Braked joint assembly

Abstract

An improved braked or snubbed joint assembly for use for supporting a grapple, clam shell or like device, is disclosed. The present braked or snubbed joint assembly includes a first member including an element defining an elongate cylindrical bore therethrough having a central axis, and first and second outwardly tapered or conical convex axial end faces. A second member having first and second arms defining a space therebetween receives the first member, and an axial pin rotatably joins the first member and the second member. The second member includes an element located in the space which has a correspondingly tapered or conical concave axial end face positioned in spaced opposed relation to the first outwardly tapered or conical convex axial end face and the second arm includes an element located in the space which has a correspondingly tapered or conical concave axial end face positioned in spaced opposed relation to the second outwardly tapered or conical convex axial end face. Frictional brake elements are disposed between the opposed axial end faces for frictionally resisting or braking relative rotation of the first and second members.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A braked joint assembly, comprising: 
       a first member including a bushing defining an elongate cylindrical bore therethrough having a central axis, and opposite first and second outwardly tapered convex axial end faces extending around the bore;  
       a second member having first and second arms defining a space therebetween receiving the first member, the first arm including an element disposed in the space having a tapered concave axial end face located in opposed relation to the first outwardly tapered convex axial end face of the first member and the second arm including an element disposed in the space having a tapered concave axial end face located in opposed relation to the second outwardly tapered convex axial end face, the arms having holes axially aligned with the bore of the first member;  
       a pin extending through the axially aligned holes and the bore rotatably joining the first member and the second member; and  
       frictional brake elements disposed respectively between the opposed tapered axial end faces for frictionally resisting relative rotation of the first and second members.  
     
     
       2. The braked joint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the elements of the first and second arms of the second member having the tapered concave axial end faces comprise retainer members, the retainer members including elements cooperatively engageable with the second member to prevent relative rotation thereof. 
     
     
       3. The braked joint assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising an element axially biasing the retainer members toward the first member including spring members disposed between the arms of the second member and the retainer members, a cylindrical sleeve extending around the pin adjacent one of the spring members and extending through the hole in one of the arms, the sleeve being axially slidable along the pin, and an element for applying an axial force against the sleeve for urging the spring members into engagement with the retainer members. 
     
     
       4. The braked joint assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the element applying the axial force against the sleeve comprises a nut threadedly mounted on the pin. 
     
     
       5. The braked joint assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the element axially biasing the retainer members. toward the first member comprises a fluid. 
     
     
       6. The braked joint assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the element axially biasing the retainer members toward the first member is adjustable. 
     
     
       7. A braked joint assembly, comprising: 
       a first member including a bushing defining a cylindrical bore therethrough having a central axis, and opposite first and second outwardly tapered convex axial end faces extending around the bore;  
       a second member having first and second arms defining a space therebetween receiving the first member with the first arm in spaced opposed relation to the first outwardly tapered convex axial end face of the first member and the second arm in spaced opposed relation to the second outwardly tapered convex axial end face, the arms having holes axially aligned with the bore of the first member;  
       a pin extending through the axially aligned holes and the bore rotatably joining the first member and the second member;  
       a first retainer member disposed in the space between the first arm and the first tapered convex axial end face of the first member, the first retainer member having a correspondingly tapered concave axial end face positioned in spaced opposed relation to the first outwardly tapered convex axial end face, and a second retainer member disposed in the space between the second arm and the second outwardly tapered convex axial end face, the second retainer member having a correspondingly tapered concave axial end face positioned in spaced opposed relation to the second outwardly tapered convex axial end face, the first and second retainer members including elements cooperatively engageable with the second member for limiting relative axial rotation thereof;  
       frictional brake elements disposed respectively between the first member and the retainer members adapted for engaging the axial end faces thereof for frictionally resisting relative rotation thereof; and  
       an element axially biasing the retainer members toward the first member for increasing the frictional resistance to the relative rotation thereof.  
     
     
       8. The braked joint assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the element axially biasing the retainer members toward the first member comprises spring members disposed around the pin between the arms of the second member and the retainer members, a cylindrical sleeve extending around the pin adjacent one of the spring members and extending through the hole in one of the arms, the sleeve being axially slidable along the pin, and an element for applying an axial force against the sleeve for urging the spring members into engagement with the retainer members. 
     
     
       9. The braked joint assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the element applying the axial force against the sleeve comprises a nut threadedly mounted on the pin. 
     
     
       10. The braked joint assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the elements cooperatively engageable with the second member comprise tabs slidably received in axial grooves of the second member. 
     
     
       11. The braked joint assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the element axially biasing the retainer members toward the first member comprises a fluid. 
     
     
       12. The braked joint assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the element axially biasing the retainer members toward the first member are adjustable. 
     
     
       13. A braked joint assembly, comprising: 
       a first member including a bushing defining an elongate cylindrical bore therethrough having a central axis, and opposite first and second tapered convex axial end faces extending around the bore;  
       a second member having first and second arms defining a space therebetween receiving the first member, and members disposed between the arms and the first member having tapered concave axial end faces located in opposed relation to the first and second tapered convex axial end faces of the first member, respectively, said arms and said members disposed between the arms and the first member having holes axially aligned with the bore of the first member;  
       a pin extending through the axially aligned holes and the bore rotatably joining the first member and the second member; and  
       frictional brake elements disposed respectively between the opposed axial end faces for frictionally resisting relative rotation of the first and second members.  
     
     
       14. The braked joint assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the members having the tapered concave axial end faces comprise retainer members connected for rotation with the second member, at least one of the retainer members being axially movable relative to the second member for applying a compressive force against the frictional brake elements. 
     
     
       15. The braked joint assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the axial end faces are oriented at between about a 15 degree angle and about a 45 degree angle to the central axis.