United States Patent [19J
`Hoblingre
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`4,943,182
`Jul. 24, 1990
`
`[54] RAPID FASTENER OF THE BAYONET TYPE
`Inventor: Andre Hoblingre, Valentigney,
`[75]
`·France
`
`[73] Assignee: ECIA - Equipements Et Composants
`Pour L'Industrie Automobile,
`Audincourt, France
`[21] Appl. No.: 323,590
`[22] Filed:
`Mar. 14, 1989
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Mar. 14, 1988 [FR]
`France ................................. 8803290
`Int. CI.s ................................................ F16B 7/20
`[51]
`[52] U.S. CI . .................................... 403/349; 403/325;
`403/359; 403/328
`[58] Field of Search ................ 403/325, 328, 349, 359
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,527,256 10/1950 Jackson ........................... 403/349 X
`2,723,876 11/1955 Langlors et al ................ 403/349 X
`2,880,435 4/1959 Deutsch et al ................. 403/349 X
`3,280,439 10/1966 McCarthy ....................... 403/325 X
`3,362,050 1/1968 McCarthy ....................... 403/325 X
`3,390,874 7/1968 McCarthy ....................... 403/325 X
`3,423,781 1/1969 Hensen ................................ 403/349
`
`[56]
`
`3,854,832 12/1974 Cowper ....................... : ....... 403/349
`3,898,012 8/1975 Gillin .............................. 403/328 X
`4,076,105 2/1978 Aono .............................. 403/349 X
`4,768,405 9/1988 Nickipuck ....................... 403/325 X
`Primary Examiner-Randolph A. Reese
`Assistant Examiner-Carol I. Bordas
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sughrue, Mion, Zinn,
`Macpeak & Seas
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`The rapid fastener is adapted to achieve a connection in
`the axial direction and in rotation of two elements and
`more particularly torque-transmitting shafts. It com(cid:173)
`prises at the end of one of the elements a socket (8)
`which is provided with at least one helical slot (14, 16)
`and on which is axially slidable a ring (18) defining at
`least one longitudinal slot which is laterally offset rela(cid:173)
`tive to the entrance (14) of the helical slot. The ring (18)
`is biased by a spring (24) toward the entrance of the
`socket (8). The second element has a stem (4) provided
`with a driving pin (6) which, in entering the helical slot,
`urges back the ring but is guided under the action of the
`spring (24) and the edges of the two slots toward the
`inner end of the helical slot and is then locked in this
`position without clearance.
`
`7 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`26
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 24, 1990
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`4,943,182
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 24, 1990
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`4,943,182
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 24, 1990
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`4,943,182
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`m .
`L:J
`LL.
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`1'
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`I II~~
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 24, 1990
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`4,943,182
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`IPR2023-01323
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`1
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`4,943,182
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`RAPID FASTENER OF TIIE BAYONET TYPE
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The mechanical assembly of two parts or elements
`may be achieved in many various ways. One of the
`simplest ways which takes up the smallest amount of
`space is the use of a coupling of the bayonet type com(cid:173)
`prising on one of the elements a projecting pin, .and on 10
`the end of the other element a socket having a slot for
`receiving and locking the pin.
`Couplings of this type are well known and employed
`in many fields. However, they are reserved for the
`connection of elements intended to remain stationary 15
`since they can only ensure with difficulty the reliable
`transmission of a torque, above all if the latter is large.
`For the purpose of ensuring an assembly of complete
`reliability, the most currently employed means are for
`example: collars, screw-and-nut systems or other sys- 20
`terns. Their . drawbacks are that they require precise
`moving operations and the application of well-deter(cid:173)
`mined clamping forces which create possible errors in
`the positioning.
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`·SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`An object of the present invention is to overcome
`these drawbacks and to provide a rapid fastener which,
`while having the advantages of a coupling of the bayo- 30
`net type, ensures a connection with no axial or angular
`clearance permitting, on one hand, the transmission of
`even large torques and, on the other hand, the establish(cid:173)
`ment of the connection by a single shifting and being
`capable of being disassembled at any moment.
`The invention indeed provides a rapid fastener of the
`bayonet type comprising, on one hand, a female socket
`having at least one helical slot and, on the other hand, a
`male stem carrying at least one laterally projecting pin
`capable of being disposed in the slot of the socket, and
`guiding and locking means carried by the socket and
`elastically biasing the pin into the bottom of the helical
`slot and locking the pin in this position.
`According to a preferred embodiment, the guiding 45
`and locking means comprise a ring mounted to be axi(cid:173)
`ally slidable along the socket but biased toward the
`open end of the sockket by a spring, said ring compris(cid:173)
`ing in facing relation to each of the helical slots of the
`socket an open longitudinal slot which is laterally offset 50
`relative to the entrance of the helical slot.
`With this arrangmeent, a mere axial force exerted on
`either of the elements to be interconnected constrains
`each of the driving pins to urge back the slidable ring so
`as to enter th~ helical slot and then, under the combined 55
`action of the edges of the two slots, to effect the angular
`displacement required for the locking thereof and the
`return of the ring to the locking position. The two ele(cid:173)
`ments are then assembled in a sure manner and with no 60
`angular clearance and are capable of transmitting
`torques in either direction whatever be the magnitude
`thereof.
`The following description of an embodiment given
`by way of a non-limitative example and shown in the 65
`accompanying drawings will being out the advantages
`and features of the invention.
`In the drawings:
`
`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORA WINGS
`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rapid
`fastener according to the invention;
`FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the assembled rapid
`fastener;
`FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a modification of the
`assembled rapid fastener; and
`FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another variation of
`the assembled rapid fastener.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`The rapid fastener according to the invention is
`adapted to interconnect two elements, and in particular
`two coaxial shafts 1 and 2, the shaft 1 of which has at its
`end an elongated stem 4 of substantially cylindrical
`shape which carries at least one driving pin 6 and pref(cid:173)
`erably two pins, as shown in FIG. 1. The element 2
`terminates in a hollow, also cylindrical, socket 8 which
`is open at its entrance end 10 and in the wall of which
`are provided two slots 12 each capable of receiving one
`of the pins 6.
`Each of the slots 12 has a curved shape, i.e. it in(cid:173)
`cludes, following on a substantially axial entrance por(cid:173)
`tion 14, a substantially helical portion 16.
`Slidably mounted on the socket 8 is a ring 18 which is
`connected to rotate with the socket by any suitable
`means, such as flat faces, a polygonal shape or, as
`shown, longitudinal splines 20 provided on its inner
`surface and cooperating with complementary splines 22
`on the outer surface of the socket 8. A coil spring 24 is
`also mounted around the socket 8. It bears, on one hand,
`against the edge of the slidable ring 18, and, on the other
`hand against an outer shoulder or a projection 26 on the
`element 2 so that it tends to bias the ring 18 outwardly,
`i.e. in the direction toward the open end 10 of the socket
`8.
`
`The ring 18 further comprises two slots 28 extending
`generally longitudinally and open at the end of the ring
`which is remote from the spring 24. Each of the slots 28
`has sufficient width to permit the entry of the pin 6 of
`the element 1. Preferably, these slots 28 have a diver(cid:173)
`gent shape, their width increasing progressively in the
`direction toward their open end (FIG. 1.).
`As is shown more particularly in FIG. 2, each of the
`slots 28 is disposed on top of one of the slots 12 of the
`socket 8, but is laterally offset relative to the entrance 14
`of the slot 12 so that the end edge 30 of the ring 18
`partly closes this entrance of the slot 12.
`One or more lugs 32 formed for example by a press
`operation or by a forming-over operation on the mate(cid:173)
`rial of the socket 8, after the mounting of the ring 18,
`retain this ring on the socket. At rest, i.e. before the
`assembly of the rapid fastener, the ring 18 is thus biased
`by the spring 24 against the lugs 32 in a well-determined
`angular position.
`When it is desired to achieve the connection between
`the elements 1 and 2, it is sufficient to introduce the
`elongated stem 4 inside the socket 8 in placing each of
`the pins 6 in front of the entrance 14 of one of the slots
`12. An axial force on either of the elements 1 and 2 then
`enables the pin 6 to urge back the edge 30 of the ring 18
`against the action of the spring 24 and thus to enter the
`slot 12. However, owing to the force exerted by the
`spring 24 and the inclination of the lower edge of the
`portion 16 of the slot 12, the pin 6 is progressively later(cid:173)
`ally urged back by the edge of the slot 28 so that, as it
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`3
`axially advances in the socket, it is angularly displaced
`relative to the entrance of the slot 12 and approaches
`the inner end of the latter. It then slides along the op(cid:173)
`popsed edges of the two slots and thereby enables the
`ring 18 to progressivley resume its initial position. At 5
`this moment, as shown clearly in FIG. 2, the pin 6 is
`trapped between edges of the slots 12 and 28 so that at
`any moment the return movement thereof is precluded.
`Preferably, an outer shoulder 36 is formed at the
`junction between the element 1 proper and the stem 4 10
`and the abutment of this shoulder against the edge 10 of
`the socket 8 corresponds to the locking position, which
`facilitates the positioning of the fastener.
`The elements 1 and 2 are then closely locked to(cid:173)
`gether. Their axial displacement is precluded by the 15
`contact of the pin 6 with the edges of the slot 12 while
`their relative displacement in rotation is precluded by
`the contact of the pin 6 with the edges of the two slots
`12 and 28. The interlocking of the elements 1 and 2 is
`without clearance, as the angular and/or axial clear- 20
`ances are automatically taken up by the compression
`spring, irrespective of the manufacturing toleranc!es and
`the wear of the assembly.
`Such a connection is achieved by a simple axial force, 25
`the angular displacement occurring automatically
`under the effect of the exerted pressure. Furthermore, it
`does not require any precise handling, since a slight
`original offset of the pin 6 relative to the slot 12 is cor(cid:173)
`rected automatically by a relative angular displacement 30
`of the two elements, while a larger offset preventing the
`connection is immediately detected, the two elements
`remaining independent. Thus, the slightest torque ex(cid:173)
`erted on one of the elements confirms the locking or
`indicates its absence. The connection is therefore ex- 35
`tremely reliable and safe.
`This connection may also be very easily dismantled
`by urging the ring 18 against the action of the spring 24,
`which instantaneously releases the pins 6 and the ele-
`ment 1.
`The rapid fastener is consequently most particularly
`adapted to the connection of elements which are diffi(cid:173)
`cult of access, or even to connections achieved auto(cid:173)
`matically or remote controlled, whether the elements to
`be connected are solid or hollow, the stem 4 being if 45
`desired hollow. ·
`Preferably, the positioning of the fastener is facili(cid:173)
`tated by the presence at the end of the stem 4 of a coni(cid:173)
`cal portion 34 which facilitates the centering and the
`entry in the socket 8.
`It will be understood that the stem 4 and the inner
`surface of the socket 8 preferably have a cylindrical
`shape with a circular base, but they may have any other
`suitable profile. They may in particular have comple(cid:173)
`mentary prismatic profiles defining therebetween a suf- 55
`ficient clearance to permit the locking but ensuring a
`positive driving in the event of a breakage of the driving
`pin. Furthermore, the driving pins may have a cylindri(cid:173)
`cal shape with a circular base, as shown, or have suit(cid:173)
`able slopes corresponding to the bearing against the 60
`edges of the slots so as to increase the contact surfaces.
`It will be clearly apparent that the number of driving
`pins, helical slots and locking slots may vary in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the utilization and the magnitude of the
`forces to be transmitted.
`In some cases, moreover, it is advantageous to em(cid:173)
`ploy as a coil spring 24, a spring formed by a flat strip
`24a (FIG. 4) wound into a helix, instead of a wire. The
`
`40
`
`4
`spring then forms around the socket a protective sheath
`against impurities or other exterior attack.
`A still greater protection against impurities may be
`obtained by constructing the fastener according to the
`modification shown in FIG. 3. Indeed, in this case, the
`guiding and locking ring 38 is slidably mounted inside
`the socket 40 of the element 2. It is connected to rotate
`with the socket by splines 20, 22 or by any other suitable
`profile. A spring 24 is also disposed inside the socket
`between the inner end 42 of the inner bore of the socket
`and the ring 38. Radial lugs 44 formed at the open end
`of the socket 40 radially project inside the socket to
`prevent the ring 38 from moving out of the socket.
`The ring 38 includes, as the ring 18, divergent longi(cid:173)
`tudinal slots 28 which are laterally offset relative to the
`entrance 14 of each of the slots 12 of the socket 40.
`The stem 4 of the element 1 has, in this case, a profile
`and dimensions which are complementary to those of
`the ring 38 in which it must penetrate.
`The assembly is achieved in the same way as with the
`fastener shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. By inserting the stem
`4 in the ring 38, the pins 6 are made to urge this ring
`back so as to enter the slots 12 and then the edges of the
`slots 28 of the ring urge back these pins 6 to the inner
`end of the slots 12 and lock them in this position.
`As shown in FIG.~. all the elements of the fastener
`are then protected and isolated from the exterior by the
`socket which abuts against the shoulder 36 of the ele(cid:173)
`ment 1. They can be neither attacked nor damaged by
`exterior action.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A rapid fastener of the bayonet type for connection
`of two elements, comprising a socket terminating the
`first element, a stem terminating the second element, the
`socket having an open end for receiving a stem, a later(cid:173)
`ally projecting pin on the outer surface of said stem, a
`slot in the socket, said slot having an open entrance end
`for the entrance of said projecting pin, guiding and
`locking means comprising a ring axially slidable along
`the socket but rotating with said socket, spring means
`for biasing said ring toward the open end of said socket,
`a longitudinal slot formed in said ring and having an
`open end toward the open end of the socket, and two
`lateral walls progressively diverging toward said open
`end of the longitudinal slot; said longitudinal slot open
`end being laterally offset relative to said open entrance
`end of the socket slot and having an end edge which
`partly closes said entrance end of the socket slot and
`which is urged back by the pin as the stem penetrates in
`said socket, said socket slot having an helical shape
`which causes helical relative motion of said penetrating
`stem and said socket and guides the pin to the entrance
`end of the longitudinal slot so that the end edge of said
`longitudinal slot is released and the ring is biased to a
`locking position in which the pin is trapped by edges of
`the two slots.
`2. A rapid fastener of the bayonet type for a connec(cid:173)
`tion of two elements, one of which elements terminates
`in a socket while the other of said elements comprises a
`stem, said fastener comprising a helical slot in the
`socket, a laterally projecting pin carried by the stem and
`capable of being disposed in the helical slot of the
`socket, guiding and locking means carried by the socket
`and elastically biasing the pin to an inner end of the
`helical slot and locking the pin at said end; and interen(cid:173)
`gaged splines for connecting the guiding and locking
`means to rotate with the socket.
`
`4,943,182
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`50
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`4,943,182
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`5
`3. A rapid fastener of the bayonet type for a connec(cid:173)
`tion of two elements, one of which elements terminates
`in a socket while the other of said elements comprises a
`stem, said fastener comprising. a helical slot in the
`socket, a laterally projecting pin carried by the stem and
`capable of being disposed in the helical slot of the
`socket and guiding and locking means carried by the
`socket and elastically biasing the pin to an inner end of
`the helical slot and locking the pin at said end; wherein 10
`the guiding and locking means comprise a ring slidably
`mounted on the socket; and further comprising a spring
`for biasing the ring toward the open end of the socket,
`said spring being in the form of a flat strip wound heli(cid:173)
`cally.
`
`6
`4. A rapid fastener according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
`wherein a plurality of said helical slot, a plurality of said
`pin and a plurality of said longitudinal slot are provided.
`5. A rapid fastener according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
`5 wherein the socket comprises, in the vicinity of the
`open end thereof, radial lrigs for retaining the slidable
`ring.
`6. A rapid fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
`the guiding and locking means comprise a ring slidably
`mounted on the socket.
`7. A rapid fastener according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
`wherein the guiding and locking means comprise a ring
`slidably mounted inside the socket and means for elasti(cid:173)
`cally outwardly biasing the ring.
`* * * * *
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`15
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`20
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