Patent Publication Number: US-6338332-B1

Title: Quick attach linkage

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is broadly concerned with quick attach-detach linkages for various purposes, e.g., as carburetor linkages for use in race cars where it is often necessary to connect and disconnect carburetor linkage. More particularly, the invention pertains to such linkages which in preferred forms including mating connectors and couplers with a shiftable, spring-biased keeper which can be manually moved between respective positions for fast, easy attachment or detachment of the linkage. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     During the course of automotive racing time trials and in some instances during actual races, it is necessary to detach the race car&#39;s carburetor linkage to allow inspection of the carburetor and the related manifold. For example, race officials may inspect a car for the presence of a “shaved manifold” or improperly sized restrictor plates. Conventional racing car carburetor linkages make use of so-called Heim ends which include swivel eyes. In order to disconnect such linkages, two small wrenches must be used. This involves a minimum of 3-5 minutes in time, which must be performed in the close confines of an engine compartment over a hot racing engine. Also, disassembly of a conventional linkage involves disassembly of small nuts, bolts and spacers, which can readily fall into the intake manifold and be difficult or even impossible to retrieve. Given that racing carburetors must be removed several times a day during trials and inspections, it will be appreciated that the attach-detach time and effort for carburetor linkages becomes a significant factor. 
     In other instances, throttle linkages are used to control the habits of race car drivers. For example, in a sticky clay or dirt track the full horsepower of the race car engine should be used. However, during the course of a race, the track may become “dry slick”, so that the car tires will not fully grip the track surface, resulting in tire spin. In these instance, it is known to attach a longer throttle linkage so that the carburetor cannot be operated fill open by the driver. This reduces horsepower delivered to the wheels and can actually reduce lap times. Here again, in the context of an ongoing race, time is of the essence and therefore a quick attach-detach carburetor linkage would be a decided advantage. 
     Apart from carburetor linkages, other types of rod-operated mechanisms may be improved through use of a linkage assembly having a quick attach design. 
     There is accordingly a need in the art for a quick-detach carburetor which can be used in the context of race cars and which resists inadvertent disconnection through vibration or the like, while at the same time permitting a mechanic to attach or detach the linkage in a matter of seconds. Similarly, quick attach-detach linkages for other purposes would also be advantageous. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above, and provides a greatly improved quick attach-detach linkages. In one preferred embodiment, carburetor linkages are provided in the form of an elongated rod which extends between the normal throttle linkage of the automobile and the carburetor, together with an attachment assembly coupling the forward end of the rod and the carburetor; the attachment assembly includes a throttle connector and a mating coupler, and a spring-biased keeper which attaches the throttle connector and coupler in a first position of the keeper. The keeper is manually movable against the bias of the spring to a different position allowing the throttle connector and coupler to be manually separated. 
     In preferred forms, one of the throttle connector and coupler comprises a ball, while the other of the connector and coupler comprises a socket adapted to receive the ball. Normally, the rod includes an attachment body at the end thereof which has a socket formed therein. The throttle connector on the other hand includes a ball screw presenting a ball adapted to be received within the socket. The keeper is preferably a shiftable, tubular sleeve mounted on the attachment body and having an elongated, generally U-shaped slot formed therein presenting a pair of differently sized ends. One end of the slot is configured to engage the ball when the latter is received within the socket to prevent separation of the ball and socket. The other, larger end of the slot is configured to allow manual separation of the ball and socket. The keeper sleeve is thus shiftable for selective movement so that the slot ends may be alternately positioned adjacent the socket. 
     Preferably, an identical attachment assembly is also secured to the rearward end of the rod to allow quick attach-detach connection between the rod and the automobile throttle linkage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view with parts shown in exploded relationship, illustrating an automobile carburetor with the carburetor linkage of the invention coupled between the carburetor throttle connector and the automobile throttle linkage; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view depicting the interconnection of the carburetor linkage and the carburetor throttle connector; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the carburetor linkage operably connected to the carburetor throttle connector; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4, but illustrating the configuration of the carburetor linkage during the course of shifting of the keeper thereof between the locked and unlocked positions; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the linkage with the carburetor throttle connector removed; and 
     FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG.  8  and illustrating separation of the carburetor linkage from the carburetor throttle connector. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, a carburetor linkage  10  in accordance with the invention is designed to releasably connect a throttle connector  12  attached to an otherwise conventional carburetor  14  to the throttle linkage  16  of an automobile. Broadly speaking, the linkage  10  includes an elongated rod  18  with respective, essentially identical attachment assemblies  20 ,  22  at the forward and rearward ends of the rod  18  respectively. 
     In more detail, the rod  18  is preferably formed of lightweight aluminum or similar material and includes threading  24  and  26  at the fore and aft ends thereof. In the embodiment shown, the rod  18  is essentially rectilinear throughout the majority of its length, but includes an upturned section  18   a  adjacent the forward end thereof. It will be appreciated that he specific configuration of rod  18  can be changed as necessary to accommodate any particular location of a given automobile&#39;s throttle linkage and carburetor throttle connector. 
     The attachment assembly  20  includes an elongated shaft  28  presenting a rearward, internally threaded bore  30  (FIG. 5) which is adapted to receive the threaded end  24  of rod  18 . A locking nut  32  is also threaded onto the section  24  so as to properly position the shaft  28  in place. The shaft  28  is hexagonal in outer configuration throughout the majority of its length, but presents a forwardmost abutment shoulder  34  and an integral extension  36  of reduced diameter. The extension  36  has an inwardly extending socket  38  formed therein and supports a forwardmost abutment stop  40 . 
     In addition, a tubular keeper  42  having fore and aft ends  42   a ,  42   b  is shiftably mounted on the extension  36  and is movable between shoulder  34  and stop  40 . The keeper  42  has a knurled outer surface as at  44 , so as to facilitate manual manipulation of the keeper as will be explained. The keeper also includes a somewhat U-shaped slot  46  formed in the sidewall thereof. The slot  46  has first and second ends  48 ,  50  (FIG. 7) as well as a central bight section  52 . The end  48  of slot  46  is sized to substantially register with the periphery of socket  38 , i.e., when the end  48  is disposed about the socket  38 , unimpeded access is provided to the socket. On the other hand, the slot end  50  is smaller than the periphery of the socket  38 , which is important for purposes to be described. A coil spring  54  is disposed about the extension  36  and is located between shoulder  34  of shaft  28  and the trailing surface  42   b  of keeper  42 . Thus, the spring  54  biases the keeper  42  against forwardmost stop  40 . 
     The throttle connector  12  in the form shown includes a pivotal lug  56  with complemental bushings  58 , a ball screw  60  and connecting nut  62 . The ball screw  60  includes an elongated threaded shaft  64  designed to receive the nut  62 , a hexagonal base  66  and an arcuate connecting ball  68 . It will be appreciated that the ball screw  60  actually connects the carburetor to the rod  18 , and that the remaining components of the overall throttle connector  12  are variable, depending upon the particular type of carburetor employed and the throttle connection hardware associated with the carburetor. 
     The normal operation of linkage  10 , i.e., when the rod  18  is coupled with the throttle connector  12 , is shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 . In this orientation, the ball  68  is seated within socket  38  and the keeper  42  is positioned with smaller end  50  disposed adjacent the socket opening. As best seen in FIG. 5, this smaller opening prevents separation of the ball  68  from the socket  38 , so that the throttle linkage  16  is moved in response to shifting of the rod  18 . 
     If it is necessary to disconnect the linkage  10  from the throttle connector, it is only necessary to manually grasp the keeper  42  and rotate it through the length of slot  46  until the larger end  48  of the slot comes into adjacency and substantial registry with the periphery of socket  38  as shown in FIG.  8 . An intermediate position of the keeper  42  midway between the ends  48 ,  50  is depicted in FIG.  6 . Once the keeper is in the FIG. 8 position, the ball  68  can be readily pulled from the socket  38 , thereby fully disconnecting the rod  18  from the linkage  10  from throttle connector  12 . Of course, reattachment of the linkage  10  to the carburetor involves reversal of this process. 
     As indicated above, the rearward attachment assembly  22  is virtually identical with assembly  20 . Accordingly, like components have been numbered identically in the assemblies  20  and  22 . Furthermore, the attach-detach operation of the assembly  22  is the same as that for assembly  20 . 
     Although the preferred embodiment has been described in the context of a carburetor linkage, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited. Rather, the invention pertains to linkage assemblies which may be coupled with a variety of rod-operated mechanisms.