US3584544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-07-22
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Granted: 1971-06-15
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Expires: 1988-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A locking mechanism within a housing defining a cylindrical chamber having a frustoconical stop surface projecting inwardly from the wall thereof. A hydraulic operator reciprocable in the chamber has an axial bore and at least a pair of roller-receiving slots extending radially outwardly from said bore, the outer ends of said slots being registered with the stop surface when the operator is in position to be locked relative to said housing. A pair of elongated, convexly curved rollers are movable into and out of said slots while disposed transversely to the axis of the operator to effect elongated line contact with the frustoconical stop surface to lock the operator. An actuator piston is reciprocable in the axial bore of the operator to position the locking rollers radially and includes a pair of oppositely disposed bearing surfaces which, in the locking position of the piston, register with the radially inner ends of said slots. Carrier segments reciprocate in the slots and carry the locking rollers at their outer ends and actuating rollers on their inner ends engaged by the bearing surfaces on the actuator piston.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Haberman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:49
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B15/00; F15B15/20; F15B15/26; F15B15/261; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636; Y10T74/2066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A locking mechanism comprising: a first member including a frustoconical stop surface; a second member coaxial with and movable relative to said first member along their axes, said second member having an axial opening therein communicating with oppositely disposed, radially outwardly extending slots, the outer ends of said slots being indexed adjacent said stop surface when said second member is in position to be locked relative to said first member; locking means including elongated convex rollers reciprocally disposed in said slots transversely to said member axes, the convexity of said roller surfaces being complementary to the curvature of said stop surface to effect locking engagement therebetween throughout substantially the length of said rollers; a locking actuator reciprocally mounted in said axial opening; and means on said actuator for moving said locking rollers in said slots into and out of interfering locking relation with said stop surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A locking mechanism comprising: a first member including a frustoconical stop surface; a second member coaxial with and movable relative to said first member along their axes, said second member having an axial opening therein communicating with oppositely disposed, radially outwardly extending slots, the outer ends of said slots being indexed adjacent said stop surface when said second member is in position to be locked relative to said first member; locking means including elongated convex rollers reciprocally disposed in said slots transversely to said member axes, the convexity of said roller surfaces being complementary to the curvature of said stop surface to effect locking engagement therebetween throughout substantially the length of said rollers; a locking actuator reciprocally mounted in said axial opening; and means on said actuator for moving said locking rollers in said slots into and out of interfering locking relation with said stop surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The locking mechanism defined in claim 1 including: carrier segments reciprocally mounted in said slots and mounting said convex locking rollers at their outer ends; and means on said locking actuator which in locking and unlocking positions thereof effects movement of said carrier segments outwardly and inwardly in said slots to move said locking rollers into locking and unlocking positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The locking mechanism defined in claim 2 including: actuating rollers mounted on said segments at the inner ends thereof; and cam surfaces on said actuator engaging said actuating rollers to effect movement of said carrier segments in said slots.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The locking means defined in claim 3 in which: said cam surfaces comprising first, radially inward, opposite bearing surfaces engaging said actuating rollers in the unlocking position of the actuator; second, radially outward opposite bearing surfaces engaging said actuating rollers in the locking position of said actuator; and inclined surfaces interconnecting said first and second bearing surfaces for engagement with said actuating rollers in the transition movement of the actuator between its locking and unlocking positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The locking mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said first member includes a hydraulic cylinder and said second member includes a main operating piston movable therein, said locking actuator also comprising a piston; means constantly biasing said locking actuator in one direction; and a pressure port for admitting hydraulic pressure into said cylinder to first move said locking actuator against its bias into unlocking position and then move said operator piston in a working stroke.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The locking mechanism defined in claim 5 including: a pressure port for the opposite ends of said cylinder for moving said operator piston toward locking position in a working stroke.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The locking mechanism defined in claim 1 in which said slots are symmetrically disposed around the axis of said members to exert a balanced locking force between said members symmetrical with respect to their axes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The locking mechanism defined in claim 7 in which said slots are arranged in diametrically opposite pairs offset 90*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The locking mechanism defined in claim 4 in which: said actuating rollers are Substantially cylindrical; and the bearing surfaces on said actuator are substantially flat and said inclined surface is substantially planar to provide line contact on said bearing and inclined surfaces by said actuating rollers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The locking mechanism defined in claim 4 in which: said actuating rollers have concave peripheral surfaces; and at least the second, radially outward bearing surfaces on said actuator are complementary curved to provide elongated arcuate line contact with the surfaces of the actuating rollers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-12-14 | 1975-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-14 | 1978-12-14 | 1979-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-14 | 1982-12-14 | 1983-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |