| 摘要 |
<p>In a cable-and-sleeve connector, variations in the real or effective length of the cable 3 will tend to vary the curvature of the sleeve 7, and this can be accommodated by variations in the effective length of the sleeve 7. For this purpose, one end of the sleeve 7 is adjustably fixed to an anchor 6 by a clutch 30. The clutch consists of four collet members 31 that, when effective as a clutch, are wedged within the tapering aperture 29 so as to be held with the serrations 32 on the internal surfaces of the collet members 31 mating with external serrations on the rigid end of the sleeve 7. When the clutch 30 is disengaged, the collet members 31 move out of the aperture 29, in the direction of the sleeve 7, and tilt loosely about their wider ends so that the wider ends are only just free of the serrations 21. Disengagement is effected, when the cable 3 is relaxed, by a member 40 being moved by the sleeve part 9 to push the collet members 31 out of the aperture 29 and lifting them out of engagement with the serrations 21. When the cable is brought under tension, the effect of the member 40 is removed and the spring 35, through the member 36, pushes the collet members 31 into their effective condition. Since the serrations of the wider ends of the collet members were only just clear of the serrations on the rigid end of the sleeve 7, the chance of mis-match on re-engagement is small so the connection operates reliably and quietly. Projections 36a cooperate with recesses 31a in the collet members 31 to limit the movement of the latter whilst allowing them sufficient freedom to move clear of the serrations 21.</p> |
