) and the intermediate part (5) are separate parts and the connecting link (1) comprises an interconnecting hinge member (13) for pivotally connecting said first link part (2), second link part (3) and intermediate part (5) to each other.

Description

A connecting link and use thereof

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connecting link comprising a first link part and a second link part, and an intermediate part comprising a connection means for connection to any lifting apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to link connectors in general but is particularly advantageous in connection to offshore applications in which the link connector is used as a part of anchor chains.

Anchor chains in the offshore sector are often equipped with connecting links that connect individual links or sets of links of the chain.

Such connecting links may also be used to connect an end of the chain to any apparatus connected thereto, such as any winding apparatus or anchor connection.

Certain connecting links are also equipped with a part that comprises a lifting eye that is to be connected to any lifting apparatus for the purpose of handling the chain or part of the chain.

As a consequence of the individual links of the chain in offshore applications often being very robust and heavy, the weight and size of the connecting link, or link connector, will also be remarkable.

A minimising of the weight and size of the connecting link is desired for many reasons. PRIOR ART

A so called delta plate has previously been used for the purpose of providing a link connector that connects individual links of an anchor chain and simultaneously provides a lifting eye for connection to any lifting apparatus, for example to a lifting wire or a hook, shackle or the like connected thereto.

Such a plate, although designed as one single body, may be regarded as comprised by a first link part, a second link part and an intermediate link part comprising the lifting eye. The first and second link part present holes via which they are connected to respective links of the chain.

The delta plate permits a certain pivoting of the links connected thereto in relation to the plate itself.

However, the compact and bulky design of the delta plate results in a high weight. Its two holes for connection to adjacent links require specific configuration of either the plate or the link segments to which it is connected via said holes.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a connecting link that is capable of connecting links in a chain and that is provided with a lifting eye or any equivalent type of means for connection to any type of lifting apparatus or equivalent apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is achieved by means of the initially defined connecting link, characterised in that the first and second link parts and the intermediate part are separate parts and that it comprises an interconnecting hinge member for pivotally connecting said first link part, second link part and intermediate part to each other.

Thereby, the weight of the connecting link can be reduced in comparison to a delta plate with corresponding capability. Preferably, the individual parts are separate and can be removed from each other for the purpose of facilitating the measures to be taken when connecting the link parts to links in a chain or any other coupling device. If required, any part may easily be removed and replaced.

Preferably, the hinge member is an elongated member, the first, second and intermediate parts comprises at least one respective bore for receiving the hinge member, and the hinge member is projecting through said bores for connecting the respective parts to each other. Such an elongated member may be designed as a bolt, pin or the like. The different parts will be free to pivot in relation to each other.

According to a preferred embodiment each of the first and second link part comprises a first and a second leg, a bore is provided in each leg and at least adjacent bores are in alignment when the legs of the first and second link part are overlapping each other and are connected to each other. This means that the first and second link parts present an open end via which a link that is to be connected thereto can be introduced before the different parts of the connecting link are interconnected by means of the interconnecting member. Preferably, the bore of the intermediate part comprises a through hole, to be protruded by the interconnecting member in a position between the two pairs of adjacent, overlapping legs.

According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate part comprises a stop member for preventing the first and second link part from swinging in a direction towards the connection means of the intermediate part. Thereby, adjacent links connected to the first and second link part respectively are prevented from pivoting so much that they would interfere with the wire or the like that might be connected to the connection means of the intermediate part.

Preferably, the stop member comprises a first projection projecting from one side of the intermediate member and overlapping the first link part, and a second projection projecting from an opposite side thereof and overlapping the second link part. Thereby, a very efficient and simple way of delimiting the pivoting of the respective parts is provided.

Preferably, a bottom portion of each of the first and second link part is located laterally displaced in relation to a intermediate point between the free ends of a first and a second leg of that link part, said bottom portion defining the inner contact periphery against which a link connected thereto is to bear. This is and advantageous feature when the legs of the first and second link part are overlapping each other such that said parts are laterally displaced in relation to each other. If the bottom portions of each link part are suitably laterally displaced alignment of the bottom portions along a line perpendicular to the pivoting axis between the link parts is permitted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shape of the first link part generally corresponds to the shape of the second link part. A further object of the invention is to provide a part of a connecting link, said part presenting a lifting eye or any equivalent connection means for connection to any lifting apparatus. Said part should promote a simple, robust and reliable connector design.

This object of the invention is obtained by means of an intermediate part of a connecting link, comprising a connection means for connection to any lifting apparatus and a through hole for receiving an interconnecting member that pivotally interconnects the intermediate part to at least one further link part, characterised in that it comprises at least one stop member for preventing said at least one link part from pivoting towards said connection means. Thanks to the through hole and the design of the intermediate part, the advantageous design previously described for the connecting link is promoted.

Preferably, the intermediate part comprises two stop members for preventing a first and a second link part that are pivotally connected to the intermediate part from pivoting towards the connection means thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment at least one stop member is a projection from the main body of the intermediate part. The at least one stop member preferably projects in a direction corresponding to the direction of the axis of the through hole, and of the connection means, which in this preferred case is a lifting eye.

The invention also relates to the use of a connecting link according to the invention for connecting links or sets of links in an offshore chain, preferably an anchor chain. Further features and advantages of the present invention are presented in the following detailed description and in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the connecting link according to the invention will now be explained more in detail by way of example, with reference to the annexed drawings, on which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a connecting link according to the invention, with further links connected thereto,

Fig. 2 is a front view of parts of the connecting link in fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is a side view of the connecting link in fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate part of the connecting link according to fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In fig. 1 there is shown a link connector 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The connector 1 comprises a first link part 2 and a second link part 3. Links 4 connected to the connector are also shown.

The link connector 1 is adapted to connect individual links of an anchor chain.

The connector 1 also comprises an intermediate part 5, provided with a connection means comprising a lifting eye 6 for connection to any lifting apparatus (not shown) or any equivalent pulling apparatus, such as a wire or the like connected to any hauling apparatus, for handling the chain.

Each of the link parts 2,3 comprises a first leg 7 and a second leg 8. At the free end of each leg 7,8 there is provided a bore or, more precisely, a through hole 9, 10. The bores 9, 10 of each link part 7,8 are in alignment with and coaxial with each other.

At their ends opposite the free ends presenting the bores 9, 10 the legs 7,9 are connected to each other via a bottom part or base part 1 1 of the respective leg 7,8. At its inner periphery the bottom part 11 defines a contact surface against which the links 4 or the like are to bear during use of the connector 1.

The bottom part 11 is laterally displaced in relation to an intermediate point between the free ends of the legs 7,8. For this purpose the first leg 7 extends generally perpendicularly in relation to the axis of the bores 9, 10 towards the bottom part 11 , while the second leg 8 extends with a sharp angle in relation to said axis towards the bottom part 11.

The link parts 2,3 have identical outer shapes and are positioned such that their bores 9, 10 are in alignment and coaxial with each other. The free end of the first leg 7 of the first link part 2 is adjacent to the free end of the second leg 8 of the second link part 3.

Between each pair of adjacent free ends of the link parts 2,3 the intermediate part 5 is positioned. The intermediate part 5 comprises through hole 12 that is in alignment and coaxial with the bores 9, 10 of the respective link parts 2,3. When overlapping each other, the free end of the first link part 2 and a corresponding free end of the second link part 3 are positioned adjacent the intermediate part 5.

An elongated interconnecting member 13, preferably a bolt, projects through the bores 9, 10 of the link parts 2,3 and the through hole 12, thereby defining a hinge member via which the link parts 2,3 and the intermediate part 5 are pivotally connected to each other. The interconnecting member 13 has a circular cross-section and its outer diameter corresponds to the inner diameter of the bores 9, 10 and the through hole 12. It presents a head portion 14 with enlarged diameter at one end thereof. At another end thereof it presents a threaded portion for engagement with a locking member 15 for locking the interconnecting member 13 in its interconnecting position. The locking member is a stop nut or the like.

The intermediate part 5 comprises two stop members 16, 17 for preventing the first and a second link part 2,3 from pivoting towards the lifting eye 6 thereof. More precisely the stop members 16, 17 delimits the possible pivoting angle of the first and second link part 2,3 in relation to the intermediate part 5 such that an angle of at least 45°, preferably at least 90° closest to the lifting eye are areas in which the link parts 2,3 are prevented from swinging. Thereby, the risk of having an interference between any lifting apparatus connected to the lifting eye 6 and the link parts 2,3 is reduced.

The stop members 16, 17 comprise projections that project from opposite sides of the intermediate part 5. The stop members are positioned on opposite sides of the through hole 12 and the lifting eye 6 and extend in the direction of the axis of said hole 12 and lifting eye 6. Preferably, the link parts 2,3 are produced by forging metal rod or the like, preferably steel, and the intermediate part 5 is produced by casting a metal, preferably steel.

It will be realised that a number of alternative embodiments of the inventive connector will be obvious for a man skilled in the art without going beyond the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims, supported by the description and the annexed drawings.

It should be noted that the inventive connecting link is separable into its separate parts such that replacement of separate parts is promoted in every occasion. The link parts 2,3 with their open ends permit a rapid connection to any link or other coupling means. When used for connecting links in anchor chains for ships, oil platforms etc. the considerably lower weight of the separate parts in comparison to a commonly used delta plate is remarkable and very advantageous.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A connecting link comprising

- a first link part (2) and a second link part (3), - an intermediate part (5) comprising a connection means (6) for connection to any lifting apparatus, characterised in that the first and second link parts (2,3) and the intermediate part (5) are separate parts and that it comprises an interconnecting hinge member (13) for pivotally connecting said first link part (2) , second link part (3) and intermediate part (5) to each other.

2. A connecting link according to claim 1 , characterised in that the hinge member (13) is an elongated member, that the first, second and intermediate parts (2,3,5) comprises a respective bore (9, 10, 12) for receiving the hinge member (13), and that the hinge member (13) is projecting through said bores (9, 10, 12) for connecting the respective parts (2,3,5) to each other.

3. A connecting link according to claim 2, characterised in that each of the first and second link part (2,3) comprises a first and a second leg (7,8), that a bore (9, 10) is provided in each leg (7,8) and that at least the adjacent bores are in alignment when the legs (7,8) of the first and second link part (2,3) are overlapping each other and are connected to each other.

4. A connecting link according to claim 3, characterised in that the bore (12) of the intermediate part (5) comprises a through hole, to be protruded by the interconnecting hinge member (13) in a position between the two pairs of adjacent overlapping legs (7,8;8,7) .

5. A connecting link according to any one of claims 2-4, characterised in that the intermediate part (5) comprises a stop member (16, 17) for preventing the first and second link part (2,3) from swinging in a direction towards the connection means (6) of the intermediate part (5).

6. A connecting link according to claim 5, characterised in that the stop member (16, 17) comprises a first projection projecting from one side of the intermediate member (5) and overlapping the first link part (2), and a second projection projecting from an opposite side thereof and overlapping the second link part (3).

7. A connecting link according to any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that a bottom portion (1 1) of each of the first and second link part (2,3) is located laterally displaced in relation to a intermediate point between the free ends of a first and a second leg (7,8) of that link part, said bottom portion (11) defining the inner contact periphery against which a link (4) connected thereto is to bear.

8. A connecting link according to claim 3 and 7, characterised in that the inner contact peripheries of the first and second link part (2,3) are in alignment in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis between the first and second link part (2,3).

9. A connecting link according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the shape of the first link part (2) generally corresponds to the shape of the second link part (3).

10. A connecting link according to any one of claims 2-9, characterised in that it comprises at least one locking member (15) for locking the interconnecting member (13) in its interconnecting position.

11. An intermediate part of a connecting link, comprising a connection means (6) for connection to any lifting apparatus and a through hole (12) for receiving an interconnecting member (13) that pivotally interconnects the intermediate part (5) to at least one further link part (2,3), characterised in that it comprises at least one stop member (16, 17) for preventing said at least one link part (2,3) from pivoting towards said connection means (6).

12. An intermediate part of a connecting link according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that it comprises two stop members (16, 17) for preventing a first and a second link part (2,3) that are pivotally connected to the intermediate part (5) from pivoting towards the connection means (6) thereof.

13. An intermediate part of a connecting link according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the at least one stop member (16, 17) is a projection from the main body of the intermediate part (5).

14. An intermediate part of a connecting link according to claim 13, characterised in that the at least one stop member (16, 17) projects in a direction corresponding to the direction of the axis of the through hole (12).

15. An intermediate part of a connecting link according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterised in that it comprises two stop members (16, 17), projecting from opposite sides of the main body of the intermediate part (5) .

16. Use of a connecting link according to any one of claims 1- 10 for connecting links (4) or sets of links in an offshore chain.

17. Use according to claim 16, in which the offshore chain is an anchor chain.