US3019504A - Tape and terminal fitting assembly - Google Patents

Description

Feb 9 1962 E. M. CASTAGLlUOLO 3,019,504

TAPE AND TERMINAL FITTING ASSEMBLY Filed April 29, 1959 40 495 INVENTOR I z A TAGLIUOLO Mlhhlllllmmmmlmmmm 2O ERNEST M C 8 United States Patent 3,019,504 TAPE AND TERMINAL FITTING ASSEMBLY Ernest M. Castagliuolo, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Burroughs Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 809,769 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-265) This invention relates generally to mechanical connections and more particularly to flexible tapes and terminal fittings for anchoring the ends of the tapes in machine assemblies.

Heretofore, one method of preparing a connecting portion on the ends of a steel tape or band has been by soldering looped strips to the tape ends. The tape was then assembled into a machine by means of bolts or clevis pins passed through the eyes of the looped ends, thus anchoring the tape to particular parts of the machine.

In certain installations, for example, in business machine printers where such tapes were used for transmitting motion to various parts and mechanisms, it was found that the tensile stresses imposed upon the tapes caused the looped strips at the ends of the tape to break or give way at the soldered connections, thus resulting in frequent tape replacements and down time of the machine.

An object of the invention therefore is to provide a tape and terminal fitting assembly characterized by its increased resistance to tensile stress.

Another object of the invention is to provide a quickchange fitting for anchoring an end of a tape, band or the like.

These and other objectives will become more apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one form of tape and terminal assembly constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged assembled view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate modified forms of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the tape end portion.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 and comprises a terminal fitting 10 having a bifurcated head 12, a neck portion 14- terminating at a shoulder 16 and a shank 18 having external threads extending up to shoulder 16. Shank 18 is provided with a transverse slot 20 Which extends into neck 1 and terminates in a transverse substantially circular aperture 22 extending through neck '14.

While the invention is illustrated in connection with a terminal or eye fitting, it will be understood that any type of fitting may be used to which it is desired to attach an end of a tape or band.

A tape 24 to be secured to terminal fitting It) is formed with an enlargement at its end which, as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 6, is obtained preferably by means of a loop 26 formed on a strip 28 having leg portions 30 and 32 soldered or otherwise secured to the end portion of tape 24 and a pin 33 secured in the eye of loop 26.

The looped tape assembly (FIG. 6) is inserted into slot 20 with the loop 26 received in aperture 22. In this 3,019,504 Patented Feb. 6, 1962 position it will be seen that the tape assembly is anchored longitudinally to the terminal fitting 10. A lock-nut 34 is then threaded to shank 18 and tightened against shoulder 16. As the nut is tightened, the split portions of shank 18 and neck 14 are forced toward each other, in the manner of a spring collet, thus effecting a gripping of the shank against legs 30 and 32 and firmly clamping the tape assembly.

FIG. 4 is an alternative form of the invention in which the terminal fitting shank is now formed as a taper 36 and the locking member is a tapered socket or sleeve 38 which is driven up on the taper to lock the tape assembly in the fitting and to provide a greater gripping force.

FIG. 5 is another alternative form of the invention somewhat similar to that of FIG. 4 in which the shank is formed with a tapered thread 40 and a lock-nut 42 threaded accordingly. This modification, also, provides additional gripping force on the tape assembly.

It will now be apparent that the improved method of anchoring a band or tape provides for greater tensile strength than prior art methods and provides further a mechanical connection for rapid assembly of tape or band members.

While there have been disclosed various embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that these are specific forms exemplary of the principles of the invention and that the invention is not to be limited thereby but only by the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tape and terminal assembly comprising, an elongated fitting having a connecting portion at one end for connecting the assembly to associated apparatus, a straight threaded shank at the opposite end, a neck portion at its medial region having a transverse aperture therethrough, and a shoulder at the inner end of said threaded shank and normal thereto, said shank having a transverse axial slot extending from the end thereof into said aperture and forming the shank into flexible gripping portions, said aperture being of larger dimension than the width of said slot, a tape, a terminal strip secured to an end of said tape and having a portion in said slot and an enlarged end eye portion in said aperture, a pin filling said end eye portion, and a locknut threaded on said shank and surrounding said terminal strip to retain it in said slot, and wherein tightening of said locknut against said shoulder is accompanied by a reaction force of said shoulder against the locknut to cause said gripping portions to flex and grip said terminal strip.

2. A tape and terminal assembly comprising, an elongated fitting having a connecting portion at one end for connecting the assembly to associated apparatus, a threaded shank of substantially uniform diameter at the opposite end, a neck portion at its medial region having a transverse aperture therethrough, and a shoulder at the inner end of said threaded shank and normal thereto, said shank having a transverse axial slot extending from the end thereof into said aperture and forming the shank into flexible gripping portions, said aperture being of larger dimension than the Width of said slot, a tape having an end portion in said slot and an enlarged end. eye portion in said aperture, and a locknut threaded on said shank and surrounding said end portion to retain it in said slot, and wherein tightening of said locknut against said shoulder is accompanied by a reaction force to cause said gripping portions to flex into gripping engagement with said end portion of said tape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Broughton Dec. 28, 1880 Gale et a1. Apr. 6, 1886 Pickett June 28, 1904 Marchand Mar. 7, 1911 Kastner Oct. 11, 1932 4 Weber Dec. 19, 1911 Heeter Ian. 21, 1913 Rohr Feb, 14, 1922 Staufler May 9, 1933 Sonic et a1 Sept. 4, 1945 La Torre et a1. Sept. 2, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 11, 1890 Great Britain of 1910

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