FR2961567A1 - Anti-theft device for protecting nut in gas pipeline to prevent unauthorized operation of nut, has engagement unit passing to inner side of confinement housing and arranged to be in contact with operating unit of nut - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a mask (10) delimiting a confinement housing (11) receiving a nut (2). A wall (12) is provided with a restrictive access opening (20) that forms a passage between an external face (13) and an internal face (14) of the wall. An engagement unit passes to an inner side of the confinement housing, and is in contact with an operating unit (6) of the nut. The wall is formed by a ring that is placed to the nut in a coaxial way. Another access opening (25) is formed in the wall, and is different from the former access opening.

Description

The present invention relates to the general field of antitheft devices intended to protect from an unauthorized removal, and more particularly from theft, mechanical members that are reversibly fixed to any support, for example by means of a device. threaded connection type screw-nut. The present invention more particularly relates to an antitheft device for protecting a nut to prevent unauthorized maneuvering of the latter, said nut having at least a first actuating member which provides a jack allowing it to be maneuvered, said antitheft device comprising a cover which defines a confinement housing intended to accommodate all or part of the nut, said cover having at least a first wall which extends between an external face, located opposite the environment of the device, and an internal face located opposite confinement housing, so as to form a screen between the first actuator and the outside of the device.

The present invention also relates to an operating tool adapted to maneuver a nut protected by an antitheft device according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a kit comprising at least one antitheft device and an associated maneuvering tool. The present invention finally relates, as such, to a pipe element, and in particular a gas pipe, provided with a threaded connection protected by an antitheft device according to the invention. It is known to protect nuts in order to deter an unauthorized person from unscrewing said nut, for example to prevent the theft of mechanical parts retained by such a nut. For this purpose, it has notably been proposed to style the nut to be protected from a cap covering the flanges of said nut, said cap being locked in translation in the direction of the axis of the nut, but left free to rotate about said axis, so that it is B1Q573 / FR impossible to engage on the sides of the nut without having previously removed redit cap_

As such, said cap may be provided with a tangential latch intended to cooperate with an annular groove dug in the nut, to block the movement of the cap in translation, the engagement of said latch being controlled by a lock.

Although they can give satisfaction in the protection against theft, such devices of the prior art however suffer from certain disadvantages.

In particular, the lock constituting a relatively complex mechanism, heavy and bulky, such antitheft devices are generally complicated to manufacture and relatively expensive, which restricts the use of certain particular applications. In addition, they can be relatively bulky and difficult to implement.

In addition, they can be installed only on specific nuts, having particular machining such as annular grooves, such nuts are rarely commercially available, and generally expensive.

Finally, such devices are in practice reserved for blind mountings, insofar as they can only be installed on a terminal nut, placed at the free end of a threaded connection, which makes them unsuitable for the protection of a connection made between two separate mechanical parts.

The objects assigned to the present invention therefore aim at overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and at proposing a new selective antitheft device for a nut enabling particularly effective protection against unauthorized maneuvering of said nut, while being of relatively simple, compact and little expensive.

Another object assigned to the invention is to provide a lock antitheft device with good ergonomics and whose accessibility and use, especially for the authorized maneuvering of the nut, are particularly simple and intuitive, B10573 / FR

The present invention also aims to propose a new antitheft device for nut which is particularly versatile, interchangeable and adaptable to any type of standard nut, without it being necessary to make any modification to the nut protected.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new antitheft device for a nut allowing an authorized user to maneuver the protected nut by offering an excellent grip, stable and solid, on said nut.

Another object assigned to the invention is to provide a lock antitheft device which is particularly discreet, lightweight and balanced.

Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new antitheft device for nut whose installation and assembly in situ are particularly simple and fast.

Another object assigned to the invention aims at proposing a new antitheft device for a nut capable of protecting an intermediate coupling capable of operating the junction of two distinct mechanical parts situated on either side of said coupling, and in particular of two elements. of pipe, such as gas channeling elements.

Another object assigned to the invention is to provide an operating tool specifically adapted to the operation of a nut protected by an antitheft device according to the invention.

Another object assigned to the invention is to provide a versatile maneuvering tool capable of operating both conventional nuts and nuts protected by an antitheft device according to the invention.

Another object assigned to the invention is to provide a nut actuation tool protected by an antitheft device according to the invention whose use is particularly intuitive, simple, fast or substantially automatic. The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of an antitheft device for protecting a nut to prevent unauthorized maneuvering thereof, said nut B10573'FR having at least a first actuating member which provides a grip allowing it to be operated, the antitheft device comprising a cover which delimits a confinement housing intended to accommodate all or part of the nut, said cover having at least a first wall which extends between an external face, situated opposite the environment of the device, and an inner face, located opposite the confinement housing, so as to form a screen between the first operating member and the outside of the device, said device being characterized in that the first wall is provided with at least a first restrictive access orifice which forms a passage between its external face and its internal face and which is arranged to allow a specific operating tool 10, which approaches said first wall by its outer face and which has an engagement member compatible with its insertion into said first access port, to pass through said first wall so as to penetrate inside the containment housing and come into engagement with the first actuator of the nut. The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved with the aid of an operating tool adapted to maneuver a nut protected by an antitheft device according to the invention, said tool having at least one engagement member compatible with its insertion. in the first access opening of the nut and arranged to engage with the first actuator of the latter. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, and with the aid of the accompanying drawings, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, among which: Figure 1 illustrates, in an exploded perspective view, a first embodiment of an antitheft device according to the invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate, in sectional views respectively longitudinal and transverse to the axis of the protected nut, the antitheft device shown in FIG. 1, when it is placed around said nut. - Figures 3A and 3B illustrate, in sectional views respectively longitudinal and transverse to the axis of the protected nut, a second variant of antitheft device according to the invention. B 10573 / FR - Figure 4 illustrates, in a side view, an alternative embodiment of operating tool for operating a nut protected by the antitheft device shown in Figure 3.

- Figure 5 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view a third embodiment 5 of anti-theft device according to the invention and the corresponding actuating tool.

- Figures 6A and 6B illustrate, in perspective views, an antitheft device similar to that shown in Figure 1 and provided with a removable locking member, respectively in the inserted position and removed.

FIG. 7 illustrates, in a perspective view, an antitheft device similar to that of FIGS. 1, 6A and 6B provided with a seal.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate, in partial perspective views, the conversion, by means of an adapter, of a standard maneuvering tool, of the flat key type, into a tool specifically adapted to the operation of a nut. protected by an antitheft device 15 according to that shown in Figure 1.

The present invention relates to an antitheft device 1 for protecting a nut 2 to prevent unauthorized maneuvering thereof.

By "nut" 2, generally denotes any substantially tubular member adapted to perform, under the control of a specific maneuver, a reversible junction 20, and more particularly a clamping fastener, between on the one hand a first mechanical part 3, such as, for example, a threaded rod or a pipe element, and secondly a second mechanical part 4, such as a threaded rod or a pipe element.

By "maneuver" is meant the action exerted on the nut 2 in order to make it pass from a locking configuration, in which it ensures the junction between the first and the second mechanical part 3, 4, to a configuration of release, in which it allows the separation of said first and second mechanical parts 3, 4, or vice versa. B10573 / EN

Preferably, the nut 2 will have a main axis (XX) around which it can be rotated, the rotation component being necessary, or even sufficient, to pass the nut 2 from its locking configuration to its release configuration .

However, it is not excluded that the operation of the nut may include a useful translational component, in particular axial, and / or that said maneuver involves a combination of rotation and translation, without departing from the scope of the invention.

It may be envisaged in particular that said nut 2 forms a bayonet type junction lug, operable for example over a quarter of a turn or a half-turn.

However, particularly preferably, the nut 2 will have a threaded hole 5, preferably opening and substantially central, whose generating axis substantially correspond to the main axis (X-X '), so that its maneuver in rotation will occur by screwing, respectively unscrewing, preferably over several turns, to cause the approximation and tightening, respectively loosening and release, of the first and second mechanical parts 3, 4.

Furthermore, the nut 2 may be immovably connected to the first or the second mechanical part 3, 4 by any means, in a manner that can either preserve one or more degrees of freedom between the nut and the workpiece mechanical, that is, on the contrary, fix and permanently immobilize said nut on said mechanical part. By way of example, it may be considered a mounting by soldering, or by a collared collar at the end of the pipe element and bearing against a shoulder 2A cleared inside the lock, at the end of the threaded hole 5.

According to the invention, the nut 2 has at least a first actuating member 6 which provides a socket for manipulating said nut 2.

Of course, the arrangement and the number of the operating member (s) 6, 6 'are in no way limited. By way of example, the operating member 6, 6' may be formed by a lashing hole 7, 7 'in which we can introduce an appropriate tool to leverage on BWWb7: 3 / FR

the nut 2, as is the case in the second embodiment shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 4.

In particular, said stowing hole 7 may be formed by a notch cut at the periphery of the nut 2, or by a substantially cylindrical bore made from the surface of the nut 2 and penetrating the latter in one direction. substantially parallel to the main axis (XX), or on the contrary in a direction belonging to a plane substantially normal to said main axis, as shown in Figures 3B and 4.

However, the maneuvering member (s) will preferably each be formed by a flat surface 8, 8 ', or "pan", formed on the lateral face 9 of the nut 2, such as is the case in particular on the first and third embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2A, and 2B respectively.

Preferably, said nut 2 will have at least two flats 8, 8 'that are substantially parallel and diametrically opposed, may form a nut with several faces, preferably regular and equal, and particularly preferably will be a nut with four or six sides of standardized.

According to a preferred embodiment, the antitheft device 1 will therefore be designed to be mounted on a standard nut, generally having a geometry, proportions and standard dimensions, and more particularly on a nut forming a plumbing connection for the connection of elements for channeling water or, particularly preferably, gas.

Thus, the protected nut 2 can advantageously have a standard size, for example 1116 inches, 118 inches, 1/4 inches, 318 inches, 112 inches, 518 inches, 314 inches, 7/8 inches, 1 inch, 1 inch. , 5 inch etc., and if necessary be provided with a gas net.

Preferably, the nut will meet the NF EN ISO 4032 standard (hexagonal nuts), the NF E 25-403 standard (square nuts), and / or the "gas" standards, such as XP D 36-- B10573JFR 115, XP D 36-112, NF D 36-103, NF D 36-121, NF D 36-125, NF D 36-123 and NF EN 14800.

According to the invention, the antitheft device 1 comprises a cover 10 which delimits a confinement housing 11, said containment housing 11 being intended to accommodate in all 5 or part the nut 2.

Advantageously, said cover 10 has at least a first portion 12 which extends between an outer face 13, which is located facing the environment 15 of the device, that is to say oriented towards the outside of the device 1 relative to the nut 2 that it contains, and an opposite inner face 14, which is located facing the confinement housing 11, that is to say oriented substantially towards the interior of the device 1 , and more particularly of its hub, vis-à-vis the nut 2 and the main axis (X X '). In this way, the first wall 12 advantageously forms a screen interposed between the first operating member 6, which it covers at least in part, and the external environment 15 of the device.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, the first wall 12 is provided with at least a first restrictive access opening 20 which forms a passage between the outer face 13 and the inner face 14 of said first wall 12, and which is arranged to allow a specific operating tool 21, which approaches said first wall 12 by its outer face 13 and which has an engagement member 22 compatible with its insertion into said first access port 20, to pass through said first wall 12 to penetrate inside the containment housing 11 and to engage the first actuator 6 of the nut 2.

In other words, the first wall 12 is perforated on a portion of its surface so as to provide at least a first orifice 20 whose configuration, and in particular the shape of the transverse section and the dimensions, allows it to act as a selective obstacle, in a way a "filter" mechanical, which restricts the access of the operating tools to the nut 2, and more particularly to the actuating member 6 of the latter. B10573 / EN

Thus, the operation of the nut 2 protected by the antitheft device 1 according to the invention will advantageously be reserved, preferably exclusively, to an operating tool 21 dedicated to said antitheft device 1, and whose engagement member 22 will be adapted not only to cross the first access port 20 so as to enter the confinement housing 11 until reaching the nut 2, and more particularly its first operating member 6, ma corn also to properly engage said actuator 6 in order to be able to cooperate effectively with the latter, through the first wall 12 of the cover 10, more particularly by ensuring a stable grip on the nut 2, so as to be able to drive said nut 2 in motion, especially at least in the direction of loosening.

Particularly advantageously, the first access orifice 20 will be disposed substantially opposite the corresponding operating member 6, so as to allow direct cooperation between the operating tool and the nut, and more particularly so as to allow the engagement member 22 to come into direct engagement with the operating member 6.

As such, the first access port 20 will preferably lead into the confinement housing 11 in the vicinity of the operating member 6, and will preferably be arranged so as to allow the engagement member 22 to reach and to come into mechanical support in or against said operating member 6 by substantially extending the approach movement according to which said engagement member 22 has been introduced into the first access orifice 20 has passed through the first wall 12 of part in go. Advantageously, the antitheft device 1 according to the invention thus provides effective protection of the nut 2 against an unauthorized maneuver, while having a particularly simple and compact arrangement, which can be realized at the using a minimum of particularly simple parts, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.

It is therefore conceivable to produce the antitheft device 1 according to the invention on average or even in large series, at lower cost, and to generalize its use,

B10573 / EN

in particular on the sites of realization of the second work of the buildings, which are particularly exposed to the visit of malicious thirds.

In addition, it is remarkable that the antitheft device 1 according to the invention allows the maneuvering of the nut by an appropriate operating tool 21 through the cover 10, without it being necessary to modify the structure of said antitheft device, nor e fortiori necessary to disassemble or damage the cover 10 to access the nut 2 and maneuver it.

Thus, the device 1 can advantageously be left on the nut, and more generally on one or the other of the second mechanical parts 3, 4 to which said nut 2 is connected, which in particular avoids any loss of said device 1 once it is put into service.

Preferably, the first wall 12 will comprise a plurality of access ports 20, 25, which makes it possible to multiply the potential setting points at which the operating tool 21 can cooperate with the nut 2.

As such, the first wall 12 may include a second access port 25 distinct from the first access port 20, and preferably not aligned with the latter.

Preferably, the first access orifice 20 and the second access orifice 25 extend substantially parallel to each other, on either side of the main axis (XX) and are more preferably substantially opposite diametrically, substantially symmetrically with respect to the sagittal plane of the cover 10, as illustrated in particular in Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 5, 6A and 6B.

Of course, the operating tool 21 may additionally be provided with a plurality of separate engagement members 22, 22 'each adapted to cooperate with a respective access port 25, 25.

If necessary, the multiplication of the points of simultaneous grip of the nut 2 by the tool 21 will improve the reliability of the maneuver while making the tool capable of transmitting a greater torque to the nut 2, this which is particularly useful B10673IFR 2961567 He

when the latter is tight, for example in the case of a gas pipe assembly involving compliance with a standard tightening torque, as defined by the standards mentioned above, typically of the order of 10 N.m.

In addition, the multiplication of the access orifices 20, 25 at the level of the cover 10 and / or those of the operating members 6, 6 'within the nut 2 increases the number of possible configurations of approach, grip and Maneuvering the nut 2 by the tool 21, in particular when the number of said access orifices and / or actuators is a multiple of the number of engagement members 22, 22 '. This contributes to improving the accessibility to the nut, and more generally the ergonomics, simplicity and speed of use of the antitheft device 1.

Moreover, in certain configurations, such as that which is the subject of the first variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 6A and 6B, the appropriate positioning of the access orifices 20, 25 makes it possible to off-center the actuating members. 6, 6 ', and consequently the gripping points, relative to the main axis (XX), such an offset 15 advantageously increasing the lever arm in which the tool 21 can act on the nut 2 protected.

Of course, the shape and dimensions of the access orifices 20, 25 may be subject to numerous variants.

More particularly, in order to simplify the manufacture of the device 1 and the tool 21, the transverse section of said access orifices 20, 25 may be substantially regular, in particular circular, as is illustrated in FIG. opposite oblong or even polygonal and in particular rectangular, as shown in Figure 5.

It may then have a width, that is to say a smaller transverse dimension, substantially comprised, depending on the size of the nut 2, between about 1 mm (for example for a nut 2 having a gap between its sides 8 , 8 'opposed to the order of 23 mm) and 5 mm.

Conversely, said section may also follow a contour of broken line type, possibly having concave portions, in order to complicate the "coding" of the corresponding engagement member 22, 22 'conjugate. Furthermore, although it is conceivable to implement a cover 10 integral with the nut and to prevent unauthorized operation of the nut 2 by giving the outer surface 13 of said cover 10 a shape and / or a "sliding" structure making it elusive by a conventional tool of the clamp type, said cover 10 is preferably detached from the nut 2, and more particularly the maneuvering member or 6 of the latter, when the operating tool 21, or at least the engagement member 22, is absent, so that it is impossible to force the maneuver of the nut 2 protected by only engaging the cover 10, and more particularly on the outer face 13 of the first wall 12, for example by means of a clamp. More particularly, the cover 10 is preferably designed to be rotatably mounted about the main axis (X-X '). In other words, said cover 10 and more generally the device 1 is advantageously mounted crazy, so as to form a kinematic entity separate from the nut 2, as well as the first and the second mechanical part 3, 4, said entity remaining freely mobile with respect to these elements, in particular with rotation around the

20 same main axis (X-X ') than that around which can be performed the operation of the nut 2. Of course, the cover 10 will preferably have sufficient rigidity to oppose its deformation by pinching or crushing against the nut 2 that it contains and protects. According to a possible characteristic corresponding, for example, to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, it is conceivable for the first wall 12 to extend in a secant manner to the main axis (X-X '), and in particular preferential substantially in a plane normal to said main axis. B 10573 / FR

The access orifices 20, 25 may then be formed by one or more openings passing through the first wall 12 in a direction of penetration (Y1-Y'1), (Y2-Y'2) substantially rectilinear and parallel to the main axis (XX), that is to say in a substantially vertical direction in FIG.

It is then possible to come to maneuver the nut by means of a maneuvering tool 21 substantially in the form of a fork whose gap is wide enough to allow the engagement of branches on either side of ['main axis (X X'), and more particularly of the pipe element on which is threaded the cover 10, the engagement members 22, 22 'being formed by two blades each carried by a branch and oriented parallel between they, substantially perpendicular to the branches, so as to be able to enter the device 1 from above, according to a "longitudinal" or "axial" approach FI substantially parallel to said main axis (X X ').

Preferably, as will be detailed below, the spacing between said blades substantially corresponds to the distance between two opposite sections 8, 8 'of the nut 2, the blades each having at least one corresponding flat, in to one another, so as to engage said panels 8 substantially in the manner of a flat key.

According to a preferred characteristic common to the first and second embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, the first wall 12 extends laterally around the main axis (XX), and the the access orifices 20, 25 pass through said first wall 12 in a direction of penetration (Y Y ') transverse, non-parallel, and more particularly non-collinear with said generating axis (X-X').

As such, the first lateral wall 12 will preferably form a sleeve or a ring, intended to be placed substantially coaxial with the nut 2, preferably of substantially constant thickness, and whose inner face 14 preferably delimits a cylindrical chamber of circular base.

Preferably, the direction of penetration (Y9-Y'1), (Y2-Y'2) will form, with respect to a plane normal to the axis (X X '), an angle which may be substantially between +45 B 10573 / FR

degrees and -45 degrees, preferably substantially between +10 degrees and -10 degrees, even substantially close to 0 degrees.

Thus, the IF direction according to which the operating tool 21 can approach the antitheft device 1, and more particularly docking the outer face 13 of the first wall 12 and penetrate through the latter, will be substantially transverse, or even perpendicular to the main axis (XX) around which the nut is able to diet maneuvered.

Advantageously, by providing such lateral access, the accessibility to the antitheft device 1 and to the nut is optimized, in particular when the nut 2 is trapped in a relatively small space because of the bulk of the mechanical parts 3 , 4 it connects, or because of its location near an obstacle such as a wall.

In addition, the fact of maintaining a movement F1 approach and maneuver, respectively a clearance movement F2, lateral or even substantially radial, gives the device 1 a very intuitive operation substantially similar to that of conventional unprotected nuts.

Preferably, according to a characteristic common to the first and third embodiments respectively illustrated in Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 5, 6A and 6B, the first actuating member 6 being formed by a flat portion 8 formed on the side face 9 of the nut 2, the first access port 20 is designed to open into the intermediate space 30 which is between the inner face 14 of the first wall 12 and said flat 8, substantially tangentially to said flat part.

Of course, the nut 2 may comprise at least one second operating member 6 ', also formed by a flat 8', preferably substantially parallel and diametrically opposite the flat 8 forming the first actuating member 6, [e first and the second access port 20, 25 then being arranged to be simultaneously facing the first and the second actuating member 6, 6 'respectively, and lead into [' spacer space 30 substantially tangentially to said flats.

More generally, it is remarkable that the characteristics of the various operating members 6, 6 'and access ports 20, 25 according to the invention can be deduced mutatis mutandis characteristics, arrangement and operation of the first actuating member 6 and the first access port 20.

In a particularly advantageous manner, such an arrangement makes it possible to implement the antitheft device 1 on a standard nut 2, in particular on a hexagon nut 8, 8 ', without any need for any modification, and particular to any machining, the nut 2 and protected.

Indeed, it is advantageously possible to maneuver said nut 2, through the first wall 12 and by means of the adapted operating tool 21, by engaging these standard sections 8, 8 '.

As such, the distance between the penetration direction (YI Y'I) of the first access orifice 20 and the direction of penetration (Y2 Y'2) of the second access orifice 25 will advantageously be adapted to allow a tool 21 provided with a first engagement member 22 and a second engagement member 22 'attached to the same handle 51 to enter the containment housing 11 and substantially simultaneously engage each with its flat part. 8, 8 'respectively.

Thus, one can ensure excellent grip at several points of the nut 2, a little like the way a flat key acts.

In particular, said spacing may be substantially equal to the average, that is to say the half-sum, of the spacing between the flats 8, 8 'and the diameter of the inner face 14 of the first wall 12.

In a particularly preferred manner, the diameter D14 of said inner face 14 is chosen slightly greater than the overall diameter D2 of the nut 2, so as to provide a radial functional clearance JR with respect to said nut 2, said functional clearance being preferably chosen at a value just necessary and sufficient to ensure free rotation when the cover 10 is threaded on the nut 2 and cape the latter 2

As an indication, the nut 2 can thus fit into the cylinder formed by the inner face 14 with a clearance substantially greater than or equal to 0.05 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm, or even 1 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, and for example close to 0.2 mm.

According to a feature which may constitute an entire invention, the engagement member 22, 22 'which tangentially approaches the flat 8, 8', whether axially from above (FIG. 5) or transversely from the side (FIG. 2B), may advantageously be dimensioned to fill the spacer space 30 and jam between the flat 8 ', 8' and the inner face 14, so as to form a wedge or corner for temporarily fastening the nut 2 and the cache 10 to each other, at least in rotation_

As such, the engagement member 22, 22 'may advantageously have an increasing thickness between its free distal end and its proximal end attached to the tool 21.

More particularly, the first and / or the second engagement member 22, 22 'may be formed by a substantially prismatic plate, whose thickness will correspond substantially to the width of the access port 20, 25, and that of the spacer 30, said plate having a bevel at its free end, to facilitate its penetration through the wall 12 and its insertion, preferably accompanied by its wedging force, between the flat 8, 8 'and the inner face 14 .

Of course, the geometry of the engagement member or members 22, 22 'may be arbitrary, provided that these form a "key" specifically adapted to the access orifices and to the engagement of the nut 2. Where appropriate a same cover 10 may comprise access orifices 20, 25 of different shapes or dimensions so that it is possible to accept several types of engagement members, possibly simultaneously. The same operating tool 21 may of course include several types of engagement members 22, 22 '. B105731FR

According to another characteristic present in particular in the second embodiment variant, illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, the operating member 6, 6 'may be formed by a lashing hole 7, 7' pierced in the nut 2, and more particularly in the body of said nut between the side face 9 of the latter and the threaded hole 5, the first access port 20, respectively the second access port 25, then being formed by a window arranged to be placed in an overlapping manner with said lashing hole 7, 7 '.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B and 4, the protected nut 2 and the cover 10 may be arranged in a substantially concentric manner, the nut 2 may also have a cylindrical and substantially smooth lateral face 9, so that to form a trunnion mounted sliding against the inner face 14 of the first wall 12, and preferably guided or substantially adjusted in the latter.

Advantageously, the corresponding access orifices 20, 25 and lashing holes 7, 7 'may advantageously be formed by coaxial cylinders, preferably of substantially the same diameter, and may in particular be counter-drilled directly into the [extension] [ one of the other using the same drill, possibly staggered, after the nut 2 has been introduced into the cover 10. If necessary, this preparation operation by drilling the nut 2 and / or cache 10 can be performed on site, during installation of the device 1, or just after said installation.

It is of course perfectly conceivable to retain, in place of a smooth nut, a standard nut 2 with four or six sides whose hexagonal contour is in [e base circle of the inner face 14, and of piercing lashing holes 7, 7 'in said sections.

It is remarkable that, whatever the embodiment variant considered, the relative mobility of the cover 10 with respect to the nut, and more particularly of the ring forming the first wall 12 with respect to the operating members 6, 6 ', confers to a certain extent a shutter function to said ring, insofar as its rotation makes it possible to shift angularly, or longitudinally, and in a random manner, the access orifices 20, 25 with respect to the corresponding actuating members 6, 6 ', which allows them to be hidden from view.

B10573 / EN

Therefore, it may be necessary, in order to be able to bring the engagement members 22, 22 'into engagement with said actuators 6, 6', to previously orient the cover 10 so as to angularly coincide the access orifices. 20, 25 with said actuators 6, 6 ', and more particularly to bring said actuators 6, 6' substantially in the extension of said access ports.

It is also remarkable that the engagement members 22, 22 'can also be designed, regardless of the alternative embodiment envisaged, so that, once set up within the device, they can [imitate the movement relative of the cover relative to the nut 2, and preferably temporarily secure the cover 10 with the nut 2, at least according to the degree or degrees of freedom necessary for the operation of said nut 2. Thus, i [becomes possible to indirectly maneuvering the nut 2 by acting externally on the single cover 10, the forces and movements required for the maneuver then being transmitted from the cover to the nut by said engagement members.

Furthermore, the cover 10 may comprise, as illustrated in the figures, a substantially cylindrical shell 31 intended to axially cap ['nut 2, said shell 31 comprising a first flange 32 forming a bottom wall from which extends a side wall 33, and a second flange 34 forming a lid substantially opposite the first flange 32, and attached to the shell 31 by an irreversible mounting.

Preferably, the first and the second flange 32, 34 will be formed by perforated discs in their center, so as to let respectively the first and the second mechanical part 3, 4, and more particularly the first and the second element. duct on which they are intended to be threaded, which allows the mounting of the cover on a nut 2 forming an intermediate connection.

Of course, it is perfectly conceivable to provide on the contrary a flange 32, 34 forming a substantially solid bottom wall, so that the device 1 according to the invention can specifically protect a nut 2 termina [for blind mounting. B 1O573 / FR If necessary, it will be possible to provide a modular kit comprising a shell 31 and a batch of flanges 32, 34 interchangeable, said kit comprising at least one flange "passing", pierced with a passage adapted to the mechanical part 3, 4, and at least one flange "blocking", full or insufficiently perforated to allow the passage of said mechanical part, so that the user can freely select the configuration of the device 1 adapted to its application_ Advantageously, the wall lateral 33 may coincide with the first wall 12 carrying the access orifices 20, 25 and may include, or be formed by, a substantially circular base cylinder section and of substantially constant thickness. By "irreversible assembly" means any type of assembly for permanently securing the second flange 34 on the shell 31 so as to form a sealed envelope which substantially encloses the nut 2 between substantially solid walls, which surround said nut substantially in all directions of space. By way of example, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the fixation of the second flap 34 may take place by means of a plurality of radial pins 35, and in particular three or four elastic pins 35 recessed, in a re-entrant manner. relative to the outer face 13 of the cover, in blind holes drilled in the thickness of the second flange 34. Of course, any other type of assembly is possible, in particular by crimping, gluing, latching, brazing, etc., as soon as possible. [Ors that it allows to reconstitute an antitheft device 1 that we can not separate from the nut 2 without destroying the cache 10.

Furthermore, according to a feature common to the first and second embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 3B, the outer face 13 of the first wall 12 of the cover 10 preferably has at least two opposite outer flats 40, substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the main axis (X-X ').

Particularly advantageously, said outer flats 40 provide an external visual cue, as well as guide surfaces, which facilitate the positioning and docking of the operating tool 21, as will be detailed below.

In addition, such external flats 40, directly accessible outside the device, allow, when the engagement members 22, 22 'temporarily remove the relative degree of freedom of rotation of the cover 10 relative to the nut 2, to simultaneously and severely rotate around the main axis (XX) said cover 10 and the nut 2, acting externally on said flats 40. Thus, by acting jointly on the cover 10 and the nut 2, and more particularly by providing the contribution of external flats 40 to the maneuver, one can ensure better maneuvering, and exercise a greater torque on said nut.

Of course, it is conceivable to provide any number of external flats 40, and more particularly such that the outer face 13 forms a standard hexagonal nut whose axis coincides substantially with the main axis (XX) of the nut 2 protected, each of the six outer flats 40 can be brought substantially in relation to, and parallel to, a pan 8, 8 'corresponding to the nut 6. Advantageously, such a configuration allows for one part simply to create an operating tool 21 from a standard open-ended standard key commercially available, and secondly, according to what may constitute an invention in its own right, to give the antitheft device 1 an external appearance innocuous, reminiscent of a normal nut, this appearance trivialized making the concealment of the nut 2 protected much more discreet, and therefore more effective. According to such an alternative embodiment, the first and the second access orifice 20, 25 may advantageously be drilled each from a flat part 40, so as to be separated for example by one of the ridges 41 of the nut. 2. B10573 / FR Of course, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, the skilled person being particularly able to separate or combine with one another or the other characteristics described.

By way of example, it is in particular conceivable to provide a device 1 according to the invention with both transverse access ports, and in particular tangent to the sides of the nut 2, and access orifices. substantially axial, parallel to the axis (XX).

Furthermore, according to a preferred characteristic which may constitute an entire invention, the antitheft device 1 may comprise at least one detachable locking member 60 which is intended firstly to initially occupy the first access orifice 20 and to to engage with the first actuator 6, so as to secure [e cache 10 with the nut 2 according to at least the degree or degrees of freedom necessary to be able to operate said nut 2 through said cover 10 during assembly 1, as shown in FIG. 6A, and on the other hand to be subsequently removed in order to disengage the first access orifice and release said one or more degrees of freedom, as illustrated on FIG. Figure 6B.

More particularly, said locking member 60 may be formed by one or more extractable pins 62 disposed on a support 61, for example a bracket, separate from the cover and the nut, said pins 62 being arranged to be able to penetrate each into a hole 20, 25 respective access to ensure a kinematic link, and more particularly a locking in rotation around the main axis (XX), between the cover 10 and the actuating members 6, 6 'of the nut 2.

Advantageously, it will be possible, if the outer geometry of the cover 10 allows, for example on the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4, to mount the device 1 and the initial tightening of the nut 2 with the aid of a simple standard open-end wrench, then extracting the locking member from the access opening, for example by exerting a pull on the stretching, and completely separating it from the device 1 in order to restore relative mobility in rotation of the cache 10 around the nut 2_ Thus, it will be possible to easily set up the antitheft device 1, without special tools, but on the other hand, after removal or destruction of the locking member 60, to have a B1G573 / EN

specific operating tool 21 for any subsequent operation, including any loosening of the nut 2.

According to an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, the pins 62 may be initially, on delivery of the device 1 and during the first assembly of the latter, connected to one another so as to form a closed loop of sealed type, sealed by a seal 63.

In addition, once the antitheft device placed on the nut 2 and after tightening the latter, the pins 62 can be extracted and replaced by a monitoring seal comprising a wire through the cache through and through the first and / or the second access port and forming a loop held by a lead seal. Advantageously, said wire will itself be too fragile to withstand the torque necessary to maneuver the nut, so that any maneuver or attempted maneuver will be indicated by the destruction of the seal, for example by shearing said wire between the nut 2 and the cover 10.

Of course, the present invention relates to an operating tool 21 adapted to maneuver a nut 2 protected by an antitheft device as described above, said tool having at least one engagement member 22, 22 'compatible with its insertion in the first access port 20, respectively the second access port 25 of said nut 2, said engagement member 22, 22 'being also arranged to engage the first actuator 6, respectively the second actuator 6' .

Preferably, said engagement member 22, 22 'will have a section whose shape and dimensions will correspond substantially to those of the access orifice 20, 25, and may in particular be in the form of a tenon, a lug or tongue, substantially cylindrical or otherwise flattened, or substantially polygonal section and in particular rectangular.

In addition, said engagement member 22, 22 'will be long enough to pass through the first wall 12 and come into contact, and more preferably in support B10573 / EN

surface, against the surface element or elements of the nut 2 forming the operating member (s) 6, 6 '.

Of course, the engagement member (s) 22, 22 'will advantageously be dimensioned and made of a suitable material, possibly treated and / or hardened, to resist the transmission of the torque necessary to maneuver the nut, in particular loosening.

Therefore, the resistance of said engagement members 22, 22 'to both bending and shearing will be calculated as a function of said tightening torques, including above-mentioned normalized torques.

Conversely, it is easily understandable that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to force the maneuver of the nut 2 by simply introducing a "scrap piece" of any size, poorly sized or insufficiently solid, between the cover 10 and the nut.

Of course, the same operating tool 21 will preferably have a common base 50 rigidly supporting the maneuvering forces to be provided, both the first engagement member 22 and the second engagement member 22 '. .

Advantageously, said base 50 will be connected to, and preferably formed in one piece with, a handle 51 providing both a gripping means of the tool 21 and an arm of Ievier sufficient to exert the torque necessary for the maneuver of the nut 2.

Preferably, according to a feature which may constitute an invention as such, the tool 21 has a hollow profile 52, which may have a flat bottom, or conversely substantially an-ondi to form a clearance, or finally substantially in V, of shape substantially conjugated to the flats 40 of the outer face 13 of the cover 10, said recessed profile 52 being bordered laterally by a first branch 53 and a second branch 54, said branches being arranged to bear against 25 external face 13 of the first wall 12, the or the engagement members 22, 22 'being in turn located in the air gap of said branches 53, 54. In a particularly advantageous manner, the tool 21 can substantially recall a key plate with two pairs of horns all pointing in the same direction to B 10573 / EN

from the base 50, the first pair of horns being formed by the outer branches 53, 54 intended to engage on the outer face 13 of the cover 10 to center and guide the approach and the penetration through the first wall 12 of the members 22, 22 ', which form a second pair of central horns of smaller dimensions.

Of course, it is possible to provide a range of tools 21 corresponding to the standard size range of the nuts 2 to be protected, and, moreover, to define a ratio of proportionality between the dimensions of the protected nut 2 and those of the cover 10, the latter may for example have a standard size immediately greater or greater than two standard rungs, relative to the nut 2 protected_

Furthermore, although the engagement member or members 22, 22 'can be integral with the operating tool 21, and for example fitted into, welded to, or even formed integrally with the base 50, the said or said engagement members 22, 22 'may instead, according to a feature which may constitute an invention as such, be formed by one, respectively two, latch 55, which are movably mounted between a retracted position, in which they are totally or partially retracted inside the base 50, and a protruding position, in which they project out of the base 50, beyond the retracted position, said latches preferably being biased towards their projecting position by an elastic member 56 of the kind spring, as shown in the detail view of Figure 4.

Preferably, the latches 55 form sliders guided in translation in jackets drilled in the thickness of the tool from the recessed profile 52, and in a direction substantially parallel to that of the handle 51.

In a particularly advantageous manner, such an arrangement makes it possible to confer on the engagement members 22, 22 'an automatic latching capacity, insofar as they can either adopt a fully retracted position, in which the latches 55 are pushed back by the portion full of the cover or by a solid nut when the tool 21 is used as ordinary plain key, or a semi-deployed position they adopt when the tool 21 is close enough to the cover 10 and properly oriented relative thereto last so that the bodies

B10573 / EN

engagement members penetrate through the access ports 20, 25, but abut against the solid surface of the protected nut 2, or finally a fully deployed position they adopt spontaneously when propelled by the elastic member 56 in or against the actuators 6, 6 'of the nut, provided that the latter are brought into alignment with the access orifices 20, 25.

Thus, once tool 21 is attached to the first wall 12, at most it is sufficient to rotate said tool around the main axis (X-X ') to cause engagement members 22, 22 to engage. .

According to another variant embodiment which may constitute an entire invention, the operating tool 21 may be formed, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, from a standard tool 21 ', of the key type plate, which is converted, or in some way "coded", into a tool specifically adapted to the operation of the device 1 by means of a removable adapter 70 carrying on the one hand or the engagement members 22, 22 'and d on the other hand reversible fixing means 71 for connecting it to said standard tool.

For example, said adapter 70, which is in a way the "key" of maneuvering the nut, may be in the form of a cap 72 to be threaded between [es branches 53, 54-d an ordinary flat key or a wrench, and held in abutment against the recessed profile 52 thereof, the engagement members protruding on the opposite side of said cap 72. Advantageously, the maintenance of said cap 72 can be ensured by simple interlocking or latching, the fastening means 71 comprising for this purpose one or more rails 73 of shape conjugate to that of the elements of the flat key on which the adapter rests.

If necessary, said removable adapter 70 may also constitute the aforementioned removable locking member 60, intended to secure the cover on the nut 2 during initial assembly, and be packaged and delivered as such, pre-mounted reversibly on said cache 10.

Of course, the invention also relates as such to a kit comprising at least one anti-theft device 1 and a suitable operating tool 21, or an adapter 70.

It also relates to a nut 2 equipped with an antitheft device 1 according to the invention, or a mechanical part 3, 4, such as a pipe element, provided with a coupling comprising a nut 2 protected by a such anti-theft device 1

The operation of an antitheft device 1 according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

The user first puts the second flap 34 on the second mechanical part 4, 10 then engages the nut 2 on said piece and connects it to the latter, for example by flapping a collar at the end of said piece.

The user then caps the nut 2 with the shell 31, and fixes the latter indemountably to the second flange 34, to trap the nut with however an axial clearance jA and a radial clearance jR allowing the free rotation of the cache 10 around the nut. The nut 2 is then substantially covered and protected by the cover 10, which is now irremovable from the nut.

When it is necessary to bring the first piece 3, and more particularly another pipe element provided with a male threaded end to make a junction with the threaded hole 5 of the nut 2, the user approaches the tool 21 of the outer face 13, 20 according to a substantially centripetal radial movement FI.

Preferably, it engages the pair of external flats 40 which allows it to directly guide the engagement members 22, 22 'to the access orifices 20, 25.

On the other hand, if the external face 13 is substantially smooth and circular, it is possible to engage the tool against the said wall, then to turn the tool 21 around the cover 10 while keeping the latter substantially immobile, the first and second branches 53 and 54 advantageously guiding the rotation of said tool 21 by sliding on the crown of the cover, until the latches 55 are superimposed audits B105731F1i orifices

20 and 25 are introduced into the latter under the thrust of the elastic member 56.

Thus, this first approach step makes it possible to rotate the cover 10 and the tool 21 in rotation. The tool 21 can then continue to rotate until the latches 55 coincide with the gaps in the intermediate space. 30 allowing them to extend their penetration to attack the nut 2, and more particularly to engage on and against the sides 8, 8 'of said nut 2.

Of course, in the case where a tool 21 is used provided with fixed engagement members 22, 22 'and not with latches 55, it is necessary to maintain on the handle 51 a penetration force substantially oriented towards the main axis (XX) at the same time as said yarn 21 is oriented around said axis (X X ') relative to the cover 10 and / or the cover 10 relative to the nut 2.

Once the protected nut is grasped and / or blocked against the cover 10, it is then possible to exert a tightening torque, respectively of loosening, on the nut 2, and more particularly to drive said nut 2 and the cover 10 using the tool 21 according to the desired maneuver.

Once the assembly or disassembly has been carried out, the user withdraws and moves away the tool, thereby extracting the engagement members 22, 22 'from the antitheft device 1 in a substantially centrifugal clearance movement F2. The cover 10 then finds its freedom of rotation relative to the nut 2.

Of course, when using the nut 2 for the first time, it may be perfectly possible to reconstitute the anti-theft device 1, by securing the shell 31 and the second flap 34, only after assembling the two parts. 3, 4 to one another by means of the nut 2. In this respect, it would be necessary to thread the second flange 34 on the second pipe element 4 first and then freely, then the shell 31 on the first pipe element 3, to screw the first pipe element in the nut 2 mounted on the second element 8905731FR, then, after tightening, to close the device 1 by bringing the shell 31 of the second flange 34, sliding the latter Fun towards each other in the direction of the nut 2, along their respective pipe element. Advantageously, the antitheft device 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to achieve, in a particularly simple, compact and inexpensive manner, an effective and discrete protection against the unauthorized maneuvering of nuts 2, and in particular of all types of standardized nuts, without it being necessary to modify or alter the structure of said nuts 2, or parts 3, 4 they connect. In addition, the very small size of the device 1, and its excellent accessibility allow its implementation in very diverse conditions, including in congested environments and difficult to access, for example in corners, near the floors or walls . Finally, the device 1 according to the invention has excellent ergonomics and very intuitive operation, particularly when associated with an "automatic" operating tool as described above.

Claims (9)

1 antitheft device (1) for protecting a nut (2) to prevent unauthorized operation thereof, said nut (2) having at least a first actuating member (6) which provides a socket for the maneuvering, the antitheft device (1) comprising a cover (10) which delimits a containment housing (11) intended to accommodate in all or part the nut (2), said cover (10) having at least a first wall (12) which extends between an outer face (13), located opposite the environment of the device, and an inner face (14) located opposite the confinement housing (11), so as to form a screen between the first member operating device (6) and the exterior (15) of the device, said device being characterized in that the first wall (12) is provided with at least one restrictive first access orifice (20) which forms a passage between its outer face (13) and its inner face (14) and which is arranged to allow a tool operating device (21), which approaches said first wall (12) by its external face (13) and which has an engagement member (22) compatible with its insertion into said first access orifice, through said first wall (12) to penetrate inside the containment housing (11) and to engage the first actuator (6) of the nut (2). 2 - anti-theft device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that, the nut (2) having a main axis (XX) about which it can be rotated, the first wall (12) extends laterally around said main axis (X X ') and in that the access orifice (20) passes through said wall (12) in a direction of penetration (Y1-Y'1) transverse, not parallel to said main axis (X X') . 3 antitheft device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that, the nut (2) having a main axis (X X ') around which it can be rotated, the cover (10) is designed to be mounted for free rotation about said main axis (X X '). 4 - antitheft device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first actuating member (6) is formed by a flat (8) formed on B1Q5731FR the lateral face of the nut (2), and the first access port (20) is designed to open into the intermediate space (30) between the inner face (14) of the first wall (12) and said flat (8), substantially tangentially to said flat. 5 - antitheft device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is designed to be mounted on a nut (2) standardized. 6 - anti-theft device ('1) according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the operating member (6) is formed by a lashing hole (7) drilled in the nut (2) and in the first access port (20) is formed by a window arranged to be able to be placed in an overlapping manner with said docking hole. 7 - anti-theft device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that, the nut (2) having a main axis (XX) around which it can be operated to rotate, the outer face (13) of the first wall (12) has at least two outer flats (40) opposite, substantially parallel to each other and to said main axis (X-X '). 8 - anti-theft device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that the outer face (13) of the first wall (12) forms a nut (2) standard hexagon whose axis coincides substantially with the main axis ( X X ') of the nut (2) protected. 9 - anti-theft device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first wall (12) is formed by a ring intended to be placed substantially coaxially with the nut (2) and whose inner face ( 14) delimits a cylinder whose diameter (D14) is chosen so as to provide a radial functional clearance substantially between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm with respect to the overall diameter (D2) of said nut (2). - Antitheft device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first wall (12) comprises a second access port (25) separate from the first access port (20) and not aligned with the latter. 11 - anti-theft device (1) according to claim 10 characterized in that, the nut (2) having a main axis (XX) around which it can be operated to rotate, the first and second access ports (20, 25) extend substantially parallel to each other, on either side of said main axis. 12 - anti-theft device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the cover (10) comprises a substantially cylindrical shell (31) intended to axially cap the nut (2), said shell having a first flange ( 32) forming a bottom wall from which extends a side wall (33) and a second flange (34) forming a cover, attached to said shell by an irreversible mounting. 13 - antitheft device (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one removable locking member (60) for firstly to initially occupy the first access port (20) and to engage with the first actuator (6) so as to secure the cover (10) with the nut (2) according to at least one or more degrees of freedom necessary to be able to manipulate said nut (2) via said cover (10) during initial assembly of the device (1), and secondly to be subsequently removed to clear the first access port and release said one or more degrees of freedom. 14 - Operating tool (21) adapted to maneuver a nut (2) protected by an antitheft device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, said tool having at least one engagement member (22) compatible with its insertion into the first access port (20) of said nut (2) and arranged to engage with the first operating member (6) thereof. 15 - Tool according to claim 14 characterized in that the engagement member (22) is formed by a latch (55) mounted movably between a retracted position and a projecting position, and biased towards its projecting position by an elastic member ( 56) of the kind spring. 16- Tool according to claim 14 or 15 characterized in that it forms a flat key having a recessed profile laterally bordered by a first and a second B1D573 / FR branch (53, 54), said branches being arranged to bear against the outer face (13) of the first wall (12) and the or the engagement members (22, 22 ') being located in the air gap of said branches. 17 - Tool according to one of claims 14 to 16 characterized in that it is formed from a standard tool, the kind of flat key, which is converted into a tool specifically adapted to the operation of the device 1 by means of a removable adapter (70) carrying on the one hand or the engagement members (22, 22 ') and secondly reversible attachment means (71) to said standard tool.