Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5961241?dq=4453763
Timestamp: 2014-08-29 22:58:50
Document Index: 267331920

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 1']

Patent US5961241 - Connector for sling devices - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsIn the case of a connecting device having a connecting part (1) and a fastening part (3), the two abovementioned parts are connected to each other with the aid of a clamping spring (5) to form a non-releasable, preassembled unit. In order to ensure that the two parts are held together securely, the clamping...http://www.google.com/patents/US5961241?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5961241 - Connector for sling devicesAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5961241 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/011,211PCT numberPCT/DE1996/001481Publication dateOct 5, 1999Filing dateJul 31, 1996Priority dateAug 3, 1995Fee statusPaidAlso published asDE19530166C1, EP0842109A1, EP0842109B1, WO1997006092A1Publication number011211, 09011211, PCT/1996/1481, PCT/DE/1996/001481, PCT/DE/1996/01481, PCT/DE/96/001481, PCT/DE/96/01481, PCT/DE1996/001481, PCT/DE1996/01481, PCT/DE1996001481, PCT/DE199601481, PCT/DE96/001481, PCT/DE96/01481, PCT/DE96001481, PCT/DE9601481, US 5961241 A, US 5961241A, US-A-5961241, US5961241 A, US5961241AInventorsUlrich HakerOriginal AssigneeRud-Kettenfabrik Rieger & Dietz Gmbh U. Co.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (14), Referenced by (1), Classifications (10), Legal Events (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetConnector for sling devicesUS 5961241 AAbstract In the case of a connecting device having a connecting part (1) and a fastening part (3), the two abovementioned parts are connected to each other with the aid of a clamping spring (5) to form a non-releasable, preassembled unit. In order to ensure that the two parts are held together securely, the clamping spring partially encloses a pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1) and is supported, by way of the ends of two retaining legs (7, 8), against stops (9, 10) formed by the front sides of a groove (4).
I claim: 1. A connecting device for fixing means having at least one fastening part for fitting the device to a vehicle or to an object to be transported, and having a connecting part for connecting the fixing means; the fastening part forming a bearing, constructed in the manner of a stirrup, for the connecting part, which is pivotable about a pivot section; and a clamping spring, which partially engages around a section of the connecting part and is provided with retaining legs to lock the clamping spring in the fastening part, for holding the fastening part and the connecting part together; wherein the fastening part (3) is provided on an inner side thereof, with a single groove (4) extending into the surface of the inner side, which is bounded at its ends by stops (9, 10) for accommodating the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5); wherein the clamping spring (5) comprises a portion encircling at least the part of the pivot section (2) facing away from the single groove; and wherein the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) are formed by bent prolongations of said encircling portion, said prolongations being directed away from the vertex of the single groove (4) and its ends being supported against the ends of the single groove (4) forming the stops (9, 10) for positively locking the connecting part (1) in the fastening part (3).
2. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening part (3) is constructed as a U-shaped stirrup and the connecting part (1) is constructed as an eye.
3. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) are of approximately rectilinear construction, said retaining legs having front sides which rest against the stops (9, 10).
4. The connecting device as claimed in claims 1, wherein the length of the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) is at least equal to half the diameter of the pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1).
5. The connecting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) are of approximately rectilinear construction, said retaining leas having front sides which rest against the stops (9, 10).
6. The connecting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the length of the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) is at least equal to half the diameter of the pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1).
7. The connecting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the length of the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) is at least equal to half the diameter of the pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1).
8. The connecting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the length of the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) is at least equal to half the diameter of the pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1).
9. A connecting device for fixing means having at least one fastening part for fitting the device to a vehicle or to an object to be transported, and having a connecting part for connecting the fixing means; the fastening part forming a bearing, constructed in the manner of a stirrup, to define an interior space for the connecting part, which is pivotable about a pivot section; and a clamping spring, which partially engages around a section of the connecting part and is provided with retaining legs to lock the clamping spring in the fastening part, for holding the fastening part and the connecting part together; wherein the fastening part (3) is provided on an inner side thereof, with a single groove (4), which is bounded at its ends by stops (9, 10) protruding into the interior space of the fastening part for accommodating the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5); wherein the clamping spring (5) comprises a portion encircling at least the part of the pivot section (2) facing away from the single groove (4); and wherein the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) are formed by bent prolongations of said encircling portion, said prolongations being directed away from the vertex of the single groove (4) and its ends being supported against the ends of the single groove (4) forming the stops (9, 10) for positively locking the connecting part (1) in the fastening part (3).
10. The connecting, device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fastening part (3) is constructed as a U-shaped stirrup and the connecting part (1) is constructed as an eye.
11. The connecting device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) are of approximately rectilinear construction, said retaining legs having front sides which rest against the stops (9, 10).
12. The connecting device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the length of the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) is at least equal to half the dimeter of the pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1).
13. The connecting device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) are of approximately rectilinear construction, said retaining legs having front sides which rest against the stops (9, 10).
14. The connecting device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the length of the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) is at least equal to half the diameter of the pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1).
15. The connecting device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the length of the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) is at least equal to half the diameter of the pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1).
16. The connecting device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the length of the retaining legs (7, 8) of the clamping spring (5) is at least equal to half the diameter of the pivot section (2) of the connecting part (1).
17. The connecting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixing means comprises a sling chain.
18. The connecting device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said fixing means comprises a sling chain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION CONNECTING DEVICES FOR FIXING MEANS The invention relates to a connecting device for fixing means, especially sling chains, having at least one fastening part for fitting the device to a vehicle, an object to be transported or the like, and having a connecting part for connecting the fixing means, the fastening part forming a bearing, constructed in the manner of a stirrup, for the connecting part, which can pivot about a pivot section, and a clamping spring, which partially engages around a section of the connecting part and is provided with retaining legs to lock it in the fastening part, being used to hold the fastening part and the connecting part together.
A connecting device of the above type is disclosed by DE-C-3509877. In the case of the known connecting device, the clamping spring, which is essentially constructed like the letter omega, is retained in the fastening part by the ends of its retaining legs being latched into latching grooves on the inner side of an approximately U-shaped fastening part. In this case, the yoke of the spring is located on the same side of the pivot section of the connecting part as the yoke of the fastening part. This arrangement makes it possible firstly to insert the spring into the fastening part and then to press the pivot section of the connecting part into the spring stirrup formed by the retaining legs and the yoke of the spring. The known device is not able to be completely satisfactory insofar as the arrangement and shape of its clamping spring does not provide any absolute guarantee that the unit formed by the connecting part and the fastening part will be held together during transportation and the often "rough" handling before final installation. Attempts to overcome this problem by increasing the stiffness of the spring have not led to a satisfactory result, since increasing the spring stiffness simultaneously makes the joining of the components more difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on the object of reconfiguring a connecting device of the type being considered, in such a way that not only is it possible to join the parts of said connecting device more easily than before, but it is also ensured that the parts are held together securely, even under difficult conditions. In the case of a device of the generic type, this object is achieved, according to the invention, in that the fastening part is provided on its inner side with a semiannular groove, which is bounded at its ends by stops and is intended to accommodate the retaining legs of the clamping spring, in that the clamping spring engages around the pivot section--apart from a section facing the vertex of the clamping spring--and in that the ends of the retaining legs of the clamping spring, said retaining legs being directed away from the vertex of the groove and engaging in the groove, are supported against the stops, forming a positively locking retainer for the connecting part.
In the case of the connecting device according to the invention, the problems that occur in connection with the known connecting device are eliminated. Connecting part and fastening part form a captive unit that is preassembled at the factory. Because of their simple shape, both the clamping spring and the groove accommodating it may be produced particularly economically. When the fastening part and connecting part are assembled, firstly the clamping spring is placed onto the pivot pin of the fastening part in the manner of a clip and then the pivot section, together with the clamping spring, is pressed into the connecting part, the ends of the clamping spring, which are bent over only once, coming to rest in the groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details and features of the invention emerge from the subclaims and following description of a preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the appended drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 shows, partially in section, the front view of a connecting device,
FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the parts illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are joined.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the figures, 1 is an eye-like connecting part having a rectilinear section forming a pivot section 2. The connecting part 1 is pivotably mounted in a fastening part 3, which is formed by an essentially U-shaped stirrup. Located on the inner side of the fastening part 3 is a semiannular groove 4 to accommodate a clamping spring 5, which has a section 6, that encloses the pivot pin 2 and two retaining legs 7 and 8 that adjoin said section 6 and are formed simply by being bent over. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the ends of the approximately rectilinear retaining legs 7 and 8 of the clamping spring 5 rest against the front walls, forming the stops 9 and 10, of the groove 4 and, together with the section 6, form a positively locking retainer for the pivot section 2 of the connecting part 1. As illustrated by FIG. 3, the stops 9 and 10 can protrude into the groove 4.
The shape that is selected for the clamping spring 5 provides for reliable anchoring of the connecting part 1 in the fastening part 3, and this anchoring cannot be released without destroying the clamping spring 5.
The joining of the parts is simple, since the spring forces that have to be overcome both when the clamping spring 5 is pushed onto the pivot section 2 and during the insertion of the pivot section 2 provided with the clamping spring 5 into the fastening part 3 can be kept low, because of the shape of the spring, without the strength of the connection being impaired thereby. The manner of joining is illustrated in FIG. 3. It can be seen that the connecting part 1, together with the clamping spring 5, is pressed from below into the fastening part and then pivoted through at least 90�. In the case of the embodiment described, the length of the retaining legs 7 and 8 of the clamping spring is approximately equal to the diameter of the pivot section 2. It should be at least equal to half the diameter of the pivot section.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4505058 *Feb 8, 1984Mar 19, 1985Peterson Gerald AExcavating tooth, holder and retainerUS4705422 *Aug 8, 1986Nov 10, 1987Cbc Industries, Inc.For attachment to a loadUS5048996 *Jul 2, 1990Sep 17, 1991Outboard Marine CorporationUniversal connector for retaining and linking membersUS5405210 *Nov 2, 1992Apr 11, 1995Cbc Industries, Inc.Hoist ring assembly and methodUS5586801 *Oct 27, 1994Dec 24, 1996Newport News Shipbuilding And Dry Dock CompanyFor attachment to a load-lifting pointUS5641239 *Apr 20, 1995Jun 24, 1997Skf GmbhDevice for connecting bearing ringsUS5743576 *Mar 7, 1997Apr 28, 1998Jergens, Inc.Hoist deviceDE3301960A1 *Jan 20, 1983Aug 2, 1984Rud Ketten Rieger & DietzConnecting deviceDE3509877C1 *Mar 15, 1985Feb 15, 1990Rud Ketten Rieger & DietzAnschlussvorrichtung fuer AnschlagmittelDE3803248C1 *Feb 4, 1988Mar 23, 1989Fa. August Thiele, 5860 Iserlohn, DeConnecting device for fastening load-securing devices or lashing meansDE8618070U1 *Jul 5, 1986Sep 11, 1986Fa. August Thiele, 5860 Iserlohn, DeTitle not availableDE29513183U1 *Aug 3, 1995Oct 19, 1995Rud Ketten Rieger & DietzAnschlu�vorrichtung f�r AnschlagmittelEP0179733A2 *Sep 25, 1985Apr 30, 1986RUD-Kettenfabrik Rieger &amp; Dietz GmbH u. Co.Connecting deviceFR1534833A * Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7448819 *Jun 20, 2007Nov 11, 2008Yang-Li FuUniversal snapping connector that is locked and unlocked easily and quickly* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification403/79, 403/164, 403/155, 59/93International ClassificationB66C1/66, B60P7/08Cooperative ClassificationB60P7/0807, B66C1/66European ClassificationB60P7/08A, B66C1/66Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMar 30, 2011FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12Sep 18, 2009ASAssignmentOwner name: RUD KETTEN RIEGER & DIETZ GMBH U. CO. KG, GERMANYFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:RUD-KETTENFABRIK RIEGER & DIETZ GMBH U. CO.;REEL/FRAME:023273/0288Effective date: 20061012Mar 2, 2007FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Mar 20, 2003FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jan 28, 1998ASAssignmentOwner name: RUD-KETTENFABRIK RIEGER & DIETZ GMBH. U. CO., GERMFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HAKER, ULRICH;REEL/FRAME:009177/0085Effective date: 19980113RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google