WO2023064978A1 - Couplage - Google Patents

Couplage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023064978A1
WO2023064978A1 PCT/AU2022/051246 AU2022051246W WO2023064978A1 WO 2023064978 A1 WO2023064978 A1 WO 2023064978A1 AU 2022051246 W AU2022051246 W AU 2022051246W WO 2023064978 A1 WO2023064978 A1 WO 2023064978A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
accordance
connector body
quick coupler
line
flexible
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2022/051246
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michael Heitzmann
Akshay Krishna AMBIKA HARIKUMAR
Bradley Evans
Peter Heard
Original Assignee
Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2021903329A external-priority patent/AU2021903329A0/en
Application filed by Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd filed Critical Blue Economy CRC-Co Ltd
Publication of WO2023064978A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023064978A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G11/00—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes
    • F16G11/10—Quick-acting fastenings; Clamps holding in one direction only
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G11/00—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes
    • F16G11/02—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes with parts deformable to grip the cable or cables; Fastening means which engage a sleeve or the like fixed on the cable
    • F16G11/025—Fastening means which engage a sleeve or the like fixed on the cable, e.g. caps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G11/00—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes
    • F16G11/04—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes with wedging action, e.g. friction clamps
    • F16G11/042—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes with wedging action, e.g. friction clamps using solidifying liquid material forming a wedge
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
    • H01R13/428—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members
    • H01R13/434—Securing in a demountable manner by resilient locking means on the contact members; by locking means on resilient contact members by separate resilient locking means on contact member, e.g. retainer collar or ring around contact member

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to couplings.
  • knots are considered an important connection method, but every knot has drawbacks.
  • bowlines are prized, in that they can be quickly tied to form an eye. They are able to be easily untied after being subjected to heavy loads, but they can be shaken loose under no-load conditions. This is undesirable in a dynamic loading environment, where there are repeated push-pull loads. More importantly, almost all knots have the disadvantage of reducing the breaking strength of the constituent rope or sheet.
  • the present inventors have devised a new coupling for one or more flexible elements which substantially ameliorates one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages, or at least provides an alternative to known couplings.
  • the present technology provides a quick coupler.
  • Some embodiments provide a flexible line element quick coupling and a rigid element coupling, or one, or the other.
  • the quick coupler has a connector body that is at least partially hollow and is configured to receive line end lugs, and a retainer for retaining the line end lugs in the connector body.
  • a quick coupler for a flexible line element or a rigid element including: a connector body for receiving end lugs and at least a portion of at least one of the elements; and a retainer for retaining the end lugs in the connector body.
  • the end lugs may be on the end of a flexible line element or a rigid element.
  • the lugs may even be disposed partially along the flexible line element or partially along the rigid element.
  • the arrangement of certain embodiments is such that the connector body is formed in cooperating shell portions which receive and close around the line end lugs, while the retainer inhibits the separation of the shell portions to keep the lugs inside.
  • the connector body includes one or more receivers for at least partially receiving the line end lugs.
  • the connector body includes a frame including one or more spaced apart frame members to provide a frame interior volume for receiving the line end lugs therein.
  • the one or more receivers are one or more recesses at least partially set into the connector body and configured to cooperate with the line end lugs to at least partially receive them at least partially in the connector body.
  • a closure for closing the one or more recesses of the connector body.
  • the connector body portions are hinged together.
  • the connector body includes two portions, one being a main body portion and another portion being the closure portion.
  • the two portions of the connector body are substantially equal in size.
  • closure is one of the connector body portions.
  • the recesses are of equal size.
  • the connector body is elongate in form, wherein one flexible line lug is configured to be disposed at one end and another flexible line lug is disposed at another.
  • the connector body is at least partially cylindrical in form to deflect at least some impacts from nearby elements.
  • the retainer includes a sleeve for fitting over the connector body.
  • the sleeve is at least partially cylindrical in form.
  • the sleeve is hinged along an elongate axis to facilitate side entry onto the connector body.
  • the retainer includes a clamp for clamping the closure onto the connector body.
  • the retainer includes a fastener for fastening the connector body portions together.
  • the fastener includes a strap configured to extend around the connector body.
  • the retainer includes a lock for locking the retainer onto the connector body.
  • the lock includes a locking body with a catch for receiving a male locking element.
  • the locking body is mounted on the flexible line element.
  • the lock includes two locking bodies, one disposed at either end of the retainer and connector body.
  • the locking body includes a flexible line mount which allows sliding along the flexible line element.
  • the locking body includes one or more end caps to protect the flexible line against damage from the actual locking body.
  • the locking body being in one embodiment, a cylindrical body, involves a sharp increase in diameter over the flexible line.
  • the flexible line could wear and kink at the end of the locking body. So, the end cap tapers the stresses on the flexible line by being itself in one embodiment tapered and in one embodiment, flexible.
  • the end cap includes an end cap body with a tapering cross section which is configured to bend about one or more axes.
  • the end cap body includes kerfing to facilitate bending.
  • the end cap includes a deflector to deflect impacts from adjacent elements.
  • the deflector includes a ramped end surface extending from the flexible line to the outer surface of the connector body.
  • the flexible line end lugs are in the form of an enlarged head at the end of the flexible line.
  • the flexible line end lugs are bulbous in form to inhibit release from the connector body.
  • the line end lugs are connected to or integral with the line end.
  • the line end lugs are fastened to the line end with a clamp, or screws or other mechanical fasteners.
  • the line end lugs are cast onto the line end.
  • the line end lugs are spherical, cylindrical, cuboid, rectangular prism, or other suitable shape.
  • the line end lugs are frusto-conical elements, becoming thicker as they extend along the flexible line to the end, to reduce stresses on the connector body walls.
  • the line end lugs have an outside wall with which to engage a cooperating wall of the one or more receivers which is angled about 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, or 30°.
  • the angle determines the ratio between radial and axial loads. Axial loads are higher for small angles. This is important to adjust the load distribution amongst the components based on their material selection.
  • a coupling kit which includes: one or more line end lugs for fastening to one or more flexible line or rigid element ends; a connector body for receiving one or more of the line end or rigid element lugs; and a retainer for retaining the line end, or rigid element lugs, in the connector body.
  • the coupling kit further includes one or more flexible lines.
  • the flexible lines include one or more of the following: webbing straps, strops, cables, ropes or sheets.
  • a coupling kit which includes: one or more flexible lines which include one or more line end lugs integral with or fastened to one or more ends of the flexible lines; a connector body for receiving one or more of the line end lugs; and a retainer for retaining the line end lugs in the connector body.
  • a line end lug configured to mount on an end of a flexible line, the line end lug including a frusto conical body and a fastener for fastening to the end of the flexible line.
  • the fastener includes a clamp.
  • the fastener includes a strap.
  • a method of quick coupling ends of flexible line or rigid elements together including the steps of: inserting line end lugs disposed on ends of the flexible line or rigid elements into opposing recesses on a connector body; closing the connector body recesses with a closure; keeping the closure on the connector body with a retainer.
  • the method further includes the step of fastening a line end lug on one or more ends of one or more flexible lines or rigid elements.
  • the fastening step includes casting the line lug onto the end of the flexible line.
  • a method of fastening a line end lug onto a rope including the steps of: fraying the rope ends to increase surface area of the rope; casting or moulding a polymer lug onto the frayed end of the rope.
  • the casting or moulding step includes combining or mixing the polymer with a curing resin such as epoxy or polyurethane.
  • the moulding is an injection moulding process.
  • the retainer is fibre reinforced plastic to increase resistance to hoop stresses.
  • the retainer includes a resin transfer moulding.
  • Figure 1 is an isometric view of a coupling arrangement, showing the retainer and lock mounted on the connector body;
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the coupling arrangement of Figure 1, with the connector body halves shown without the retainer;
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the coupling arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, with the retainer removed, and one half of the connector body removed for clarity so as to show the line end lugs snugly fitted in the recesses of the connector body;
  • Figure 4 is an isometric view of a flexible line end with a flexible line end lug, which is configured to fit snugly in a recess of the connector body. Description of Embodiments
  • quick coupler generally indicate at 10, being for coupling ends of a flexible line element 5, together.
  • the embodiment of quick coupler shown at 10 is particularly suited for high energy environments like fish farming, in particular, in offshore marine environments, but the dimensions and/or materials may be resized to provide larger or smaller embodiments that may suit climbing, abseiling, repelling, sailing, trucking and other transport applications.
  • the embodiment of the quick coupler shown at 10 provides a simple, secure and rapid coupling of one flexible line to another.
  • a connector body 20 in the form of a hollow casing 21 in two halves 22, 23, receives a pair of line end lugs 51, 52, end to end, and a retaining sleeve assembly 45 keeps the casing halves 22, 23 together, locked in place with a lock 60.
  • An alternative embodiment also has a hinge or flexible connection shown at 99 between the two halves 22, 23 to facilitate ready handling and closing of the two halves 22, 23.
  • the hollow casing 21 would be in two halves, but one piece, and in operation, closed like a clamshell.
  • the two halves are connected by the hinge, it could be that the connector body 20 has a receivers 25 (described below), and a lid or closure 30, which is hinged, and wherein the lid or closure 30 is essentially to close the receivers and not to receive the lugs.
  • the lid would, say, be flat.
  • the quick coupler 10 includes a connector body 20 for receiving line end lugs 51 and 52 and a retainer 40 for retaining the line end lugs 51, 52 in the connector body 20.
  • the connector body 20 includes one or more receivers 25 for at least partially receiving the line end lugs 51, 52, the receivers 25 including one or more at least partially hollow body portions 26 which include recesses 27, 28 at least partially set into the partially hollow body portion 26 and configured to cooperate with the line end lugs 51, 52 to at least partially receive them at least partially in the hollow body portion 26.
  • the hollow body portion 26 may be a casing 21.
  • the hollow body portion 26 may comprise almost all the connector body 20, and may be open at one side, and then there may be a closure 30 for closing the one or more recesses 27, 28 disposed therein. But in the embodiment shown the connector body 20 includes two hollow body portions 26, being substantially equal in size to make equal sized shells 22, 23 to form the casing 21.
  • the connector body 20 is shown to be cylindrical in form to deflect at least some impacts from nearby elements.
  • the retainer 40 includes a sleeve assembly 45 for fitting over the connector body.
  • the sleeve assembly 45 is at least partially cylindrical in form to cooperate with the connector body 20.
  • the sleeve assembly 45 may be formed in one or two pieces so that it does not need to be slid over the end of the flexible line and may be fastened by a side of the connector body 20.
  • the retainer 40 includes a lock 60 for locking the retainer 40 onto the connector body 20.
  • the lock 60 includes a locking body 62 with a catch 64 for receiving a male locking element 66.
  • the locking body 62 is mounted on the flexible line element 5.
  • the lock 60 includes two locking bodies 63, 65, one disposed at either end of the retainer and connector body.
  • the locking body 63, 65 includes a flexible line mount 67 which is an aperture which allows sliding along the flexible line element 5.
  • the locking body 63, 65 includes a deflector 68 to deflect impacts from adjacent elements.
  • the deflector 68 includes a ramped end surface 69 extending from the flexible line 5 to the outer surface of the connector body.
  • the flexible line end lugs 51, 52 are in the form of enlarged heads 53, 54 at the end of the flexible line 5, to inhibit release from the casing 21.
  • the line end lugs 51, 52 are connected to or integral with the line end, but in the embodiment shown are cast onto the line end.
  • the line end lugs may be any suitable shape, being spherical, cuboid, but as shown are frusto-conical elements 57, becoming thicker as they extend along the flexible line to the end, to reduce stresses on the connector body walls.
  • the angle of the wall is about 15° from the longitudinal axis, which cooperates with that of the receivers in the body shell 22 or 23, to reduce stress concentrations.
  • the wall angles could also be 5°, 10°, 20°, 25°, 30° or so, depending on the overall shape (rectangular prism, frusto-cone, other prismoid shape, etc) and diameter of the lugs.
  • a flexible line 5 such as a rope (or a webbing strap, or like line)
  • the ends of the rope are frayed to increase the surface area in contact with the lug, and then placed in a casting mould or injection mould, and then a polymer is injected or poured into the mould with a curing resin.
  • the coupling 10 may be provided in a kit form, and the elements assembled together.
  • the line end lugs 51, 52 are placed in the recesses 27, 28 of one half of a connecting body shell 22 or 23.
  • the other half of the shell is closed over the lugs 51, 52 and then the retaining sleeve assembly 45 is placed over the shells 22, 23 and its own male lugs 62 are snapped home into the catches 64 on the locking bodies 63, 65. This happens quickly and even if a little tension is applied during assembly the forces are fairly quickly taken by the connecting body 20 if it is closed quickly enough.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un coupleur rapide pour un élément de ligne flexible ou un élément de ligne rigide décrit, le coupleur rapide comprenant : un corps de connecteur pour recevoir des pattes d'extrémité de ligne ; et un élément de retenue pour retenir les pattes d'extrémité de ligne dans le corps de connecteur, le corps de connecteur comprenant de préférence des évidements espacés le long d'un axe longitudinal, et le dispositif de retenue étant en outre verrouillé dans une position relativement fixe sur la ligne ou le corps de connecteur par un verrou.
PCT/AU2022/051246 2021-10-18 2022-10-17 Couplage WO2023064978A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2021903329A AU2021903329A0 (en) 2021-10-18 Coupling for a flexible element
AU2021903329 2021-10-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023064978A1 true WO2023064978A1 (fr) 2023-04-27

Family

ID=86057710

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2022/051246 WO2023064978A1 (fr) 2021-10-18 2022-10-17 Couplage

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2023064978A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR769861A (fr) * 1933-03-17 1934-09-03 Perfectionnements apportés aux accouplements pour câbles, cordes etc., métalliques
DE3343554A1 (de) * 1983-12-01 1985-06-13 Christoph Dipl.-Ing. Bern Müller Vorrichtung zum befestigen
EP0562685A1 (fr) * 1992-03-25 1993-09-29 SAIPEM S.p.A. Dispositif d'extrémité pour connexion de câbles bout-à-bout
US20180320756A1 (en) * 2016-09-23 2018-11-08 Richard V. Campbell Inverted Injection Method of Affixing a Termination to a Tensile Member
WO2019154058A1 (fr) * 2018-02-12 2019-08-15 沧州市永高农牧机械科技有限公司 Joint de câble d'acier pour transporteur de matériau de disque de câble, son procédé d'utilisation, et système de transport de disque de câble d'acier

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR769861A (fr) * 1933-03-17 1934-09-03 Perfectionnements apportés aux accouplements pour câbles, cordes etc., métalliques
DE3343554A1 (de) * 1983-12-01 1985-06-13 Christoph Dipl.-Ing. Bern Müller Vorrichtung zum befestigen
EP0562685A1 (fr) * 1992-03-25 1993-09-29 SAIPEM S.p.A. Dispositif d'extrémité pour connexion de câbles bout-à-bout
US20180320756A1 (en) * 2016-09-23 2018-11-08 Richard V. Campbell Inverted Injection Method of Affixing a Termination to a Tensile Member
WO2019154058A1 (fr) * 2018-02-12 2019-08-15 沧州市永高农牧机械科技有限公司 Joint de câble d'acier pour transporteur de matériau de disque de câble, son procédé d'utilisation, et système de transport de disque de câble d'acier

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