US4296955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite coupling device with high recovery driver
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1975-08-27
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Granted: 1981-10-27
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Expires: 1995-08-27
Abstract
Abstract Described herein are composite coupling devices, particularly useful for joining cylindrical substrates. The device comprises a tubular heat recoverable member referred to as a driver that acts upon a second member, usually a sleeve concentrically disposed within the driver, causing the latter to engage the substrate. According to the present invention, the driver has a discontinuous or non-closed cross-section perpendicular to the axis about which it recovers allowing a high percentage of recovery to be imparted to it.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles L. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L13/00; F16L13/004; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/77
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A composite device which comprises: (a) a hollow, heat-recoverable, helical spring member made from helically wound sheet or wire of memory metal, said heat-recoverable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, disposed coaxially with said heat-recoverable member, and adapted to be deformed to grip a substrate, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-recoverable member when the heat-recoverable member is heated above its transition temperature and recovers in the direction of said sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A composite device which comprises: (a) a hollow, heat-recoverable, helical spring member made from helically wound sheet or wire of memory metal, said heat-recoverable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, disposed coaxially with said heat-recoverable member, and adapted to be deformed to grip a substrate, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-recoverable member when the heat-recoverable member is heated above its transition temperature and recovers in the direction of said sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A composite device as in claim 1 wherein the hollow heat-recoverable member is right cylindrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composite device as in claim 1, wherein the coil spring member has been deformed by compression.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composite device as in claim 1, wherein the coil spring member has been deformed by tension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composite device as in claim 1, wherein the heat-recoverable member is formed from at least two discrete layers of wound sheet or wire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composite device as in claim 1, wherein the memory metal has a recovery temperature above ambient temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composite device as in claim 6, wherein the memory metal has been preconditioned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composite device as in claim 1, wherein the sleeve also has a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve each show a discontinuity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composite device as in claim 8, wherein the sleeve is formed from spirally wound sheet or wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composite device as in claim 8, wherein the sleeve is a split tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composite device as in claim 8, wherein the sleeve is formed from helically wound sheet or wire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
A composite device as in claim 1, wherein the sleeve is resilient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A composite device as in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is disposed within said recoverable member, said recoverable member being heat-shrinkable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A composite device as in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is disposed about said heat-recoverable member, said recoverable member being heat-expandable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A composite device as in claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made from a gall-prone metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composite device as in claim 15 wherein a principal surface of the sleeve exhibits profilometer roughness not greater than about 125 micro-inches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composite device as in claim 16 wherein a principal surface of the sleeve exhibits profilometer roughness not greater than about 63 micro-inches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composite device as in claim 1, wherein the sleeve has teeth on at least one of its principal surfaces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
118 words
A composite device which comprises: (a) a hollow heat-recoverable member formed from at least two layers of helically wound sheet or wire of memory metal, wherein the winding of one layer is of a hand opposite to the winding in an adjacent layer, said heat-recoverable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, disposed coaxially with said heat-recoverable member, and adapted to be deformed to engage a substrate, said-deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-recoverable member when the heat-recoverable member is heated above its transition temperature and recovers in the direction of the sleeve.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
118 words
A composite device which comprises: (a) a hollow heat-recoverable member formed from at least two layers of helically wound sheet or wire of memory metal, wherein the winding of one layer is of a hand opposite to the winding in an adjacent layer, said heat-recoverable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, disposed coaxially with said heat-recoverable member, and adapted to be deformed to engage a substrate, said-deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-recoverable member when the heat-recoverable member is heated above its transition temperature and recovers in the direction of the sleeve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
A hollow, heat-recoverable device comprising a plurality of helically wound overlapping layers of heat-recoverable sheet or wire made from a memory metal wherein the winding of one layer is of a hand opposite the winding in an adjacent layer, said heat-recoverable device having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable device each show a discontinuity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
A hollow, heat-recoverable device comprising a plurality of helically wound overlapping layers of heat-recoverable sheet or wire made from a memory metal wherein the winding of one layer is of a hand opposite the winding in an adjacent layer, said heat-recoverable device having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable device each show a discontinuity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 20 wherein the memory metal has a recovery temperature above ambient temperature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 21 wherein the memory metal has been preconditioned.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
116 words
A composite device for coupling a pair of substrates comprising: (a) a hollow, heat-shrinkable, radially expanded helical spring member made from helically wound sheet or wire of memory metal, said heat-shrinkable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-shrinkable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve disposed coaxially within said heat-shrinkable member, said sleeve open at both ends to receive said substrates to be joined, and adapted to be deformed to grip said substrates and form a union therebetween, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-shrinkable member when the heat-shrinkable member is heated above its transition temperature and shrinks about said sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
116 words
A composite device for coupling a pair of substrates comprising: (a) a hollow, heat-shrinkable, radially expanded helical spring member made from helically wound sheet or wire of memory metal, said heat-shrinkable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-shrinkable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve disposed coaxially within said heat-shrinkable member, said sleeve open at both ends to receive said substrates to be joined, and adapted to be deformed to grip said substrates and form a union therebetween, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-shrinkable member when the heat-shrinkable member is heated above its transition temperature and shrinks about said sleeve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 23 wherein the heat-shrinkable member is right cylindrical.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 23 wherein the heat-shrinkable member is comprised of at least two layers of helically wound sheet or wire.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 25, wherein the winding of one layer is of a hand opposite the winding of an adjacent layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
103 words
A composite device which comprises: (a) A hollow heat-recoverable member comprising a plurality of split rings made from a memory metal, said heat-recoverable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, disposed coaxially with said heat-recoverable member and adapted to be deformed to grip a substrate, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-recoverable member when the heat-recoverable member is heated above its transition temperature and recovers in the direction of the sleeve such that it contacts said sleeve.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
103 words
A composite device which comprises: (a) A hollow heat-recoverable member comprising a plurality of split rings made from a memory metal, said heat-recoverable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, disposed coaxially with said heat-recoverable member and adapted to be deformed to grip a substrate, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-recoverable member when the heat-recoverable member is heated above its transition temperature and recovers in the direction of the sleeve such that it contacts said sleeve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
A composite device as in claim 27, wherein the sleeve is made from a gall-prone metal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composite device as in claim 28 wherein a principal surface of the sleeve exhibits profilometer roughness not greater than about 125 micro-inches.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composite device as in claim 29 wherein a principal surface of the sleeve exhibits profilometer roughness not greater than about 63 micro-inches.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composite device as in claim 27, wherein the sleeve has teeth on at least one of its principal surfaces.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A composite device as claimed in claim 27 wherein the heat-recoverable member further comprises a cylindrical cover for maintaining said rings in a stacked relationship.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
113 words
A composite device for coupling a pair of substrates comprising: (a) a hollow heat-shrinkable member comprising a plurality of split rings made from a memory metal, said heat-shrinkable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-shrinkable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve disposed coaxially within said heat-shrinkable member, said sleeve open at both ends to receive said substrates to be joined, and adapted to be deformed to grip said substrates and form a union therebetween, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-shrinkable member when the heat-shrinkable member is heated above its transition temperature and shrinks about said sleeve.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
113 words
A composite device for coupling a pair of substrates comprising: (a) a hollow heat-shrinkable member comprising a plurality of split rings made from a memory metal, said heat-shrinkable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-shrinkable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve disposed coaxially within said heat-shrinkable member, said sleeve open at both ends to receive said substrates to be joined, and adapted to be deformed to grip said substrates and form a union therebetween, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-shrinkable member when the heat-shrinkable member is heated above its transition temperature and shrinks about said sleeve.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composite device according to claim 33 where the heat-shrinkable member further comprises a cylindrical cover for maintaining said rings in a stacked relationship.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
99 words
A composite device which comprises: (a) a tubular, hollow, heat-recoverable spiral spring member made from spirally wound sheet or wire of memory metal, said heat-recoverable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, disposed coaxially with said heat-recoverable member, and adapted to be deformed to grip a substrate, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-recoverable member when the heat-recoverable member is heated above its transition temperature and recovers in the direction of said sleeve.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
99 words
A composite device which comprises: (a) a tubular, hollow, heat-recoverable spiral spring member made from spirally wound sheet or wire of memory metal, said heat-recoverable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-recoverable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve, open at both ends, disposed coaxially with said heat-recoverable member, and adapted to be deformed to grip a substrate, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-recoverable member when the heat-recoverable member is heated above its transition temperature and recovers in the direction of said sleeve.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
A composite device as in claim 35, wherein the sleeve is made from a gall-prone metal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composite device as in claim 36 wherein a principal surface of the sleeve exhibits profilometer roughness not greater than about 125 micro-inches.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composite device as in claim 37 wherein a principal surface of the sleeve exhibits profilometer roughness not greater than about 63 micro-inches.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composite device as in claim 35, wherein the sleeve has teeth on at least one of its principal surfaces.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composite device as in claim 35, wherein the heat-recoverable member is formed from at least two discrete layers of wound sheet or wire.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composite device as in claim 35, wherein the memory metal has been preconditioned.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
A composite device as in claim 35, wherein the sleeve also has a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve each show a discontinuity.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composite device as in claim 42, wherein the sleeve is a split tube.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composite device as in claim 42, wherein the sleeve is formed from helically wound sheet or wire.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composite device as in claim 42, wherein the sleeve is formed from spirally wound sheet or wire.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
114 words
A composite device for coupling a pair of substrates comprising: (a) a hollow, heat-shrinkable, spiral spring member made from spirally wound sheet or wire of memory metal, said heat-shrinkable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-shrinkable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve disposed coaxially within said heat-shrinkable member, said sleeve open at both ends to receive said substrates to be joined, and adapted to be deformed to grip said substrates and form a union therebetween, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-shrinkable member when the heat-shrinkable member is heated above its transition temperature and shrinks about said sleeve.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
114 words
A composite device for coupling a pair of substrates comprising: (a) a hollow, heat-shrinkable, spiral spring member made from spirally wound sheet or wire of memory metal, said heat-shrinkable member having a cross-section such that sections perpendicular to the axis of the heat-shrinkable member each show a discontinuity; and (b) a hollow sleeve disposed coaxially within said heat-shrinkable member, said sleeve open at both ends to receive said substrates to be joined, and adapted to be deformed to grip said substrates and form a union therebetween, said deformation resulting from force exerted on the sleeve by the heat-shrinkable member when the heat-shrinkable member is heated above its transition temperature and shrinks about said sleeve.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-26 | 1985-04-27 | 1985-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-26 | 1989-04-27 | 1989-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-26 | 1993-04-27 | 1993-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |