Patent GB-954911-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to couplings
IPC: F16G11/10
Filed: 1960-06-30
Abstract: 954,911. Stud and socket fastenings. H. J. MODREY. June 30, 1960 [Sept. 14, 1959], No. 22914/60. Heading E2B. A releasable self-locking coupling comprises a coupler 1 having a clamping rod 3 terminating at one end in a one-sidedly overhanging clamping head 4, and a housing 8, through one end of which the clamping head 4 protrudes, the housing and the rod being slidable relative to each other, guide means 7 for retaining the clamping head in an eccentric position with reference to a receiver member aperture, in which position the clamping head overhangs the receiver aperture, and a seating collar 9 on the outside wall of the housing longitudinally spaced from the housing end from which the clamping head protrudes, and a receiver 2 having an apertured receiver member 15 and an apertured support member 17 longitudinally aligned and spaced from each other, the receiving member aperture fitting the clamping head and the support member aperture providing clearance for passage of the housing but fitting the seating collar, whereby seating of the collar in the support member opening, supports the clamping rod in a plane longitudinally spaced from the plane in which the clamping head is retained in the receiving member aperture. As shown in Fig. 1, the arrangement is such that the rod 3 is locked to the receiver 21 by passing the housing through an opening 18 in the support member 17 of the receiver, until the head 4 enters an opening 16 and then pressing the head towards the member 15 against a spring (not shown) within the housing. The latter is thereby caused to retract the guide means 7 by reason of its engagement with the rim of the opening 16 thus allowing the clamping head to penetrate the opening 16 and thereby providing space in the opening 16 for guide means 7 and with it the housing, to snap forward alongside the head under the action of the spring, the guide means 7 displacing the rod 3 and the housing laterally during such penetration whereby the clamping head underlies the rim of the opening 16 on the outer side of the member 15. The coupling is broken by pulling on the collar 10, thereby withdrawing the guide means 7 from the opening 16 and freeing the clamping head 4. In another arrangement, Figs. 2-4 (not shown), the free end of the coupling rod extends through a cup which is slidable through the adjacent seating and gripping collars. The receiver is cup-shaped and is provided with a mounting flange. In a further arrangement, Figs. 5 and 6 (not shown) as applied to a rope coupling, the free end of the clamping rod is formed as a rope terminal and the receiver is tubular and includes a tapered portion forming a terminal for another rope. In the arrangement according to Fig. 7, for mounting a radio aerial a clamping rod 70 is slidable through a housing 72, an extension 73 of which, in the locked condition, engages a receiver plate 83 fixed to a sleeve 79 which constitutes the receiver. The latter is surrounded by a waterproof rubber housing 82. In another arrangement, Fig. 8 (not shown) the clamping rod includes a threaded extension at its free end for a nut which may be screwed down on to the gripping collar to prevent inadvertent release of the coupling. In an alternative arrangement, Fig. 9 (not shown) the free end of the clamping rod is provided with a spring loaded plate projecting therefrom.