Patent Abstract:
The invention relates to a clevis structure having transverse pins for a universal coupling effect. The structure is an assembly of mechanically interlocking components which can be individually fabricated and releasably joined without load carrying fasteners, welding, or the like. The components are readily fabricated even in relatively large sizes.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a transverse pin clevis assembly of a type allowing universal movement between pin grappling elements and being particularly suited for fabrication into relatively large load capacity units. 
     Prior Art 
     A clevis with transverse pins can be used to provide pin joint loading in transverse planes in a system to avoid high bending stresses in associated structural elements. Clevises suitable for heavy material handling and the like have been fabricated primarily as forgings, castings, or weldments, depending on physical size, rated load capacity, service environment, production volume, fabrication facilities of a shop, and other factors. Often, the size of a clevis, dictated by its intended design capacity, is so huge that it is beyond the capabilities of otherwise favored forging, casting, or fabrication shops. 
     The particular application in which a clevis is employed may involve a degree of danger to health and/or property in the event of failure. In such circumstances, it may be customary, and even mandatory, to perform periodic inspections of all related structures to detect premature wear, stress or fatigue cracks and the like. In many instances, particularly where weldments are involved, it may not be possible to detect internal faults in a structure during such inspections. When a defect or a possible defect is uncovered or surmised in a monolithic structure, it is often necessary to discard the entire structure and replace it with a new unit because the defective or suspected area cannot itself be replaced or separately repaired. The safety-related problems are particularly acute in the steel making and processing industry, for example, where loads are extremely high, environmental temperatures affect the serviceability of materials and designs, and the potential danger to personnel and property in the event of failure can be catastrophic. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a clevis formed as a mechanical assembly of readily fabricated separate parts. The clevis assembly comprises two principal sets of mechanically interlocked components. The first set takes the form of two spaced carrier units strung on a first pin, while the second takes the form of a pair of spreader bars extending between the carrier units. A second pin, transverse to the first pin, is held in aligned holes in the spreader bars. 
     In the disclosed embodiment, the carrier units are formed as a stack or lamination of separately formed plates. The thickness of the individual laminations may be selected at least in part on the basis of the manner of their fabrication. Where, a disclosed, the laminations have a somewhat irregular profile, such laminations can be successfully formed by flame cutting flat steel stock. As further disclosed, the profile of the carrier unit laminations is arranged to mechanically interlock with the spreader bars to effect and maintain proper relative orientation between these parts without the necessity for significant additional fastener elements or resort to welding. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is perspective view of a clevis assembly constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the clevis assembly taken in a plane along a primary pin of the assembly; and 
     FIG. 3 is a transverse view of the clevis assembly taken in the plane indicated by the line 3--3 in FIG. 2. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the Figures, a clevis assembly 10 includes a pair of carrier units 11 strung on a primary pin 12, a pair of spreader bars 13 engaged with the carrier units, and a secondary pin 14 carried on the spreader bars. 
     In accordance with the invention, the carrier units 11 may be identical in construction and may each be formed of a plurality of separate laminations 17a, 17b, each strung on a pin 12. In the illustrated case, the laminations have substantially the same profile when viewed in the plane of their broad faces. Each lamination 17 is a generally planar body having a U-shaped symmetrical configuration. The legs, designated 18, of the laminations are spaced from one another by a gap 19 and are joined by an integral web 22. The web 22 is formed with a circular hole 23 sized to receive an associated bushing 24 with a press fit. The length of each bushing 24 corresponds to the thickness of the individual lamination 17a, 17b. 
     At their sides and generally at their midlength, the legs 18 are formed with undercut slots 27 as shown, for example, in the manner of a dovetail. Relief areas 28 in the corners of the slots 27 may be provided to reduce stress concentratons and provide tool clearance for finishing surfaces of the slots. To reduce friction, and thereby facilitate insertion of the spreader bars 13 into the slots 27, additional relief areas 29 may be provided in the slots 27. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, the separate laminations 17a, 17b may vary in relative thickness, depending on their position, and therefore their functions, in the stack making up the respective carrier unit 11. For example, the innermost laminations 17b of each unit 11 adjacent a gap 31 between units are shown with a thickness relatively greater than that of the remaining laminations 17a. This increased thickness keeps the gap 31 relatively narrow while affording adequate wall thickness (approximately equal to the thickness of the remaining laminations 17a) in the area of a cylindrical recess that provides clearance for the secondary pin 14. 
     The spreader bars 13 in the illustrated embodiment are generally flat plates of substantially identical construction. The length of the spreader bars 13 as well as the primary pin 12 is generally equal to the sum of the lengths of the carrier units 11 and the intervening gap 31. The width of the spreader bars 13, determined by their beveled edges 34, is substantially equal to the width of the undercut slots 27, thereby permitting the spreader bars to be assembled on the carrier units by longitudinally moving the bars progressively through the associated channels collectively formed by the individual lamination slots 27. Substantially at midlength, a spreader bar 13 is provided with a through crosshole 36 in which is received an end of a second crosspin 14. As shown, the thickness of a spreader bar 13 is generally equal to the minimum depth of the lamination slots 27 and the length of the secondary pin 14 is generally equal to the width of the laminations 17a, 17b, so that in assembly, this secondary pin is supported across the full thickness of each of the spreader bars. 
     The secondary pin 14 in the illustrated case is retained by a pair of plates 38, one on each of the outer faces of the spreader bars 13, and covering the crossholes 36. The plates are removably secured to the spreader bars 13 by bolts 39 threaded into the spreader bars. Other means for retaining the secondary pin 14 in position, such as setscrews, cotter keys, and other conventional means, are contemplated. 
     The various elements of the clevis assembly 10 can be fabricated from a variety of materials, both metal and nonmetal, depending on design load, operating environment, type of service and the like. In heavy material handling, the elements can be fabricated from a variety of steels ranging from plain carbon steels, such as ASTM A36, to high quality alloys such as ASTM514,517 or 469. 
     The disclosed clevis assembly 10 is particularly suitable for applications involving exceptionally large loads such as are involved in material handling in steel mills and the like. For example, the clevis assembly 10 may be used in the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,730 to Hough by substituting it for the hook support element designated by the numeral 33 in such patent. The particular suitability of the disclosed clevis assembly 10 for a large load capacity applications is derived from its multi-part structure. Each element of its structure can be of a size which is readily fabricated in shops of limited fabrication capacity. While the individual parts are relatively small, and therefore are readily fabricated, they each cooperate with the others to achieve a high load capacity. The U-shaped laminations can be conveniently and economically fabricated by flame-cutting them from flat steel stock. In one assembly designed with a 6:1 safety factor and rated at 215 tons capacity, by way of example, a nominal thickness of two inches in the majority of laminations 17a is used. The primary and secondary pins 12, 14, have diameters in the order of 12 inches. Where the U-shaped laminations 17 are flame-cut, the undercut surfaces, designated 41, and spreader bar contacting surfaces, designated 42, can be finished by secondary machining operations. 
     The disclosed mechanical assembly of the various parts of the clevis 10 avoids weldments and their attendant uncertainties. Furthermore, the disclosed structure can be disassembled for full inspection of all of the individual components. Any parts which evidence premature wear or questionable structural integrity may be replaced without requiring all of the remaining parts to be discarded. Another important advantage of the laminated structure over a monolithic structure is that any structural fault occurring in one of the laminations cannot readily propagate through the associated remaining laminations. Still another advantage of the lamination structure is that the bushings 24 associated with the primary pin holes 23 are much easier to press in or out for assembly or replacement than would be a single bushing running the full length of a carrier unit 11. 
     In should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure except to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8