WO2003042572A1

WO2003042572A1 - Toggles

Info

Publication number: WO2003042572A1
Application number: PCT/DK2002/000757
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frode Andersen
Original assignee: Frederik Andersens Maskinfabrik A/S
Priority date: 2001-11-12
Filing date: 2002-11-12
Publication date: 2003-05-22
Also published as: DK200100308U3

Abstract

A toggle joint fitting (10) the application of which within fastening of stays and shrouds with corresponding rigging screws (6) and turnbuckles in sailing boats (2) is well-known. A toggle joint fitting (10) for fastening fishplates/flanges (11), secured at deck sides etc. by a lock bolt (20) which is fastened by a split-pin (30) led through a transverse hole (26) in the tapered end (24) of the lock bolt. After mounting, the ends (44) of the split-pin are separate and may cause severe damage on sails and ropes that frequently pass the fastening areas of stays and shrouds. To counteract this a toggle joint fitting (10) is specified which is peculiar in that on the side of a plate-shaped length (14) where the split-pin (30) is placed in the tapered end (24) of the lock bolt (20) it includes a cover device (32) delimiting a cavity (44) within which the separate bluntly projecting ends (44) of the split-pin (30) are placed when this is correctly mounted in the tapered end (24) of the lock bolt. Hereby the said projecting ends (44) of the split-pin will not be able to catch passing objects.

Description

Toggless

The present invention relates to a toggle joint fitting and includes at least two parallel plate-shaped lengths whose first ends are interconnected in an area including arresting facilities for example at least one rigging screw, said plate-shaped lengths including through holes near the other free end for receiving a lock bolt having a head and a tapered end having a transverse hole for receiving a locking device, preferably in the form of a split-pin for fixing of toggle joint fitting, for example to a fastening accommodated between the in parallel extending free ends of the parallel plate-shaped lengths, said fastening including a through hole, the aperture of which at least corresponds to the holes in the parallel plate-shaped lengths, and where fixing of toggle joint fitting is effected by insertion of the lock bolt in the said holes, where the lock bolt is locked in the inserted position by the split-pin being passed through the transverse hole in the tapered end of the lock bolt, the length of the said lock bolt being adjusted in such a way that the tapered end projects outside of the outer side of one of the in parallel extending plates when the bolt head is in contact with the outer side of the opposite in parallel extending plate.

Such fastening devices for stays and shrouds are well-known and widely used, especially in connection with securing masts on sailing boats, but the fastening device can also be used in many other contexts where an object is to be held in an upright position from a base. However, for the sake of convenience, in the following the invention is described on the basis of application on a sailing boat.

The use of prior art toggle joint fittings on sailing boats have the disadvantage that the stop split-pin of the lock bolt, the legs of which split-pin being turned outwards to the sides to counteract pulling out of the split-pin and consequently subsequent loss of the lock bolt with the possible fatal consequences resulting from this, often catches objects being worked with on the boat deck. This is in spite of the fact that normally big efforts are made in the mounting of the stop split-pin of the lock bolt to fold round the respective legs of the stop split-pin towards themselves in order to counteract bluntly projecting ends. Especially as a consequence of the scarce space along the sides of a boat, where stays and shrouds often also are fastened to the sides of the boat, where manoeuvring with sails and ropes along the sides of the boat results in that ropes and sails may now and then be caught by the legs of a stop split-pin and torn with resulting repair activities and replacement costs for the owner of the boat. Furthermore a torn sail may have fatal consequences for safety on. board, just as a destroyed/torn rope may not insubstantial disadvantages in connection with sailing.

Thus it is the object of the invention to specify a solution to the said problem in connection with toggle joint fitting for fastening of stays, shrouds, wires, etc. so that legs of stop split-pins do not catch passing objects and persons.

This object is achieved by a toggle joint fitting of the type specified in the introduction, which is peculiar in that at least one outer side of the in parallel extending plate-shaped lengths around the through hole, at the side where the split-pin secures the lock bolt, includes a raised cover device extending around the hole, between which cover device delimitations and the plate-shaped length, an open, or partly open, cavity is formed for shielding at least the free ends of the split-pin.

It should be noted here that the term cover device is to be understood as a device protecting/covering/shielding the free ends of the split-pin from catching passing objects or persons.

Hereby it is achieved that the stop split-pin ends simply are covered/enclosed so that for example ropes and sails being pulled past the toggle joint fitting, sliding along the side of this because of the scarce space, will not get in contact with the split-pin ends at all, but solely with the cover device whereby damage is efficiently counteracted.

A first preferred embodiment of a toggle joint fitting according to the invention is specified in claim 2. Thus the cover device may advantageously be constituted by a pipe section fastened on the plate-shaped length, the diameter of the pipe section being larger than the diameter of the holes for the lock bolt in the plate-shaped length, and the length of the pipe section being adjusted so that the free end of the pipe terminates at a distance from the plate-shaped length at least corresponding to the largest distance between a split-pin inserted in the hole in the tapered end of the lock bolt and the outer side of the plate-shaped length, and the free end of the said pipe section facing away from the plate-shaped length being rounded.

Hereby, the split-pin ends are shielded from passing objects that simply will slide along the rounded pipe end.

Another preferred embodiment of toggle joint fitting according to the invention is specified in claim 3 where the pipe section has a cross-sectional reduction in the freely protruding end by which a partly covered cavity is shaped between the underside of the cross-sectional reduction and the plate-shaped length in which the stop split-pin legs can be fastened. This embodiment will in an even better way protect the objects slidingly passing the toggle joint fitting.

Despite the cross-sectional reduction it will, however, still be possible to get access to the split-pin ends through this, however by using a blunt or tapered tool in connection bending_^/ with outwafas ι5jfmese after insertion of the stop split-pin in the transverse hole in the tapered end of the stop bolt

As appears from claim 4, in order to replace the cover device the pipe section can be detachably fastened to the plate-shaped length of a toggle joint fitting according to the invention.

In order to insert a stop split-pin in the transverse hole in the stop bolt, the pipe section may be provided with the cut-out specified in claim 5. Due to the fact that the largest diameter of the cut-out is larger than the split-pin head, the advantage is achieved that the split-pin head can be inserted so as to be in contact with the stop bolt. By displacing the centre axis of the pipe section in relation to the centre axis of the lock bolt in a direction away from the cut-out specified in claim 5, better access possibilities to the stop split-pin legs are achieved which is especially advantageous in connection with mounting and removal of the split-pin. Of other advantages of the specified displacement of the centre axes, provided this displacement is extended to such a degree that the distance between the pipe wall and the side of the hole for the lock bolt in the plate-shaped length, said side facing the first aperture in the pipe wall, is smaller than the diameter of the split-pin head, it can be mentioned that the split-pin head, or at least a part of it, which in itself is rounded and consequently does not pose any tearing risk, is disposed at the outer side of the cover device where access to the split-pin head, possibly in order to pull out the split-pin, will be optimum, together with the fact that the split-pin, apart from blocking pulling-out of the lock bolt, simultaneously with the location of this in the cut-out in the pipe being fastened on the plate-shaped length, also blocks for rotation of the lock bolt in the holes in the plate- shaped lengths.

By further adapting the pipe length so that the tapered end of the bolt in the correctly inserted position in the toggle joint fitting is in contact with the underside of the underside of the narrowing, the insertion of the split-pin will be considerably facilitated in that the insertion of the split-pin will solely depend on a rotation of the stop bolt until the transverse hole in the tapered end is placed opposite the cut-out in the cover device upon which the split-pin is inserted.

In order to be able to drain water from the area under the cover device, the pipe section may include a further cut-out as appears from claim 7.

Claim 8 specifies how fastening of the cover device on the plate-shaped length of a toggle joint fitting may be embodied.

In a further preferred embodiment being specified in claim 9, the cover device may be constituted by a U-shaped plate welded on the plate-shaped rectilinear length and extending across the through hole of this for the lock bolt, the facing sides of the legs of this U-shaped plate having a spacing at least corresponding to the hole diameter of the through hole in the plate-shaped rectilinear length, and which U-shaped plate in the area above the tapered end has a cut-out for access to the area around the tapered end of the lock bolt.

Also here, the centre axis for the cut-out in the area over the tapered end of the lock bolt may be displaced in relation to the centre axis of the lock bolt, and by at the same time adapting the distance between the facing sides of the legs, so that these approximately correspond to the hole diameter of the hole in the plate-shaped length, access to the split-pin head is achieved, and, if not a complete blocking of the lock bolt from rotation in the holes in which it is suspended, then a limited rotation hereof is achieved, as a result of the fact that at some time or other, the split-pin head and split- pin legs by the rotation of the bolt will abut on one of these facing sides of the U- shaped plate piece whereby further rotation of the bolt is blocked.

Examples of embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a boat side with shrouds fastened to the hull with a toggle joint fitting according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the rear side of an embodiment of a toggle joint fitting according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the front of an embodiment of a toggle joint fitting according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a side sectional view of the toggle joint fitting shown in Figs. 2 and 3, on the line A- A in Fig. 5,

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the front of the toggle joint fitting shown in Figs. 2 and 3 according to the invention, Fig. 6 shows a side sectional side view of another embodiment of a toggle joint fitting according to the invention on the line B-B of Fig. 7, and

Fig. 7 shows a top view of the front of a second embodiment of a toggle joint fitting according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, which is a detail section of the side of a boat 2, it is seen how two shrouds 4 which via rigging screws 6 (wire tensioners) are fastened to the superstructure 8 of the boat by means of toggle joint fitting 10 fastened to a flange 11 secured in the superstructure. As appears, the width of the deck 14 is here relatively small, and ropes and sails will during sailing be drawn past the location where the shrouds 4 are secured.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a toggle joint fitting 10 seen from the back. The shown toggle joint fitting 10 is constituted by a U-shaped plate 12, an end of which having a cut-out 13 in the rounding of the U-shape, which rounding constitutes the arresting facility for one end of a rigging screw 6. The U- shaped plate 12 terminates with parallel plate-shaped lengths 14 constituting the free ends 16 of the U-shape, each of these free ends having a through hole 18 for receiving a lock bolt 20 having a head 22 whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the holes 18, and a tapered end 24, cf. Fig. 3. The tapered end 24 of the lock bolt 20 further includes a through hole 26 directed transversely of the centre axis of the lock bolt 28 for receiving a split-pin 30, see also Figs. 4 and 5.

The novel feature of the shown toggle joint fitting 10 consists in a cover device 32 being fastened on one of the plate-shaped lengths 14 around the through hole 18, as appears from Figs. 3, 4, and 5 to which reference is made. In the embodiment shown, the cover device 32 is constituted by a short pipe section 34 whose freely projecting end in the embodiment shown has a cross-sectional reduction in the form of a folded rim 36. As appears from Fig. 4, which shows a sectional view of a toggle joint fitting 10 where the fastening to a flange part 11 is indicated, the pipe section 34 has a cut-out 38 which enables the insertion of the lock split-pin 30 in the hole 26 in the tapered end 24 of the lock bolt 20. The cut-out 38 is however shaped in such a way that its largest diameter at least corresponds to the circumscribed circle of the split-pin head 40.

Hereby it is achieved that the split-pin head 40 in an inserted position will contact the side of the lock bolt 20.

The pipe section is placed over the hole 18 so that the centre axis 37 of the pipe section is displaced in relation to the centre axis 28 of the lock bolt, and so that the cross-sectional reduction in the form of the folded back rim 36 projects within the delimitation of the hole 18 in the plate-shaped length 14. Hereby it is achieved that there will be good access to the split-pin head 40 in connection with removal, if any, of the lock split-pin 30.

The presence of the cover device 32 implies a cavity 42 (cf. Fig. 4) is formed between the underside of the cover device 32 and the plate-shaped length 14, which cavity covers the free bluntly projecting ends 44 of the split-pin 30. Hereby the ends 44 of the split-pin 30 in the shown toggle joint fitting 10 cannot pose any risk of catching on to passing objects such as ropes, wires, and sails, or clothes on persons passing the toggle joint fitting 10 in question and maybe getting into contact with the area of this where the split-pin 30 is fastened to the tapered end 24 of the lock bolt. The ends 44 (the legs) of the split-pin 30 will after positioning of the split-pin 30 be separate in r order to lock the split-pin in its right position; in the drawing, the split-pin 30 is shown immediately after insertion in the hole 26 in the tapered end of the lock bolt 20, before separation of the ends/legs 44.

As further appears form Fig. 4, the pipe section 34 further has a cut-out 46 located diametrally oppositely in relation to cut-out 38. The purpose of this cut-out 46 is to be able to drain the cavity 42 from water, so that for example salt water will not stay in this for longer periods of time which may cause corrosion of the toggle joint fitting 10 in question, the lock bolt 20, or the split-pin 30. It further appears from the shown embodiment of the toggle joint fitting according to the invention that the pipe section 34 and the narrowing/folded back rim 36 at its free outer side 46 is bevelled/rounded in order to safeguard against catching passing objects.

A second embodiment of a toggle joint fitting 10 with cover device 32 according to the invention is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Here the cover device 32 is constituted by a rectangular shaped U-section plate 50, whose tabs 52, as indicated, are fastened to the plate-shaped length 14 by welded joints 54. The spacing between the facing sides 56 of the tabs 52 at least corresponds to the diameter of the hole 18 in the plate-shaped length 14. In the area above the tapered end 24 of the lock bolt, the U-shaped plate 50 furthermore has a cut-out 58, thereby creating access to the legs 44 of the split-pin.

As shown, the centre 60 of the cut-out 58 may advantageously be displaced in relation to the centre line 28 for the lock bolt 20 which provides both easier access to the split- pin head 40, which thereby will project slightly outside the end of the U-shaped plate, and to the legs 44 of the split-pin in that the cut-out 58 to a larger degree is placed above the parts of these projecting from the lock bolt 20.

Finally it should be noted that the inventor has realised that a toggle joint fitting provided with a cover device may have other embodiments than the embodiment specified and described above. For example, the cover device may be constituted by a closed lid which is screwed on by an interacting thread or bayonet locking device, or the pipe 4 could be screwed on to a threaded pipe fastened at the outer side of the plate-shaped length 14. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the cover device could be fastened to the plate-shaped length by an inside hinge connection and kept in the closed position by an inside locking mechanism. The latter embodiment will, however, hardly represent any commercially acceptable solution because of the manufacturing costs. However these alternative embodiments do not change the inventive aspect, which is to ensure that a toggle joint fitting does not cause damage on persons or objects passing closely by this, and in passing may even touch the area around the tapering end 28 of the lock bolt with the lock split-pin 30.

Claims

1. A toggle joint fitting (10) and including at least two parallel plate-shaped lengths (14) whose first ends are interconnected in an area (13) including arresting facilities (13) for example at least one rigging screw (6), said plate-shaped lengths (14) including through holes (18) near the other free end (16) for receiving a lock bolt (20) having a head (22) and a tapered end (24) having a transverse hole (26) for receiving a locking device, preferably in the form of a split-pin (30) for fixing of toggle joint fitting, for example to a fastening (11) accommodated between the in parallel extending free ends (16) of the parallel plate-shaped lengths (14), said fastening (11) including a through hole, the aperture of which at least corresponds to the holes (18) in the parallel plate-shaped lengths, and where fixing of toggle joint fitting is effected by insertion of the lock bolt (20) in the said holes, where the lock bolt (20) is locked in the inserted position by the split-pin (30) being passed through the transverse hole (26) in the tapered end (24) of the lock bolt, the length of the said lock bolt being adjusted in such a way that the tapered end (24) and the hole (26) project out of the outer side of one of the in parallel extending plates (14) when the bolt head (22) is in contact with the outer side of the opposite in parallel extending plate, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that at least one outer side of the in parallel extending plate-shaped lengths (14) around the through hole (18), at the side where the split-pin (30) secures the lock bolt

(20) includes a raised cover device (32) extending around the hole, between which cover device delimitations and the plate-shaped length (14) an open, or partly open cavity (42) is formed for shielding at least the free ends (44) of the split-pin (30).

2. A toggle joint fitting (10) according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the cover device (32) is constituted by a pipe section (34) fastened on the plate-shaped length, the diameter of said pipe section being larger than the diameter of the holes (18) for the lock bolt (20) in the plate-shaped length (14), and the length of the pipe section being adjusted so that the free end of the pipe terminates at a distance from the plate-shaped length (14) at least corresponding to the largest distance between a split- pin (30) inserted in the hole (26) in the tapered end (24) of the lock bolt and the outer side of the plate-shaped length (14), and the free end of the said pipe section facing away from the plate-shaped length being rounded.

3. A toggle joint fitting according to claim 2, characterised in that the free end of the pipe section (34) facing away from the plate-shaped length (14) has a cross- sectional reduction (36), preferably in the form of a folded back rim (36), or a ring- shaped stop.

4. A toggle joint fitting (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the pipe section (34) is detachably fastened to the plate-shaped length (14), and that the length of the pipe section (34) is adapted so that it projects over the tapered end (24) of the lock bolt towards the side of the cross-sectional reduction (36) facing the plate-shaped length (14).

5. A toggle joint fitting (10) according to any of the claims 2-4, characterised in that the pipe section (34) includes a first cut-out (38) whose largest diameter at least corresponds to the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the split-pin head (40) for leading the legs (44) of the split-pin further through the hole in the tapered end (24) of the lock bolt.

6. A toggle joint fitting (10) according to any of the claims 2-5, characterised in that the centre axis (37) of the pipe section is displaced in relation to the centre axis (28) of the lock bolt in a direction away from the first cut-out (38) in the pipe section (34) so that the distance between the side of the hole (18) for the lock bolt (20) in the plate-shaped length (14), which side faces the first cut-out (38) in the pipe wall, is smaller than the diameter of the head (40) of the split-pin (30).

7. A toggle joint fitting (10) according to any of the claims 2-6, characterised in that the pipe section (34) further includes a second cut-out (46), preferably located diametrally oppositely relative to the first cut-out (38).

8. A toggle joint fitting (10) according to any of the claims 2-7, characterised in that the pipe section (34) is fastened to the plate-shaped length (14) by welding.

9. A toggle joint fitting (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover device (32) is constituted by a U-shaped plate (50), the tabs (52) of which are welded on the plate-shaped rectilinear length (14) so that the U-shaped plate (50) is located above the through hole (18) for the lock bolt (20), and where the spacing between the facing sides (56) of the tabs (52) at least corresponds to the hole diameter of the through hole (18) in the plate-shaped rectilinear length (14), and which U- shaped plate (50) in the area above the tapered end (24) of the lock bolt has a cut-out

(58) for access to the area around the tapered end of the lock bolt.

10. A toggle joint fitting (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that the centre line (60) of the cut-out (58) in the U-shaped plate (50) is displaced in relation to the centre line (28) of the lock bolt.