Access port clamp cover

Abstract

An access port clamp cover is disclosed, such as for access ports in housings of motor vehicle driveline components. An access port clamp cover includes a first cover having 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.

1 . An access port clamp cover assembly, comprising:
 a first cover having a centrally disposed cylindrical member defining at least one locking slot in its outer surface and a handle extending from said cylindrical member;   a second cover defining a centrally disposed retaining member having an opening for receiving said handle and an annulus concentrically disposed about said opening, said annulus defining an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of said cylindrical member and having at least one protrusion extending radially inwardly from said inside surface;   whereby said protrusion is engageable in said slot and said covers may be rotated relative to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 1  wherein said cylindrical member includes at least two opposed slots and said retaining member includes at least two diametrically opposed protrusions. 
     
     
         3 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 1  further including a seal receiving groove extending about and proximate a periphery of each of said covers and a resilient seal disposed in each of said seal receiving grooves. 
     
     
         4 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 3  wherein said resilient seal is operable to elastically deform to provide a clamp load. 
     
     
         5 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 1  further including at least one of a through opening and groove in said handle and at least one of a retaining pin, fastener, and snap ring operable to engage at least one of said through opening and groove. 
     
     
         6 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first cover and said second cover is operable to elastically deform to provide a clamp load. 
     
     
         7 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 1  further including a housing having an access port and at least one cover positioning feature disposed adjacent said access port. 
     
     
         8 . An access port clamp cover for a driveline component housing, comprising:
 a first cover having a handle extending therefrom, a cylinder having an outside surface coaxially disposed about said handle, said outside surface defining at least one slot having an axial entrance portion, a generally circumferential portion and terminal portion;   a second cover having an annular member defining an interior surface having a diameter larger than a diameter of said cylinder and at least one protrusion extending radially inwardly from said interior surface, said second cover also defining a through opening for receiving said handle of said first cover.   
     
     
         9 . The access port clamp cover of  claim 8  wherein said handle comprises a stub shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The access port clamp cover of  claim 8  wherein said cylindrical member includes at least two opposed locking slots and said annular member includes at least two diametrically opposed protrusions. 
     
     
         11 . The access port clamp cover of  claim 8  further including a seal receiving groove extending about and proximate a periphery of each of said covers and a resilient seal disposed in said seal receiving groove. 
     
     
         12 . The access port clamp cover of  claim 11  wherein said resilient seal is operable to elastically deform to provide a clamp load. 
     
     
         13 . The access port clamp cover of  claim 8  further including at least one of a through opening and groove in said handle and at least one of a retaining pin, fastener, and snap ring operable to engage at least one of said through opening and groove. 
     
     
         14 . The access port clamp cover of  claim 8  wherein at least one of said first cover and said second cover is operable to elastically deform to provide a clamp load. 
     
     
         15 . The access port clamp cover of  claim 8  further including a housing having an access port and at least one cover positioning feature disposed adjacent said access port. 
     
     
         16 . An access port clamp cover assembly, comprising:
 a first cover having a centrally disposed cylindrical member defining at least one protrusion extending radially outwardly and a handle extending from said cylindrical member;   a second cover defining a centrally disposed retaining member having an opening for receiving said handle and an annulus concentrically disposed about said opening, said annulus defining an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of said cylindrical member and having at least one locking slot on said inside surface;   whereby said protrusion is engageable in said slot and said covers may be rotated relative to one another.   
     
     
         17 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 16  wherein said cylindrical member includes at least two diametrically opposed protrusions and said annular member includes at least two opposed locking slots. 
     
     
         18 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 16  further including a seal receiving groove extending about and proximate a periphery of each of said covers and a resilient seal disposed in said seal receiving groove, wherein said resilient seal is operable to elastically deform to provide a clamp load. 
     
     
         19 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said first cover and said second cover is operable to elastically deform to provide a clamp load. 
     
     
         20 . The access port clamp cover assembly of  claim 16  further including a housing having an access port and at least one cover positioning feature disposed adjacent said access port.