EP3739152A1 - Locking assembly comprising a spindle, a yoke and a security device securing the spindle engaged in the yoke - Google Patents

Abstract

The security device includes a clip (20) showing an attachment loop (22) and at least one security tab (24A, 24B). The attachment loop (22) is configured to be disposed around at least a portion (10A) of the yoke (10) to cooperate with the latter so as to retain the clip relative to the yoke. The safety tab (24A, 24B) is configured to be deformed between a safety position in which the pin (12) engaged in the yoke (10) is able to retain a retracted position in which it allows the withdrawal of the pin by compared to the screed.

Description

Technical area

The present disclosure relates to a locking assembly comprising a pin and a yoke in which the pin is able to be engaged in a reversible manner, the assembly comprising a safety device for the engagement of the pin in the yoke. In particular, the pin can be engaged in the yoke to lock an element with respect to this yoke. The pin can be engaged in the yoke and released to unlock the element.

Prior art

Locking assemblies are known comprising a pin and a yoke in which the pin is able to be engaged in a reversible manner to lock an element relative to the yoke or to be released to allow the release of the element. These are in particular locking assemblies used for barrier elements of enclosures for animals, for example farm animals such as cattle, goats or even sheep. The barrier elements may be enclosure partitioning elements, gate elements, or else elements with specific functions, for example fixed or moving parts of yokes.

The choice of a pin as the locking member is interesting in that it allows particularly simple manipulations on the part of the operator. In fact, in this case, the element can be locked relative to the yoke by simply inserting the pin into the yoke, once the element has been placed in the desired position with respect to the yoke. The spindle can then be naturally retained in the yoke under the effect of its own weight, for example.

However, in the case of enclosure or barrier elements in particular, the spindle may constitute a vulnerable part which may be totally or partially removed from its cooperation with the yoke inadvertently. It is for example possible that the operator makes a false movement, or else that, following vibrations or knocks, the spindle tends to disengage from the yoke. It may also happen that the animals themselves request the spit, for example during knocks given to the barrier, voluntary actions with the tongue or even games.

Exposed

The present disclosure aims to propose a device making it possible to avoid or at least limit the aforementioned drawbacks. This is in particular a safety device that can help retain the pin in the yoke to prevent it from being released from the yoke in whole or in part, intentionally.

Thus, the present disclosure relates to a locking assembly comprising a pin, a yoke in which the pin is able to be reversibly engaged, and a safety device comprising a clip which comprises an attachment loop and at least one tab of safety, the attachment loop being configured to be disposed around at least a portion of the yoke to cooperate with the latter so as to retain the clip relative to the yoke, the safety tab being configured to be deformed between a safety position in which it is able to retain the pin engaged in the yoke, and a retracted position, in which it allows the withdrawal of the spindle relative to the yoke.

Optionally, the safety tab has a folded free end, optionally forming an end loop.

Optionally, the attachment loop has two ends between which it is open.

Optionally, the clip includes two safety tabs connected to two different areas of the attachment loop.

Optionally, the two safety tabs are respectively connected to the two ends of the attachment loop.

Optionally, the attachment loop defines a plane and the safety tab extends outside this plane, optionally substantially transversely to this plane.

Optionally, the safety tab comprises a reaction part, able to enter into reaction engagement with the yoke, the reaction part being located in the vicinity of the zone of connection of the safety tab with the attachment loop.

Optionally, the safety tab includes a bracing part relative to the attachment loop.

Optionally, the attachment loop is configured to elastically grip at least part of the contour of the yoke.

Optionally, in the safety position, the safety tab cooperates with the pin by undergoing an elastic deformation stress on the part of the pin.

Optionally, the pin has a retaining head and the safety tab is able to cooperate with this retaining head, the retaining head optionally having a ring in which the safety tab is able to be inserted.

The clip can be easily mounted on the yoke. It suffices in fact to ensure that its attachment loop is arranged around at least part of the yoke. Thus, to position the clip, it is not necessary to modify the yoke or to drill or machine it. It suffices to pass the loop of the clip around the part of the yoke so that the clip is thus retained relative to the yoke. This extremely simple operation can easily be carried out with the spindle disengaged from the yoke. Thus, the clip attachment loop can be disposed towards the bottom of the yoke (this bottom being opposite to the part of the yoke through which the locking takes place), so that the clip can remain in place permanently without interfering with the locking and unlocking operations. Once the locking is achieved, the safety tab of the clip can be simply manipulated to adopt its safety position and retain the pin relative to the yoke. Conversely, when it is desired to unlock, it suffices to manipulate the safety tab again to release it from the pin, in order to withdraw the pin and to operate the unlocking.

The present description will be better understood and the advantages of its subject will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings which show an exemplary embodiment.

Brief description of the drawings

• [ Fig. 1 ] The figure 1 is a perspective view showing a yoke, a pin and a safety device before assembly.
• [ Fig. 2 ] The figure 2 is a view analogous to figure 1 , showing the locking assembly with the safety device in place on the yoke, and an element ready to be locked by engagement with the pin.
• [ Fig. 3 ] The figure 3 shows the locking assembly, with the element locked with the pin held in the locked position by the safety device.
• [ Fig. 4 ] The figure 4 shows the locking assembly as the clip safety tab is being deformed into its safety position.
• [ Fig. 5 ] The figure 5 shows the assembly while the safety tab is in its safety position.
• [ Fig. 6 ] The figure 6 is a sectional view in plane VI of the figure 3 .
• [ Fig. 7A ] The figure 7A is a perspective view of the clip of the safety device.
• [ Fig. 7B ] The figure 7B is a perspective view of the clip of the safety device, according to a variant.
• [ Fig. 8 ] The figure 8 is a side view of the clip shown in figure 7A .

Description of embodiments

The lock assembly shown in figure 1 comprises a yoke 10 and a pin 12. In this case, the yoke 10 comprises two yoke parts 10A and 10B each provided with a bore, respectively 10'A and 10'B, in which the rod 12A of the pin 12 can be engaged. In this case, the screed is carried by an upright 1, which is for example a barrier upright. In this case, the yoke is carried by this amount 1 by means of a flange 2 which is itself attached to this amount. For example, the flange 2 comprises two half-shells 2A and 2B, arranged so as to grip the upright, and connected to each other for example by screw nut systems 3. In this case, the Species, the pin is intended to be oriented vertically when it is engaged in the yoke.

In this case, the pin 12 is connected to the yoke by a chain 14 which enables the pin to be disengaged from the yoke without it falling. To this end, each of the yoke parts comprises a notch 11 in which a link of the chain can be engaged. In this case, the chain 14 is retained in the notch of the yoke part 10A. This is of course only an example of connection of the pin 12 relative to the yoke 10, such a connection not being mandatory and can, in any event, be made differently, for example at '' using a flexible element welded to the yoke or otherwise connected to the flange 2.

The locking assembly also includes a safety device in the form of a clip 20 which, as also seen on the figure 7A , includes an attachment loop 22 and two safety tabs 24A and 24B. However, it is understood that the description also applies to a clip comprising a single safety tab. As can be understood by comparing the figures 1 and 2 , the clip can be mounted on the yoke simply by passing the fastening loop 22 around one of the yoke parts, for example part 10A, so that this fastening loop at least partially surrounds this part of screed. The attachment loop 22 defines an internal section corresponding substantially to the external contour of the yoke part 10A, so that the attachment loop can be naturally and easily engaged around this yoke part. This may require a slight elastic deformation of the attachment loop 22, the elasticity being able to reinforce the holding of the fastening loop and therefore of the clip relative to the yoke part.

In this case, it can be seen that the yoke part 10A has a quadrangular section, in particular rectangular (it is in this case formed by a flat iron), and that the internal section defined by the attachment loop 22 also has a corresponding quadrangular shape. On the figure 2 , the clip 20 is therefore disposed on the yoke portion 10A such that the safety tabs 24A and 24B are located in the vicinity of the location that will occupy an emerging part 12B of the pin 12 once the rod 12A of this pin will have been engaged in the yoke part. Thus, the safety tabs 24A and 24B are then on standby before being implemented to operate the secure retention of the pin 12 in the yoke 10.

On the figure 2 , an element 4 to be locked is engaged in the yoke 10, so as to present a retaining surface relative to the yoke, this retaining surface being placed towards the bottom of the yoke relative to the bore 10'A, so that the engagement of the rod 12A of the pin 12 in the yoke will make it possible to retain the element 4 in the locked situation. In this case, as can also be seen on the figure 3 , the element 4 comprises a rod whose end carries an eyelet 4A, the central bore of this eyelet being aligned with the bores 10'A and 10'B when the eyelet is engaged between the yoke parts 10A and 10B. For example, as shown on the figure 3 , the element 4 can itself be fixed to a part to be locked relative to the upright 1. This part can for example be a part of a gate opening or the like 5.

As can also be seen on the figure 4 , once the pin 12 is in its locking position engaged in the yoke, the safety tabs 24A and 24B can be requested by the operator to adopt their safety position in which they retain the pin engaged in the yoke. More precisely, the safety tabs cooperate with the emerging part 12B of the pin. In this case, this emerging part forms a retaining head here having the shape of a ring inside which the safety tabs can be engaged by passing through this ring.

The clip 20 can in particular be made of wire material, in particular of metallic material. Thus, the clip can be deformable, plastically and / or elastically by simple pressure from the operator's fingers. Thus, the operator can himself place the pin 12 in the locking position engaged in the yoke 10, and place the safety tabs 24A, 24B in their safety position in which they cooperate with the retaining head 12B of pin 12.

This operation of inserting the safety tabs 24A and 24B into the ring of the retaining head 12B of the pin 12 is illustrated in the figure. figure 4 , and we see that the legs can be deformed by a slight pressure in the direction indicated by the arrows visible on this figure 4 , until passing through ring 12B. On the figure 5 , this pressure has been released, and the safety tabs 24A and 24B naturally protrude from the ring 12B. From the position of the figure 4 , the safety tabs can elastically return to the spaced configuration shown in the figure 5 , or be placed in this position by plastic deformation carried out by the operator in the direction of the arrows visible on the figure 5 . In this situation, it is not possible to pull out the spindle in the S direction indicated on the figure 5 , the safety tabs 24B opposing such a movement. By virtue of their reaction force on the retaining head 12B of the spindle, they also tend to naturally retain this spindle in position, so that the spindle is little subject to changes in position due to shocks or the like. In this case, two safety tabs 24A and 24B are provided which can be handled together by being brought together ( figure 4 ) or discarded ( figure 5 ) in a particularly easy way. However, we could only provide a single safety tab. Furthermore, when it is engaged in the yoke 10, the pin 12 is oriented vertically with its retaining head 12B at the top. It is therefore first retained by its mass, then further retained by the safety tab (s). However, the device of the disclosure can be applied to pins oriented differently.

In this case, as seen on the figures 1 and 7A , the safety tabs 24A and 24B have folded free ends, respectively 24'A and 24'B. Thus, once the safety tabs 24A, 24B have been brought into cooperation with the retaining head 12B of the pin 12, their folded free ends 24'A, 24'B can protrude beyond this retaining head, that is, that is to say in this case protrude beyond the ring in which they are engaged, to oppose a withdrawal of the safety tabs relative to this ring.

In this case, the folded free ends 24'A and 24'B form end loops. These end loops provide contact surfaces that can be easily grasped and manipulated by an operator. In addition, due to their looped conformation, these folded ends do not offer an offensive or aggressive surface.

We also see, in particular on the figure 7A , that the attachment loop 22 has two ends 22A and 22B between which it is open. The two safety tabs 24A and 24B are connected to two different areas of the attachment loop and, in this case, they are connected to the two ends 22A and 22B. This open-loop conformation facilitates the engagement of the attachment loop around the yoke part 10. In fact, this allows, by a simple separation of the safety tabs as indicated by the arrows E on the figure 7A , slightly open the attachment loop 22 to possibly facilitate its insertion around the yoke part 10A. However, the attachment loop 22 could also be closed by having one or more safety tabs similar to the tabs 24A and 24B, attached to this closed loop, for example by welding. The closed loop can be formed by bending a wire, in particular a metal wire, and securing its ends together, for example by soldering.

Alternatively, as shown in figure 7B , the attachment loop 122 of the clip 120 can form a total loop, without opening between its two ends 122A and 122B. It thus has a closed contour in the sense that this contour is not interrupted between its two ends. On the contrary, this outline has a part in which the two ends of the loop overlap. However, the attachment loop 122 is an open loop in the sense that its two ends 122A and 122B can move relative to each other. A security tab 124B similar to the security tab 24B is then formed at the end 122A and a security tab 124A similar to the security tab 24A is formed at the end 122B.

As can be seen in particular on figures 6 and 8 , the attachment loop 22 defines a plane P, the safety tabs 24A and 24B extending outside this plane. It can be seen that the safety tabs 24A extend in this case substantially transversely to this plane, in particular by forming an angle α with it, for example between 90 degrees and 150 degrees.

Referring in particular to the figure 8 , it can be seen that the safety tab 24A comprises a reaction part 25A which, as can be understood in particular on the figure 4 , is capable of entering into reaction cooperation with the screed (in this case, with the screed part 10A). This reaction portion 25A forms a bearing zone for the deformation of the safety tab operated when it is engaged with the retaining head of the yoke. It can be seen that the reaction part 25A is located in the vicinity of the connection zone of the safety tab with the attachment loop. Thus, this connecting portion 25A is located near the end 22A of the attachment loop. The safety tab 24B has a similar reaction part 25B.

The figure 8 further shows that the safety tab 24A comprises a spacer portion 26A relative to the attachment loop. This spacer part is used to place the safety tab away from the attachment loop and therefore away from the yoke or the yoke part with which the clip is engaged. This allows to manipulate easily the safety tab without being hampered by the presence of the yoke. In this case, the reaction part 25A is formed by a section substantially perpendicular to the plane P, bearing against a surface perpendicular to the plane P of the yoke part 10A when the clip is mounted on this yoke part, while the part The spacer 26A is substantially parallel to the plane P and is oriented so as to move away from the attachment loop 22. The tab 24B has a spacer portion 26B similar to the spacer portion 26A.

The safety tabs 124A and 124B of the clip on the figure 7B may also have reaction portions 125A, 125B, and spacer portions 126A, 126B and folded ends 124'A, 124'B similar to those of safety tabs 24A and 24B.

The safety device according to the present disclosure has the advantage of providing a clip 20 which can be easily placed around the yoke part 10A without requiring any transformation of this yoke part. Thus, the attachment loop 22 can be engaged around the clevis part 10A while the pin 12 is unlocked with respect to this clevis part, in the situation shown in the figure. figure 1 . The cooperation between the attachment loop and the clevis part 10A then makes it possible to naturally retain the clip 20 with respect to this clevis part in the position shown in the figure. figure 2 . On this occasion, elastic deformation stresses can be exerted by the yoke part on the clip so as to promote this retention. It can be seen that the attachment loop 22 is then disposed towards the rear (the bottom) of the yoke part 10A, that is to say, in this case, opposite the end of this part of the yoke through which the element 4 which must be locked will be engaged. The rear of the clevis part is in this case its part close to the upright 1. In this case it is the portion of the clevis part by which it is attached to the flange 2 (more precisely, to the part flange 2A). The safety tabs 24A, 24B are then waiting to be placed in the safety position once the spindle is engaged in the locking position as shown in the figures. figures 3 to 6 .

Claims (11)

Locking assembly comprising a pin (10), a yoke (10) in which the pin (12) is adapted to be reversibly engaged, and a safety device comprising a clip (20; 120) which includes a loop of fastener (22; 122) and at least one safety tab (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B), the fastening loop (22; 122) being configured to be disposed around at least a portion (10A) of the yoke to cooperate with the latter so as to retain the clip relative to the yoke, the safety tab (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) being configured to be deformed between a safety position in which it is able to retain the pin (12) engaged in the yoke (10), and a retracted position, in which it allows the withdrawal of the pin relative to the yoke. Assembly according to Claim 1, in which the safety tab (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) has a folded free end (24'A, 24'B; 124'A, 124'B) optionally forming an end loop . An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment loop (22; 122) has two ends (22A, 22B; 122A, 122B) between which it is open. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clip (22; 122) includes two safety tabs (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) connected to two different areas of the attachment loop (22; 122). An assembly according to Claim 3, taken in combination with Claim 4, in which the two safety tabs (24A, 24B; 14A, 124B) are respectively connected to the two ends (22A, 22B; 122A, 122B) of the loop of fastener (22; 122). An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the tether loop (22; 122) defines a plane (P) and the safety tab (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) extends outside this plane, optionally substantially transversely to this plane. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the safety tab (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) comprises a reaction part (25A, 25B; 125A, 125B), adapted to enter into reaction engagement with the yoke (10), the reaction part being located in the vicinity of the connection zone of the safety tab with the attachment loop. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the safety tab (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) comprises a bracing portion (26A, 26B; 126A, 126B) relative to the attachment loop . An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the attachment loop (22; 122) is configured to resiliently grip at least a portion of the contour of the yoke (10). Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which, in the safety position, the safety tab (24A, 24B; 124A, 124B) cooperates with the pin (12) by undergoing from the pin a elastic strain stress. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the pin (12) has a retaining head (12B) and the safety tab (24A, 24B; 14A, 124B) is able to cooperate with this retaining head , the retaining head optionally having a ring in which the safety tab is able to be inserted.

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