Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
THIS IS OBSOLETE EXPLANATION.  REPLACED BY REVISED EXPLANATION PAGE 13, 9/1/09           Here is my analysis of the coupler function as clearly as I can express it: <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> On a single coupler with an open knuckle, the knuckle is loosely attached to the coupler body by the knuckle pin, and the knuckle’s force groove is swung out of alignment with the corresponding force ridge on the coupler body.   <o:p></o:p> When the knuckle is closed, the locking pin drops into position, and the knuckle’s force groove comes into alignment with the corresponding force ridge on the coupler body.  At this point the knuckle fits loosely with its pivot pin, with the locking pin, and in the relationship between its force groove and the corresponding ridge on the coupler body.   <o:p></o:p> When a pulling load is applied, the knuckle is first inclined to rotate back open, but that movement is arrested by the locking pin, which blocks the swing of the coupler tang.  Upon the tang being obstructed by the locking pin, a slight reaction force is created, which forces the knuckle to bear against the knuckle pivot pin in a direction crosswise to the coupler line of pull.  However, both the primary force of the tang against the locking pin and the reaction force of the knuckle against its pivot pin are very small because they only result from holding the knuckle against rotation at the instant that the pulling force is applied.   <o:p></o:p> At that point, while the knuckle is locked from rotation, it is free to slide forward in line with the direction of pull until the slack is pulled out of the sloppy relationship between its force groove and the corresponding ridge on the coupler body.  Up until this point, the knuckle has been a rotating element.  But when solid contact is made between the force groove and ridge features, the knuckle ceases to be a rotating element, and becomes a linear link, transmitting the pulling force in a straight line like a link of a chain.  Once this function change happens, the pulling force no longer induces the knuckle to rotate.   The rotation of the knuckle and the action of the locking pin together only serve to install or un-install the knuckle as a linear, straight line, pulling link.  The rotation of the knuckle and the action of the locking pin together are not involved with the pulling load.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag