US3832072A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clamp assembly
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-23
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-04-23
Abstract
Abstract The location of a draw bolt clamp on an adjusting sleeve assembly for tie rods of automotive steering linkages is controlled by a tab on the slotted tube of the assembly projecting into a slot in the clamp to hold the clamp against axial shifting on the tube and to prevent rotation of the loose clamp to a position where any portion of the clamp could enter the tube slot when the clamp is tightened on the tube. The assembly may be in the form of an internally threaded tube with a slotted threaded rod receiving end portion and receiving the clamp therearound or in the form of a split turnbuckle receiving clamps on both ends and having internal threads of opposite hand each receiving a threaded rod.
Inventors
- 👤 S Mazur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/29; Y10T403/295
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An adjusting sleeve and clamp assembly comPrising a tubular member having a slotted portion adapted to be contracted, a clamping ring surrounding said slotted portion having opposed clamping legs and a bight portion connecting said legs, said bight portion having a circumferential slot with closed ends, said tube having an external protuberance extending into said slot and cooperating with the sidewalls of the slot to hold the clamp against axial shifting on the tube and with the ends of the slot to hold the leg portions of the clamp in spaced circumferential relation from the slot of the tube, and a draw bolt extending through the legs of the clamp for contracting the clamp on the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An adjusting sleeve and clamp assembly comPrising a tubular member having a slotted portion adapted to be contracted, a clamping ring surrounding said slotted portion having opposed clamping legs and a bight portion connecting said legs, said bight portion having a circumferential slot with closed ends, said tube having an external protuberance extending into said slot and cooperating with the sidewalls of the slot to hold the clamp against axial shifting on the tube and with the ends of the slot to hold the leg portions of the clamp in spaced circumferential relation from the slot of the tube, and a draw bolt extending through the legs of the clamp for contracting the clamp on the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the protuberance is a tab projecting from one side edge of the slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the legs of the clamp have inturned peripheral flanges forming corners at the bight portion and the protuberance and ends of the slot in the clamp cooperate to hold the corners in spaced circumferential relation from the slot of the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tube is internally threaded and a rod is threaded in the tube to a depth beyond the clamping ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tube is split along its length to provide the slot, has internal threads of opposite hand extending inwardly from both ends, and has a clamping ring located on each end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein an end edge of the tab abuts one end of the circumferential slot and an outer face of the tab abuts the other end of the circumferential slot to limit rotation of the clamping ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the protuberance and circumferential slot limit the rotation of the clamping ring on the tube to about 180*.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein the tab is between two circumferential cuts in the tube extending from one side of the slot of the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
A turnbuckle comprising a metal tube having a slot along the length thereof, internal threads of opposite hand extending inwardly from both ends of the tube, a U-shaped clamping ring on each end of the tube having a bight portion with a closed end circumferential slot and legs extending from the bight portion having peripheral inturned stiffening flanges extending to corners at the bight portion, a tab punched from the tube into each circumferential slot of the clamping rings, the outboard ends of the legs of the clamping rings having aligned apertures therethrough, draw bolts in said apertures, nuts on the draw bolts, and the said tabs and circumferential slots holding the clamping rings against axial shifting on the tube and limiting rotation of the clamping rings on the tube to a zone preventing the corners from overlying the slot of the tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
A turnbuckle comprising a metal tube having a slot along the length thereof, internal threads of opposite hand extending inwardly from both ends of the tube, a U-shaped clamping ring on each end of the tube having a bight portion with a closed end circumferential slot and legs extending from the bight portion having peripheral inturned stiffening flanges extending to corners at the bight portion, a tab punched from the tube into each circumferential slot of the clamping rings, the outboard ends of the legs of the clamping rings having aligned apertures therethrough, draw bolts in said apertures, nuts on the draw bolts, and the said tabs and circumferential slots holding the clamping rings against axial shifting on the tube and limiting rotation of the clamping rings on the tube to a zone preventing the corners from overlying the slot of the tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The turnbuckle of claim 9 wherein the zone of rotation of the clamping ring is about 180*.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The turnbuckle of claim 9 wherein the tabs are punched from one side of the slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The turnbuckle of claim 9 wherein rods are threaded in both ends of the tube to depths beyond the clamping rings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |