IP Library Granted Patent US 7,040,937
Granted Patent B2
US 7,040,937 · App. 11/020,523 · Granted May 9, 2006

Device for rotating with a multisided socket

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,040,937
App. No.
11/020,523
Granted
May 9, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for rotating with a rotatable first member includes a second member having a portion engageable with the first member. The portion has a first part and a second part which is resiliently biased away from the first part. The second member tightly engages the first member. There may be a device for measuring rotation of the shaft such as a potentiometer. The rotation measuring device may include an electrical connector for the potentiometer including a socket and a post which is pressable into the socket. The device may also include a rotationally adjustable connector. There may be a coupling connected to the second member which includes a third member with a portion having n sides and a fourth member with a portion having n sides which receives the portion of the third member in a mating relationship, thereby allowing the device to be adjusted to a total of at least m.n rotational positions. The second member preferably has a projection which slidably engages a slot in the third member allowing for non-coaxial rotation, and minimal backlash, of the device for measuring rotation relative to the first member.

Claims (44)

1. An electrical connector including a socket and a post which is tightly pressable into the socket, the post having a tip and a plurality of rows of circumferential projections extending thereabout, the tip of the post being inserted into the socket, the projections extending radially outward from the post and towards the tip, whereby the projections tightly engage the socket when the post is pressed into the socket.

2. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 , including a pair of electrical conductors inserted between the post and the socket, whereby each of the conductors is crimped a plurality of times by the circumferential projections of the post.

3. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the socket is of an insulating material and the post is a conductor.

4. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the socket is of plastic and the post is of metal.

5. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the projections are helical threads on the post.

6. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the post has an enlarged head exterior to the socket.

7. A tool device for a fastener comprising:

an elongate member having a first end, a second end and a seat portion, the first end being adapted to accommodate a head at an end of the fastener, the seat portion being near the first end;

a sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end of the sleeve being adapted to receive the head of the fastener, the second aid of the sleeve receiving the first end of the elongate member therein;

a clamping spring receiving the second end of the elongate member therein and being between the sleeve and the elongate member, one end of the clamping spring resting against the seat portion; and

a spring retaining cap being mounted on the second end of the sleeve and slidably receiving the elongate member, an end of the clamping spring opposite the one end resting against the spring retaining cap, the clamping spring thereby resiliently biasing the elongate member towards the first end of the sleeve.

8. A method of fastening a fastener to a socket using a tool device comprising an elongate member having a first end, a second end and a seat portion, the first end being adapted to accommodate a head at an end of the fastener, the seat portion being near the first end, a sleeve having a first end, a second end, a side and a cut-out near the first end, the first end of the sleeve being partially blanked off to allow only a post of the fastener through, the second end of the sleeve receiving the first end of the elongate member therein, a clamping spring receiving the second end of the elongate member therein and being between the sleeve and the elongate member, one end of the spring resting against the seat portion, and a spring retaining cap being mounted on the second end of the sleeve, an end of the clamping spring opposite the one end resting against the spring retaining cap, the clamping spring thereby resiliently biasing the elongate member towards the first end of the sleeve, the method comprising the steps:

retracting the elongate member away from the first end of the sleeve;

sliding the fastener through the cut-out into the first end of the sleeve from the side;

returning the elongate member to hold the fastener securely in position;

pushing the fastener into the socket; and

sliding the tool device away from the fastener through the cut-out.

9. In combination:

a boat having a transom;

a stern drive mounted on the transom, the stern drive being pivotable about a pivot pin; and

a rotation sensing apparatus for sensing a rotational position of the pivot pin relative to the stern drive, the apparatus including a body mounted on the stern drive and a member which is rotatable relative to the body and having a portion which is complementary in shape to a socket within the pivot pin and is engageable with the socket of the pivot pin, said portion having a first part and a second part, the first part being resiliently biased away from the second part, whereby the portion tightly.

10. The combination as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the rotation sensing apparatus includes a potentiometer.

11. A tool device for a fastener comprising:

an elongate member having a first end, a second end and a scat portion, the first end being adapted to accommodate a head at an end of the fastener, the seat portion being near the first end;

a sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end of the sleeve being adapted to receive the head of the fastener, the second end of the sleeve receiving the first end of the elongate member therein;

a clamping spring receiving the second end of the elongate member therein and being between the sleeve and the elongate member, one end of the clamping spring resting against the seat portion;

a spring retaining cap being mounted on the second end of the sleeve, an end of the clamping spring opposite the one end resting against the spring retaining cap, the clamping spring thereby resiliently biasing the elongate member towards the first end of the sleeve; and

a pair of handles, the handles being attached to the spring retaining cap.

12. The tool device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the pair of handles are located diametrically opposite each other on the spring retaining cap.

13. The tool device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the pair of

handles are cylindrical in shape.

14. The tool device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the elongate member is a pin.

15. A tool device for a fastener comprising:

an elongate member having a first end, a second end and a seat portion, the first end being adapted to accommodate a head at an end of the fastener, the seat portion being near the first end;

a sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end of the sleeve being adapted to receive the head of the fastener, the second end of the sleeve receiving the first end of the elongate member therein;

a clamping spring receiving the second end of the elongate member therein and being between the sleeve and the elongate member, one end of the clamping spring resting against the seat portion;

a spring retaining cap being mounted on the second end of the sleeve, an end of the clamping spring opposite the one end resting against the spring retaining cap, the clamping spring thereby resiliently biasing the elongate member towards the first end of the sleeve; and

a knob, the knob being attached to the second end of the elongate member.

16. A tool device for a fastener comprising:

an elongate member having a first end, a second end and a seat portion, the first end being adapted to accommodate a head at an end of the fastener, the seat portion being near the first end;

a sleeve having a first end, a second end, a side and a cut-out near the first end, the cut-out allowing the head of the fastener to slide into the first end from the side, the second end of the sleeve receiving the first end of the elongate member therein;

a clamping spring receiving the second end of the elongate member therein and being between the sleeve and the elongate member, one end of the clamping spring resting against the seat portion; and

a spring retaining cap being mounted on the second end of the sleeve, an end of the clamping spring opposite the one end resting against the spring retaining cap, the clamping spring thereby resiliently biasing the elongate member towards the first end of the sleeve.

17. The tool device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the first end of the sleeve is partially blanked off, the first end of the sleeve allowing only a post of the fastener through.

Assignments (6)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 16, 2017
From: TELEFLEX CANADA INC.
To: MARINE CANADA ACQUISITION INC.
Reel/Frame 043876/0102 →
RELEASE OF GRANT OF A SECURITY INTEREST - PATENTS Recorded Jan 31, 2014
From: ABLECO FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MARINE CANADA ACQUISITION INC.; TELEFLEX CANADA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 032146/0809 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST - PATENTS Recorded Mar 29, 2011
From: TELEFLEX CANADA INC.; TELEFLEX CANADA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
To: ABLECO FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 026042/0101 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 22, 2011
From: TELEFLEX CANADA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
To: TELEFLEX CANADA INC.
Reel/Frame 025996/0565 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 22, 2011
From: SCOTT, JON DAVID EDWARD; FLOOD, STEPHEN RAYMOND
To: TELEFLEX CANADA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 025996/0742 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2005
From: TELEFLEX CANADA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
To: TELEFLEX CANADA INC.
Reel/Frame 015980/0439 →