OVERLOAD RELEASABLE CONNECTOR

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an overload-releasable connector. More particularly, it relates to an overload-releasable connector which fits complementarily into a connector holder, the connector including a locking-dog casing, which is connected to a load attachment, and being formed with at least one locking dog which is radially movable between a pushed-in or swung-in passive position and a pushed-out or swung-out active position, the locking dog fitting complementarily in the connector holder, and the connector being provided with a blocking body which is movable between a blocking position, in which the blocking body prevents the locking dog from being moved out of its locking position, and a free position, in which the locking dog is free to be moved away from its locking position.

[0002] Many operations include the use of elongated bodies, for example in the form of a chain or a wire, for lifting or as guides. During some of these operations it is important that a connector which is connected to the elongated body will release at the correct load. At the same time, it is vital that all components belonging to the connector, which may be connected to a connector holder, will follow the released connector so that the connector holder will immediately be ready, so that a new connector may be connected to it.

[0003] An example elucidating the circumstance is so-called "guide wires" that extend through the splash zone at a vessel and that are used to launch an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), for example. If an unforeseen, great, lateral load occurs on the wires, they may tear. According to the prior art, such wires are often formed with a weak connector part which breaks before the wire does. However, known weak connector parts have the drawback of leaving behind submerged components that will have to be removed before the wire may be reconnected.

[0004] The document WO 01/87761 A1 [to STEINHOVDEN] discloses an overload-releasable connector according to the preamble of the independent claim.

[0005] The invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.
The object is achieved in accordance with the invention through the features which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.
An overload-releasable connector that fits complementarily into a connector holder is provided, the connector including a locking-dog casing, which is connected to a load attachment, and including at least one locking dog which is radially movable between a pushed-in or swung-in passive position and a pushed-out or swung-out active position, the locking dog fitting complementarily in the connector holder, and the connector being provided with a blocking body which is movable between a blocking position, in which the blocking body prevents the locking dog from being moved out of its locking position, and a free position, in which the locking dog is free to be moved away from its locking position. The connector is characterized by the load attachment, which is axially movable relative to the locking-dog casing, being locked to the locking-dog casing by means of a shear pin.

[0006] All the components of the connector may form a unit even after the shear pin has sheared off.

[0007] Thus, the entire connector can be pulled out of the connector holder, even in an overloaded state, so that a new connector, alternatively the same connector with a new shear pin, may immediately be connected to the connector holder.

[0008] A displacement of the load attachment relative to the locking-dog casing may bring the load attachment to hit the blocking body or a part connected to the blocking body, a further displacement of the load attachment relative to the locking-dog casing bringing the blocking body to be moved into its free position.

[0009] The locking-dog casing may be of a cylindrical shape with at least one radial locking-dog cut-out for a locking dog, the blocking body being centrical, axially movable in the locking-dog casing. Thereby the blocking body may lock several locking dogs that may be distributed around the centre axis of the locking-dog casing.

[0010] The locking-dog casing may be provided with a first axial slot, through which a connecting element connecting the blocking body to an actuating body extends.

[0011] The load attachment is provided with a second axial slot through which the connecting element extends.

[0012] In an overloaded state, in which the shear pin has sheared off, the load attachment may abut against the connecting element and thereby be connected to the locking-dog casing, the at least one locking dog and to the blocking body.

[0013] The structure of the connector has the effect of lateral forces acting on the connector affecting the shear pin only to an insignificant degree.

[0014] A connector in accordance with the invention enables new connection of a connector to the connector holder after an overloading has happened, without any intermediate cleaning or repair work on the connector holder being necessary.

[0015] In what follows, an example of a preferred embodiment is described, which is visualized in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1

shows, in perspective, a connector according to the invention which is connected to a connector holder;

Figure 2

shows an axial section of the connector and the connector holder of figure 1;

Figure 3

shows the same as figure 2, but a blocking body having been moved into its free position by means of an actuating body;

Figure 4

shows the same as figure 2, but after a shear pin has sheared off and the connector has been released; and

Figure 5

shows the same as figure 4, but after the connector has been pulled out of the connector holder.

[0016] In the drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates a connector which is connected to a connector holder 2. The connector 1 is provided with a lifting eye 4 for the connection of a lifting tool, not shown, in the form of a shackle or the like. The connector holder 2 is arranged to be connected to a load, not shown, or to a fixed attachment.

[0017] A tubular locking-dog casing 6 is provided with a number of radial locking-dog cut-outs 8 at its lower portion, which are distributed around the centre axis 10 of the connector 1. In each locking-dog cut-out 8, a locking dog 12 is arranged, rotatable around a pivot axle 14 between a swung-in position and a swung-out position.

[0018] The terms upper and lower refer to the normal working position of the connector 1.

[0019] At its middle portion, the locking-dog casing 6 is formed with two diametrically opposite, axially elongated, through-going first slots 16. A first shear-pin bore 18 extends through the locking-dog casing 6 at the upper end portion of the locking-dog casing 6.

[0020] A load attachment 20 which is provided with the lifting eye 4 at its top, is tubular at its opposite portion and, axially movable, surrounds the locking-dog casing 6. The load attachment 20 is also formed with two diametrically opposite, axially elongated, through-going second slots 22 corresponding with the first slots 16 in the locking-dog casing 6.

[0021] A second shear-pin bore 24 extends through the load attachment 20, corresponding with the first shear-pin bore 18 in the locking-dog casing 6.

[0022] A shear pin 26 is positioned in the shear-pin bores 18, 24.

[0023] A blocking body 28 is arranged centrically, axially movable in the locking-dog casing 6. A diametric bore 30 extends through the blocking body 28. A connecting element 32, here in the form of a bolt, extends through the bore 30, the first slots 16 and second slots 22 and out to an external, axially movable actuating body 34.

[0024] When the actuating body 34 is in its lower position, see figure 2, the blocking body 28 is in its blocking position behind the locking dog 12, whereas the blocking body 28 is in its released position when the actuating body 34 is in its upper position, see figure 3.

[0025] The connector 1 fits complementarily in the tubular connector holder 2 which is provided with annular grooves 36 internally for the locking dog 12.

[0026] At its top, the connector holder 2 is provided with an entrance cone 38 to facilitate the leading-in of the connector 1 when it is to be moved into the connector holder 2.

[0027] The connector 1 includes an axially movable holder ring 40 which is arranged to hold the locking dog 36 in a swung-in position, see figure 5.

[0028] When the connector 1 is moved into the connector holder 2, the holder ring 40 hits the connector holder 2 and is then moved along the load attachment 20 and out of its locking position by further movement of the connector 1 into the connector holder 2.

[0029] The connector 1 may be released by moving the actuating body 34 in the direction away from the connector holder 2.

[0030] When overloaded, the shear pin 26 will shear off and the locking-dog casing 6 may be moved downwards relative to the load attachment 20, see figure 4. The connecting element 32 will thereby strike against the second slot 22 in the load attachment 20. Thereby, the blocking element 28 is moved upwards relative to the locking-dog casing 6 and out of its locking position behind the locking dog 12, see figure 4. The shear pin 26 is affected only by torsional forces and axial load between the load attachment 20 and the locking-dog casing.

[0031] When the locking dog 12 pivots into its swung-in position, the connector 1 may be moved out of the connector holder 2 in its entirety with all the components 42 belonging to it, which include the locking-dog casing 6, the locking dog 12, the pivot axle 14, the load attachment 20, the shear pin 26, the blocking element 28, the connecting element 32, the actuating element 34 and the holder ring 40.

Claims

1. An overload-releasable connector (1) which fits complementarily in a connector holder (2), the connector (1) including a locking-dog casing (6) which is connected to a load attachment (20), and being formed with at least one locking dog (12) which is radially movable between a pushed-in or swung-in passive position and a pushed-out or swung-out active position, the locking dog (12) fitting complementarily in the connector holder (2), and the connector (1) being provided with a blocking body (28) which is movable between a blocking position, in which the blocking body (28) prevents the locking dog (12) from being moved out of its locking position, and a free position, in which the locking dog (12) is free to be moved away from its locking position, whereby the load attachment (20) is axially movable relative to the locking-dog casing (6), characterized in that said load attachment (20) is locked to the locking-dog casing (6) by means of a shear pin (26).

2. The overload-releasable connector (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized i n that all the components (42) of the connector (1) form a unit, even after the shear pin (26) has sheared off.

3. The overload-releasable connector (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized i n that a displacement of the load attachment (20) relative to the locking-dog casing (6) makes the load attachment (20) hit the blocking body (28) or a part connected to the blocking body (28), a further displacement of the load attachment (20) relative to the locking-dog casing (6) having the effect of the blocking body (28) being moved into its free position.

4. The overload-releasable connector (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the locking-dog casing (6) is of a cylindrical shape with at least one radial locking-dog cut-out (8) for a locking dog (12), the blocking body (28) being centrical, axially displaceable in the locking-dog casing (6).

5. The overload-releasable connector (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the locking-dog casing (6) is provided with a first axial slot (16) through which a connecting element (32), connecting the blocking body (28) to the actuating body (34), extends.

6. The overload-releasable connector (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the load attachment (20) is provided with a second axial slot (22) through which the connecting element (32) extends.

7. The overload-releasable connector (1) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that in the overloaded state, in which the shear pin (26) has sheared off, the load attachment (20) abuts against the connecting element (32) and is thereby connected to the locking-dog casing (6), the at least one locking dog (12) and to the blocking body (28).

Ansprüche

1. Ein bei Überlastung lösbarer Steckverbinder (1), welcher komplementär in eine Steckeraufnahme (2) hinein passt, wobei der Steckverbinder (1) ein Verrastungsgehäuse (6) beinhaltet, welches mit einer Lastaufnahme (20) verbunden ist, und mit mindestens einer Verrastung (12) ausgebildet ist, welche zwischen einer eingeschobenen oder eingeschwungenen passiven Position und einer ausgeschobenen oder ausgeschwungenen aktiven Position radial bewegbar ist, wobei die Verrastung (12) komplementär in die Steckeraufnahme (2) hinein passt, und wobei der Steckverbinder (1) mit einem Sperrkörper (28) versehen ist welcher zwischen einer Sperrposition, in welcher der Sperrkörper (28) verhindert, dass die Verrastung (12) aus ihrer Verrastungsposition bewegt wird, und einer Freigabeposition, in welcher die Verrastung (12) frei ist, um aus ihrer Verrastungsposition bewegt zu werden, bewegbar ist, wodurch die Lastaufnahme (20) relativ zu dem Verrastungsgehäuse (6) axial bewegbar ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Lastaufnahme (20) mittels eines Scherstifts (26) an dem Verrastungsgehäuse (6) verrastet ist.

2. Der bei Überlastung lösbare Steckverbinder (1) gemäss Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass alle die Komponenten (42) des Steckverbinders (1) eine Einheit bilden, sogar nachdem der Scherstift (26) abgeschert wurde.

3. Der bei Überlastung lösbare Steckverbinder (1) gemäss Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Verschiebung der Lastaufnahme (20) bezüglich des Verrastungsgehäuses (6) die Lastaufnahme (20) gegen den Sperrkörper (28) oder einen mit dem Sperrkörper (28) verbundenen Teil stossen lässt, wobei eine weitere Verschiebung der Lastaufnahme (20) bezüglich des Verrastungsgehäuse (6) dazu führt, dass der Sperrkörper (28) in seine Freigabeposition bewegt wird.

4. Der bei Überlastung lösbare Steckverbinder (1) gemäss Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verrastungsgehäuse (6) eine zylindrische Form hat mit mindestens einem radialen Verrastungsausschnitt (8) für eine Verrastung (12), wobei der Sperrkörper (28) im Verrastungsgehäuse (6) mittig, axial verschiebbar ist.

5. Der bei Überlastung lösbare Steckverbinder (1) gemäss Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verrastungsgehäuse (6) mit einem ersten axialen Schlitz (16) versehen ist, durch welchen sich ein Verbindungselement (32), welches den Sperrkörper (28) mit dem Betätigungskörper (34) verbindet, erstreckt.

6. Der bei Überlastung lösbare Steckverbinder (1) gemäss Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Lastaufnahme (20) mit einem zweiten axialen Schlitz (22) versehen ist, durch welchen sich das Verbindungselement (32) erstreckt.

7. Der bei Überlastung lösbare Steckverbinder (1) gemäss Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich im Überlastungszustand, in welchem der Scherstift (26) abgeschert ist, die Lastaufnahme (20) am Verbindungselement (32) anschlägt und dadurch mit dem Verrastungsgehäuse (6), der mindestens einen Verrastung (12) und dem Sperrkörper (28) verbunden ist.

Revendications

1. Un connecteur (1) pouvant être déclenché par surcharge qui se monte de façon complémentaire dans un porte-connecteur (2), le connecteur (1) comprenant un boîtier (6) de taquet d'enclenchement qui est attaché à une fixation (20) de charge et étant constitué d'au moins un taquet d'enclenchement (12) qui est mobile radialement entre une position passive poussée ou tournée vers l'intérieur et une position active poussée ou tournée vers l'extérieur, le taquet d'enclenchement (12) se montant de façon complémentaire dans le porte-connecteur (2), et le connecteur (1) étant équipé d'un corps de blocage (28) qui est mobile entre une position de blocage, dans laquelle le corps de blocage (28) empêche au taquet d'enclenchement (12) de sortir de sa position de verrouillage, et une position libre dans laquelle le taquet d'enclenchement (12) est libre d'être retiré de sa position de verrouillage, où la fixation de charge (20) est mobile axialement par rapport au boîtier (6) du taquet d'enclenchement, caractérisé en ce que ladite fixation (20) de charge est verrouillée au boîtier (6) de taquet d'enclenchement au moyen d'une goupille de cisaillement (26).

2. Le connecteur (1) pouvant être déclenché par surcharge selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que tous les composants (42) du connecteur (1) forment une unité, même après que la goupille de cisaillement (26) ait été cisaillée.

3. Le connecteur (1) pouvant être déclenché par surcharge selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que un déplacement de la fixation (20) de charge par rapport au boîtier (6) du taquet d'enclenchement provoque que la fixation (20) de charge percute le corps de blocage (28) ou une partie attachée au corps de blocage (28), un déplacement ultérieur de la fixation (20) de charge par rapport au boîtier (6) de taquet d'enclenchement ayant l'effet de déplacer le corps de blocage (28) vers sa position libre.

4. Le connecteur (1) pouvant être déclenché par surcharge selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le boîtier (6) de taquet d'enclenchement a une forme cylindrique ayant au moins une découpe radiale pour taquet d'enclenchement (8) pour un taquet d'enclenchement (12), le corps de blocage (28) étant centrique, axialement déplaçable dans le boîtier (6) de taquet d'enclenchement.

5. Le connecteur (1) pouvant être déclenché par surcharge selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le boîtier (6) de taquet d'enclenchement est pourvu d'une première fente axiale (16) à travers laquelle un élément de connexion (32), s'étend, connectant le corps de blocage (28) au corps d'actionnement (34).

6. Le connecteur (1) pouvant être déclenché par surcharge selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la fixation (20) de charge est pourvue d'une deuxième fente axiale (22) à travers de laquelle l'élément de connexion (32) s'étend.

7. Le connecteur (1) pouvant être déclenché par surcharge selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que dans un état de surcharge, dans lequel la goupille de cisaillement (26) a été cisaillée, la fixation (20) de charge d'adosse contre l'élément de connexion (32) et est ainsi connectée au boîtier (6) de taquet d'enclenchement, à l'au moins un taquet d'enclenchement (12) et au corps de blocage (28).

Drawing