The invention relates generally to covers for access ports in housings of motor vehicle driveline components such as transmissions, clutches, and differentials and more specifically to an access port clamp cover having inner and outer plates that include cooperating twist and lock retaining components.
Modern vehicular driveline devices, such as clutches, transmissions, and differentials have as one of their many design goals increased service life. Such service life goals are often subdivided into a first goal of increasing the service interval, that is, the time between any required maintenance and a second goal of absolute service life, that is, the total life of the component typically measured in hundreds of thousands of miles.
Because such a device may reside in the power train of a vehicle for years before it is replaced, providing access to the interior of the device for preventative or minor maintenance without requiring removal of the device from the vehicle is desirable. Additionally, it is desirable that such access means be readily and easily removable so that inspection or minor service may be quickly accomplished. Finally, it may also be desirable that any such access means provide a secure, leak proof seal which can be maintained during any and all anticipated operating conditions and environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,581,928 teaches a cover for a transmission of a motor vehicle in which a small, readily removable cover is located in a cutout of a larger access plate which is removable only with hand tools.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,663 teaches a closure plate holding means wherein a bolt secured cover may be removed to provide access into the interior, water jacket region of an internal combustion engine.
Study of the foregoing patents reveals that improvements in access panel art are desirable.
According to one aspect of an access port clamp cover, a first cover has a centrally disposed cylindrical member defining at least one locking slot in its outer surface and a handle extending from the cylindrical member. The access port clamp cover also includes a second cover defining a centrally disposed retaining member having an opening for receiving the handle and an annulus concentrically disposed about the opening. The annulus defines an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of the cylindrical member and has at least one protrusion extending radially inwardly from the inside surface. Also, the protrusion is engageable in the slot, and the covers may be rotated relative to one another.
Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the access port cover will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description.
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
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The clamp cover assembly 30 includes a first or inner plate or cover 36 having height and width which are somewhat larger than the corresponding height and width of the access port 32. Additionally, the first plate or cover 36 is preferably, though not necessarily, slightly convex. About the periphery of the first plate or cover 36 may be disposed a continuous peripheral shallow groove or channel 38 that receives a continuous resilient O-ring seal 42. The O-ring seal 42 may be fabricated of an elastomer or other resilient material that is compatible with the lubricating oil utilized within the transmission 16. At the center of the first plate or cover 36 is a securement assembly 44 having a short cylindrical member 46 concentrically disposed about a smaller diameter, elongate stub shaft or handle 48.
On the outer surface of the cylindrical member 46 are locking channel(s) or slot(s) 52, such as, for example, a pair of diametrically opposed J-shaped or L-shaped channels or slots, one of which is illustrated in
Aligned with the first inside plate or cover 36 is a second, outer plate or cover 66 that also has dimensions slightly larger than the dimensions of the access opening or port 32. Likewise, the outer plate or cover 66 is preferably slightly, though not necessarily, convex. The outer plate or cover 66 may also include a continuous peripheral shallow groove or channel 68 that receives a resilient sealing member such as an O-ring 72. Centrally disposed within the second, outer cover or plate 66 and aligned with the securement assembly 44 is an annular retaining assembly 74. The annular retaining assembly 74 includes an annular or tubular member 76 including an inside cylindrical surface 78 having an inside diameter just slightly larger than the outside diameter of the cylindrical member 46. Extending inwardly from the inside cylindrical surface 78 of the tubular member 76 is a protrusion, pin, or lug 82. Alternatively, multiple protrusions, pins, or lugs 82 may be used, such as, for example, a pair of protrusions, pins, or lugs, one of which is illustrated in
Alternatively, one or multiple protrusion(s), pin(s), or lug(s) 82 may extend outwardly from the cylindrical member 46, and one or multiple locking channel(s) or slot(s) 52 may be on the inside cylindrical surface 78 of the tubular member 76. Protrusion(s), pin(s), or lug(s) 82 and locking channel(s) or slot(s) 52 may be mixed and matched in any combination or position on covers 36 and 66.
Some components of the clamp cover assembly 30, for example, but not limited to, the resilient seal, such as O-ring 42 and/or O-ring 72, and/or the first plate or cover 36, and/or the second plate or cover 66, may elastically deform during installation while locking the slots. This elastic deformation may provide a clamp load, thereby ensuring a tight fit over the access port 32. Therefore, the clamp cover assembly 30 remains firmly set even during vibrations or other occurrences causing disruptive motions.
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It will be appreciated, however, that depending upon internal clearances and interferences, a square access port or opening may be utilized with a square inside cover inasmuch as the diagonal of a square is 1.414 times an edge of the square which theoretically, at least, provides sufficient clearance to pass the inside cover or plate through the access port and move and rotate it in proper alignment with the access port or opening. Thus, while rectangular or oblong or oval access port shapes are preferable, this is not a limitation on the access port and cover shapes.
It should also be appreciated, of course, that the locations of the cylindrical member 46 and locking slot 52 on the first or inner cover or plate 36 and the tubular member 76 and protrusion, pin, or lug 82 on the second or outside cover or plate 66 may be interchanged.
The foregoing disclosure is the best mode devised by the inventor for practicing this invention. It is apparent, however, that apparatus incorporating modifications and variations will be obvious to one skilled in the art of covers for access ports in the housings of motor vehicle driveline components. Inasmuch as the foregoing disclosure is intended to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to practice the present invention, it should not be construed to be limited thereby but should be construed to include such aforementioned obvious variations and be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.