US3119512A

US3119512A - Quick closure and connecting arrangement for members

Info

Publication number: US3119512A
Application number: US32679A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert D Foster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-05-31
Filing date: 1960-05-31
Publication date: 1964-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1981-01-28

Description

Jan. 28, 1964 R. D. FOSTER 3,119,512 QUICK CLOSURE AND CONNECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR MEMBERS Filed May 31. 1960 I ma N I Robert 0. Far few I IN V EN TOR.

BY%9/M United States Patent Ofilice 3,119,512 Patented Jan. 28, 1954 3,119,512 QUECK QLQSURE AND CQNNEQTENG ARRANGEMENT F01; MEMBERS Robert 2). Foster, Harris County, Tex. (3115 Bntfaio Erive, Houston 119, Tex.) Fiied May 31, teen, Ser. No. 32,679 11 Ciaims. (Cl. 220-34) The present invention relates to a quick opening closure arrangement for vessels and tubular members which includes a quick connect and disconnect arrangement.

In certain situations it is desirable to provide a removable flange or closure on a tubular member, which serves to close off the end of the member, but which may be readily removed for access to the member. It can be appreciated that where excessive pressures are encountered within the tubular member, it may be diflicult to provide a construction which will serve to positively seal off the tubular member to prevent the leakage therefrom on the one hand, while providing a construction which can be readily removed from the tubular member for access thereinto.

Various constructions have been heretofore suggested and are presently employed for accomplishing this function. However, most of such constructions employ a number of moving parts which may greatly increase the cost of manufacture and which also increases the chiliculty of reseating the flange in position on the tubular member from time to time. The present invention overcomes the above and other problems presently encountered in closure arrangements in that it provides a construction which employs a minimum number of moving parts and wmch can be easily and more economically manufactured. Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick coupling arrangement which may be used on a closure, or for connecting members together.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement whereby members may be quickly and easily positioned in a predetermined relation or disconnected from each other as desired.

Yet a :further object of the present invention is to provide a closure arrangement for an opening in a vessel or for an opening in a tubular member which incorporates means for quickly and easily locking the closure in position over the opening.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings wherein:

,, PEG. 1 is a side elevation of the present invention illustrating it mounted on the end of a tubular member;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the whole device and showing the parts in disconnected relationship to more clearly illustrate the construction and arrangement thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view on the line 33 of FIG. 1 to show the manner of supporting the cover on the body; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the present invention employed in connecting tubular members in end to end relation.

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein the invention is illustrated generally by the numeral S and is shown as including a body 6 which is provided with hook means on the end thereof, such hook means being designated generally by the numeral 7. Where the invention is to be used on a closure, a cover as illustrated generally at 8 is provided with a hook means on and edge thereof, such hook means being illustrated generally by the numeral 9, and the hook means 7 of the body 6 and the hook means 9 of the cover 8 are adapted to engage the cover 3 and the body 6 for locking the cover in position on the body 6, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Suitable means as illustrated at 12 are provided for shifting the cover laterally of the body 6 as illustrated in dotted line at 13. Thereafter the cover 8 may be swung to the position illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings for access to the opening 15 in the tubular member 16 on which the invention is mounted.

In order to mount the cover 8 adjacent the body 6 and swingably support the cover 8 for engagement with the body 6', or away from the body 6 for access to the opening 15 suitable means as illustrated generally by the numeral 1-8 are provided which cooperate to position the cover 8 adjacent the end of the body 6, and also accommodate swinging movement of the cover 8 towards and away from the body 6 as above described, and as will be more fully described hereinafter.

It will be noted that the body 6 of the device is adapted to be secured adjacent the opening 15 of the tubular member 16, and may be retained in such position by any suitable means such as by welding or the like. The hook means 7 on the loody 6 is formed by the overhanging portion 20 which extends circumferentially about the end 21 of the body 6. It will be noted that the circumferential extent of the overhanging portion 26 is not greater than one-half of the total circumference of the end 21, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. A groove means 22 is formed in the overhanging portion 20 between the end 21 of the body 6 and the end 23 of the overhanging portion 20, as illustrated in cross-section of FIG. 2 of the drawings. The groove may assume the configuration wherein one side is defined by the surface 24 of the end 21 of the body 6, the annular innermost surface 25, and the opposite side surface 26 which may be tapered as illustrated in FIG. 2. The groove 22 extends throughout the peripheral extent of the overhanging portion 24 and forms a female receiving member for receiving a male portion of the cover 8 as will be more fully described.

It will be noted that the remainder of the circumference of the end 21 of the body 6 is provided with a laterally or radially projecting shoulder or projection or flange 28. It will be noted that the radially projecting flange 28 is provided with outer annular edge 29, a tapering surface 39, and is further defined by the surface 24 of the end 21 of the body 6,

Hook means 9 on the cover 8 is formed in a manner similar to that previously described with regard to the body 6 and includes the overhanging portion 35 which extends circumferentially of the end 36 of the cover 8 for a distance not more than one-half of the total circumference of the annular cover 8. The circumferential extent of the overhanging portion 35 of the dome or cover 8 is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings and it will be seen that the overhang 35 is similar to overhang Zti. A groove 37 is provided in the overhanging portion 35 which is defined by the surface 38 on the end 36 of the groove, the surface 39, and the surface 43'. It will be noted that the groove 37 is adapted to conform with the shape of the radial flange 28 on body 6, and similarly groove 22 in overhanging portion 2% or" body 6 is adapted to conform with the radially projecting shoulder or flange 44 on the cover 8 which extends the remainder of the circumference of the cover 8 from the overhanging portion 35.

From the above description it can be seen that the body 6 is provided with a male and female interengaging portion thereon, and similarly the cover or closure 3 is also provided with a male and female portion. The male portion on the cover 8 is adapted to be interfitted in the female portion of the body 6, and the male portion of the body 6 is adapted to be interfitted in the femaleportion of the cover 8. In efiect the groove 22 and the groove 37 in the body 6 and cover 8 respectively, form the female receiving portions, and the annular iiange 28 and annular flange it) on the body 6 and cover 8 respectively, form the male portions of the connection.

In order to position the cover 8 on the body 6, it may be swung into the dotted line position illustrated at 13 in FIG. 1 by manually moving the lid by means of the support means 18. When the cover 8 is in the position illustrated in dotted line in H6. 1, the means 12 may then be moved so that the cover 8 is moved laterally relative to the body 6 whereupon the male portion of the cover 8 engages in the female portion of the body 6, and simultaneously the male portion of the body 6 interengages with the female portion of the cover 8.

The means 18 includes bracket means 58 secured on the top of the cover 8 and bracket means 51 secured on the body 6. Links 52 are pivotally secured at their inner ends to the bracket by means of the pivot pin 53 and are secured at their outer ends to the means 12 which moves the cover 8 laterally to seat it on the body 6. The means 12 includes the handle 69 which is provided with an ofi set portion 61 which enables the handle 60 to be pivotally secured to each of the bracket means 51 by means of the pivot pin 62. The portion 63 of the end of the handle means projects beyond the bracket means 51 so that the pivot pin 64 secured therethrough pivotally connects the handle means to each of the links 52.

When the cover 8 is moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings to engage the end 21 of the body 6, it will assume the position shown at 13 in dotted line of FIG. 1 as previously noted. Similarly, the position of the handle and connecting link 52 between the bracket means 50 on the lid 8 and the bracket means 51 on the body 6 are also illustrated in dotted line in FIG. 1. When the handle 69 is rotated about the bracket 51 counterclockwise to the full line position illustrated in FIG. 1 the cover 8 will be shifted laterally of the body so that the radial projecting flange 45 on the lid 8 interfits in the groove 22 ofthe overhanging portion 29 on body 6. Similarly, the radial projecting flange 23 on body 6 is guided into groove 37 of cover 8.

In order to prevent leakage between the cover and the body suitable seal means as illustrated generally at 70 may be provided for sealing between the cover 8 and the body 6 when they are engaged. As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings the seal means 75) is positioned in the surface 24 of the end 21 of body 6 and is adapted to engage the annular surface 33 on the end 36 of the cover 8 when it is positioned adjacent the body 6.

In FIG. 4 the present invention is shown in the form for connecting the ends of adjacent tubular members 70a, 70b in abutting relation. The construction of the connection means will be the same as that previously described except the bracket means 59, 51 as well as the means 12 and 13 will be eliminated. On each of the overhanging portions of adjacent tubular members, which overhanging portions are designated as 20a and 35a re :spectively, there will be provided upstanding lugs 71 :and 72. A bolt '73 may be extended through the up- :standing lugs 71, 72 and a not secured thereon whereby :the male and female portions of the adjacent tubular members 73a and 7%!) may be fitted together for sealing oif between the adjacent tubular members. Seal means may be provided in a manner as previously described with regard to FIG. 2 and shown generally at 70. Other forms of connecting members 79:: and Yilb together may be utilized.

This present invention also has application for use as a breech block or in other situations where a cap must be quickly removable and yet support considerable loads when in place.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated wherein the overhanging hook means '7 and Q extend continuously substantially 1 half the circumference of the body and cap respectively; howcver,'in some circumstances the circumferential extent may be much less.

Broadly the present invention relates to an arrangement whereby members may be positioned relatively to each other quickly and easily, and more particularly to a means whereby members including a cover for an opening may be retained in position under pressure.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure for closing off an opening including an annular body adapted to be secured adjacent the opening, an overhanging portion on the end of said body extending substantially one-half of the circumference of said body, there being a groove in said overhanging portion between theend of said body and the end of said portion, a lateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end of said body, an annular cover for closing off the end of said body, an overhanging portion on the end of said cover extending substantially one-half of the circumference of said cover, there being a groove in said portion between the end of said cover and the end of said portion, a lateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end of said cover, means for pivotally supporting said cover adjacent the end of said body whereby said cover may be disengaged from said body and swung away from the end of said body, and rotatable means rotatably connected on said pivotal support means for moving said cover laterally relative to the end of said body and towards said rotatable means to a closed position whereby said lateral projection on said body and cover may be engaged in said groove in said overhanging portion on said cover and body respectively to position said cover in closed position under pressure on said body.

2. The structure recited in claim 1 including seal means between said cover and said body for sealing off therebetween when said cover is in closed position on said body.

3. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said pivotal support means includes upstanding bracket means on said cover and said body, and link means extending between and pivotally connected to said bracket means and said means for moving said cover laterally.

4. The structure recited in claim 3 wherein said means for moving said cover laterally includes handle means having an offset portion pivotally mounted on said bracket means on said body and a projected portion pivotally connected to said link means whereby said cover may be moved laterally of said body upon movement of said handle about said bracket means.

5. A closure for an opening in a member including an annular body adapted to be secured to the member, circumferentially extending hook means integrally formed on the end of said body and disposed on not more than one-half the total circumferential extent of the end of said body, a radially projecting shoulder on the end of said body extending the remainder of the circumference, an annular cover, means swingably supporting said cover on said body whereby it may be moved over the opening to close it off and away from the opening for access thereto, circumferentially extending hook means integrally formed on said cover and disposed on not more than one-half the total circumferential extent of the edge of said cover, a radially projecting shoulder on said cover extending the remainder of circumferential extent of the edge of said cover, said hook means on said body and cover adapted to engage said radial shoulder on said cover and body when said cover is moved to engagement with said body, and means rotatably mounted on said body and connected to said cover for moving said cover laterally of said body and towards said rotatable means to a closed position to interiit said hook means and shoulders on said cover and body to thereby lock said cover in closed position under pressure on said body.

6. The structure recited in claim 5 including seal means between said cover and body when said hook means and shoulders are interfitted for sealing off therebetween.

7. The structure recited in claim 5 wherein said means swingably supporting said cover on said body includes upstanding bracket means on said cover and said body, and link means pivotally connected to said bracket means and to said means for moving said cover laterally of said body.

8. The structure recited in claim 7 wherein said means for moving said cover includes handle means having an offset portion pivotal ly supported by said bracket means on said body and a projected portion pivotally connected so said link means whereby movement of said handle means about said bracket means moves said cover laterally of said body.

9. A closure for closing off an opening including an annular body adapted to be secured adjacent the opening, an overhanging section on the end of said body extending for a portion of the circumference of said body, there being a groove in said overhanging section between the end of said body and the end of said portion, a lateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end of said body, an annular cover for closing off the end of said body, an overhanging section on the end of said cover extending for a portion of the circumference of said cover, there being a groove in said section between the end of said cover and the end of said section, a lateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end of said cover, means for pivotally supporting said cover adjacent the end of said body whereby said cover may be disengaged from said body and swung away from the end of said body, and rotatable means rotatably connected on said pivotal support means for moving said cover laterally relative to the end of said body and towards said rotatable means to a closed position and for locking said cover in such closed position wherein said lateral projection on said body and cover are engaged in said groove in said overhanging section on said cover and body respectively.

10. A closure for closing off an opening including an annular body adapted to be secured adjacent the opening, an overhanging portion on the end of said body extending substantially one-half of the circumference of said body, there being a groove in said overhanging portion between {the end of said body and the end of said portion, a lateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end of said body, an annular cover for closing oil? the end of said body, an overhanging portion on the end of said cover extending substantially one-half of the circumference of said cover, there being a groove in said portion between the end of said cover and the end of said portion, a lateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end of said cover, means for supporting said cover on said body for pivoting toward and away from and sliding movement with respect to said body, seal means between said body and said cover, and co-acting surfaces formed on said groove in the overhanging portion on said cover and said projection on the end of said body and formed on said groove in said overhanging portion on said body and said projection on said cover, said surfaces extending circurnferentially of said cover and body and cooperating to urge said cover inwardly towards said body as said cover slides into the closed position for placing said seal means under pressure between said body and said cover while causing a minimum of wear on said seal means.

11. The structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said co-acting surfaces are laterally and inwardly tapered surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 863,001 Seebeck Aug. 13, 1907 1,425,814 Valerius Aug. 15, 1922 2,338,477 Wolters Jan. 4, 1944 2,780,384 Stratton et a1 Feb. 5, 1957

Claims

1. A CLOSURE FOR CLOSING OFF AN OPENING INCLUDING AN ANNULAR BODY ADAPTED TO BE SECURED ADJACENT THE OPENING, AN OVERHANGING PORTION ON THE END OF SAID BODY EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY ONE-HALF OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID BODY, THERE BEING A GROOVE IN SAID OVERHANGING PORTION BETWEEN THE END OF SAID BODY AND THE END OF SAID PORTION, A LATERAL PROJECTION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE END OF SAID BODY, AN ANNULAR COVER FOR CLOSING OFF THE END OF SAID BODY, AN OVERHANGING PORTION ON THE END OF SAID COVER EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY ONE-HALF OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID COVER, THERE BEING A GROOVE IN SAID PORTION BETWEEN THE END OF SAID COVER AND THE END OF SAID PORTION, A LATERAL PROJECTION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE END OF SAID COVER, MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID COVER ADJACENT THE END OF SAID BODY WHEREBY SAID COVER MAY BE DISENGAGED FROM SAID BODY AND SWUNG AWAY FROM THE END OF SAID BODY, AND ROTATABLE MEANS ROTATABLY CONNECTED ON SAID PIVOTAL SUPPORT MEANS FOR MOVING SAID COVER LATERALLY RELATIVE TO THE END OF SAID BODY AND TOWARDS SAID ROTATABLE MEANS TO A CLOSED POSITION WHEREBY SAID LATERAL PROJECTION ON SAID BODY AND COVER MAY BE ENGAGED IN SAID GROOVE IN SAID OVERHANGING PORTION ON SAID COVER AND BODY RESPECTIVELY TO POSITION SAID COVER IN CLOSED POSITION UNDER PRESSURE ON SAID BODY.