flexible hinge- metal -to-metal

1- Where is your e-mail?

2- why high shear? In operation the "hinge" is not loaded. If there is any deviation from symmetry the load difference goes into the threads.

3- The only constrains could be temperature and solvents depending on field of use.

Thanks for the response. My e-mail is spiritridge@aol.com.

I don't want the two halves to be easily torn apart by opening a few times.When I have shown my prototypes in trade shows, people's first instinct is to see how wide they can open the "clamshell" nut. In actual use, this shouldn't be too much of a problem. (I hope).

There are several potential fields of use- marine, chemical plant, general construction etc.

I know the hinge material can be modified to suit the conditions of use and welcome any suggestions and insights you have.

Steve Dvorak

Suggest if some photo of the same is inserted

Thank you very much for your reply. There is a video of my invention on www.youtube.com. Just type in visenut and it will play.

Steve

Does it matter if the halves get separated?

The kit for a Jacobs chuck rebuild comes with a nut that is intentionally broken in two. The nut is fitted in a groove on top of a thrust bearing. the nut material is hard enough that the two halves always fit together exactly.

You could always package & label the parts for one time use.

A good use would be electricans, who use lots of all thread for hangers & clamps

Good luck

Excellent comments! Electricians, plumbers and A/C installers have to spend way too much time spinning nuts up threaded rod.

I want to hinge the pieces together for two primary reasons- convenience and proper alignment of the halves on a vertical axis. True, the parts can be indexed by mating protrusions and indentations, but hinging eliminates that extra task.

I've already achieved fairly good results with silicone, but I'm thinking that a material like the rubber used on motor mounts (steel to rubber to steel) would be a good candidate for the hinge

I've rigged up some simple split assemblies & used tri clover clamps to hold em together: http://blujay.com/item/Stainless-Steel-Sanitary-Clamps-like-Triclover-4040000-1336215

Hi,

any joining is much inferior to monolithic construction.

So if joining is mandatory then first specify your joining method. (monolithic, brazing, clamping, gluing is in descendent order a range of quality from 1 to below 0.1)

What is flexibility in your application: survival of some or billions of movements, hysteresis not an issue or down to ppm level, load (force, torque, impact)?

Chep or best performance?

(I am designing fexible mechanisms since now 30 years, so some more information would help your product in getting the best value.)

RHABE

What about just making two halves with one or two interlocking cylindrical pillars and holes; excuse the sketchUp picture:-