HK1177487B - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a connector, particularly to a shackle suitable for use in connecting two links of a chain or a chain to an anchor, more particularly to a connector comprising a first portion and a second portion, at least one first connector arm on the first portion and at least one second connector arm on the second portion, wherein both the first and second connector arms have multiple bearing surfaces, preferably six, and are able to engage one another when the connector is coupled by means of the bearing surfaces. The connector of the present invention has the advantage of having a break load of 1.3[0.0274d2 (44-0.08d) kN, wherein d is the nominal diameter, and preferably a thickness of 1.3d.

Description

Connector with a locking member

Technical Field

The present invention relates to connectors and more particularly to a binding rod or shackle suitable for use in connecting rods and anchors.

Background

Anchor chains for marine applications can be attached using known shackle designs. Shackles often comprise at least two parts, each part usually being intended to be connected to a separate chain with a respective shank, or to a shank on a chain and an anchor, before the two parts of the shackle are connected together for coupling to the chain or anchor. The shackle should preferably be able to resist the same forces as the chain bar, but this is often a difficult compromise for multi-part shackles and requires frequent inspection to assess the condition of the shackle, which is expensive and inconvenient.

There are many different kinds of shackles, swivels and connecting rods. The two main types of connecting rods (chains or anchors) in use are Kenter-type rods or "Baldt" -type rods. The difference between these two connecting rods is the design of the way the rods open and close. The Kenter rod consists of two opposing halves that slide together. The Baldt rod has a C-shaped body and two caps are used to connect the open ends of the C-shaped portion together.

U.S. patent 5983620 to Amoss discloses a "Kenter" type detachable connector bar without button shoulders, which has no significant loss of strength compared to connector bars with button shoulders. However, its versatility is increased so that one rod can fit several chain sizes, rather than only one size. Preferably, the button is aligned with the cross-section of the stem.

French patent 2581150 to Caron discloses a two identical halves-a rod with a male end and a female end. The two half-bars form, by mutual coupling, a bar locked by the locking means. Each male end portion includes a bearing surface consisting of several stepped primary bearing surfaces. The invention applies to chains of ships and oil platforms.

Patent application WO2007/068472 to Feuerstein discloses a connector, in particular a shackle suitable for connecting two bars of a chain, and more particularly to a connector comprising a first portion comprising at least one first connector arm on the first portion and a second portion comprising at least one second connector arm on the second portion, wherein both the first and the second connector arms have at least one bearing surface and are able to engage with each other when the connector is coupled by means of the bearing surface.

However, none of the connectors in the prior art are capable of meeting the near-shore standard established by DNV-OS-E302 in 2009. Many marine associations such as ABS (american classification), Lloyds (laegeld classification of uk), BV (virlitas classification of france), DNV (norwegian classification of naval), etc., examine the rods and examine the test procedures before determining their use in a vessel or mooring setting based on their classification. According to the new DNV standard, the breaking load (kN) of the R5 class connector is 0.0320d²(44-0.08 d) (where d is the nominal diameter of the chain). Thus, for example, according to the new DNV standard, the breaking load of a 76mm hook-and-loop should be approximately 7009 kN. However, for a typical 76mm shackle, regardless of its construction, there is a break load of 6001kN, which is much lower than the value in the new DNV standard. Accordingly, there is a need for shackles that can meet the new DNV standard.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector that meets the new DNV standard.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector comprising a first portion and a second portion, at least one connector arm on the first portion (first connector arm) and at least one connector arm on the second portion (second connector arm), wherein the first and second connector arms are capable of engaging each other when the connector is coupled, each connector arm having at least one bearing surface, preferably a plurality of bearing surfaces, which engage each other in the coupled connector and transmit forces between the first and second portions. In a preferred embodiment, at least six bearing surfaces are provided on each arm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a destruction load of at least 1.3[0.0274d²(44-0.08 d) kN, where d is the nominal diameter, which is 30% larger than the diameter in the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a destruction load of at least 1.3[0.0274d²(44-0.08 d) kN and a thickness of 1.30 d. In other words, it is an object to provide a connector capable of meeting the present DNV standard while maintaining a thickness of not more than 1.30 d.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first part has at least one further connector arm, which will hereinafter be referred to as "third connector arm", and the second part also has at least one further connector arm, which will hereinafter be referred to as "fourth connector arm", wherein each connector arm comprises at least one shoulder, i.e. a first, second, third and fourth shoulder, respectively, and each shoulder has at least one bearing surface, i.e. a first, second, third and fourth bearing surface, respectively. The first and third connector arms disposed on the first portion have at least six first bearing surfaces disposed on at least six respective first shoulders on the first connector arm and at least six third bearing surfaces disposed on at least six respective third shoulders on the third connector arm. The second and fourth connector arms disposed on the second portion have at least six second bearing surfaces and at least six fourth bearing surfaces disposed on at least six respective second and fourth shoulders. The first and second bearing surfaces and the third and fourth bearing surfaces are engageable with one another such that forces are transmitted between the portions of the two connectors by engaging the bearing surfaces with one another to respective shoulders in the coupled connectors.

In a preferred embodiment, each connector arm typically has six shoulders and six bearing surfaces, wherein each bearing surface is disposed on one respective shoulder.

In another preferred embodiment, one of the connector arms in the mating pair, e.g., the first and second connector arms and the third and third connector arms, respectively, has a different structure than the other connector arm in the mating pair. For example, one connector arm of a mating pair can have a head and the other connector arm can have a socket with the head at least partially engaged therein. Each head and socket includes at least one bearing surface. It is noted on the part where two connector arms are provided with each connector that one connector arm has a head and the other connector arm has a socket so as to engage respectively the socket and the head on the part of the other connector, preferably the head or socket on the first part corresponds to the head or socket on the second part so that essentially both parts of the connector have engagement members of equal geometry.

In another preferred embodiment, the bearing surface is provided on a shoulder extending at least partially laterally outward from the head and at least partially laterally inward from the socket. The shoulders on the connector arms of each mating pair can have a compensated shape so that the head fills the socket and leaves no room for movement when the connectors are coupled.

In another preferred embodiment, the bearing surfaces are generally aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis, i.e., the shoulders are "stacked" along the longitudinal axis of the connector. The first and third bearing surfaces are generally opposite the second and fourth bearing surfaces such that each of the first and third bearing surfaces faces one end of the coupled connector and each of the second and fourth bearing surfaces faces an opposite end of the coupled connector. In the coupled connector, the bearing surfaces on the first and second portions can be bound behind each other. Also, when the connectors are coupled, at least two bearing surfaces on the connector arms of the mating pair of connector arms engage against each other in a flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connectors. This arrangement enables more efficient transfer of forces and can reduce the tendency towards movement in the coupled connector.

The configuration of at least six separate bearing surfaces on respective shoulders increases the total bearing surface area available for transferring forces between the portions of the two connectors and reduces the pressure applied to each separate surface, thereby reducing fatigue damage to the component.

In another preferred embodiment, the at least six separate bearing surfaces are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the connector. This can increase the cross-sectional area of the connector, which is necessary to withstand longitudinal loads.

In a further preferred embodiment, the two portions are generally U-shaped with a connector arm on each side of the U-shape. Typically, the two arms on the portion of each connector can have different lengths from each other, such that when the connectors are coupled, the portions of the respective are not in the same plane on the connectors, but are axially offset with respect to each other.

In a further preferred embodiment, the two parts are connected by means of a connector pin. In another embodiment, the connector pin is driven laterally to secure the two portions together, optionally through each of the coupled connector portions. Driving the pin through the mating portion can be made more convenient by axially offsetting the mating portion.

In a further preferred embodiment, the two parts are tensioned in the coupled connector by means of a spacer.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Of course, additional features of the invention will be described further hereinafter.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the invention also include equivalent constructions not departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention with its operating advantages and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and to the descriptive matter.

Drawings

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of the connector of the present invention shown in disassembled form;

FIG. 1b is a close-up side view of the head and socket from FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1, as viewed from arrow A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a connector of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 4, as viewed from arrow A in FIG. 4;

fig. 6 is a graph of a break load test of the connector of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring now to fig. 1-3, a first preferred embodiment of a connector 100 has a first portion 102 and a second portion 104. The two portions 102, 104 are substantially identical. The coupled connector 100 has a longitudinal X-axis that also applies to the first and second portions 102, 104 when the connector 100 is coupled.

The first connector portion 102 is generally U-shaped and has a first arm 106 with a socket 108 and a third arm 110 with a head 112. The socket 108 and the head 112 as engaging members are placed at the open end of the portion 102 of the first connector, which extends away from the closed end of the U-shaped portion. The socket 108 preferably has six shoulders 108s that project radially into the socket 108 and extend around the inner circumference of the socket 108. The head 112 on the third connector arm 110 preferably has six radially outwardly projecting shoulders 112s extending circumferentially around three sides of the head 112. The side of the head 112 closest to the X axis does not have a shoulder. All of the shoulders 112s, 118s are aligned in a plane parallel to the X-axis.

The second connector portion 104 is also generally U-shaped and has a fourth arm 114 with a socket 116 and a second arm 118 with a head 120. Again, the head 120 and socket 116 are placed in the open end of the portion 104 of the connector, which extends away from the closed end of the U-shaped portion. The socket 116 preferably has six inwardly projecting shoulders 116s extending around the circumference of the socket 116.

The head 120 on the second connector arm 118 has six outwardly projecting shoulders 120s that extend circumferentially around three sides of the head 120. The side of the head 120 closest to the X axis does not have a shoulder. All of the shoulders 116s, 120s are aligned in a plane parallel to the X-axis.

Shoulders 108s and 116s on sockets 108, 116 have the same basic structure as shoulders 112s and 120s on heads 112, 120. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity and clarity, only the details of the head 120 and socket 108 are described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 b.

Each head shoulder 120s is generally triangular in cross-section and has a bearing surface 120b facing the closed end of the second connector portion 104 and a support front face generally facing the open end of the second connector portion 104. Each bearing surface 120b is flat and arranged in a single plane generally perpendicular to the X-axis. The bearing surfaces 120b are arranged in a single plane generally perpendicular to the X-axis. The support surface tapers from the radially outermost edge of the bearing surface 120b into the base of the head 120.

Each socket shoulder 108s is also generally triangular in cross-section and has a bearing surface 108b facing the closed end of the first connector portion 102 and a support front face generally facing the open end of the first connector portion 102. Each bearing surface 108b is flat and arranged in a single plane generally perpendicular to the X-axis. The bearing surfaces 108b are arranged in a single plane generally perpendicular to the X-axis. The support surface tapers from the radially outermost edge of the bearing surface 108b into the root of the socket 108.

It will be noted that each bearing surface 108b, 120b faces the closed end of the first and second connector portions 102, 104, respectively, whether placed on the socket 108, 116 or head 112, 120, respectively, and whether placed on the first or second connector portions 102, 104, respectively, so that the bearing surfaces 108b, 120b to be engaged with each other face in opposite directions toward the closed end of their respective connector portions 102, 104, when the first and second connector portions 102, 104, respectively, face each other prior to being coupled together.

A spacer 122 is provided to tension the arms in the coupled connector 100. The spacer 122 has a flat outer surface on each side and has a step 124 that engages in a corresponding recess on the inner surface of the arms 106, 114 to enable the spacer 122 to fit between the arms in only one configuration. In this configuration, apertures 126 extending through the spacer 122 align to form apertures through the arm portions 106 and 114 to allow passage of securing pins 128 through the apertures 126 to secure the first and second connector portions 102, 104, respectively, and the spacer 122 together in a particular configuration. Each of the retaining pin 128 and the aperture 126 has tapered sides so that when the retaining pin 128 is driven into the aperture 126, it is held in place, securing the connector 100 together. The retaining pin 128 can be sealed within the bore 126 by fusing or nailing lead plugs into the openings of the bore once the retaining pin 128 is in place.

When the connector 100 is to be coupled, the first and second connector portions 102, 104 of the connector 100 are respectively arranged side by side with their open ends facing each other, as shown in fig. 1a, such that the head 120 on the second connector arm 118 is formed side by side with the socket 108 on the first connector arm 106, and such that the head 112 on the third connector arm 110 is formed side by side with the socket 116 on the fourth connector arm 114. The retaining pin 128 is removed from the aperture 126 and the heads 112, 120 are inserted into the socket 108 by moving the two parts 102, 104 laterally towards each other so that the bearing surfaces 108b, 120b, 112b and the bearing surface arms on the heads 112, 120 and the sockets 108, 116 interlock. The diaphragm 122 can then optionally be slid into the space between the arms 106, 114 such that a step 124 on the diaphragm 122 engages in a corresponding recess on the arms 106, 114, whereby an aperture 126 through the diaphragm 122 is aligned with an aperture through the arms 106, 114. The retaining pin 128 is then driven into the aperture 126 and sealed as described above.

In this configuration, the bearing surface 120b on the head 120 on the second connector arm 118 is locked behind the bearing surface 108b on the socket 108 on the first connector arm 106. Similarly, the bearing surface 112b on the head 112 on the third connector arm 110 is locked behind the bearing surface on the socket 116 on the fourth connector arm 114. When the coupled connector 100 is in tension, force is transferred between the first and second portions 102, 104 through the bearing surfaces 108b, 120b locking against each other. A support surface on each component supports the bearing surface 108b, 120b, 112b against deformation.

The bearing surfaces 108b, 120b, 112b are aligned with one another in the same plane parallel to the X-axis of the connector 100. The axial load carried by the bearing surfaces 108b, 120b, 112b propagates between the six shoulders 108s, 120s, 112s, 1116s on each arm 106, 118, 110, 114 of each connector portion 102, 116, thus reducing the force carried by any one particular shoulder 108s, 120s, 112s, 116 s.

The taper angle of the support surfaces and the extent to which the bearing surfaces 1126, 120b project radially from the base of the heads 112, 120 is variable in different embodiments. Increasing the radial extent of the bearing surfaces 112b, 120b increases the surface area through which forces are transmitted, which is beneficial because it reduces the pressure exerted on each shoulder 112s, 120 s.

As shown in fig. 3, the connector has a thickness D and a nominal diameter D. According to a preferred embodiment, D = 1.3D.

Fig. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment in which the first and second portions 202, 204 are not identical to each other, but are attached in the same manner as described hereinabove. Whereas the connector 100 is most useful for connecting two rods of a chain having the same size, the second embodiment 200 shown in fig. 4 and 5 is designed for connecting chains of different sizes/weights to anchors. Thus, the first portion 202 of the second embodiment 200 has an arm 206 with a head 208, the head 208 having a shoulder 208s as previously described, the first portion 202 also having an arm 201, the arm 201 having a socket 212, the socket 212 having an internal shoulder 212s as previously described. As previously described, the first portion 204 has an arm 214 with a head 210 and a shoulder 216s and a further arm 218 with a socket 220 and an internal shoulder 220 s. The holes 222 pass through the first and second portions 202, 204, respectively. The closed end of the first portion 202 is relatively narrow and is designed for use in a lightweight chain. The closed end of the second portion 204 has a heavy gauge and is designed for a heavy chain or anchor. The components of the second embodiment 200 function in the same manner as described for the connector 100.

Examples of the invention

A break load test was performed on a 76mm/3 "connector, where D =1.30D, as shown in fig. 1-3. Fig. 6 is a graph showing the results of the damage load test. Although only a 16% improvement was expected, the failure load test surprisingly produced a failure load of 8009.3 kN. In other words, the connector 100 of the present invention produces a surprisingly 33% higher breaking load than the prior art. Moreover, the breaking load also shows that the connector 100 fails in the apex region, rather than in the locking mechanism. Conventionally, such connectors fail at the locking mechanism. However, in this test, the locking mechanism remained intact and in fact, even after the connector of the present invention failed, the locking mechanism remained intact and could be easily disassembled.

Having now described several embodiments of the present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of the invention and equivalents thereof. It is to be understood that variations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and that the present invention is susceptible to inclusion of such alternatives.

Further, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. A connector for connecting a rod of a chain to an anchor, comprising a first portion and a second portion, at least one first connector arm on the first portion and at least one second connector arm on the second portion, wherein the first connector arm and the second connector arm both have a plurality of bearing surfaces and are engageable with each other when the connector is coupled by means of the bearing surfaces, and wherein the connector has a nominal diameter d and is at least 1.3[0.0274d ]²(44-0.08d)]Disruption of kNAnd (4) bad load.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector has a thickness of 1.3 d.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector has six bearing surfaces.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal X-axis of the connector.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is aligned along a longitudinal X-axis of the connector.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first portion has at least one further arm, a third connector arm, and the second portion has at least one further arm, a fourth connector arm, and wherein the first connector arm comprises at least six first shoulders, the first shoulders further comprising at least one first bearing surface; the second connector arm comprises at least six second shoulders further comprising at least one second bearing surface; the third connector arm comprises at least six third shoulders, the third shoulders further comprising at least one third bearing surface; the fourth connector arm includes at least six fourth shoulders, the fourth shoulders further including at least one fourth bearing surface.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the first and second connector arms are configured to form a first mating pair of connector arms and the third and fourth connector arms are configured to form a second mating pair of connector arms, wherein bearing surfaces on connector arms of the mating pair of connector arms are configured to engage against each other in a flat plane perpendicular to a longitudinal X-axis of the connector.

8. The connector of claim 6, wherein the first and second connector arms are configured to form a first mating pair of connector arms and the third and fourth connector arms are configured to form a second mating pair of connector arms, and wherein one of the connector arms has a different structure than the other connector arm as an engagement member in the first and second mating pairs.

9. The connector of claim 6, wherein on the first portion at least one connector arm has a head and on the second portion at least one connector arm has a socket, wherein the socket is adapted to at least partially receive the head.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein on the first portion, another connector arm has a socket, wherein on a second portion, another connector arm has a head, and wherein the head and socket on the first portion correspond to the socket and head on the second portion, respectively.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the shoulder extends at least partially laterally outward from the head and at least partially laterally inward from the socket.

12. The connector of claim 6, wherein the first and second portions are generally U-shaped and have one connector arm on each side of the U.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the first and third connector arms have lengths different from one another, wherein the second and fourth connector arms have lengths different from one another, and wherein bearing surfaces of the first and second connector arms and the third and fourth connector arms are matable to be axially offset with respect to one another.

14. The connector of claim 6, wherein the first and second portions are connectable by means of a connector pin.

15. The connector of claim 14, wherein the connector pin is drivable laterally through the first and second portions when the connector is coupled for securing the first and second portions.

16. The connector of claim 6, wherein the connector arms of the first and second portions are capable of being tensioned as the connector is coupled by the spacer.

17. A connector comprising a first portion and a second portion, at least one first connector arm on the first portion and at least one second connector arm on the second portion, wherein the first and second connector arms both have at least six bearing surfaces and are capable of engaging each other when the connector is coupled by means of the bearing surfaces, the connector having a nominal diameter d and being at least 1.3[0.0274d ]²(44-0.08d)]kN breaking load.

18. The connector of claim 17, wherein the connector has a thickness of 1.3 d.