Abstract
The invention is directed to a toggle 1 for rigging of a boat or a crane, comprising a first coupling end 100 comprising a first coupling means 110 having a first axis of engagement 120 and a second coupling end 200 comprising a second coupling means 210 having a second axis of engagement 220. The first and the second coupling means 100, 200 are arranged a distance apart from each other. A closed-loop connecting means 300 is made from a fibre-reinforced plastic. The closed-loop connecting means 300 is looped about the first axis of engagement 120 and about the second axis of engagement 220, mechanically interconnecting the first coupling means 110 with the second coupling means 210.
Claims
1. A toggle (1) for rigging of a boat or a crane, comprising: a) a first coupling end (100) i. cmprising a first coupling means (110) providing a first axis of engagement (120); and b) a second coupling end (200) i. comprising a second coupling means (210) providing a second axis of engagement (220); c) the first and the second coupling means (100, 200) arranged a distance apart from each other; d) a closed-loop connecting means (300) i. made from a fibre-reinforced plastic e ) the closed-loop connecting means (300) loops about the first axis of engagement (120) and t f) he closed-loop connecting means (300) loops about the second axis of engagement (220), g ) thereby mechanically interconnecting the first coupling means (110) with the second coupling means (210).
2. The toggle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second axes of engagement (120, 220) are essentially perpendicular to each other.
3. The toggle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closed-loop connecting means (300) loops twice about the first axis of engagement (120) and is looped twice about the first axis of engagement (220).
4. The toggle (1) according to claim 3, wherein the closed-loop connecting means (300) if viewed in longitudinal direction (w) starting from an imaginary starting point (P) arranged between the first and the second axes of engagement (120, 220) first loops about the first axis of engagement (120) forming a first loop (301) subsequently loops about the second axis of engagement (220) forming a second loop (302) and subsequently loops the first axis of engagement (120) forming a third loop (303) and subsequently loops the second axis of engagement (220) forming a fourth loop (304) and subsequently goes back to the imaginary starting point (P).
5. The toggle (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second loop (302) and the fourth loop (304) are arranged adjacent to each other.
6. The toggle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closed-loop connecting means (300) comprises a plurality of fibrous layers (320) laying one above the other in a local stacking direction (v).
7. The toggle according to claim 6, wherein in a region of the closed-loop connecting means (300) that loops about the first axis of engagement (120) the plurality of fibrous layers is arranged such that the local stacking direction (v) is essentially perpendicular to the first axis of engagement (120) and/or in a region of the closed-loop connecting means (300) that loops about the second axis of engagement (220) the plurality of fibrous layers is arranged such that the local stacking direction (v) is essentially perpendicular to the second axis of engagement (220).
8. The toggle (1) according to claim 6, wherein the fibrous layers (320) are formed by at least one band which is multiply looped about itself.
9. The toggle according to claim 6, wherein between the first and the second connecting means (110, 210) the closed-loop connecting means (300) is twisted such that the local stacking direction (v) rotates approximately 90° about the local longitudinal direction (w) of the closed-loop connecting means (300).
10. The toggle (1) according to claim 3, wherein the closed-loop connecting means (300) forms four strands (350a-d) that extend between the first and the second coupling means (110, 210), each strand (350a-d) tangentially aligning to both the first and the second coupling means (110, 210) before looping about the first and the second axis of engagement (120, 220).
11. The toggle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or the second coupling means (110, 210) comprises a bushing (111, 211) arranged such that the closed-loop connecting means (300) loops about the bushing (111, 211).
12. The toggle (1) according to claim 11, wherein the bushing (111, 211) comprises a groove (223, 213) that extends at least partially in peripheral direction around the bushing (111, 211) and that is delimitated by a skirt (114, 214) configured such that at least part of the closed-loop connecting means (300) can be arranged within the groove (113, 213).
13. The toggle (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the closed-loop connecting means (300) is surrounded by an enclosure (310).
14. The toggle (1) according to claim 13, wherein the closed-loop connecting means (300) is surrounded by an enclosure (310) in a region adjacent to the first and/or in a region adjacent to the second coupling means (110, 210).
15. The toggle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling means (110) and/or the second coupling means (210) comprises an alignment compensator means (600) configured to rotate the corresponding axis of engagement (120, 220) relatively to the closed-loop connecting means (300).
16. The toggle (1) according to claim 1, wherein a supporting core (400) is arranged between the first and the second coupling means (110, 210).
17. The toggle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the toggle (1) comprises a housing (500) constituting an outer shell (510) of the toggle (1).
18. The toggle (1) according to claim 17, wherein the housing (500) at least partially encompasses the closed-loop connecting means (300) in the region between the first and the second coupling end (100, 200).
19. The toggle (1) according to claim 17, wherein the housing (500) is configured to withstand torque applied between the first and the second coupling end (100, 200).
20. The toggle (1) according to claim 19, wherein the housing (500) is at least partially made from a fibre-reinforced plastic.
21. A method for producing of a toggle (1) according to claim 1, comprising the method steps of: a) providing a first coupling means (110) having a first axis of engagement (120); b) providing a second coupling means (210) having a second axis of engagement (220); c) arranging the first and the second coupling means (110, 210) such that the first and the second axes of engagement (120, 220) are aligned a distance apart from and essentially perpendicular to each other; d) looping a thin-walled elongated band (320) comprising reinforcing-fibres about the first coupling means (110) and subsequently about the second coupling means (210); e) repeating method step d) to lay multiple layers of the thin-walled elongated band (320) such that a closed-loop connecting means (300) is formed, interconnecting the first and the second coupling means (110, 210).
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the two ends of the thin-walled elongated band (320) are laid such that they rest directly against or under the latter.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description of the given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered as limiting to the invention described in the appended claims.
[0047] FIG. 1 schematically shows a first variation of a toggle according to the invention in a perspective view from above;
[0048] FIG. 2 schematically shows the toggle of FIG. 1, the housing being removed for illustrative purposes in a perspective view from above;
[0049] FIG. 3 schematically shows the toggle of FIG. 2, the supporting core being removed for illustrative purposes in a perspective view from above;
[0050] FIG. 4 schematically shows second variation of a toggle according to the invention in a perspective view from above;
[0051] FIG. 5 schematically shows a third variation of a toggle according to the invention in a perspective view from above;
[0052] FIG. 6 schematically shows the variation of FIG. 3 in a view from the side;
[0053] FIG. 7 schematically shows cross-section A-A of FIG. 6;
[0054] FIG. 8 schematically shows a cross-section analogous to FIG. 7 of a fourth variation of a toggle;
[0055] FIG. 9 schematically shows a cross-section analogous to FIG. 7 of a fifth variation of a toggle;
[0056] FIG. 10 schematically shows a cross-section analogous to FIG. 7 of a sixth variation of a toggle;
[0057] FIG. 11 schematically shows a cross-section analogous to FIG. 7 of a seventh variation of a toggle;
[0058] FIG. 12 schematically shows the toggle of FIG. 1 in a top view;
[0059] FIG. 13 schematically shows section B-B of FIG. 12;
[0060] FIG. 14 schematically shows section C-C of FIG. 13;
[0061] FIG. 15 schematically shows a portion of another variation of a toggle;
[0062] FIG. 16a shows section D of FIG. 15;
[0063] FIG. 16b shows section E of FIG. 15;
[0064] FIG. 16c shows section F of FIG. 15;
[0065] FIG. 16d shows a section E of another variation of a toggle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0066] FIG. 1 depicts a first variation of a toggle 1 according to the present invention. The toggle 1 comprises a first coupling end 100 comprising a first coupling means 110 which has a first axis of engagement 120. The toggle 1 further comprises a second coupling end 200 comprising a second coupling means 210 which has a second axis of engagement 220. The first coupling end 100 is a jaw-type coupling end wherein the second coupling end 200 is an eye-type coupling end. The first coupling means 110 is embodied as a bushing 111 (respectively a pair of bushings 111) and comprises a first force application means 112 embodied as cylindrical hole that extends along the first axis of engagement 120 through the pair of bushings 111. The second coupling means 210 is also embodied as a bushing 211 and comprises a second force application means 212 embodied as cylindrical hole that extends along the second axis of engagement 220. The first and the second force application means 112, 212 are configured to receive bolts (not shown) to establish bolt connections in order to apply an external load to the toggle 1, which will typically be a tensile load in z-direction. As well, the toggle 1 comprises a closed-loop connecting means 300 that is made from a fibre-reinforced plastic and is looped about the first axis of engagement 120 as well as the second axis of engagement 220, thereby mechanically interconnecting the first coupling means 110 with the second coupling means 210, as will be shown in more details with respect to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The first and the second axes of engagement (120, 220) are essentially perpendicular to each other. The variation of a toggle 1 shown in FIG. 1 further comprises a housing 500 that constitutes an outer shell 510 of the toggle 1 in order to transmit torque applied between the first and the second coupling means 110, 210.
[0067] FIG. 2 shows the toggle 1 of FIG. 1, the housing being removed for illustrative purposes. As can be seen, in this variation of a toggle 1 a supporting core 400 made from rigid solid foam material is arranged between the first and the second coupling means 110, 210. The supporting core 400 helps to maintain a minimum distance between the first and the second coupling means 110, 210 and hence to maintain proper alignment of the first and the second coupling means 110, 210 even if the toggle 1 is not under tensile load. In addition, the support structure supports the closed-loop connecting means 300 in lateral direction and hence (in combination with the housing) prevents buckling of the portions of the closed-loop connecting means in case the toggle (accidentally) is compressed in longitudinal direction (z-axis), as will be explained in more detail with respect to FIG. 14.
[0068] FIG. 3 shows the variation of a toggle 1 of FIG. 2 (respectively FIG. 1) with the support core 400 being removed in order to depict the closed-loop connecting means 300 more clearly. If viewed in longitudinal direction of the closed-loop connecting means 300 and starting from an imaginary starting point P arranged on a first strand 350a between the first and the second axes of engagement 120, 220 (schematically illustrated with the point and dotted arrow) the closed-loop connecting means first loops about the first coupling means 110 (respectively the first axis of engagement 120) forming a first loop 301. Subsequently a second strand 350b leads to the second coupling means 210 and loops about the second axis of engagement 220 forming a second loop 302. Subsequently a third strand 350d leads to the first coupling means 110 and subsequently loops the first axis of engagement 120 forming a third loop 303. Finally a fourth strand 350d leads to the second coupling means 210 and subsequently loops the second axis of engagement 220 forming a fourth loop 304 and subsequently goes back to the imaginary starting point P. Thus a closed loop is formed that is looped twice about the first axis of engagement 120 and twice looped about the second axis of engagement 220. As also schematically shown in FIG. 3, the first coupling means 110 is configured such that the closed-loop connecting means 300 tangentially connects to the first coupling means 110, forming the first loop 301 and subsequently tangentially disconnects from the first coupling means 110 as also shown in subsequent FIG. 6.
[0069] According to such a variation of the invention a toggle 1 having a particularly high strength can be obtained as the parts of the closed-loop connecting means 300 which extend between the first and the second coupling means 110, 210 are to a large extent aligned with the typical main loading direction (z) of the toggle 1. Nevertheless, as clearly visible, a fully parallel alignment is not possible due to the restricted dimensions of the second coupling end 200 being an eye-type coupling end.
[0070] A variation of a toggle 1 according to the present invention which has a particularly high strength is schematically shown in FIG. 4, having a first and a second coupling end 100, 200 both being jaw-type coupling ends. In this variation of a toggle 1 according to the present invention the parts of the closed-loop connecting means 300 which extend between the first and the second coupling means 110, 210 are (if compared to the variation shown in FIG. 3) to an even larger extent aligned in parallel with the typical main loading direction (z) of the toggle 1, increasing the strength of the toggle 1.
[0071] FIG. 5 schematically shows a variation of a toggle 1 according to the present invention where the second coupling means 210 comprises an alignment compensator means 600 configured to rotate the second axis of engagement 220 relatively to the closed-loop connecting means 300 (indicated by the dotted arrows). Thus, the second force application means 212, embodied as hole, can be rotated to a certain extent, allowing to compensate potential angular misalignment of a bolt (not shown) to be interconnected with the second coupling means 210. In the variation shown, the alignment compensator means 600 therefore comprises spherical body that is in direct physical contact with the closed-loop connecting means 300 in order to obtain direct load transfer.
[0072] As depicted in FIG. 6 which shows the toggle of FIG. 3, the first and the fourth strand 350a, 350d extend such that they tangentially align to the second coupling means 210. FIG. 7 schematically shows cross-section A-A of FIG. 6, depicting the first coupling means 110 being embodied as a pair of bushings 111 which comprise a first force application means 112 being a hole extending along the first axis of engagement 120. The bushing 111 comprises a groove 113 that extends in peripheral direction around the bushing 111 and that is delimitated by a skirt 114 configured such that part of the closed-loop connecting means 300 can be arranged within the groove 113. In the variation shown the closed-loop connecting means 300 is flush countersunk in the groove. Thus, proper alignment of the closed-loop connecting means 300 during loading of the toggle 1 can be maintained.
[0073] FIG. 8 to FIG. 11 schematically show cross-sections (analogous to FIG. 7) of four variations of a first or second coupling means 110, 210 of a toggle 1 according to the present invention. In the variation depicted in FIG. 8, a skirt 114 is arranged such that the closed-loop connecting means 300 is arranged in the groove 113 such that the skirt 114 protrudes from the closed-loop connecting means 300 at least at in certain regions of the groove 113. Such a variation of the invention may be advantageous in order to reduce the risk of the closed-loop connecting means 300 being mechanically damaged during installation of the toggle 1.
[0074] In the variation depicted in FIG. 9, the skirt 114 is arranged such that the closed-loop connecting means 300 is arranged in the groove 113 such that it protrudes from the groove 113. Such a variation of the invention may be advantageous in order to obtain a particularly lightweight toggle 1.
[0075] In the variation schematically shown in FIG. 10, in order to maintain alignment of the fibres of the closed-loop connecting means 300 attached to such a bushing 111 similar to the one shown in FIG. 9. The variation of a closed-loop connecting means 300 shown is surrounded by an enclosure 310, which is made from a roving of carbon fibres wrapped around the closed-loop connecting means 300.
[0076] In the variation depicted in FIG. 11, the first coupling means 110 comprises an alignment compensator means 600 formed as a partially spherical body and configured to rotate the corresponding axis of engagement 120, 220 relatively to the closed-loop connecting means 300.
[0077] FIG. 12 shows in a lateral view the variation of a toggle 1 as shown in FIG. 1 including the supporting core (not visible in FIG. 12) and the housing 500. As can be seen in cross-section B-B depicted in FIG. 13, the supporting core 400 made from a solid foam is arranged between the first and the second coupling means 110, 210 and thus ensures that a minimum distance between them is maintained. As well, as schematically shown, the second and fourth loop 302, 304 of the closed-loop connecting means 300 are merged and bonded by a matrix in order to form a combined fibre-reinforced plastic.
[0078] As shown in section C-C as depicted in FIG. 14, a variation of a supporting core 400 may comprise multiple components which may facilitate production of the supporting core 400 as well as assembly of the toggle 1. As indicated by the bold arrows the supporting core 400 supports parts of the stands 350a-d of the closed-loop connecting means 300 laterally and hence restricts deflections of the closed-loop connecting means 300 in lateral direction (x/y-plane) which may cause buckling in case a compressive load is applied along the longitudinal axis of the toggle (z-direction). In addition, the housing 500 (schematically shown by dotted lines) provides a lateral support as well.
[0079] FIG. 15 to FIG. 16c schematically illustrate a possible microarchitecture of a variation of a closed-loop connection means 300 made from a fibre-reinforced plastic, showing a portion of a variation of a toggle 1 according to the invention. Most components of the toggle 1 as well as of the closed-loop connecting means 300 are clipped for illustrative purposes. As shown in FIG. 16a, the closed-loop connecting means 300 comprises a part that is made from a thin-walled elongated band 320 which was wound about the first coupling means 110 and subsequently about the second coupling means 210 multiple times in order to lay-up a laminated structure. The thin-walled elongated band 320 may be a layer of pre-impregnated carbon fibres that are arranged essentially unidirectionally in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the closed-loop connecting means 300. The subsequently laid loops of the thin-walled elongated band 320 are stacked in the v-direction (stacking direction v) of the local coordinate system of the ply, wherein the unidirectionally aligned fibres of the layers essentially extend in the w-direction which is essentially identical with the local longitudinal direction of the closed-loop connecting means 300. In the variation shown, all plies have the same orientation.
[0080] However, according to a variation of the present invention, one or multiple plies may also have another orientation. In particular at least some fibres may be oriented within the u/w-plane such that they are not in parallel with the w-direction. Such plies may e.g. be used in order to prevent lateral extension (u-direction) of the closed-loop connecting means which may cause disintegration of fibre reinforced plastic. In the variation shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 16c such reinforcements in lateral direction of the stack (u-direction) is obtained by an enclosure 310. Said enclosure 310 is also made from a fibre-reinforced plastic and comprises a roving of carbon fibres that was wrapped around the central stack of laminated thin-walled elongated band 320. Nevertheless, in certain variations of a toggle 1 where the closed-loop connecting means 300 is at least partially arranged in a groove 113 of a bushing 111 and hence supported laterally by a skirt 114, such an enclosure 310 or cross fibres may also be omitted. As also shown in FIG. 16a in combination with FIG. 15, layup of the stack of thin-walled elongated band 320 in the region of the first coupling means 110 is arranged such that the stacking direction v is perpendicular to the first axis of engagement 120. Thus a particularly good load transfer between the first coupling means 110 and the closed-loop connecting means 300 can be obtained and the mechanical competence of the toggle can significantly be increased. In the region between the first and the second connecting means 110, 210, the closed-loop connecting means 300 is twisted such that the stack of thin-walled elongated band 320 is progressively rotated about the w-direction (respectively the longitudinal direction (z-direction) of the toggle 1. Thus, as shown in FIG. 16b, the layup of the stack of thin-walled elongated band 320 in the region of the second coupling means 210 is again arranged such that the stacking direction v is perpendicular to the first axis of engagement 220. Thus, advantageous load transfer can also be obtained between the second coupling means 210 and the closed-loop connecting means 300. By applying such twisting of the closed-loop connecting means 300 in the region between the first and the second coupling end 100, 200 a toggle with a particularly high mechanical competence can be obtained.
[0081] Alternatively or in addition, as schematically shown in FIG. 16d, the closed-loop connecting means 300 may also comprise a non-layered core, e.g. a core made from at least one roving of carbon fibres. Such type of a closed-loop connecting means 300 may be advantageous for certain applications.
